DDB, part of Omnicom Group (NYSE:OMC), has named industry veteran John McCarthy as president of its San Francisco office. McCarthy will report directly to Paul Gunning, president and COO of DDB U.S.
In his new role, McCarthy will spearhead DDB’s growth on the West Coast. Working in partnership with executive creative director Ben Wolan, McCarthy will oversee DDB San Francisco’s client roster, which spans the social good, utilities, financial, and technology sectors, plus the agency’s talented team of creative thinkers.
McCarthy has led some of the world’s most iconic brands through moments of critical transformation. From global repositioning to digital innovation, he has spearheaded efforts for Google, Coca-Cola, Nike, PlayStation, Goldman Sachs, GE, Chanel, State Farm, Home Depot, and the United Nations. Most recently, McCarthy was sr. VP of strategy for experience design and innovation agency YML. Before YML, McCarthy was general manager for Johannes Leonardo. While there, he led the team to deliver game-changing solutions across a wide range of experiences and touchpoints, including the inaugural Cannes Lions Grand Prix for Mobile with their work for Google. Previously, McCarthy also led strategic initiatives at JWT, as well as corporate social responsibility efforts for Qualcomm.
McCarthy said, “The team assembled in San Francisco is ambitious, optimistic and ridiculously talented. I’m excited to partner with Ben and Paul to unlock new paths for growth and innovation. What better place than the epicenter of disruption to shape the next generation agency? Who better to define the future of creativity than the iconic agency responsible for leading its first revolution?”
McCarthy’s appointment further builds out the creative vision Wendy Clark (CEO, DDB Worldwide and Ari Weiss (CCO, DDB North America) have for DDB in the U.S. McCarthy joins the network soon after the influx of major new business, such as DDB’s Army win in Chicago.
“Heretic” and “Maria” Set As Red Carpet Premieres At AFI Fest
The American Film Institute (AFI) has announced that Heretic, the psychological thriller starring Hugh Grant, and Maria, based on the life of opera singer Maria Callas starring Angelina Jolie, will round out the Red Carpet Premieres section at this year’s AFI Fest. The Heretic Gala Screening will take place on Thursday, October 24, and the Maria Gala Screening will be held on Saturday, October 26. The complete Red Carpet Premieres section includes the world premieres of Music By John Williams, Robert Zemeckis’ Here, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl and Clint Eastwood’s Juror #2. All Red Carpet Premieres will take place at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre. The full lineup for AFI Fest 2024 will be unveiled on October 1.
“At the heart of AFI Fest is an unwavering dedication to celebrating the best in global cinema--together,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI president and CEO. “We look forward to uniting artists and audiences once again to be inspired by the art form in a powerful sense of community.”
Heretic follows two young missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) who are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed (portrayed by Grant), becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse. The film is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods and produced by Stacey Sher, Beck, Woods, Julia Glausi and Jeanette Volturno. The film will be released nationwide by A24 on November 8.
Directed by Pablo Larraín, Maria presents a tumultuous and beautiful depiction of one of the world’s most renowned artists and reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days in Paris, as Callas (Jolie)... Read More