Lowe Campbell Ewald’s returns roost to its roots
Marketing communications agency Lowe Campbell Ewald has officially opened the doors to its new office headquarters in the heart of downtown Detroit after 36 years in Warren, Mich. Lowe Campbell Ewald is the first company to occupy the space—formerly a warehouse complex dating back to the 1920s. The agency worked with Detroit-based architect Neumann/Smith to design the space, customizing every aspect to encourage collaboration and idea sharing. Detroit-based Turner Construction Co. provided contracting services, while Jones Lang LaSalle served as the agency’s real estate broker.
“This is a transformative moment for Lowe Campbell Ewald,” said Jim Palmer, CEO of Lowe Campbell Ewald. “Detroit is attracting creative and entrepreneurial talent from all corners of the globe, and we want to be part of that movement. Our new headquarters will bring our employees together in an idea-inspiring atmosphere where great things can happen for us, our clients and the city. Lowe Campbell Ewald was founded in Detroit nearly 103 years ago—it’s great to be back home and contribute to the city’s revitalization.”
The 122,000 square foot space includes an open environment with nearly 100 collaboration areas and state-of-the-art technology throughout. From indoor tree houses to both interior and exterior patios, the unique space will allow employees to discover new capabilities and functionalities on a daily basis.
Other design and technology elements include an interior three-story LED video wall—the first of its kind in Detroit—a dual-sided multi-touch interactive video wall and a Real Time Marketing data lab. The office also boasts sustainable solutions such as reclaimed barn wood from Michigan, oversized work counters made of recycled palettes and concrete, LED lighting with energy efficient controls, eco-friendly chairs made with recycled content and environmental fabrics, and much more. Nearly all of the furniture products were manufactured in Michigan.
This relocation marks another important chapter for the agency that has experienced significant change. In the past six months, Lowe Campbell Ewald has announced new leadership, the alignment to a worldwide network with the ability to offer clients global solutions, and the addition of a New York office. The agency has also recently won a considerable amount of new business, including clients such as Atkins, LifeLock, Western Governors University, the Detroit Lions and University of Michigan
Optimus show lands on Animal Planet
Director Mark Pallman, of Optimus’ production arm One at Optimus, directed the upcoming Lil BUB’s Special Special, which premiered on Animal Planet earlier this month. The 30-minute television special–-edited by Optimus—features feline sensation Lil BUB, Amy Sedaris and Andrew W.K., along with some of Lil BUB’s cute animal friends.
Lil BUB is a one-of-a-kind, magical cat that travels space and time with her powerful mind and makes hearts melt with her gorgeous green eyes. A renowned international star, Lil BUB still finds time to enjoy the simpler things in life, like having her friends over for a good-old-fashioned slumber party. And, now, Animal Planet lets you join the fun!
Lil BUB’s Special Special was created for Animal Planet by Optimus. For Optimus, Craig Leffel, Lisa Masseur and Mike Bridavsky are executive producers. For Animal Planet, Samantha Lee developed the special and Hilary Tholen is producer. Optimus’ Mike Berg served as editor.
Seed signs director Sandel
Ari Sandel, who directed and co-wrote the Oscar-winning short film West Bank Story, has joined Seed, the Santa Monica and Chicago-based production company headed by industry vet Roy Skillicorn, for commercial representation.
Sandel started his career creating and hosting The Traveler segment for the FX Channel’s The X Show. Sandel wrote, directed, and hosted the comedic segment for two seasons as he traveled the globe, offering tongue-in-cheek views of the world’s unknown hot spots for the young and hip.
His feature directorial debut, Vince Vaughn’s Wild West Comedy Show, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and was released nationwide in theaters in 2008. Sandel has been in development on feature projects at Warner Bros., Fox and Lions Gate.
Sandel recently directed Aim High 2 for Warner Brothers and is currently attached to direct The D.U.F.F. for CBS Films, which is to shoot later this year.
“His interest in spot and content work stems from his comedic storytelling directing abilities in long form and his yearning for the more condensed, intense, but exciting timetable in commercial production. To capture the humor of the storyline and to see the final product in only weeks is a thrill to many long form film directors,” said Seed exec producer Tim Ward.
Sandel comes aboard a Seed directorial roster which also includes the Goetz Brothers, Jeffrey Karoff (see this week’s installment of “The Road To Oscar” for more on Short Subject Documentary nominee Karoff), Sandro, Domenic Mastrippolito and Nicholas Vedros.
Beast Editorial, Detroit, adds editors Wiemer, Lee
Beast Editorial, a Deluxe Creative Services Company, has added editors Erich Wiemer and Charlie Lee to its Detroit office.
Lee and Wiemer will be joining forces at Beast with Adam Pillion and Chris Chynoweth as well as sister companies, Method Studios and Company 3, in their newly renovated space.
For Wiemer, a Detroit native, 2014 is marking the year for his next career phase, having already secured more than 10 years of cutting experience in various editing houses.
With several awards under his belt, including the 2012 AICE Best of Detroit honor, Wiemer rapidly gained a wide client base and a myriad of accolades. Clients he has collaborated with include Autoweek, Bosch, Carhartt, Consumers Energy, DirecTV, Toyota, Harley Davidson, Lincoln, Navy, USAA, as well as multiple artists’ music videos. This year, he is embarking on his first two full feature documentaries. Wiemer comes over to Beast from editorial house Hudson in Detroit.
Lee transfers over to Detroit from Beast’s L.A. shop. He has worked with such clients as Chrysler, Cleveland Clinic, Gap, Dodge, Harley-Davidson, Jeep, Mitsubishi, Nike, Nissan, Strayer University and Toyota.
An award-winning editor as well, Lee most recently made it onto the 2013 D Show shortlist and feels his migration to the Motor City is a natural one.
“From my first visit, the city and our Beast office have been very welcoming and supportive. My clients here have become close friends and the work I’ve done has been well received, so the transition feels seamless,” shared Lee.
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