Editor Craig Lewandowski, a former staffer at the recently closed NuWorld Editorial, has joined Edit Sweet, Chicago. Already he has wrapped his first project under the Edit Sweet banner: "Simulation" a spot for the U.S. Army via Leo Burnett Co., Chicago.
Noting that he was drawn to the sense of camaraderie at Edit Sweet, Lewandowski told SHOOT, "I believe that you learn and are inspired by the people around you. And I really got a sense that the people here are excited about what they do. When I talked with clients about where I should go and whom they liked, the clients seemed to have a good feel for the vibe here."
Edit Sweet executive producer Jennifer Pasek commented, "Craig is very enthusiastic. And as some of our people have been here for a while, it’s nice to have someone with a fresh view on things."
Lewandowski got his start at NuWorld, initially working as an intern during summer break while attending Indiana University, in Bloomington, Ind. After graduating in 1996 with degrees in telecommunications and business, he joined the NuWorld staff as an assistant to the company’s founders/editors Bob Carr, Yamus, Mike LaBellarte and Joe Malecki.
As an assistant, recalled Lewandowski, he learned the basic skill sets of an editor, how to deal with clients and to manage his schedule. But his training at NuWorld also afforded him the opportunity to learn the history of commercial editing in Chicago and how it developed to its present state.
"I think the most valuable thing I got from the guys is that they’ve been around the block and have seen pretty much everything from the start. Now that I’ve talked with other people, the thing I’m most grateful for is the sense of history I got from them … a sense of how it all got to be where it is right now. I don’t think I would have gotten that at other places."
In July 1999, Lewandowski was promoted to editor. Among his most recent editing credits at NuWorld are "Romantic Moment" for U.S. West (now Qwest) via DDB Chicago, "Into Your Arms" for FTD via DDB Chicago and "Stage Dive" for Tombstone Pizza via FCB Chicago.
For Lewandowski, another attraction of Edit Sweet was that, unlike at a full-service facility, there are no obligations to use in-house post artists. He said, "We have the freedom to choose the best people—which, I think, is pretty important."
In addition to Lewandowski, the Edit Sweet editorial roster comprises editors Jim Staskauskas, Jan Maitland, Kate Wrobel, Tim Kloehn and Skip Masters. Company founder/editor Jeanne Bonansinga is handling local sales for the shop.
