Zulu Alpha Kilo, the Toronto-based ad agency, has just brought in Red Bull Media House executive producer, Cary Smith, as director of content for its content studio, Zulubot. Smith spent the last four years with Red Bull where he oversaw all moving image content in Canada, including sports, culture, and live events. Prior to working at Red Bull Media House, he was EP and head of development at Bell Media, overseeing production for multiple specialty channels including Much Music and Space.
Zulubot was launched in 2014 to enable Zulu to create, produce, and release content that capitalizes on the opportunities today’s digital/social world demands from modern brands. The studio has grown to include seven edit suites and a state-of-the-art audio recording studio. Over the past three years, Zulubot has produced hundreds of pieces of short and long format digital content for social platforms, broadcast films and documentaries including 2017’s online doc-series Common Ground for Harley-Davidson. The content series celebrated 100 years of the Harley-Davidson brand in Canada and gathered mainstream media interest, culminating in Discovery Canada showcasing Common Ground in a one-hour show during primetime.
“Cary brings a wealth of experience and a forward-thinking approach to what is already a strong content production team here,” said Zak Mroueh, Zulu Alpha Kilo’s founder and CCO/CEO. “He’s creative, collaborative and his experience with nimble content production as well as large scale production will make us a better partner to our clients,” Mroueh added.
Smith said of his new roost, “I’ve had my eye on Zulu and what they’ve been doing with Zulubot for several years. I’m excited to bring my expertise and combine it with such a talented and creative group.”
California Gov. Newsom Signs Laws To Protect Actors Against Unauthorized Use Of AI
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed off Tuesday on legislation aiming at protecting Hollywood actors and performers against unauthorized artificial intelligence that could be used to create digital clones of themselves without their consent.
The new laws come as California legislators ramped up efforts this year to regulate the marquee industry that is increasingly affecting the daily lives of Americans but has had little to no oversight in the United States.
The laws also reflect the priorities of the Democratic governor who's walking a tightrope between protecting the public and workers against potential AI risks and nurturing the rapidly evolving homegrown industry.
"We continue to wade through uncharted territory when it comes to how AI and digital media is transforming the entertainment industry, but our North Star has always been to protect workers," Newsom said in a statement. "This legislation ensures the industry can continue thriving while strengthening protections for workers and how their likeness can or cannot be used."
Inspired by the Hollywood actors' strike last year over low wages and concerns that studios would use AI technology to replace workers, a new California law will allow performers to back out of existing contracts if vague language might allow studios to freely use AI to digitally clone their voices and likeness. The law is set to take effect in 2025 and has the support of the California Labor Federation and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, or SAG-AFTRA.
Another law signed by Newsom, also supported by SAG-AFTRA, prevents dead performers from being digitally cloned for commercial purposes without the permission of their estates. Supporters said the law is... Read More