Jason McCann has been named creative director in AKQA‘s New York office, where he will report to chief creative officer Rei Inamoto. McCann joins AKQA from TAXI Toronto where he served as VP, co-executive creative director, working with brands such as TELUS, MINI Canada and the Toronto International Film Festival.
McCann brings 15 years experience to his new roost. Since starting at TAXI in 2003, McCann helped build the agency’s interactive reputation with global award-winning campaigns for MINI Canada that earned multiple Cannes Cyber Lions. During his tenure at TAXI, Jason served as ECD, Digital for all six North American offices and spent two years in its New York office working on clients such as New York Life and Blue Shield of California.
McCann joins an office that has grown significantly in 2011, broadening and attracting a diverse array of clients and services across consumer goods, financial services, retail and more. In the past quarter, AKQA in New York has broadened relationships with a number of clients such as Kraft.
As the business has grown, AKQA has filled the ranks with complementary creative leads who come from strong backgrounds in storytelling, product innovation, design and advertising. McCann is the third creative director to join AKQA’s team in New York this year, following Jim Wood and Lynn Teo, who also serves as head of user experience.
Directors Amy+Pilar and Jose Antonio Prat Join Reform School
Boutique content production company Reform has added comedy directing duo Amy+Pilar (Amy York Rubin and Pilar Boehm) and award-winning multicultural director Jose Antonio Prat to its roster for U.S. representation spanning commercials and branded entertainment.
Partners in both life and art, Amy+Pilar are know for their sharp wit and comedic timing. Their synchronicity is evident in a body of work across TV, film and commercials. Prior to joining Reform School, Amy+Pilar had been repped in the ad market by production company Knucklehead.
Amy has directed high-profile comedy sketches featuring stars like Amy Schumer, Kate McKinnon, and Sarah Silverman. On the episodic front, Amy has helmed for series such as Fresh Off the Boat, Casual, Superstore and Angie Tribeca--as well as the pilot for the hit Netflix comedy Dead to Me.
Before joining forces with Amy behind the camera, Pilar was a psychotherapist, a background that informs her ability to create fascinating characters and stage irresistible, nuanced performances. Amy and Pilar’s shared passion for comedy brought them together. Their collaboration began with a Synchrony Bank campaign, starring cult-comedy favorite Maribeth Monroe (Workaholics), and they went on to direct the pilot of the Hulu series Love, Victor. Amy+Pilar’s ad fare also includes spots for Uber’s “Go-Get” campaign and “Shift,” starring Martin Starr.
“We have been fans of Amy and Pilar for a long time,” said Ryan Ennis, executive director at Reform School. “They excel at capturing comedic performances and dialogue. Coming from the TV and L.A. comedy scenes, they’ve built a strong following and collaborated with some of our favorite funny people.... Read More