Executive producer Greg Agostinelli has launched H2, a multi-disciplinary production com-pany based in Santa Monica. Director/designer Suzanne Kiley—most recently repped as a spot director by New York-based cYclops productions, and as a designer by now defunct Silver Hammer—is the first helmer to come aboard H2, which Agostinelli envisions as becoming a three- or four-director shop.
Kiley’s first spot project via H2 was an ad for LA Looks hair products via DDB Los Angeles. The :30 features youthful vignettes accompanied by the title track from the rock musical Hair. Through H2, Kiley has also directed show opens for TNT’s Bull and ABC’s Madigan Men.
"The idea [with H2] is to have directors who are able to cross into different markets—commercials, music videos, and broadcast design," Agostinelli said.
H2 has secured a sales contingent comprised of New York-based Mary Ford on the East Coast; Los Angeles-based Connie Mellors on the West Coast; and Chicago-based Doug Stieber in the Midwest. Additionally, Teri Walderman of Toronto-based New New Films (a division of Avion Film Productions, Toronto) reps H2 in Canada, while Milan-based Flying Film handles Italy.
CYclops was Kiley’s first spot roost, and during her two year tenure there she helmed "Barry Sanders," a client-direct commercial for the NFL that features a bunch of kids playing football and talking about former Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders; a Burger King spot out of the UniWorld Group, New York; and an ad for Gatorade via FCB, Chicago, among others. The latter centers on the head of a doll, while the V/O encourages girls that they "don’t need make-up to be a star," and that "sweat is an equal opportunity employer." Through Silver Hammer, Kiley designed an Emmy Award-winning show open for Oprah.
Upon exiting cYclops and Silver Hammer in ’98, Kiley, who is based in Los Angeles, began working on a freelance basis. During that time she helmed a client-direct ad for Fox Sports, which was run through Santa Monica-based Atlas Pictures; a promo for the Oxygen network via PMCD Design, New York; and a client-direct piece for The Learning Channel’s Adrenaline Rush Hour programming block, which was run through bicoastal Conspiracy. The latter opens in a laundromat, where several people do their laundry. However, when a woman changes the channel on the TV, two of the characters are transported into fast paced scenarios reminiscent of the TV shows shown on TLC. Additional credits include an ad for Road Runner high-speed Internet service.
Earlier in her career, Kiley spent five years as a creative director/designer at bicoastal/international broadcast design house Pittard Sullivan, which she joined in ’91. Her credits there include Emmy Award-winning show opens for E.R. and Ricki Lake, as well as promos for CBS, Lifetime and DirecTV.
Kiley attended the Fashion Institute of Technology, New York, and began her career in Boston. After a short stint at a local TV station, in ’88 she moved over to now defunct design firm Target, where she created broadcast I.D.’s and promos for ESPN, Lifetime, A&E and the Discovery Channel.
For nine years, Agostinelli headed up New York-based commercial house Partners & Agostinelli. Also under his aegis was its sister music video shop, Flying Fish Films, New York, which was launched in ’97.
