John Pratt has been promoted to EVP, head of integrated production at Energy BBDO. He will report to chief creative officer Andrés Ordóñez and lead the agency’s entire production operation, including both Flare and Flare Studio, its in-house production and editorial suites.
Pratt has been with Energy for nearly 10 years, during which he has led every major Wrigley production including Extra’s “Sarah and Juan” film and overall “Give Extra, get extra” integrated platform which was most recently recognized with a Creative Effectiveness Lion in Cannes and six of Energy’s seven 2017 Effies (one in Sustained Success). Pratt also produced the agency’s pro-bono efforts for the Off the Street Club, work which was just awarded two Jay Chiat awards by the 4A’s. Pratt’s work has garnered attention on local, national and global stages by the likes of Cannes Lions, Clios, LIA, Webby’s, and more.
“John is a problem solver and one of the most resourceful producers we’ve ever had here at Energy,” Ordóñez said. “He has the ability to effortlessly wear multiple hats at once in order to champion the best possible work. He is a proliferator of talent and a beloved leader who has contributed to much of Energy’s top-performing work. There’s just something about his craft. His work speaks for itself.”
Ordóñez added, “John has built and maintains relationships with some of the best studios, directors, makers and talent in the business affording collaborations that consistently deliver superior work for our clients.”
Pratt is part of a reinvigorated creative team behind Ordóñez, who, was named CCO of Energy BBDO in April 2016. Energy has experienced a summer of plaudits led by being the most awarded BBDO agency at the North America Effies and winning six Lions at Cannes, for multiple clients, in addition to being recognized by Clios, Jay Chiat and WARC. In addition to fueling award-winning work, Ordóñez has also helped drive new business wins including adding Kerrygold and just last month, the American Egg Board—the marketing arm for all U.S. egg farmers with a mission to drive demand for eggs and egg products.
David Lubars, BBDO worldwide chief creative officer, added, “Andres’ focus on evocative storytelling and innovative experiences is creating success after success for his clients. He and the team at Energy are an important reason we were recently named Network of the Year at Cannes and continue to top The Gunn Report as the most creative agency network in the world.”
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