ContagiousLA (CLA) has added director Erik Anderson to its spotmaking roster for exclusive U.S. representation. Anderson’s commercial reel features work from brands such as Firestone, Audi, Microsoft, Ford, Canon and Amazon. Anderson appeared on the scene in 2013, when he was earned inclusion in SHOOT’s New Directors Showcase on the strength of Chevrolet’s “Heirloom,” a heartfelt spec piece that focused on the bequeathing of a vintage Chevrolet Corvette. He has gone on to win Clios, Effies, Addys and AICP Show honors.
Anderson’s signing with CLA comes on the heels of his first assignment with the company, a campaign for Pirelli Tires. Prior to joining CLA, Anderson was represented by Synthetic Pictures.
“The excitement and level of engagement Erik brings to his work is like nothing I’ve ever seen,” said CLA co-founder/executive producer Natalie Sakai. “Every project is a passion project. The Pirelli creative called for an action trailer, and Erik shot a mini Mission Impossible. His crew doesn’t work for him; they’re literally an extension of his energy.”
Anderson said of his new roost, “From Natalie, to the reps, to the line producers and every member of the crew, my experience with ContagiousLA has been nothing short of inspiring. This is a very savvy, buttoned-up family of filmmakers.”
A graduate of Pasadena’s Art Center College of Design, Anderson began his career directing social action documentaries and doing pro bono work for charitable organizations. His disposition as an athlete and automotive enthusiast informed the aforementioned Chevy “Heirloom,” exploring the emotional connection between the brand and the family. “Moving people through film can be subtle or subconscious, like the use of a certain color in the background,” said Anderson, adding that his sensibility feels right for today’s advertising landscape. “People are so attuned to inauthentic verbiage; as filmmakers we need to hit the genuine emotional core, fusing the cinematic with the experiential.”
In addition to his spot work, Anderson has written and produced a number of feature films, including the indie film Give ‘Em Hell, Malone, starring Thomas Jane. He is currently casting a television pilot he has written and will direct, entitled Clutch, described as a teenage Breaking Bad in the world of car theft. Anderson continues to accept documentary photography assignments for non-profits, covering such subjects as doctors in Uganda, youth boxing in East L.A., the NBA Pre-Draft Combine and more.
Anderson joins a ContagiousLA directorial lineup comprised of Andrew Laurich, Benjamin Arfmann, Ben Ketai, Daniele Anastasion and Andrew Renzi, and photographer Diana King.
ContagiousLA’s endeavors include campaigns for Carhartt, City of Hope, Farmer’s Insurance and Mercedes-Benz along with projects such as last year’s comedy short A Reasonable Request, which screened at SXSW and Sundance.
Droga5 Appoints Emma Montgomery As Global Chief Strategy Officer
Creative agency network Droga5 has appointed Emma Montgomery as global chief strategy officer. She is the third global appointment for the agency this year, with Pelle Sjoenell named worldwide chief creative officer this past March, and global CEO Mark Green recently appointed this fall. Montgomery will be responsible for connecting and supercharging Droga5’s strategy and creative offerings globally. She will be based in its headquarters in New York City.
“Emma is a world-class strategic leader and authority that I’ve long admired and dreamt of being partners-in-crime with,” said Sjoenell. “Her work inspires the creativity that connects people and brands in ways that move business and culture forward, so I’m excited to finally be able to work with her alongside Mark, and to see her lead and further strengthen our leadership and strategy teams around the world.”
Montgomery joins Droga5 after serving as CEO of DDB Chicago. She’s been in the industry for over 20 years, and has served in several high-level leadership positions throughout her career, including as president and CSO of Leo Burnett Chicago, global CSO of TBWA, and CEO of Leo Burnett Australia. She’s also worked across a breadth of categories and multiple global clients such as Kraft, Aldi, Diageo and Molson Coors, among many others, including challenger brands and startups.
“I’m excited to join Droga5 and have the opportunity to help carve out a new path for the brand globally, building on its tremendous legacy of creative leadership,” said Montgomery. “The potential of Droga5, combined with the possibilities of Accenture Song, was too exciting to pass up. No other agency has what they have, and as marketing shifts, the chance to make creativity a genuine... Read More