Advertising agency Doner has appointed Katherine Moncrief as its inaugural chief talent officer. In this newly created role, Moncrief will focus on recruiting and retaining top talent, while also bolstering the overall employee experience and managing Doner’s return-to-office plans. Moncrief will report directly to CEO David DeMuth.
“Investing in key talent remains our top priority at Doner. On the heels of recent new business wins ranging from Johnson & Johnson to Travelocity, scaling up and finding top-tier talent has become more crucial than ever before,” said DeMuth. “A seasoned professional, Katherine has a proven track record of recruiting and retaining the best people. That background, coupled with her understanding of operations across creative agencies, will prove to be essential as we continue to grow.”
Moncrief has spent the last 10 years as EVP, director of talent at Deutsch where she recruited award-winning talent, instituted pipeline strategies, and established and amplified talent initiatives. Her efforts helped scale the agency during an intense period of growth and played a key role in shaping its culture. Prior to Deutsch, she worked in account management at creative shops Anomaly and Mother. Moncrief started her career at DDB and spent time working at Havas in London.
“I look forward to building on the momentum Doner has established this year. I’m coming on at an exciting time, as the agency continues to experience strong growth while rethinking what the future of work looks like post-lockdown,” said Moncrief. “David has a strong vision for the agency’s future that aligns with my passion for building positive environments that allow creatives to pursue their passions and break new ground for clients.”
Moncrief will train existing employees on how to successfully attract talent, as well as interview and onboard new staff members.
“Heretic” and “Maria” Set As Red Carpet Premieres At AFI Fest
The American Film Institute (AFI) has announced that Heretic, the psychological thriller starring Hugh Grant, and Maria, based on the life of opera singer Maria Callas starring Angelina Jolie, will round out the Red Carpet Premieres section at this year’s AFI Fest. The Heretic Gala Screening will take place on Thursday, October 24, and the Maria Gala Screening will be held on Saturday, October 26. The complete Red Carpet Premieres section includes the world premieres of Music By John Williams, Robert Zemeckis’ Here, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl and Clint Eastwood’s Juror #2. All Red Carpet Premieres will take place at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre. The full lineup for AFI Fest 2024 will be unveiled on October 1.
“At the heart of AFI Fest is an unwavering dedication to celebrating the best in global cinema--together,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI president and CEO. “We look forward to uniting artists and audiences once again to be inspired by the art form in a powerful sense of community.”
Heretic follows two young missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) who are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed (portrayed by Grant), becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse. The film is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods and produced by Stacey Sher, Beck, Woods, Julia Glausi and Jeanette Volturno. The film will be released nationwide by A24 on November 8.
Directed by Pablo Larraín, Maria presents a tumultuous and beautiful depiction of one of the world’s most renowned artists and reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days in Paris, as Callas (Jolie)... Read More