Cogs & Marvel has secured creative director Jamie Shaw as leader of its creative department in the U.S. Shaw joins Cogs & Marvel in its San Francisco office, further expanding the 12-year-old experiential agency’s presence there–even as it continues to strengthen its global reach from its headquarters in Dublin, Ireland. For years, the agency has worked with major brands including Google, Facebook, and Twitter.
Shaw was most recently responsible for the highly praised San Francisco pop-up museum That Lady Thing, created through local agency Eleven. Designed to raise awareness for International Women’s Day, the installation used modern women’s issues like the pay gap, sexual harassment, and gender disparity to inspire an array of colorful and affecting interactive experiences. The pop-up generated West Coast attention as well as global coverage from BBC, The Guardian, SF Chronicle, Time Out, and many others. The activation donated proceeds from merchandise sales and onsite fundraising to the National Women’s Law Center.
Prior to Eleven, Shaw worked with global powerhouse brands like Google, Apple, Levi’s; startups like Tile and Glow; as well as boutique lifestyle brands like Olly, Mod, and Urban Remedy. A multifaceted creative, she started her career as a copywriter and eventually developed an interest in designing physical experiences while working on “future of retail” concepts at creative studio Autofuss (which was eventually acquired by Google in 2013).
“Cogs & Marvel has the chops to build anything anywhere on the planet with amazing efficiency and enthusiasm. Their goal, and mine, is to create cultural content that inspires authentic engagement,” Shaw said. “Smart, forward thinking brands understand that today’s audiences are too savvy to be sold to. People want to recognize a brand’s values as their own and connect in more relevant, resonant ways.”
Along with Shaw, Cogs & Marvel has also brought on Autofuss-alum Brendan Keenan as director of business development and marketing. Keenan will be tasked with expanding the agency’s relationships with U.S.-based brands and agency partners. His background includes time spent leading account teams at agencies like Goodby Silverstein & Partners, Wieden+Kennedy, and Venables Bell & Partners.
Cogs & Marvel CEO Roisin Callaghan added, “Our team has always prided itself on identifying the most creative ways to produce world-class experiences for our clients. Now that we’ve established a foothold in San Francisco, one of the most innovative cities on earth, we’re excited to continue to push the boundaries of creative storytelling. With their respective backgrounds at some of the best agencies in the business, Jamie and Brendan are a natural fit to help us continue to raise that bar.”
New 2025 Laws Hit Hot Topics–From AI In Movies To Social Media
Name a hot topic, and chances are good there’s a new law about it taking effect in 2025 in one state or another.
Many of the laws launching in January are a result of legislation passed this year. Others stem from ballot measures approved by voters. Some face legal challenges.
On the entertainment and social media fronts there are several notable state laws taking effect, including:
Hollywood stars and child influencers
California, home to Hollywood and some of the largest technology companies, is seeking to rein in the artificial intelligence industry and put some parameters around social media stars. New laws seek to prevent the use of digital replicas of Hollywood actors and performers without permission and allow the estates of dead performers to sue over unauthorized AI use.
Parents who profit from social media posts featuring their children will be required to set aside some earnings for their young influencers. A new law also allows children to sue their parents for failing to do so.
Social media limits
New social media restrictions in several states face court challenges.
A Florida law bans children under 14 from having social media accounts and requires parental consent for ages 14 and 15. But enforcement is being delayed because of a lawsuit filed by two associations for online companies, with a hearing scheduled for late February.
A new Tennessee law also requires parental consent for minors to open accounts on social media. NetChoice, an industry group for online businesses, is challenging the law. Another new state law requires porn websites to verify that visitors are at least 18 years old. But the Free Speech Coalition, a trade association for the adult... Read More