Global production company Sweetshop has signed director Kate Halpin for Australian representation. She gravitates towards both ends of the genre spectrum, specializing in understated, stylized comedy–or dark, gritty drama. Halpin has a background in production design and acting, which are evident in her unique visual style, distinctive color palettes, and the nuanced performances she draws from actors. She has directed TV commercials across Australia and internationally for brands such as Hyundai, Uber, Arnott’s Tim Tams, P&O Cruises, NSW Health, RAA and UEFA World Cup. She recently picked up a Cannes Silver Lion and an ADG “Best Director” award for her work. Her films have screened at over 35 festivals worldwide….

Performance marketing agency Splash Worldwide has hired Rob Smith, veteran of Ogilvy Worldwide and Goodby Silverstein & Partners, as U.S. CEO. Founder Paul Stonebride will stay on as global CEO. Splash has worked with brands including Google, Nike, Sonos, PVH, Clif Bar, Newell brands and Seagate on translation and transcreation services, many times partnering with their agencies of record to distribute creative globally. Smith is being tasked with building a global company that is connected through technology to fully integrate the offices that Splash has in Portland, New York, London, Amsterdam and Singapore. He will be focused on Splash’s three core services that allow client’s external messaging to go faster, further and be better; Splash has global production capabilities, powered by their 11,000 sq. ft studio where they originate, adapt and augment content. Splash achieves global localization with a highly qualified network of 3,000 in-market linguists to ensure campaigns are consistent and locally and culturally relevant. Splash offers better marketing performance through market insight to maximize client’s ROI…. 

Wunderman Thompson Intelligence’s latest report explores how, in response to rising consumer discomfort with the way personal information is tracked and traded online, a new data ecosystem is emerging; including a new value exchange for consumers, a fresh set of rules for brands and a repositioning of the digital identity as equal to the physical body. There’s a growing ethical problem plaguing consumers, lawmakers and brands; the same data powering the smart technologies credited with improving people’s lives is now the culprit in an avalanche of cybersecurity threats, privacy scandals and the controversial practices of Silicon Valley giants. This is having an impact across everything from popular culture to politics, and even the fight against climate change. Wunderman Thompson Intelligence’s report shows that current data regulation may not be enough to satisfy consumers, and that a clear exchange, allowing people to control and value their data for services, could be emerging as a way forward. Emma Chiu, global director of Wunderman Thompson Intelligence, said, “The rulebook for brands and websites is evolving, guided by legislation like General Data Protection Regulation, expanded by explicit data exchange products and informed by guides to digital selfcare. In our report, we cover the state of play today and expand upon the future paths that can be taken to balance data that can improve our lives and how to make sure only that which is necessary is collected and kept safe, putting the power back into consumer hands”….

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