Loic Dubois has been promoted to chief growth officer at LOBO, an animation and production studio with bases of operation in New York City and Sao Paulo.
Dubois’ deep connection with LOBO can be traced back to the year 2000, when he started in humble beginnings as a broadcast producer before his path shortly led him to LOBO’s chief creative officer/founder Mateus De Paula Santos. Dubois quickly progressed from small spot production to assisting and producing more major work directly alongside De Paula Santos.
In the ensuing years, Dubois’ responsibilities at LOBO steadily increased and he would eventually take on the role of international executive producer, collaborating with agencies such as TBWA/Paris (including on the global marketing campaign for the McDonald’s “Happy” character), Publicis, Havas, BBH London, 180 Amsterdam, Kessels & Kramer, Ogilvy & Mather NY, BBDO Energy, McCann Erickson, Arnold Worldwide, and Deutsch LA, among others. This experience would lead him to the position of global head of production, which he would hold until 2016 before eventually pivoting into focusing on new business opportunities on a global scale.
As chief growth officer, Dubois will wear many hats at LOBO, including overseeing the European, Middle Eastern, Asia and North American markets, with a focus on identifying emerging trends and technological advancements that present new opportunities for the organization. In addition, he will be tasked with optimizing internal communication within the organization by, for instance, introducing innovative methods to showcase core creative strengths, and also performing a comprehensive evaluation of the metrics associated with LOBO’s social media platforms and its financial data analysis.
Dubois observed, “The title of chief growth officer encapsulates a modernized version of the traditional role of a marketing director, but with a heightened emphasis on global strategic planning. This includes monitoring and adapting to evolving cultural behaviors and market trends, thereby facilitating our brands in reaching new audiences and clients through a more globally-oriented positioning strategy. This is especially pertinent given the dynamic changes occurring in the realms of entertainment, animation, live action, digital media, and emerging technologies.”
With a high-level goal to further develop LOBO’s global footprint, Dubois laid out the creative studio’s vision and priorities, specifically in terms of growth. “Our vision encompasses both external expansion and internal development. Externally, we aim to enhance our production capabilities through strategic partnerships and the establishment of new divisions in the live action advertising side but also entertainment and maybe gaming sectors. This approach is crucial given the ever-evolving advertising landscape shaped by social media and the changing preferences and demands of our audience.”
Dubois added, “My vision is to reestablish LOBO as a dominant force not only in the US market but also to bestow upon it a larger footprint and a more commanding presence in Europe and the Middle East and Asian regions. This entails a strategic expansion effort that encompasses both market penetration and brand recognition across these critical territories. With an in-depth understanding of LOBO and proficiency in multiple languages, I’m well-equipped to showcase our creative prowess and cultivate new opportunities in these regions. In this context, our partnership with Michael Stanish from GroundControl in London, established post-pandemic, symbolizes our commitment to this expansion endeavor. Here’s where my expertise becomes particularly valuable. This expertise will play a crucial role in driving our growth and solidifying our position as a global creative leader.”
LOBO partner and NY EP Luis Ribeiro explained, “Loic, an invaluable member of our team long before my tenure at LOBO NY, possesses an unmatched understanding of our body of work. His unwavering passion and dedication have rightfully earned him this well-deserved promotion.”
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