Comedy director and YouTube stalwart Jack Howard brings storytelling prowess and his Millennial following to London-based OB Management for U.K. representation spanning commercials and branded content. The long-running series of sketches as part of the comedy duo Jack & Dean propelled him to online fame–with their YouTube channel accruing over 73 million views and gaining 647k subscribers. A few years and a fist-full of brand partnerships later, Howard boasts a following on Instagram of 235k (and counting), made up almost entirely of 18-34 year olds. Now as a spot director, Howard is applying his directing, writing and acting experience to help brands connect with their audience in real and resonant ways. He has made a mark both as a director, working with brands including ZenAuto, Sky, Campari, and Domino’s, and as Mark Kermode’s counterpart on their podcast “Kermode On Film.” Howard has also directed big names in the British comedy circuit including Matt King, Jessica Hynes, Kerry Godliman, and Doc Brown….
Tuff Contender, founded four years ago by DJ Brawner and Max Rose, has rebranded under the singular Tuff banner. The new moniker reflects an agile creative studio that produces and develops both advertising and entertainment content for the Gen Z to Gen X audiences. Tuff hosts creative services which include concepting, creative directon, art direction, development, media buying, talent acquisition and influencer casting. As part of Tuff’s adaptive growth strategy, leadership has focused on building a talent roster that understands both craft and engagement in the advertising and entertainment landscape by signing multifaceted directors like Brent Campanelli and Paul B. Cummings. In addition to his directing work, Cummings serves as creative executive on the upcoming animated series Summer Memories, an A&N Production created by Adam Yaniv. The latest Tuff addition, L.A.-based Jon Schwartz, is an artist helping to expand the company’s talent beyond the traditional directing roster. Schwartz has turned out music videos as well as projects with commercial brands. His work is characterized by docu-style, immersive moments….
Makers, a network of producers, has acquired Fixation.TV, a London-based production company, and has opened a presence in Europe. This acquisition marks another step in Makers’ evolution as a global producer network. With this move, Makers now has a presence in Canada, the U.S. and Europe. Founded in Toronto by EP Sumit Ajwani in 2016, Makers expanded into the U.S. in 2021 following consistent growth across its North American business. Now Fixation.TV founder Mike Garrod joins Makers as a partner and EP. Prior to its acquisition by Makers, Fixation.TV has delivered custom production solutions for global brands such as Nespresso, EA Sports, Castrol, Sony, and Ericsson, across multiple countries. The company has also executed numerous successful projects around the world for TV networks including National Geographic, Discovery, Vice/Viceland, BBC, and Universal….
Company 3 brand Stereo D, known for 3D stereo conversion, has rebranded as SDFX Studios. The team has broadened its workflow, seeing demand increase for traditional VFX work. It is now a full-service visual effects business, specifically designed to partner with networks, studios, streamers, and VFX companies to create supporting visual effects for feature films, TV, and commercial work. Since its inception over a decade ago, Stereo D has, in addition to its conversion work, grown to be a VFX partner of brands such as WETA FX, ILM, and Marvel Studios, as well as parental organization, Company 3, and sister companies Framestore, Powerhouse VFX, and Encore VFX. While dimensional filmmaking will firmly remain part of its legacy and future, SDFX Studios will continue to provide high-volume and world-class quality services across the entire VFX spectrum for studios and filmmakers. The SDFX Studios global leadership is primarily overseen by CCO Aaron Parry along with SVP business development Vincent Defebo in North America, and COO and managing director Prafull Gade in India. Day-to-day production and creative supervision are led by producer Mark Simone and VFX supervisor Alex Guri in Los Angeles, along with Chris Treichel, VP of production operations in Toronto, and Franklin Mascarenhas, head of production operations in India….
