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.”
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