NY-headquartered Deep Focus, a global digitally-led creative agency and part of Engine Group, has appointed Anna Ibbotson to serve as president of its Los Angeles office. Reporting to founder and chairman Ian Schafer, Ibbotson will be responsible for building and managing a team of 80-plus, as well as overseeing the augmentation of Deep Focus’ branded content capabilities through collaboration with sister content and entertainment marketing agency Trailer Park.
Ibbotson has a strong hybrid background in both the production and ad marketing industries. Prior to joining Deep Focus, she was sr. partner, executive group director at Ogilvy & Mather in Los Angeles and Chicago. She previously ran operations and production at LA Digital Post (now owned by Moviola), as well as supervised postproduction at Modern Video Film for Warner Bros., FOX and CBS network properties including The OC, Gossip Girl and Malcolm in The Middle.
“My vision is to establish the LA office as a creatively driven agency fueled by insights, technology and innovation,” said Ibbotson. “Deep Focus doesn’t believe in the divide between traditional and digital marketing. We’re holistic in both our strategic thinking and in our client solutions, and it’s what continues to set us apart in an ever-evolving digital age.”
Throughout her 20-year career, Ibbotson has touched some of the world’s largest brands, including Kimberly Clark, Xerox, Adobe, AT&T, HTC, Tabasco and Taco Bell.
Director Megan Brotherton Joins Thinking Machine For Her 1st Commercial Representation
Thinking Machine has signed filmmaker Megan Brotherton for her first commercial representation. A multi-hyphenate talent, she is gaining a reputation for directing high profile comedy commercials--and making the occasional cameo--for brands such as Microsoft, Nerds, Oikos, Walmart, Nintendo, Kohl’s and more recently Maybelline, her first campaign produced by Thinking Machine for NBCU Creative Partnerships for SNL’s 50th anniversary season. The campaign features show alums Vanessa Bayer and Cecily Strong, with Brotherton capturing their signature comedic style in scenes highlighting beauty in pop culture. Brotherton’s latest comedic campaign just broke for NC Education Lottery via agency Cactus.
“From my first call with Megan, I immediately noticed how vibrant and collaborative she is as a filmmaker,” said Alon Simcha, executive producer of Thinking Machine. “Her background as a writer and her experience in front of the camera bring so many ideas and an infectious energy to every call we’ve had. I’m really excited to be working together and look forward to how we can help grow her career.”
Brotherton earned her MFA in acting at Harvard University including a residence at The Moscow Art Theatre where her teachers noticed her aptitude for directing. She was introduced to commercialmaking in 2017 through a Women In Film LA mentorship program where she was selected to direct a PSA for a local non-profit. That PSA for Access Books won her a Bronze Telly and a Platinum Best of Show Aurora Award. In 2023 as a CDDP Fellow mentored by Caleb Dewart at Hungry Man, the path emerged for her to be a working commercial director when Dewart connected her to Thinking Machine. Along the way, she has collaborated with a cross-section of agencies... Read More