Siblings Sophie and Walker Cole, aka directorial duo The Coles, have joined Sanctuary Content for commercials and branded content in the U.S.
Previously handled in the U.S. market by production house Hey Wonderful, The Coles–born and bred Manhattanites now based in L.A.–are alumni of SHOOT’s 2017 New Directors Showcase. For both their commercial and short film work, The Coles prepare closely together leading up to a shoot, then divide and conquer on set. Sophie focuses on performance, while Walker communicates with the talent. With one keeping an eye on the big picture to stay true to the vision, and the other focusing on the momentum, energy, and mechanics of the shoot, they hold each other accountable, coming out the other side stronger as a result. The product of this creative give-and-take can be seen in campaigns for brands including Apple Music, Bank of America, Johnson & Johnson, CVS, and Tory Burch.
Their short film Present Day, Athens is a piece of work they cite being proudest of thus far, having both had a hand in virtually all aspects of the production. The film garnered several accolades, including Silver at the 1.4 Awards and a win at the International Cinematographers Guild–Emerging Cinematographer Awards. The latter honor gained recognition for Daniel Bombell’s lensing acumen.
The Coles’ journey into advertising was perhaps inevitable, with a family tree that reads like a call sheet. Their father is veteran commercial director Charlie Cole and their uncle, Charlie Miesmer, was a prominent former ECD at BBDO NY. Additionally, their mother was a rep, their other uncle a production designer, and their stepmom a hair and makeup artist. Despite their industry-soaked DNA, working in commercials wasn’t their original plan.
Both of The Coles’ backgrounds are firmly rooted in the arts. Sophie studied art history and worked in fashion, then became a costume designer. Walker was an art dealer. As fate would have it, in 2016 they wound up collaborating on a film project together and it went so seamlessly, they made their directorial partnership official. The pair credit their development as filmmakers to the very fact that they experienced a world outside of advertising before ultimately returning to it.
In a joint statement, The Coles shared, “We both really enjoy the challenges of telling a story in a short, finite amount of time as it breeds creativity. Those who are really exceptional at it can make 30 seconds feel like 30 minutes in terms of substance, and that is a real art.”
Preston Lee, founder and executive producer of Sanctuary Content, said, “Sophie and Walker’s family shorthand lends itself to a singular clarity of focus in their collaboration, which is truly wonderful to watch in action. They each leverage their innate abilities and honed skills, then come together in a sort of checks and balances system that benefits from the best of two differing perspectives. We’re thrilled to be representing them in this next stage of their career.”
The Coles maintain representation in the U.K. market via production house Spindle.
Nikki Maizel Named President Of Publicis New York
Nikki Maizel has been hired as president of Publicis New York. She reports to Carla Serrano, global chief strategy officer of Publicis Groupe and CEO of Publicis New York.
Maizel brings more than two decades of leadership experience to her new role. Most recently, she served as the head of business leadership and managing partner at McCann New York, where she transformed the agency’s business and growth strategies while shaping its culture and employee training infrastructure, receiving numerous accolades during her tenure.
“Our industry is at a pivotal moment, with clients seeking partners who can challenge them to innovate, impact their bottom line, and move faster than ever,” said Serrano. “Our ‘Power of One’ approach, embodied within Publicis New York, allows us to offer integrated solutions that meet these demands. We’re thrilled to welcome Nikki, who has a proven track record of growing businesses globally, building best-in-class teams, and elevating collective offerings to clients.”
Maizel said, “Publicis Groupe has earned a reputation for pushing the boundaries of what’s achievable. I’m excited to collaborate with our partners and teams to set our clients apart. Publicis New York is the engine behind ‘Power of One,’ the unique model of the future that combines cross-agency capabilities, so I can’t imagine a more exciting time to join and help shape what’s next for our clients and teams.”
Maizel becomes the latest Publicis New York appointment under Serrano’s leadership. Last year, Publicis New York named Patrick White as its chief strategy officer, and welcomed Joe Mongognia as its chief creative officer.
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