and not just geographically. When creating commercials, more and more out-of-town production companies are finding the Lone Star State is the place to be. In recent months, that notion has led to the formation of alliances between out-of-state production houses and homegrown, Texas-based shops for a variety of reasons, including a desire to increase one’s presence in the Texas agency market, as well as to expand production options.
In one deal, bicoastal Atherton entered into a reciprocal agreement with Concrete Productions, Dallas. In another, New York-based Washington Square Films formed a relationship with Directorz (formerly Bednarz Films), Dallas. Per the latter arrangement, Washington Square directors Jeff Feuerzeig and Peter Sillen are represented in the Southwest by Directorz.
Texas has long attracted production companies from other areas. Mark Androw, executive producer of the Story family of companies-New York Story, Chicago Story, L.A. Story and Texas Story-has had a base of operations in Texas since ’92. When Androw started Chicago Story, the first of his companies, in ’89, the idea was to offer, in his words, "national quality directors for local production, with local production support." In ’93, Androw branched out with New York Story, and followed with L.A. Story in ’95.
