Independent ad agency RPA has hired Jason Tarantino, most recently group planning director at Media Arts Lab, for the role of VP, strategic planning director. Reporting to David Berne, RPA’s sr. VP, director of strategic planning, Tarantino will direct planning for Intuit Small Business as well as play a key role supporting business development.
Tarantino brings more than 14 years of experience to RPA in both digital and traditional advertising, brand and CRM strategy, e-Commerce innovation, social media planning and product development across a diverse range of industry verticals.
At Media Arts Lab, Tarantino co-managed a team of more than 30 planners and researchers, and directed strategy on a number of key initiatives across the Apple business. Previously, he worked at The Martin Agency on the Walmart account. Tarantino also had stints at Wieden+Kennedy, R/GA and Razorfish. While at R/GA, he received a Jay Chiat award for research innovation for Nike ID and a Cannes Silver Lion and Webby for work with Verizon Broadband.
“RPA gets that the line between digital and traditional media has been erased and that there is no longer a need for a distinction between digital and brand planning. This idea parallels my perspective and provides an incredible opportunity for me and my planning colleagues to change how we approach work. In this advertising world without artificial borders, defining a single-minded proposition across channels is no longer relevant,” said Tarantino.
“Heretic” and “Maria” Set As Red Carpet Premieres At AFI Fest
The American Film Institute (AFI) has announced that Heretic, the psychological thriller starring Hugh Grant, and Maria, based on the life of opera singer Maria Callas starring Angelina Jolie, will round out the Red Carpet Premieres section at this year’s AFI Fest. The Heretic Gala Screening will take place on Thursday, October 24, and the Maria Gala Screening will be held on Saturday, October 26. The complete Red Carpet Premieres section includes the world premieres of Music By John Williams, Robert Zemeckis’ Here, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl and Clint Eastwood’s Juror #2. All Red Carpet Premieres will take place at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre. The full lineup for AFI Fest 2024 will be unveiled on October 1.
“At the heart of AFI Fest is an unwavering dedication to celebrating the best in global cinema--together,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI president and CEO. “We look forward to uniting artists and audiences once again to be inspired by the art form in a powerful sense of community.”
Heretic follows two young missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) who are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed (portrayed by Grant), becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse. The film is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods and produced by Stacey Sher, Beck, Woods, Julia Glausi and Jeanette Volturno. The film will be released nationwide by A24 on November 8.
Directed by Pablo Larraín, Maria presents a tumultuous and beautiful depiction of one of the world’s most renowned artists and reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days in Paris, as Callas (Jolie)... Read More