Isobar, a global digital agency, has elevated Sue McCusker to chief client officer, Caroline Dean to chief marketing officer and Vikalp Tandon to chief technology officer. All three will continue to report into Isobar Global CEO, Jean Lin. McCusker and Dean are based in London, in Dentsu Aegis Network’s global headquarters, and Tandon is in Isobar’s Boston office.
McCusker is promoted to chief client officer from global client director, a position she has held since 2015. Formerly CEO of Publicis Hong Kong with a track record in leading agencies and stewarding best in class clients, McCusker has been pivotal to Isobar’s continued success in both leading and growing the agencies key client relationships and building the business. As chief client officer, McCusker will be responsible for overseeing key global accounts and global business development with a clear strategic vision for growth. She will continue to work with Isobar agencies and Dentsu Aegis Network globally to ensure the agency delivers experience-led transformation for our clients.
Dean is promoted from global director of marketing communications, a position she has held since joining in November 2016. Formerly VP, international marketing at Sony Pictures, Dean is an experienced marketing executive with a track record in marketing, brand strategy, partnerships and digital communication. For the last 18 months, she has led and grown the marketing and communications function for Isobar globally, from developing a global brand proposition and service offering, driving the agency’s B2B marketing, leading global events, elevating thought leadership and promoting key work. As CMO, Dean will continue to develop and drive the agency’s proposition and reputation to attract global clients and top talent from the creative and technology industries.
Tandon is promoted to chief technology officer from SVP data & technology. Previously VP and global strategy lead at SapientRazorfish, Tandon joined Isobar in May 2016, tasked with expanding Isobar’s data and technology consulting offering globally by working closely with the multi-disciplinary teams across Isobar’s 45 markets. Tandon is an experienced global commerce technologist and is passionate about driving engineering and process excellence. As CTO, Vikalp will continue to drive and connect the strong and growing technology and commerce community at Isobar while leveraging the agency’s global technology partnership relationships.
Isobar global CEO Lin said, “In today’s fast moving digital economy, agencies need to continually transform themselves to best service their clients. Caroline, Vikalp and Sue have played an important role in developing the vision and leadership needed to shape our business and brand strategy across our client, marketing and technology functions, and their promotions will ensure we continue to power our global agenda and drive excellence in our experience-led transformation proposition.”
Most recently, Isobar won a Grand Prix in the Digital Craft Lions at Cannes for “Aeronaut,” a fully immersive VR experience that launched Billy Corgan’s 2017 solo album Ogilala.
Rom-Com Mainstay Hugh Grant Shifts To The Dark Side and He’s Never Been Happier
After some difficulties connecting to a Zoom, Hugh Grant eventually opts to just phone instead.
"Sorry about that," he apologizes. "Tech hell." Grant is no lover of technology. Smart phones, for example, he calls the "devil's tinderbox."
"I think they're killing us. I hate them," he says. "I go on long holidays from them, three or four days at at time. Marvelous."
Hell, and our proximity to it, is a not unrelated topic to Grant's new film, "Heretic." In it, two young Mormon missionaries (Chloe East, Sophie Thatcher) come knocking on a door they'll soon regret visiting. They're welcomed in by Mr. Reed (Grant), an initially charming man who tests their faith in theological debate, and then, in much worse things.
After decades in romantic comedies, Grant has spent the last few years playing narcissists, weirdos and murders, often to the greatest acclaim of his career. But in "Heretic," a horror thriller from A24, Grant's turn to the dark side reaches a new extreme. The actor who once charmingly stammered in "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and who danced to the Pointer Sisters in "Love Actually" is now doing heinous things to young people in a basement.
"It was a challenge," Grant says. "I think human beings need challenges. It makes your beer taste better in the evening if you've climbed a mountain. He was just so wonderfully (expletive)-up."
"Heretic," which opens in theaters Friday, is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, co-writers of "A Quiet Place." In Grant's hands, Mr. Reed is a divinely good baddie — a scholarly creep whose wry monologues pull from a wide range of references, including, fittingly, Radiohead's "Creep."
In an interview, Grant spoke about these and other facets of his character, his journey... Read More