Visual effects/design house MassMarket has secured executive producers on both coasts, naming Nancy Nina Hwang to serve in its New York office and Elexis Stearn in Los Angeles. Hwang and Stearn will work together closely with longtime New York EP Angela Bowen to develop the growth and scope of MassMarket’s work as well as the studio’s identity nationally and independently in their local markets.
Hwang previously worked as a sr. producer for sister companies MassMarket and Psyop for the past four years. At MassMarket, Hwang’s contributions mark some of the company’s finest recent work, including the Allstate “Mayhem” campaign with directors Phil Morrison and Romain Gavras, Nike’s “Human Chain” directed by Brian Beletic, and Travelers and Monster.com helmed by Rupert Sanders.
Before her recent appointment as EP, Hwang worked on the agency side as broadcast producer at TBWAChiatDay, Los Angeles.
Meanwhile Stearn comes over to MassMarket from MPC’s L.A. operation where as exec producer she oversaw campaigns for Honda out of RPA, Santa Monica, Calif., Absolut from TBWAChiatDay, New York, Dairy Queen for Grey New York and Infiniti via TBWAChiatDay, L.A. Prior to MPC, Stearn worked at Miami Ad School as placement director; and until her move to Miami, she was with Zoic Studios from its inception as executive producer/head of sales.
Gene Hackman Died Of Heart Disease; Hantavirus Claimed His Wife’s Life About One Week Prior
Actor Gene Hackman died of heart disease a full week after his wife died from hantavirus in their New Mexico hillside home, likely unaware that she was dead because he was in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease, authorities revealed Friday. Both deaths were ruled to be from natural causes, chief medical examiner Dr. Heather Jarrell said alongside state fire and health officials at a news conference. "Mr. Hackman showed evidence of advanced Alzheimer's disease," Jarrell said. "He was in a very poor state of health. He had significant heart disease, and I think ultimately that's what resulted in his death." Authorities didn't suspect foul play after the bodies of Hackman, 95, and Betsy Arakawa, 65, were discovered Feb 26. Immediate tests for carbon monoxide poisoning were negative. Investigators found that the last known communication and activity from Arakawa was Feb. 11 when she visited a pharmacy, pet store and grocery before returning to their gated neighborhood that afternoon, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said Friday. Hackman's pacemaker last showed signs of activity a week later and that he had an abnormal heart rhythm Feb. 18, the day he likely died, Jarrell said. Although there was no reliable way to determine the date and time when both died, all signs point to their deaths coming a week apart, Jarrell said. "It's quite possible he was not aware she was deceased," Jarrell said. Dr. Michael Baden, a former New York City medical examiner, said he believes Hackman was severely impaired due to Alzheimer's disease and unable to deal with his wife's death in the last week of his life. "You are talking about very severe Alzheimer's disease that normal people would be in a nursing home or have a nurse, but she was taking care... Read More