McCann London has launched an initiative which aims to diversify its next generation of employees by encouraging a broader spectrum of prospective candidates to consider a career in advertising. “Open Hour” is a weekly hour-long session of 15-minute one-on-one Skype calls, initially with CCOs and co-presidents of McCann London, Rob Doubal and Laurence (Lol) Thomson and will later be extended through senior management in disciplines including strategy, planning and new business. The sessions are targeted at anyone who is considering a career in advertising–and particularly those who hadn’t previously considered this career path but would like to find out more. “Open Hour” will be advertised in schools and job centers across the country, aiming to spark interest in both schoolchildren who may not have decided on their career path and those changing careers at a later stage in life. It offers participants the opportunity to ask questions to advertising industry experts and can be used to show work or ask advice about working in the industry. McCann London’s current internship program recruits from Miami Ad School, IPA’s STEM program and charity Art Against Knives. McCann London will partner with Creative Equals on its new initiative….
Filmmaster Productions has added directors Gal Muggia and Stef Viaene to its roster in the Italian market. Viaene is a noted tabletop director in Europe. Israeli-born director Muggia marked his international breakthrough this year when he co-directed the visually striking music video for the song “Up&Up” by the British band Coldplay. The video received accolades from critics and audiences alike, winning several international awards, including the prestigious “Visual Effects Award” at 2016 MTV Video Music Awards….
First-Time Feature Directors Make Major Splash At AFI Fest, Generate Oscar Buzz
Two first-time feature directors who are generating Oscar buzz this awards season were front and center this past weekend at AFI Fest in Hollywood. Rachel Morrison, who made history as the first woman nominated for a Best Cinematography Oscar---on the strength of Mudbound in 2018--brought her feature directorial debut, The Fire Inside (Amazon MGM Studios), to the festival on Sunday (10/27), and shared insights into the film during a conversation session immediately following the screening. This came a day after William Goldenberg, an Oscar-winning editor for Argo in 2013, had his initial foray into feature directing, Unstoppable (Amazon MGM Studios), showcased at the AFI proceedings. He too spoke after the screening during a panel discussion. The Fire Inside--which made its world premiere at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival--tells the story of Claressa “T-Rex” Shields (portrayed by Ryan Destiny), a Black boxer from Flint, Mich., who trained to become the first woman in U.S. history to win an Olympic Gold Medal in the sport. She achieved this feat--with the help of coach Jason Crutchfield (Brian Tyree Henry)--only to find that her victory at the Summer Games came with relatively little fanfare and no endorsement deals. So much for the hope that the historic accomplishment would be a ticket out of socioeconomic purgatory for Shields and her family. It seemed like yet another setback in a cycle of adversity throughout Shields’ life but she persevered, going on to win her second Gold Medal at the next Olympics and becoming a champion for gender equality and equitable pay for women in sports. Shields has served as a source of inspiration for woman athletes worldwide--as well as to the community of... Read More