Bodega, a content creation/production company with bases of operation in New York and San Francisco, has signed director Dave Merhar for spot representation. Merhar comes to Bodega upon the closing of his L.A.-based production company, Mortar. After 10 years on the agency side, he’s spent the last 13 working as a director for HSI and Sandwick Films in addition to Mortar, winning assorted industry awards including multiple Cannes Lions.
Merhar, known for his narrative and comedic filmmaking prowess, has helmed spots for such clients as Anheuser-Busch, Hyundai, Snickers, Polaroid, ESPN, General Mills, Heineken and Lincoln Mercury. Upcoming work includes his debut Bodega spots for Legal Shield out of Level Two, Dallas, and “Unplug” for the U.S. Forest Service/Ad Council.
Merhar’s creative interests began at Iowa State University, where he earned a B.A. in Graphic Arts. Upon entering the advertising industry at JWT Chicago in 1989, Merhar transitioned from graphic arts to writing until 1991. At this time, he went to DDB Chicago, where he served as group creative director for seven years running top clients such as Budweiser, Bud Light, McDonald’s and Heinz. He left DDB to start his own agency, Fusion Idea Lab, where he wrote and directed for Anheuser-Busch. He led a team to craft spots for Anheuser Busch brands as well as other clients including Subway, Target, Orbitz, ABC Family and FOX Network.
Merhar left the agency to dedicate more time to directing. After spending time as a roster director for HSI and Sandwick Films, Merhar teamed up with executive producer Grayson Bithell to open Mortar. After directing projects there for clients including Hyundai, Hefty, McDonalds, Pepsi, Toshiba, Arby’s, Bud Light (“Falcon” earned a Cannes Lion) and Heineken (“Shoveling” also earned a Cannes Lion) he closed the shop in hopes of allotting more time to his pursuits in writing.
Apple and Google Face UK Investigation Into Mobile Browser Dominance
Apple and Google aren't giving consumers a genuine choice of mobile web browsers, a British watchdog said Friday in a report that recommends they face an investigation under new U.K. digital rules taking effect next year.
The Competition and Markets Authority took aim at Apple, saying the iPhone maker's tactics hold back innovation by stopping rivals from giving users new features like faster webpage loading. Apple does this by restricting progressive web apps, which don't need to be downloaded from an app store and aren't subject to app store commissions, the report said.
"This technology is not able to fully take off on iOS devices," the watchdog said in a provisional report on its investigation into mobile browsers that it opened after an initial study concluded that Apple and Google effectively have a chokehold on "mobile ecosystems."
The CMA's report also found that Apple and Google manipulate the choices given to mobile phone users to make their own browsers "the clearest or easiest option."
And it said that the a revenue-sharing deal between the two U.S. Big Tech companies "significantly reduces their financial incentives" to compete in mobile browsers on Apple's iOS operating system for iPhones.
Both companies said they will "engage constructively" with the CMA.
Apple said it disagreed with the findings and said it was concerned that the recommendations would undermine user privacy and security.
Google said the openness of its Android mobile operating system "has helped to expand choice, reduce prices and democratize access to smartphones and apps" and that it's "committed to open platforms that empower consumers."
It's the latest move by regulators on both sides of the Atlantic to crack down on the... Read More