Jonathan Evan Graham has been appointed creative director at B-Reel, working out of the New York office. He joins ex-Mother colleague Jed Grossman, managing creative director, New York, as B-Reel further bolsters its creative team. Graham will work on Google, American Express, Facebook, Messenger and MTV.
Prior to B-Reel, Graham was a seasoned freelance creative director and writer for Mother, Anomaly, Arnold and Translation, among others, for brands including Anheuser Busch, Google, Sprite, State Farm, McDonald’s, Jack Daniels, and Diagio Spirits. He’s also held positions with Young & Rubicam, Goodby Silverstein & Partners and Ogilvy & Mather.
In 2015, B-Reel expanded its offering to two independent entities–B-Reel (full-service creative agency) and B-Reel Films (film production company)–in order to better address brands’ business challenges. The agency has seen continued growth with 90 staffers now in the U.S.
Is “Glicked” The New “Barbenheimer”? “Wicked” and “Gladiator II” Hit Theater Screens
"Barbenheimer" was a phenomenon impossible to manufacture. But, more than a year later, that hasn't stopped people from trying to make "Glicked" — or even "Babyratu" — happen.
The counterprogramming of "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" in July 2023 hit a nerve culturally and had the receipts to back it up. Unlike so many things that begin as memes, it transcended its online beginnings. Instead of an either-or, the two movies ultimately complemented and boosted one another at the box office.
And ever since, moviegoers, marketers and meme makers have been trying to recreate that moment, searching the movie release schedule for odd mashups and sending candidates off into the social media void. Most attempts have fizzled (sorry, "Saw Patrol" ).
This weekend is perhaps the closest approximation yet as the Broadway musical adaptation "Wicked" opens Friday against the chest-thumping sword-and-sandals epic "Gladiator II." Two big studio releases (Universal and Paramount), with one-name titles, opposite tones and aesthetics and big blockbuster energy — it was already halfway there before the name game began: "Wickiator," "Wadiator," "Gladwick" and even the eyebrow raising "Gladicked" have all been suggested.
"'Glicked' rolls off the tongue a little bit more," actor Fred Hechinger said at the New York screening of "Gladiator II" this week. "I think we should all band around 'Glicked.' It gets too confusing if you have four or five different names for it."
As with "Barbenheimer," as reductive as it might seem, "Glicked" also has the male/female divide that make the fan art extra silly. One is pink and bright and awash in sparkles, tulle, Broadway bangers and brand tie-ins; The other is all sweat and sand, blood and bulging... Read More