Paul Babb–who most recently served as executive producer for Rhythm+Hues Commercial Studios, a division of the Academy Award-winning feature VFX studio–has joined creative-driven, multiplatform media shop MindOverEye (MOE) as director of integrated production.
In his new capacity at MOE, Babb will call upon his experience to manage day-to-day workflow and further expand the scope of projects, opportunities and partnerships within the advertising and production communities. MOE’s new, high-tech 15,000 square feet facility in El Segundo will allow him to offer clients everything under one roof, from an on-site cyc stage, audio recording booth and multipurpose editorial/finishing suites to live action, VFX and animation teams for any creative project.
“We are continually evolving our unique pipeline/workflow and Paul will be a key player in that development,” assessed Bill Wadsworth, founder of MOE. “Besides being a great mentor in my early days, Paul and I have continued to keep close ties as we waded through the post community…I am looking forward to doing some great work together at MindOverEye.”
Prior to his seven-year tenure at Rhythm + Hues, Babb developed the commercial shop kachew! from the ground up for Klasky Csupo Animation. And as the director of broadcast for Ogilvy & Mather, Los Angeles, Babb was responsible for the production of over 260 commercials a year and management of the production department. His commercial and media work has won honors from top industry competitions for a variety of clients including, American Express, Chevrolet, Coca-Cola, Ferrari, Ford, Lionsgate, Mercedes-Benz, McDonald’s, NASCAR, SeaWorld, Universal, and US Marine Corps.
R/GA Goes Independent In Management and Private Equity Partnership
Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG) has sold R/GA, the creative innovation company, to Truelink Capital, a private equity firm with a track record of investing in tech-enabled services. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The move thus marks R/GA’s return to independence as a privately owned company after 23 years as part of IPG. R/GA’s global management team and Truelink Capital have formed an indie partnership. R/GA’s global CEO Robin Forbes and chair & global chief creative officer Tiffany Rolfe are two of the global leaders, together with others, who are investing in the company as part of the deal. R/GA’s next chapter will be fueled out of the gate by a $50M Innovation Fund, enabling the company to invest in new skillsets and talent, and acquire new capabilities, emerging tools and platforms. Additionally, R/GA has established a Strategic Advisory Council of senior marketing and technology executives to support emerging AI client transformation opportunities across multiple sectors.
As an independent company, R/GA is activating an AI-enabled model to better serve clients, unburdened by the restrictions and overheads of traditional corporate structures. New remuneration models based on outcomes, agile new team structures, and scaling up its flexible talent model “R/GA Associates,” are among the initial changes being implemented.
“Today is a landmark moment for R/GA, as we enter an exciting new chapter as a private company supported by our new partners at Truelink Capital. This announcement also signals a stark contrast to a wider trend towards consolidation in the agency business. Most agencies will struggle to make the pivot in this new age, especially at a time when they’re operating within complex agency... Read More