Independent creative agency Zambezi has hired creative directors Alexandra Sann and Jeff Siegel, art director Stacie Larson, sr. copywriter Kristi Lira and designer Stephanie DeAngelis. Each will report to partner/COO Gavin Lester. Sann has spent the last two years freelancing, creating work for AT&T, Netflix and Nestlé. She previously held positions at Ogilvy, TBWAChiatDay and CP+B, leading efforts for clients including Applebee’s, PayPal company Braintree Payments and Old Navy. Sann’s work has been honored by top industry award shows including the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, The One Show, D&AD, Clios and Webbys. She also garnered attention for her Grey Poupon campaign “The Chase,” earning an Emmy nomination and late night TV parodies. Siegel was most recently VP/creative director at CP+B, serving as the creative lead for clients Letgo, Vonage and Cuervo. Larsen, whose previous roles include stints at shops Fitzco in Atlanta and Preacher in Austin, has created work for brands like The Container Store and Bumble. Lira joins Zambezi from Cutwater where she worked across Brawny’s social and digital business, including 2018’s #StrengthHasNoGender campaign and 2017’s “Once a Mother, Always a Giant”—the first spot filmed with Snapchat Spectacles. Before that, she helped defend the McDonald’s account at DDB Chicago. Lira also worked at FCB Chicago with client Cox Communications and began her career at Havas Chicago. DeAngelis, a former senior graphic designer at Rihanna’s SAVAGE X FENTY brand and Clique Brands (WhoWhatWear, MyDomaine, Byrdie Beauty), has led creative on Estee Lauder, Target and Nordstrom. She also spent time as a freelance illustrator for The New York Times, Revlon, Anthropologie, Outdoor Voices, Zappos, Martha Stewart, Bon Appétit, The Standard, Bando and Man Repeller….
The Martin Agency has promoted Matt Mattox from group strategy director to group account director, charged with leading the GEICO account. Mattox has been a key player in the planning department at The Martin Agency for nearly a dozen years, His track record includes launching the iconic GEICO campaigns “Unskippable,” “It’s What You Do,” “Not Surprising” and “More, More, More.” Mattox’s work has been recognized at nearly every major creative award show and he has won several Jay Chiat Awards and Effies. Mattox assumes the role previously held by Ben Creasey. He will report to chief client officer Danny Robinson, who made an unconventional transition from the creative department to account management this past May…..
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