S4 Capital–the tech-led, new age/new era digital advertising and marketing services company, established by Sir Martin Sorrell in May 2018–announced a merger between lifestyle marketing company Cashmere and S4’s content arm, Media.Monks. The coming together significantly expands the capabilities of S4’s content practice in the U.S. and global cultural strategy.
Cashmere is a culture and creative marketing agency, founded in Los Angeles by Ted Chung and Seung Chung in 2003. With over 150 team members, Cashmere specializes in creating authentic, culturally relevant content and campaigns for clients like Google, Instagram, Facebook, BMW, WarnerMedia, adidas, Netflix, Disney, Amazon and Apple. In August, Cashmere was appointed as the first ever “Culture Agency of Record” by Taco Bell.
Cashmere has received multiple awards including the 2019 Cannes Lions Creative Award and numerous Clio and Webby Awards. Its leadership team has been recognized by highly regarded organizations committed to advocating for excellence and diversity in the creative and technology industries, including AdColor and Goldhouse’s A100.
Sorrell, S4 Capital’s executive chairman, said, “We are delighted to welcome Ted, Seung, Ryan and their colleagues to Media.Monks. Their ability to translate contemporary culture into compelling content and reach diverse audiences is a rare talent and something we want to integrate at the heart of our content practice. It is particularly relevant, given the changes we see taking place around diversity and purpose, not only in the United States, but beyond.”
Ted Chung, Cashmere chairman and co-founder, said, “From the first interactions with everyone at Media.Monks, we were impressed with their responsiveness, ambition, and disruptive approach which aligns with our philosophy of evolving the status quo.”
“We are thrilled to bring our blend of creativity and cultural insight to the team at Media.Monks,” echoes
Cashmere president and chief creative officer Ryan Ford said, “Our unique ability to positively impact culture and more importantly, passion to push the culture forward, merges seamlessly with Media.Monks’ tremendous track record of producing innovative high-quality work. Together, we will continue to produce undeniably dope campaigns on behalf of our clients and colleagues… with even more global impact.”
Wesley ter Haar, Media.Monks co-founder and S4 Capital executive director, said, “Cashmere’s creative chops and their ability to tap into contemporary culture for their clients are qualities we have long admired, which is why it’s so exciting to welcome them to the family.”
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