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.
Disney Pledges $15 million In L.A. Fire Aid As More Celebs Learn They’ve Lost Their Homes
The Pacific Palisades wildfires torched the home of "This Is Us" star Milo Ventimiglia, perhaps most poignantly destroying the father-to-be's newly installed crib.
CBS cameras caught the actor walking through his charred house for the first time, standing in what was once his kitchen and looking at a neighborhood in ruin. "Your heart just breaks."
He and his pregnant wife, Jarah Mariano, evacuated Tuesday with their dog and they watched on security cameras as the flames ripped through the house, destroying everything, including a new crib.
"There's a kind of shock moment where you're going, 'Oh, this is real. This is happening.' What good is it to continue watching?' And then at a certain point we just turned it off, like 'What good is it to continue watching?'"
Firefighters sought to make gains Friday during a respite in the heavy winds that fanned the flames as numerous groups pledged aid to help victims and rebuild, including a $15 million donation pledge from the Walt Disney Co.
More stars learn their homes are gone
While seeing the remains of his home, Ventimiglia was struck by a connection to his "This Is Us" character, Jack Pearson, who died after inhaling smoke in a house fire. "It's not lost on me life imitating art."
Mandy Moore, who played Ventimiglia's wife on "This Is Us," nearly lost her home in the Eaton fire, which scorched large areas of the Altadena neighborhood. She said Thursday that part of her house is standing but is unlivable, and her husband lost his music studio and all his instruments.
Mel Gibson's home is "completely gone," his publicist Alan Nierob confirmed Friday. The Oscar winner revealed the loss of his home earlier Friday while appearing on Joe Rogan's... Read More