Director Fredrik Bond has come to in a sense reflect the globalization of the business on a couple of fronts over the past week-plus. For one, Supernoodles "Face Off," which he directed through London-based Harry Nash for agency Mother, London, was one of the honorees in the AICP Show’s Advertising Excellence/ International category. This category represents the first time that the AICP has opened its spot honors showcase to entries produced for markets outside the U.S. (see story, p. 1). Meanwhile in the U.K., Bond’s announced move from Harry Nash—the company that helped establish him as a commercialmaker—to bicoastal Morton Jankel Zander’s recently formed London office, has generated controversy, the catalyst being an alleged mega bonus paid by MJZ to help secure him from Harry Nash. Several members of the U.K. production community have expressed concern that the signing smacks of the bidding frenzy mentality for directors that has proven detrimental to the U.S. market. They do not want to see the same dynamic gain momentum in the U.K…..Marc Klasfeld has left bicoastal/international hungry man and will be directing commercials via Rockhard Films, New York, his current music video roost….After a hiatus from the business, director Gary Johns—a co-founder of Johns+Gorman Films and then JGF, Hollywood—is returning to commercialmaking. He will be available via bicoastal Coppos Films. Johns is also represented in Canada by Imported Artists Film Company, Toronto….Matthew Marquis, former executive producer at Slo.Graffiti, Los Angeles, has teamed with creative director/designer Jake Banks to form Venice, Calif.-based design house Stardust. The new venture is already involved in work for Burger King via agency Amoeba, Santa Monica…. Director Paul Andresen has joined Z group films, Chicago, and Venice, Calif., for exclusive representation….Three post vets—Hope Schenk, Rick Greenwald and Newt Bellis—have teamed to launch Post Solutions, a Toluca Lake, Calif.-based video postproduction facility. Schenk is president of the new venture, with Bellis serving as CEO and Greenwald as editor/engineer….Nicolas G. Hayek, co-founder/chairman/CEO of the Swatch Group, will be named Advertiser of the Year at the 49th International Advertising Festival this month in Cannes….This year’s ADDY Best of Show Broadcast honor goes to BBDO New York for its "Cheerleader" commercial directed by Marcos Siega of bicoastal/international hungry man for Frito Lay’s Doritos Extremes….
Eleanor Adds Director Candice Vernon To Its Roster For Spots and Branded Content
Director Candice Vernon has joined production house Eleanor for U.S. representation spanning commercials and branded content. She has already wrapped several jobs at Eleanor, which waited to announce her until they had a body of work together.
Via Eleanor, Vernon made history as the first Black director on a Febreze commercial. The “Small Spaces” campaign marks a major departure from Febreze’s typical blue-and-white world. The home of the “Revolving Door” commercial is a beautiful array of bold sunset hues, African prints, and African art.
Vernon said, “I asked myself, what feels right to me? What feels new? I wanted to bring an essence of not just Black Americans but the full diaspora. I wanted to make a statement that we’re not a monolith.”
Following the success of the “Small Spaces” campaign, Febreze brought Vernon back for a comedy-infused trifecta exploring the hilarious situations that call for an air freshening hero.
Febreze Brand VP Angelica Matthews said, “About two years ago, we realized the consumers that were the most loyal to Febreze were the African American consumers. And the more we learned, the more we realized the richness that we were really missing. So we said we have to go beyond just Black casting, we need to get Black directors that truly understand the culture that truly understand how to bring authentic performances out on screen. We really looked around the industry and noticed there’s actually a shortage of African American directors who have experience doing commercials. When we all saw Candice’s reel, we could all tell the passion for the craft, passion for really trying to help us from where we are to where we’re trying to go.”
Vernon brings a unique lens to... Read More