August 5, 2017 Saville Productions has signed documentary, film and commercial director Ondi Timoner for spots and branded content in the U.S. Timoner is currently shooting the biopic Mapplethorpe which tells the story of famed portrait photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. Timoner has received the honor of double Grand Jury Prize wins at the Sundance Film Festival: the first for her 2004 documentary Dig!, reflecting the oftentimes contentious relationship between the bands The Dandy Warhols and The Brian Jonestown Massacre, and the second for her 2009 feature We Live In Public on Internet entrepreneur Josh Harris…. Michael Houston has been promoted to worldwide CEO of Grey Group. A 10-year veteran of Grey, he has served since 2016 as global president and becomes only the fifth person to hold the CEO position since Grey’s founding in 1917. James R. Heekin III, who has led the company, as chairman and CEO of Grey Group since 2007, will remain executive chairman of Grey Group….Community Films has added the directing duo Ben/Dave–consisting of Ben Hurst and Dave Thomas–to its talent roster. Previously the helming team was with Washington Square Films for commercials and branded content….
August 6, 2012 Feature filmmaker Wes Anderson (Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, The Fantastic Mr. Fox)–who’s also been active in commercials over the years–has joined The Directors Bureau for spot representation. He had previously been handled in the ad arena by Moxie Pictures….Ben James has come aboard JWT New York as an executive creative director. James will be tasked with supporting the creative vision set forth by JWT New York’s co-chief creative officers Ryan Kutscher and Matt MacDonald, in the duo’s first senior creative hire since taking on their new roles in May. For the past year, James has freelanced as a creative director, working on an array of projects at different agencies, including JWT New York. From 2008 to 2011, he was with CAA (Creative Artists Agency) as a creative director/marketing agent,…Director Steven Murashige has joined David Naylor & Associates (DNA, Inc.) for commercials and music videos. Murashige comes over to DNA after a long tenure with The Artists Company….B-Reel has signed comedy director Roderick Fenske for both the U.S. and U.K. markets. Before joining B-Reel, Fenske directed through Hungry Man for five years….