The Vitec Group has acquired SmallHD, the North Carolina company known for its high-quality, high-definition, on-camera field monitors used by videographers, cinematographers, camera assistants and other creative professionals. SmallHD will be incorporated into the Vitec Group’s Videocom division, complementing its existing brands.
SmallHD was officially founded in 2009 by Wes Phillips and Dale Backus. The pair, along with a group of friends, had been creating spots for local businesses and entered the Doritos-sponsored Crash The Super Bowl contest with a spot entitled Live the Flavor. The resulting notoriety from winning brought national work in for the team. The demand to complete increasingly higher-calibre work made the SmallHD creatives and production crew aware of a need for better tools. Rather than buying off-the-shelf solutions, they were inspired to create them, specifically field monitors. The DP6 field monitor, their first mainstream product, not only met their own high standards but was immediately sought after by other filmmakers. When SmallHD won an unprecedented second Doritos Crash The Super Bowl challenge in 2010, the company used the winnings to develop its product line and expand manufacturing operations.
“We are looking forward to joining the Vitec Group of companies,” said Wes Phillips, founder and CEO of SmallHD. “It’s exciting for SmallHD to be included among the great brands that they represent. We have aspirations to continue to build outstanding monitors, and Vitec not only encourages that entrepreneurial spirit but offers the support and expertise we need to move forward.”
Vitec Videocom CEO Matt Danilowicz said, “The acquisition enables us to offer another set of professional and innovative solutions for the production workflow, and takes us a step closer to fully addressing the needs of this expanding and exciting market.”
SmallHD joins the Vitec Videocom line-up of brands that serves its users in broadcast, cinematography and professional content creation. Other Vitec Videocom brands include Anton/Bauer, Autoscript, Autocue, Camera Corps, Bexel, Litepanels, OConnor, Petrol Bags, Sachtler, Teradek, The Camera Store, Vinten and Vinten Radamec.
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