Though some details were sketchy at press time, SHOOT confirmed that A Band Apart’s spot operation has closed. Managing director Jeff Armstrong said company principal Lawrence Bender informed him of the decision to shutter the shop last week. Armstrong in turn made staffers and directors aware of the closure. A SHOOT phone call to Bender had not been returned at press time. Armstrong said he was disappointed over the decision to shut down A Band Apart in that he felt there were viable alternatives. There’s been some speculation that some of the talent at A Band Apart might stay together and form another venture; Armstrong related that he was still considering his options. He said his immediate priorities were trying to help staffers deal with the turn of events while also making creditors aware of the situation. Armstrong added that he is among those creditors. Among the directors on the A Band Apart roster were Marcel Langenegger, Coodie & Chike, Brendan Donovan, Per Dreyer, Derek Horn, Jennifer Little, Michael Palmieri, Corbett Scott, Martin Weisz and James White……EUE/Screen Gems has shuttered its New York-based Highway 61 production company satellite. Highway 61 was most recently headed up by exec producer Marc Rosenberg and at the time of its closing represented directors Rupert Wainwright, Eddy Chu, Tom Cartier and Doug Coleman. “The decision to close Highway 61 is part of an ongoing strategic plan here at Screen Gems that will include the opening of additional satellites in the future,” said EUE principal Chris Cooney in a released statement. “We’re also going to focus on further developing our growing business in the areas of branded entertainment, television and feature film production and distribution.”….Saville Productions, Beverly Hills, has signed director Joachim Hellinger, a.k.a. Helli, for exclusive U.S. representation. He is best known for his work in European action spots and documentaries….Director Jeff Labbe has joined Fools and Horses, Los Angeles….U.K.’s Passion Pictures has added directors Carl Zitelmann and Nathasha Rand….Troika Design Group, Hollywood, has brought Dale Everett on board as creative director….
AD&Co. Launches Studio A; Davida Hall To Head New Venture As Sr. Director of Creative Content
Female-founded and led creative marketing agency AD&Co. has opened Studio A. The new venture will serve as AD&Co.’s in-house social brand content division, focused on developing and producing digital programming for advertising, social media, and influencer marketing campaigns designed to reach today’s audiences on the most popular and pivotal platforms. Davida Hall has been named to head Studio A as sr. director of creative content. She shifts over from AD&Co. where she held the same title since December 2023. Hall’s affiliations prior to AD&Co. include PopSugar and Studio71.
Amy Demas, founder and chief creative officer of AD&Co., said, “We understand content is king-—or queen—and that our clients need to engage their customer communities where they live. That inspired the logical expansion of AD&Co with Studio A, which is committed to producing only the most engaging and authentic brand stories.”
Studio A will harness both AD&Co’s and Hall’s deep expertise in the lifestyle sector, as content creators and avid consumers. Specializing in reaching audiences where they spend their time, the studio is immersed in social media, pop culture, and current trends, expertly crafting visuals, language, and storytelling to reinforce client brand identities and cut through the noise.
Studio A debuts with the “This Is Me” campaign for Love + Craft + Beauty, a brand dedicated to embracing and promoting diversity within the beauty space. “This Is Me” highlights Gen Z’s affinity for radical self-expression that allows individuals to tell their own stories, free from labels, using beauty and fashion as tools of authenticity. The campaign showcases models celebrating their unique qualities to present... Read More