Independent ad agency RPA has brought Jason Sperling aboard as a group creative director for the Honda account. Formerly creative director at TBWAMedia Arts Lab, Sperling oversaw the iPad, iPhone and Mac groups, and led the Mac vs. PC campaign internationally. His work over the years has earned Cannes Lions and the Cannes Gold Cyber Lion (2008), the Grand Effie (2007) and several One Show Gold Pencils (2007). Previously, he worked at Colby and Partners, Santa Monica.
Additionally, RPA has promoted six creatives with Joe Baratelli and Patrick Mendelson being upped to group creative directors, Chuck Blackwell, Nathan Crow and Adam Lowrey to creative director, and Laura Hauseman to associate creative director.
Sperling and Baratelli will report to chief creative officer David Smith, and will be responsible for leading creative in all disciplines for the Honda account.
RPA’s client list includes American Honda, both the Honda and Acura brands, California Department of Public Health, La-Z-Boy, Farmers Insurance Group, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Luxor Hotel and Casino, and Excalibur Hotel & Casino. RPA is also the media planning and buying agency for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Lenox Financial Mortgage.
Director Lu Villaca Joins MADRE
Production company MADRE has added Brazilian director Lu Villaça to its talent roster. With degrees in cinema and performance and a master’s in screenwriting, Villaça brings a multifaceted approach to filmmaking. Villaça’s tastes have been shaped by her childhood training in ballet, studying Greek theatre texts, her passion for music, and her contemplative nature. She honed her cinematic skills early on as an AD and creative assistant before becoming a director. Intent on capturing the drama of everyday life as it plays out, Villaça is tuned in to how the bodies in her frame move through their environments and what elements of the story can be extrapolated from these compositions. Her sharp attention to detail in every aspect, from lighting to the final edit, is designed to connect emotionally with her audience. Villaça has been awarded three Cannes Lions for her film “Next Minute Law,” which promoted awareness of a law in Brazil designed to address the rampant epidemic of sexual violence. “Next Minute Law” also garnered Best Direction at El Ojo and the Ciclope Latino Festival, where Villaça also won Best New Talent. Additionally, she has directed assorted commercial campaigns for brands like Johnnie Walker, Huggies Wipes, Nestlé, Amazon, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, and a spot for Medley featuring Brazilian Olympic gymnast Rebeca Andrade. Prior to joining MADRE, Villaca had been repped by production house LOBO. Recognized in Brazil as a top music video director, Villaca won Best Female Direction for her work on “Nu” by Assucena and “Lovezinho” by Rachel Reis, which also won Best National Music Video at the MVF Awards. Villaça additionally co-directed the documentary Pagliacci, an homage to circus artist Domingos Montagner... Read More