Todd Waterbury has resigned as co-executive creative director of Wieden+Kennedy New York (W+K NY) effective May 1.
Waterbury is leaving the W+K network to start an as-yet-unnamed creative/strategic consultancy.
“After sixteen years at W+K and a lifetime of creative accomplishments that I cannot begin to list, now is the time to find unexpected ways to realize the business and creative potential that exists at the intersection of design, media and technology,” said Waterbury.
During his nine years as co-executive creative director of W+K NY, Waterbury expanded the size and definition of the New York creative department, introducing architects, industrial designers, playwrights, curators and technologists to the context of advertising, product design and filmmaking. He was also instrumental in the integration of interactive into the mind-set and organization of the creative department, including the hires of the director of user experience, information architecture and experience design, which have led to recent work for ESPN and its interactive storefront, and Nike’s campaign for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
“Todd and I go back a couple of careers. He has been a wonderful creative leader for us at W+K,” said John C. Jay, W+K global executive creative director. “Opening his own independent shop was inevitable, and despite our many offers to start one together, he decided to go it alone. I guess he learned the independence thing all too well here. We will miss him.”
Waterbury will be working closely with W+K founder/CEO Dan Wieden and Jay to name Waterbury’s successor. Kevin Proudfoot remains W+K NY’s co-executive creative director.
Robert Eggers and Willem Dafoe Reunite For “Nosferatu”
When Willem Dafoe enjoys working with a filmmaker, he'll often jump at the chance to do it again.
The list of directors with whom the 69-year-old has worked with more than once is extensive, including Wes Anderson,Yorgos Lanthimos,Paul Schrader,Lars von Trier and, now for a third time, Robert Eggers. "If it's good, you come back," Dafoe said plainly.
The pair spoke about Eggers' adaptation of "Nosferatu" that hits theaters Wednesday, some of the challenges they faced making "The Lighthouse" — their first project together released in 2019 — and the unique relationship that exists between actors and directors.
The interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
Q: Willem, I read that you called Robert after you saw "The Witch." What did you say?
DAFOE: I want to meet you and I want to know who this filmmaker is.
Q: What is it about him that keeps bringing you back?
DAFOE: Well, if it's good, you come back. When I saw "The Witch," I thought, "Wow, this is a film about a period that I'm not particularly knowledgeable about, but I enter it so easily. This is relevant. It's rooted. It's my story. I'm with these people."
That's quite an incredible trick because a lot of period films, they're always pointing to themselves. They're always sending messages. They're always showing. This had a kind of energy and the kind of physicality and sensuality that I thought, "Who does this? I gotta see this guy." And then I had a wonderful experience in "The Lighthouse" and I played a part that was really fun in "The Northman." So, when he wants to do this passion project and offers me this beautiful role of Professor Von Franz, I say,... Read More