Ad agency Leagas Delaney has entered into an alliance with consultant Booz Digital to help clients better navigate digital waters. Leagas Delaney will be able to tap into Booz Digital’s team of strategists, designers and technology architects to help turn ideas into transformational digital businesses. Booz Digital gains access to Leagas Delaney’s conceptual/creative talent, communications expertise and relationships with brands to help realize integrated communications for clients. The Booz Digital and Leagas Delaney alliance has been launched in North America and Europe, and will be anchored in Los Angeles and London….Director Travis Satten has signed with First Wave for exclusive representation in commercials and branded entertainment. His credits include work for Jeep (“The Return” featuring NBA star Carmelo Anthony), Gillette (featuring K-Foxx through Carat), Atlantic Records, Interscope, Coors, Hyundai and Harley Davidson. Satten’s music vodeo for FUN, “We Are Young” featuring Janelle Monae has drawn more than 49 million YouTube hits to date…..Jay Karas, a director known for his comedic television and promo work, has signed with integrated production company The Famous Group Karas recently completed his third season as showrunner and director of Chelsea Handler’s scripted half-hour series After Lately for E! Entertainment, and just signed to direct his first episode of NBC’s Parks and Recreation, airing this fall. He has also directed multiple episodes of Comedy Central’s Workaholics and The Burn with Jeff Ross, Adult Swim’s Eagleheart, Fox’s Mad TV, Disney Channel’s So Random and others. In addition, Karas has directed stand-up specials with top comics such as Jim Gaffigan, Bill Burr, Bob Saget and DL Hughley, and worked with Mark Burnett as short films director and consulting producer on the 2011 MTV Movie Awards. A highlight of Karas’ promo work was the high-visibility campaign to launch Conan on TBS, as well as three additional campaigns for the show including the viral hit Conan Washes His Desk! Karas directed promos for ABC’s Good Morning America featuring Jamie Foxx and Oscar telecast-premiering spots for Don’t Trust the B in Apt. 23, Coke Zero, and “Men at Work” promos for TBS, and launch campaigns for E! and Disney XD….
Gene Hackman Died Of Heart Disease; Hantavirus Claimed His Wife’s Life About One Week Prior
Actor Gene Hackman died of heart disease a full week after his wife died from hantavirus in their New Mexico hillside home, likely unaware that she was dead because he was in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease, authorities revealed Friday. Both deaths were ruled to be from natural causes, chief medical examiner Dr. Heather Jarrell said alongside state fire and health officials at a news conference. "Mr. Hackman showed evidence of advanced Alzheimer's disease," Jarrell said. "He was in a very poor state of health. He had significant heart disease, and I think ultimately that's what resulted in his death." Authorities didn't suspect foul play after the bodies of Hackman, 95, and Betsy Arakawa, 65, were discovered Feb 26. Immediate tests for carbon monoxide poisoning were negative. Investigators found that the last known communication and activity from Arakawa was Feb. 11 when she visited a pharmacy, pet store and grocery before returning to their gated neighborhood that afternoon, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said Friday. Hackman's pacemaker last showed signs of activity a week later and that he had an abnormal heart rhythm Feb. 18, the day he likely died, Jarrell said. Although there was no reliable way to determine the date and time when both died, all signs point to their deaths coming a week apart, Jarrell said. "It's quite possible he was not aware she was deceased," Jarrell said. Dr. Michael Baden, a former New York City medical examiner, said he believes Hackman was severely impaired due to Alzheimer's disease and unable to deal with his wife's death in the last week of his life. "You are talking about very severe Alzheimer's disease that normal people would be in a nursing home or have a nurse, but she was taking care... Read More