Ashley Vinson and Matt Abramson have joined DDB Chicago as senior producer of integrated creative and as producer, respectively. They both report to DDB Chicago’s director of production, Diane Jackson.
Vinson will work with DDB client teams as a production strategist to take interactive projects from conception to completion and lead the charge to further develop the agency’s overall interactive capabilities. Prior to joining DDB Chicago, Vinson held the same post at EnergyBBDO, Chicago.
As a producer at DDB, Abramson has already produced work for clients including Cars.com and Anheuser-Busch and will also partner with Vinson on several projects. Prior to joining DDB, he spent three years at Element 79, Chicago, producing TV and radio spots for such clients as Gatorade, Frito Lay, Cricket Wireless and Long John Silver’s.
DDB Chicago works for a roster of clients that includes Anheuser-Busch, Capital One, Johnson & Johnson, LensCrafters, McDonald’s, Midas, Office Max, Safeway, State Farm, The Chicago Tribune and the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company.
A “Wicked” Welcome From The National Board of Review
Days after "Wicked" went home from the Golden Globes with a single award for box office achievement, the National Board of Review Awards held space for the smash hit musical, celebrating its cast and director in the New York group's annual gala Tuesday. The untelevised but starry NBR Awards were a chance for many of the nominees who didn't win Sunday to trot out their would-be acceptance speeches, including Daniel Craig and Nicole Kidman. Accepting the award for best actress for her performance in the erotic thriller "Babygirl," Kidman celebrated by chugging a glass of milk, a nod to some of the film's kinky sex games. After finishing, Kidman triumphantly announced "Good girl!" and left the stage. It also was an opportunity for some jabs at the Globes. "Isn't this room just a little bit classier than the Beverly Hilton?" quipped presenter Christine Baranski, looking around the elegant marble-columned midtown venue, Cipriani's. Others were less impressed by the old-school New York vibe. "The bathroom attendant, that shouldn't exist anymore," Kieran Culkin said during a typically free-form acceptance speech for best supporting actor for his role in "A Real Pain." The night belonged to Jon M. Chu's "Wicked." The musical was the board's pick for best film, best director for Chu and a special award for the creative collaboration of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. The two, in back-and-forth remarks, continued their mutual praise of each other. "Also you're welcome," added Grande. "I truly think you would have murdered anyone else." "Probably true," responded Erivo. Chu, who was introduced by Lin-Manuel Miranda, used the moment to reflect on his yearslong journey with "Wicked," which will be followed by an already-shot part two due out this... Read More