R/GA has promoted Erin Lynch and Shannon Washington to SVPs, executive creative directors partnering to lead the creative output for its New York office. A true stories and systems duo, Lynch will spearhead experience-driven creative while Washington will head integrated creative. Both will report to global chief creative officer Tiffany Rolfe and global chief experience officer Ben Williams.
A creative with two decades of experience, Lynch has been a key leader in the evolution of R/GA’s digital product, service and innovation work. She has led the design teams on notable projects partnering with noted brands including Planned Parenthood’s Roo High School, which shared judgment-free sexual and reproductive health information with the teens who need it most. One of Lynch’s proudest achievements is helping to build a thriving and diverse creative team at R/GA New York. She is also the recipient of Cannes Lions, Clios, One Show, Effie and Webby awards.
Washington joined R/GA in 2020 after working with Media Arts Lab where she launched Apple TV+. Prior, she rebranded and relaunched CoverGirl at Droga5. In a short time, Washington has been a pivotal contributor to prominent work for Google and ESPN and a key driver of cultural initiatives within the company including the Black Leadership Coalition and R/GA’s Allyship program. Most recently, Washington led the company’s global social AOR pitch with Uber Eats, contributing to the landmark win and the mobility company’s recent big game social media campaign.
“Erin and Shannon are rare leaders who devote themselves to supporting and inspiring their teams to do their best work–creative that connects with people and culture in a meaningful way,” said Rolfe.
Williams added that Washington and Lynch “excel at connecting the dots between communication and experience, so that it’s both innovative and human-first.”
“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