Director John Bonito, known for his work in comedy, sports and action, has signed with The Joneses for exclusive representation in commercials. Bonito, whose filmography also includes network promos and features, has directed recent ads for such brands as Zyrtec, Doritos and Pep Boys. His latest project was a global broadcast and online campaign for Unilever and NBC/Universal launching the former’s new product, Clear Shampoo.
The latter work for Unilever and NBC/Universal (produced via Moving Parts and executive producers Matt Van Buren and Chad Cooperman) consists of a series of broadcast spots and web-based videos. The online component, which is appearing on NBC.com, MyStyle.com, Oxygen.com, Eonline.com, Bravotv.com and DailyCandy, centers on a fictional couple sporting gorgeous hair, with viewers having the ability to control the narrative by selecting from a variety of plot options. 30 Rock‘s Jane Krakowski, What Happens Live‘s Andy Cohen and Saturday Night Live alum Tim Meadows appear in the campaign.
Bonito began his career with NBC where he wrote and edited most of his directing assignments, and eventually rose to director of special projects for The NBC Agency. During his 10 years with the network, he won numerous creative awards, including the Brandon Tartikoff Award, given annually by Promax and the Broadcast Design Association to honor the best marketing and design in entertainment advertising. In 2006, Bonito was tapped by Twentieth Century Fox to direct his first feature, the action/comedy The Marine.
Bonito began directing commercials via Hollywood production company, Level 7. He was later repped by Go Film and most recently handled by The Directors Network. Bonito’s comedic skills, well-honed from his days at NBC, translated well into commercial advertising and resulted in a series of successful campaigns, many involving high-profile celebrities. He directed Ron Perlman in a series of hilarious ads for the movie Hellboy II in which the actor, in his role as the film’s title character, has scenes with James Lipton and other well-known television personalities.
Utah Leaders and Locals Rally To Keep Sundance Film Festival In The State
With the 2025 Sundance Film Festival underway, Utah leaders, locals and longtime attendees are making a final push — one that could include paying millions of dollars — to keep the world-renowned film festival as its directors consider uprooting.
Thousands of festivalgoers affixed bright yellow stickers to their winter coats that read "Keep Sundance in Utah" in a last-ditch effort to convince festival leadership and state officials to keep it in Park City, its home of 41 years.
Gov. Spencer Cox said previously that Utah would not throw as much money at the festival as other states hoping to lure it away. Now his office is urging the Legislature to carve out $3 million for Sundance in the state budget, weeks before the independent film festival is expected to pick a home for the next decade.
It could retain a small presence in picturesque Park City and center itself in nearby Salt Lake City, or move to another finalist — Cincinnati, Ohio, or Boulder, Colorado — beginning in 2027.
"Sundance is Utah, and Utah is Sundance. You can't really separate those two," Cox said. "This is your home, and we desperately hope it will be your home forever."
Last year's festival generated about $132 million for the state of Utah, according to Sundance's 2024 economic impact report.
Festival Director Eugene Hernandez told reporters last week that they had not made a final decision. An announcement is expected this year by early spring.
Colorado is trying to further sweeten its offer. The state is considering legislation giving up to $34 million in tax incentives to film festivals like Sundance through 2036 — on top of the $1.5 million in funds already approved to lure the Utah festival to its neighboring... Read More