Spring Studios–a creative agency and production studio creating premium branded content and experiences for global brands–has appointed Nicole V. Cramer as global chief of staff working across its offices in London, New York, Milan and Los Angeles. Cramer will report into Spring Studios’ global president and chief creative officer Tom Punch, working closely with him, the leadership team and staff worldwide. Cramer joins Spring Studios after a two-year hiatus from the advertising industry during which time she has been running two of her own companies: brand consultancy NicNic Productions and My Grandma Baked A Cookie, a small-batch baking company. She started her first company at the age of 18. She has spent over 15 years in global operations roles in some of the world’s leading marketing communications companies, including JWT, DDB Worldwide and most recently as SVP and global chief of staff at McCann Worldgroup. She also has 20 years of consulting experience. A graduate of Cornell University, the United Nations International School, and Mannes College of Music, Cramer is certified by REACH personal branding and also by the Health Coach Institute. She has also worked with numerous charitable organizations….
Review: Director Jon M. Chu’s “Wicked”
It's the ultimate celebrity redemption tour, two decades in the making. In the annals of pop culture, few characters have undergone an image makeover quite like the Wicked Witch of the West.
Oh, she may have been vengeful and scary in "The Wizard of Oz." But something changed — like, REALLY changed — on the way from the yellow brick road to the Great White Way. Since 2003, crowds have packed nightly into "Wicked" at Broadway's Gershwin Theatre to cheer as the green-skinned, misunderstood Elphaba rises up on her broomstick to belt "Defying Gravity," that enduring girl-power anthem.
How many people have seen "Wicked"? Rudimentary math suggests more than 15 million on Broadway alone. And now we have "Wicked" the movie, director Jon M. Chu's lavish, faithful, impeccably crafted (and nearly three-hour) ode to this origin story of Elphaba and her (eventual) bestie — Glinda, the very good and very blonde. Welcome to Hollywood, ladies.
Before we get to what this movie does well (Those big numbers! Those costumes!), just a couple thornier issues to ponder. Will this "Wicked," powered by a soulful Cynthia Erivo (owner of one of the best singing voices on the planet) and a sprightly, comedic, hair-tossing Ariana Grande, turn even musical theater haters into lovers?
Tricky question. Some people just don't buy into the musical thing, and they should be allowed to live freely amongst us. But if people breaking into song delights rather than flummoxes you, if elaborate dance numbers in village squares and fantastical nightclubs and emerald-hued cities make perfect sense to you, and especially if you already love "Wicked," well then, you will likely love this film. If it feels like they made the best "Wicked" movie money could buy — well, it's... Read More