Publicis New York has brought Paul Renner on board in the new role of executive VP, global creative director on the Citi account. Renner was executive creative director at KBS in New York, leading the BMW account. Renner reports directly to Andy Bird, chief creative officer, Publicis New York.
For over 20 years, Renner has been working with some of the top creative shops, on some of the top creative brands. Most recently, at KBS, Renner successfully handled BMW. He created the lauded Super Bowl spot “Newfangled Idea.” Renner’s award pedigree includes Cannes Lions, The One Show and Effie honors.
Previously, Renner was creative director at Wieden+Kennedy NYC, and before that, he was associate creative director on the highly awarded, and often imitated, Volkswagen “Drivers Wanted” campaign at Arnold Boston. Renner also had creative stints at Goodby, Berlin & Silverstein, and Butler, Shine and Stern in Northern California, after starting his career at Wieden+Kennedy Philadelphia.
Publicis NY CCO Bird stated, “Paul is a terrific talent and proven creative leader. We’re building an exciting team here in New York, a mix of rising stars blended and partnered with experienced talent. Paul is a critical part of our team leading work on the marquee, creative-driven Citi business.”
Renner added, “Andy and I grew up in the business at the same time on different sides of the pond, and his work has always inspired me and made me jealous. Joining Publicis New York is a great opportunity to work beside him and on such a famous, very visible brand like Citi.”
Latest Crop of VES Fellows Unveiled
The Visual Effects Society (VES) has announced the Society’s newest VES Fellows, who will be celebrated with the other honorees at a special VES Honors event later this month. This year’s venerated VES Fellows who will be bestowed with the post-nominal letters “VES” are: Matt Aitken, Girish Balakrishnan, Randall Balsmeyer, Michael Conte, Lisa Cooke, Bryan Grill, Thomas Knop, Arnon Manor and Susan Rowe.
VES 2024 Fellows
VES Fellow Matt Aitken, VES. Aitken has been an integral part of Weta FX since it first opened its doors. With two Oscar nominations and five VES Award wins, including the top award of Outstanding Visual Effects in a Photoreal Feature for Avengers: Infinity War, Aitken’s versatility and creative talent are foundational to the studio’s success. As head of visual effects, Aitken leads Weta FX’s artists across three countries, and is responsible for filmmaker and studio relationships. Prior to assuming this executive role, Aitken was one of Weta FX’s most experienced visual effects supervisors on projects including Avengers: Endgame, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts and Marvel’s Eternals. Aitken has been an active VES member for 20 years. He was instrumental in establishing the New Zealand VES Section in 2011, the 5th VES Section to be created, and was New Zealand Section chair for its first five years of operation.
VES Fellow Girish Balakrishnan, VES. Balakrishnan has more than a decade of experience driving business studio strategies, business development and production innovation across live action, animation and games. As director of creative innovation at Netflix, Balakrishnan leads the content & production studio investment strategy on the application of... Read More