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.
Gene Hackman Died Of Heart Disease; Hantavirus Claimed His Wife’s Life About One Week Prior
Actor Gene Hackman died of heart disease a full week after his wife died from hantavirus in their New Mexico hillside home, likely unaware that she was dead because he was in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease, authorities revealed Friday. Both deaths were ruled to be from natural causes, chief medical examiner Dr. Heather Jarrell said alongside state fire and health officials at a news conference. "Mr. Hackman showed evidence of advanced Alzheimer's disease," Jarrell said. "He was in a very poor state of health. He had significant heart disease, and I think ultimately that's what resulted in his death." Authorities didn't suspect foul play after the bodies of Hackman, 95, and Betsy Arakawa, 65, were discovered Feb 26. Immediate tests for carbon monoxide poisoning were negative. Investigators found that the last known communication and activity from Arakawa was Feb. 11 when she visited a pharmacy, pet store and grocery before returning to their gated neighborhood that afternoon, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said Friday. Hackman's pacemaker last showed signs of activity a week later and that he had an abnormal heart rhythm Feb. 18, the day he likely died, Jarrell said. Although there was no reliable way to determine the date and time when both died, all signs point to their deaths coming a week apart, Jarrell said. "It's quite possible he was not aware she was deceased," Jarrell said. Dr. Michael Baden, a former New York City medical examiner, said he believes Hackman was severely impaired due to Alzheimer's disease and unable to deal with his wife's death in the last week of his life. "You are talking about very severe Alzheimer's disease that normal people would be in a nursing home or have a nurse, but she was taking care... Read More