Toronto-based Someplace Nice has signed comedy director Tim Wilkime for his first exclusive Canadian representation. He continues to be repped in the U.S. by Ruckus Films. Wilkime has most recently turned out absurd digital shorts and promos for Saturday Night Live, starring some of the cast’s best comic talent alongside world famous movie stars and musicians. Prior, he directed for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Late Late Show with James Corden, and Adam Ruins Everything. Along the way, he’s created a number of short films, with Milton premiering at SXSW and earning him a Vimeo Staff Pick Award. Since bringing his comedic sensibility to the commercial realm, Wilkime has gained traction with work for clients such State Farm, T-Mobile, and AT&T….
Toronto-based production company The Salmon has added Australian director Fiona McGee to its roster for representation in Canada. Specializing in visually driven, nuanced comedy/performance work, McGee was previously with Animals in Canada, and continues to be handled by Arts & Sciences in the U.S. McGee has directed creative and quirky campaigns for brands including McDonald’s and Volkswagen, and comically insightful campaigns for the likes of TurboTax, CarGurus and Colorsteel. Before advertising, McGee studied at Sydney’s College of Fine Arts and began making shorts and documentaries, both of which shape her authentic and striking visual style. After attending Australia’s acclaimed AWARD School, she worked on the agency side and then started directing commercials….
Publicis Groupe has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Influential, the influencer marketing company and platform known for connecting brands to audiences by developing, deploying, and optimizing creator-driven digital campaigns. Influential’s proprietary AI-powered technology platform with over 100 billion data points, coupled with its network of over 3.5M creators, including access to and data on 90% of global influencers with 1M+ followers, currently serves more than 300 brands around the world. Led by founder and CEO Ryan Detert, Influential will be positioned centrally within Publicis Groupe, empowering all Publicis clients and teams with leading technology, expertise, and delivery of influencer marketing services. The transaction is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions including regulatory approvals and is expected to close in late August 2024….