Megan Bundy appointed managing director; Ryan Chong to lead production
Publicis Groupe’s Le Truc has made three key leadership hires: Marcos Kotlhar as partner, chief creative officer; Megan Bundy as EVP, managing director; and Ryan Chong to lead production.
Launched last year, Le Truc is a next-generation creative model which unites 600+ creatives, producers and creative strategists from Publicis Groupe New York agencies into one, dynamic, collaborative team. Kotlhar, Bundy and Chong join the founding partners that form the creative leadership team of Le Truc, including Bastien Baumann, Andy Bird, Publicis Groupe chief strategy officer Carla Serrano, who also serves as president of Le Truc, and Elaine Barker who leads resource management and operations.
Most recently chief creative officer at Ogilvy New York, Kotlhar brings more than 20 years of creative leadership to Le Truc. His focus on making work that is culturally relevant, brought to life through innovation and craft, has re-energized and transformed leading agencies including Ogilvy, BBDO and BBH. His legacy of work has led to relationships and award-winning work with culture-defining brands such as Samsung, IBM, Instagram, IKEA, Nationwide, Pernod Ricard–Absolut Vodka, Zippo and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, among others. His appointment at Le Truc marks a return to Publicis Groupe for Kotlhar, after previously spending two years at BBH New York.
“I’m a firm believer that traditional processes will get you ordinary results. Le Truc’s vision is not only brave and refreshing, it’s necessary,” said Kotlhar. “The opportunity to see beyond silos, work across agencies, and partner with the best talent Publicis Groupe has to offer has me feeling like a kid in the world’s best candy shop.”
Bundy, Le Truc’s first EVP, Managing Director, brings 20 years of experience driving creative and media integration. Most recently, she led the Anheuser-Busch InBev business at FCB New York, along with broader client partnerships and agency business development efforts. Throughout her career, Bundy has worked for leading agencies such as BBDO, mcgarrybowen, and Publicis Media, and has driven award-winning (EFFIE, One Show, Cannes) campaigns for brands including Anheuser-Busch InBev–Michelob ULTRA, eBay, Lowe’s Home Improvement and Crayola.
Chong joins as the founding production lead for Le Truc, and is a modern creative partner and producer who works across teams to develop bold ideas–from inception–through the craft of production. Formerly group production director at 72andSunny, Chong brings nearly two decades of experience working for brands such as Nike, Audi, Virgin Group and AXE/LYNX. He is an award-winning production talent, celebrated at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity, One Show Awards and Clio Awards.
“After chasing Marcos for months, we are elated he is finally joining us. He is a natural partner for Le Truc, with his passion for fresh cultural ideas, collaborative process and obsession with craft,” said Serrano. “Together with Megan and Ryan, we approach our first year anniversary of Le Truc with expanded expertise and even greater ambition for the year to come.”
Since launching last spring, Le Truc has been a part of key pitches and campaigns for Publicis–including the TikTok creative win (and “You Have to See It” campaign), work for Samsung (such as the Galaxy S22 launch), and the Planet Fitness win and “Feel Fitacular” campaign and Super Bowl spot.
Rom-Com Mainstay Hugh Grant Shifts To The Dark Side and He’s Never Been Happier
After some difficulties connecting to a Zoom, Hugh Grant eventually opts to just phone instead.
"Sorry about that," he apologizes. "Tech hell." Grant is no lover of technology. Smart phones, for example, he calls the "devil's tinderbox."
"I think they're killing us. I hate them," he says. "I go on long holidays from them, three or four days at at time. Marvelous."
Hell, and our proximity to it, is a not unrelated topic to Grant's new film, "Heretic." In it, two young Mormon missionaries (Chloe East, Sophie Thatcher) come knocking on a door they'll soon regret visiting. They're welcomed in by Mr. Reed (Grant), an initially charming man who tests their faith in theological debate, and then, in much worse things.
After decades in romantic comedies, Grant has spent the last few years playing narcissists, weirdos and murders, often to the greatest acclaim of his career. But in "Heretic," a horror thriller from A24, Grant's turn to the dark side reaches a new extreme. The actor who once charmingly stammered in "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and who danced to the Pointer Sisters in "Love Actually" is now doing heinous things to young people in a basement.
"It was a challenge," Grant says. "I think human beings need challenges. It makes your beer taste better in the evening if you've climbed a mountain. He was just so wonderfully (expletive)-up."
"Heretic," which opens in theaters Friday, is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, co-writers of "A Quiet Place." In Grant's hands, Mr. Reed is a divinely good baddie — a scholarly creep whose wry monologues pull from a wide range of references, including, fittingly, Radiohead's "Creep."
In an interview, Grant spoke about these and other facets of his character, his journey... Read More