Vicki Russell has joined Union Editorial Austin as executive producer. Union, which also has offices in New York and Los Angeles, has been active in the Austin market since 2011, opening a brick and mortar shop in December 2013 and inhabiting its current location since the summer of 2014. Prior to joining Union, Russell spent six years as executive producer at Austin’s Proof Advertising, where standout work included a project for Mouser Innovation Lab, in partnership with Marvel (directed by Dan Brown of Curiosity Shoppe, featuring Grant Imahara), that enjoyed viral success.
In her new role, Russell strives to support and nurture personal and professional growth. “Austin in general is a very supportive and tight-knit community,” she said. “There’s a lot of mutual respect among colleagues and competitors. (Editors) Kevin Ray and Rachael Waxler have been doing so well over the past few years, and I hope to grow their fan bases even more.”
Among Ray’s recent work out of Austin are projects for Bonefish Grill via Vitro, ACLU of Texas (Richard Linklater, director), Dodge (Spiro Razatos, director) and Walgreens (Dave Meyers, director), all via GSD&M in Austin. Via that agency, Waxler recently edited Hilton Garden Inn (Clay Weiner, director), Walgreens Beauty (Joel Kefali, director), Southwest Airlines (Rachel Goldenberg, director), and Popeyes (Rocky Powell, director). Since its inception, Union Editorial Austin has worked on Lowe’s, Anheuser Busch, Target, Domino’s, Red Bull, Starbucks, Pepsi, and MLB, all via LatinWorks.
Russell graduated from University of North Texas in 1995, earning a Bachelor Degree in Journalism with emphasis in Advertising. She began her career as an assistant account executive at DDB Needham in Dallas, before moving into postproduction. Russell worked her way up from client service/assistant producer to producer, then sr. producer, dividing time between Post Op and N2O (both in Dallas). She segued into agency producing at The Richards Group, Dallas. In 2006, Russell moved to Austin as a freelancer, producing projects via GSD&M for Wal-Mart and AT&T. She next joined Beast Austin as executive producer, overseeing editorial on work for Southwest Airlines, BMW, Kohler, AT&T and Whataburger, to name a few. After the birth of her daughter and a brief move to Boulder, Colo., Russell returned to Austin and joined Proof as EP. In addition to Mouser Innovation Lab, some of Russell’s clients at Proof included American Heart Association, Stubbs BBQ, Subway and Apothic Wines. In 2017 alone, Russell worked with directors Plummer/Strauss, Eli Green with A Common Thread, Berndt Mader with The Bear, Mike Woolf with Beef and Pie, Michael O of Noonday Pictures, and Gina Grande. Russell’s awards and honors include an Austin ADDY for Mouser Innovation Labs; a Silver Telly Award for Baylor University, and consecutive Big Wig Awards from the Austin Ad Fed for Best Commercial Producer.
Russell’s favorite projects include an early campaign she produced for MD Anderson cancer centers (via Richards Group, directed by Iain MacKenzie), focusing on three cancer survivors (“It was a very personal and touching project, and I was very proud to be a part of that, especially as a new agency producer,” she said). Another favorite is a project for the Midwest hot dog brand Schweigert via Proof, notable because “it was shot in my backyard on a hot-as-hell Texas day, for next to nothing. It was directed by Jason Marlow, with DP Tod Campbell, and is still one of the most fun projects I’ve done.”
All of those experiences have served Russell well and prepared her for this new chapter. “I’ve always loved the creative process and watching the magic that can happen in an edit bay. The team at Union Austin, along with the ad community in this town, is incredible. I look forward continuing to connect great creative with the great talent assembled here.”
The Many Hires Jeremiah Wassom As Group Creative Director
Independent agency The Many has added Jeremiah Wassom as group creative director.
Wassom most recently worked a decade at Deutsch LA where, as SVP/creative director, he led the Taco Bell account and won new business for the agency. His agency past also includes AKQA and TBWAChiatDay. His creative work has touched the QSR, video games, automotive, fashion, and culture brand sectors. He also served eight years with the United States Marine Corps.
“Throughout his career, Jeremiah has helmed work that has not only made me personally jealous but has consistently pushed brands to show up in memorable and innovative ways,” said Josh Paialii, head of creative at The Many. “One look at his body of work and you will see his passion for storytelling and craft has raised the bar for entire categories, driving participation with many brands’ most loyal fans. Beyond being a world-class creative director and maker, Wassom is a proven team player and strategic thought leader. He’ll be a great addition to the leadership team at The Many working across all accounts. His role will be immediately felt as he guides and supports each of the creative leads in the department.”
A 20-year creative with agency, brand, and freelance experience, Wassom has forged a creative approach which focuses on crafting engaging connections rather than simply make ads. He sees the need for advertising to mean more, not simply do more.
The Many believes that true business growth is made possible by harnessing the power of participation and partners with brands to forge deeper connections with consumers, cultivate trust and loyalty, and maximize marketing spend and execution. The agency is built around a flexible model that offers a suite of capabilities, including... Read More