Dahlia Stone has joined Stephanie Stephens Reps, serving its roster of clients for representation on the West Coast and Texas. Stone brings experience working with creative companies across all facets of production, and an extensive network of agency and brand contacts. Stone most recently served as a Midwest and Texas rep for top tier companies, where she helped the careers of numerous directors. She believes that advertising both reflects and informs mainstream society, and as such, takes pride in offering creative solutions for modern production needs. Stone hails from a background in freelance film production, theatre and social justice work. Stephanie Stephens Reps, founded by Stephanie Stephens, is a Los Angeles-based talent representation firm. Partner companies include RSA Films, The Mill, Dummy, Station Film, 1stAveMachine and Ruckus Films to note a few….
Independent, full-service creative agency Two by Four has hired veteran account management leader Tim Mauery in a new role as director of client relationships, reporting to Chicago president Jessica Romaniuk and partnering with Amy Corbett, director of account management. Two by Four has a legacy of expanding and enduring client relationships–with an average decade-long tenure–including longtime clients like Wrangler (24-year tenure), SnapOn (11-year tenure), and Brookfield Zoo (10-year tenure). The agency currently represents clients in many categories ranging from retail, tourism, and tech, to sports, hospitality, and entertainment, just to name a few. Mauery will be focused on the relationships which grow out of great account service. Internally, he will use his experience to help inspire the account team to foster deep client relationships that are forward-thinking and growing while providing the team with ongoing career guidance. Mauery is a Chicago-area ad veteran having worked at top national agencies in the area since the late 1990’s, most recently at Cramer-Krasselt as SVP, director of account management, new business, digital strategy, and previously at Critical Mass and JWT, among others…..
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