After nearly five decades in the advertising industry, Chicago-based Midwest rep David Wagner has retired. He has been responsible for contributing to the careers of assorted directors and is credited on some of the most successful campaigns in the region since the 1980s. Among the many colleagues he mentored is Sam Sloma who grew up in the small town of Fremont, Ohio, and at a young age met Wagner. Sloma recalled that Wagner would come into town every so often from Chicago, along with his wife, a childhood friend of Sloma’s mom. Sloma said that Wagner was “engaging, curious, energetic, smart; he became my standard for success in the big world outside of Fremont. He guided me into film and communications, and throughout college sent me DVDs of commercials and short films to review–ALWAYS asking questions and explaining why he found something interesting. Upon graduation, I moved to Chicago the following day to begin interning for David. We would go on to spend the next 12 years working together, eventually forming David&Sam in 2019 where we worked as partners until his retirement. I never became David Wagner, but David Wagner made me the professional I am today,” affirmed Sloma. “Proud to call him my mentor, my partner, and my friend.” In the wake of Wagner’s retirement, Sloma has founded Known Associates, which handles Midwest representation for RESET, ProdCo, Supply&Demand, Farm League, World War Seven, Exile, and Mosaic. In an online post, Wagner related, “I am so immensely proud to have Sam Sloma carry things forward and start his own new chapter as Known Associates. It is well deserved and overdue.” Looking back on his career, Wagner shared, “Thank you to all the incredible directors that I have been able to represent! And the EPs and company owners that gave me the opportunity to represent their production companies.” Wagner added, “I was so lucky to have been given a book early in life, ‘The Success System that Never Fails’ by W. Clement Stone. I carried that book in my backpack, and then briefcase for 20 years. I still think of it often as a path to create character and strength in the most difficult of times. As I gratefully sail off into the sunset (quite literally) I am off to new adventures and challenges!”…
Street Talk for January 24, 2025
Havas has acquired CA Sports, a Spanish company specializing in sponsorship strategies and business development through sport. CA Sports joins the organization under Havas Play, Havas’ sports and entertainment agency dedicated to connecting brands to fans through their passions. Moving forward, CA Sports will operate under the name “CA Sports Part of Havas Play” and will continue to be led by Cinto Ajram, its CEO and founder, who continues to hold a minority stake in the company. With this addition, Havas Play is deepening and consolidating its sports marketing offering in the Spanish market, joining forces with one of the country’s leading companies in the sector. Together, Havas Play and CA Sports can effectively tap into consumer interests in sports and culture, offering a unique and differentiated approach that creates significant value for clients....
Irish commercial production house Banjoman Films is marking the launch of its film and TV division under the banner BMAN Entertainment with an initiative dedicated to supporting Irish screenwriters working on their first or second feature film with a project that leans into the thriller, horror or sci-fi genres. Three writers will be awarded a share of the €50,000 (some $52,000) pot towards the writing of their screenplay and receive ongoing development support with a view to the projects being produced by BMAN Entertainment and Forty Foot Pictures, and sold internationally by Bankside Films. Banjoman first forayed into the feature space with drama King Frankie starring Peter Coonan, released in Irish cinemas last year, and is now formalizing its... Read More