Robert Fernandez, president of bicoastal/international Moxie Pictures, and Rich Carter, partner/executive producer of Santa Monica-based GARTNER, have been elected to the presidencies of the Association of Independent Commercial Producers’ (AICP) East and West Coast chapters, respectively. Each will serve two-year terms.
While they are in the process of setting their agendas and making them known to their chapter boards and members, Fernandez and Carter each mentioned the same prime goal to SHOOT–namely broadening the base of active members in the organization. “I want to reach out and get new people, more people, involved in the work of the chapter as well as nationally,” related Carter, adding that this applies to both members and associate members.
Along these lines, Fernandez observed, “Bringing new blood into the association as our business is changing is important. We have a lot of folks involved already but there are newer, up-and-coming companies that need to be included. Our plan is to get as many people involved as possible, which is key to the present and the future of the organization.”
While Carter has long been involved in the AICP, his election to chapter president now earns him for the first time a seat on the national executive board. Carter described the West Coast as the AICP’s leading chapter and looks for it to continue to exert a positive influence both locally and nationally.
Similarly Fernandez wants the East Coast chapter to stake its rightful claim. He identified another key chapter priority as reaffirming the growing importance of the East Coast market. In that so much production is done–and that there are so many production houseSáon the West Coast, Fernandez noted that at times some might not fully realize the preeminence of the New York commercialmaking community. He cited the fact that New York remains home to the largest, most influential group of major ad agencies. Furthermore, added Fernandez, New York is positioned geographically in-between the West Coast and Europe, making the East Coast a hub for dealing with the increasingly global nature of the industry. That’s a prime reason Moxie–and other shops–have chosen to headquarter in New York, he said.
In that same vein, Fernandez would like to see more work shot in New York. He noted that the national AICP and his chapter would continue to push hard to have anti-runaway incentives for commercials enacted in New York. Fernandez said it was disappointing last year when New York passed an ambitious production incentive program that excluded spots. That program has New York contributing $100 million over a four-year period ($25 million annually) in order to provide a 10 percent tax credit on below-the-line production costs for certain qualifying projects (feature films, TV movies, TV pilots and series episodes) shot in New York State. New York City then followed with its own tax credit to work in tandem with the state initiative.
As earlier reported (SHOOT, 4/8, p. 1), the AICP has played a prime role in generating bipartisan political support for a proposed tax credit designed to help New York keep and attract filming of commercials. Fernandez remains hopeful that such a spot-friendly incentive will come to fruition.
ELECTION RESULTS
Carter succeeds Andy Traines of bicoastal Anonymous Content as president of the AICP’s West Coast chapter. Serving directly under Carter are first VP Kerstin Emhoff of bicoastal/international HSI Productions, and second VP Jeff Scruton of bicoastal/international MJZ. Two new members join the West chapter board: Bonnie Goldfarb of harvest, Santa Monica, and Shawn Lacy Tessaro of Biscuit Filmworks, Los Angeles. Reelected to the West board were Traines, Emhoff, Scruton, Marjie Abrahams of bicoastal RSA USA, Rick Fishbein of Green Dot Films, Santa Monica, Ron Hacohen of Bravo Zulu, Santa Monica, Gary Rose of bicostal Go Film, and Bernie Wesson of Motel Films, Los Angeles.
Fernandez takes over the East Coast presidential reins from Pam Rohs of bicoastal The Joneses. Succeeding Fernandez as chapter president-elect is Carl Sturges of Michael Schrom & Company, New York. Gregg Carlesimo of bicoastal/international @radical.media was elected to the East board for the first time. Reelected to board seats were Fernandez, Sturges, Al Califano of A-List, New York, Susan Holden of Curious Pictures, New York, Kerrie King of a.k.a. films, New York, and Robert Wherry of Go Film. Scott Taylor of bicoastal insurance firm Taylor & Taylor was reelected to one of three seats designated for AICP associate members.
Meanwhile Massimo Martinotti, president of Mia Films–with offices in Miami, Mexico City, Buenos Aires, and San Jose, Costa Rica–has been reelected president of AICP’s Florida chapter. He was also reelected to the board along with fellow officers Michael Savitz of Shoot Florida as chapter VP, and Keith W. Rouse as treasurer. Michael Sheerin, an individual member, was newly elected as a Florida board member.