Global independent creative agency GUT has appointed Christian Buer as executive creative director and Natalie Street as head of accounts in its Toronto office. Buer will lead the creative team alongside ECD Brynna Aylward. Both Street and Buer will be based in Toronto and will report to managing director and partner Ryan O’Hagan. Juan Javier Peña Plaza also oversees the office as partner and North America CCO. Buer has spent the last 12+ years working to bridge the disciplines of design and advertising, and has worked at leading agencies in Canada for brands including McDonald’s, Toyota, HomeSense and KFC. Over Street’s nearly 15 years of experience, she has built her career at Toronto agencies including DDB and TAXI. Additionally, she has been a partner to some of Canada’s biggest brands, including Canadian Tire, Boston Pizza, Rogers Canada, Manulife and now, Tim Hortons. In 2022, GUT Toronto also won a Cannes Lion award for the “TimBiebs” campaign, which was the first-ever Lion for both the agency and Tim Hortons. The campaign also received the Grand Effie at the Canadian Effie Awards, among other top honors. GUT’s global independent creative network has offices in Miami, Buenos Aires, São Paulo, Toronto, Mexico City, Los Angeles and Amsterdam….
Breakout Films and Major Takeaways From This Year’s Sundance Fest
Film wasn't the only thing on people's minds at this year's Sundance Film Festival, which comes to a close Sunday in Park City, Utah ( and online ).
The effects of the wildfires in Southern California loomed large, as did the bittersweet knowledge that this year will be the second to last Sundance based in Park City. Some films offered an escape from reality; others were a pointed reminder of the domestic and international political landscape, from transgender rights to the war in Ukraine.
Here are some of the key takeaways from the 41st edition of the festival.
The effects of the Southern California fires were deeply felt
The wildfires were still burning in parts of Los Angeles when Sundance began last week and reminders of its devastation were everywhere, even on screen. Max Walker-Silverman's "Rebuilding," starring Josh O'Connor as a cowboy who loses his ranch in a wildfire and forms a community with fellow survivors in a FEMA camp, hit close to home for many.
Filmmakers Meena Menon and Paul Gleason lost their home in Altadena where they filmed some of their zombie apocalypse movie "Didn't Die." Sundance artist labs head Michelle Satter lost her Palisades home as well. Satter had an audience of Sundance Institute donors in tears early in the festival while accepting an honor at a fundraising gala.
"It's a deeply devastating time for us and so many others, a moment that calls for all of us coming together to support our bigger community," Satter said. "As a friend recently noted, and I have to listen to this, 'Take a deep breath ... We lost our village, but at the end of the day we are the village.'"
The festival's move to another city dominated conversations
It was a topic... Read More