Bay Area production company Caruso Company and creative editorial boutique 1606 Studio have formed a joint alliance to provide agencies and brands with one-stop solutions for advertising, branded content and other media projects. The agreement builds on a strong history of collaboration between the two companies that includes projects for OXIGEN Water, University of Arizona Health Sciences and Norton Utilities. All three projects were helmed by Caruso Company director and 1606 partner Doug Walker and edited by Walker and 1606 editors/partners Brian Lagerhausen and Connor McDonald.
These projects represent how this strategic alliance will result in a streamlined workflow, greater efficiencies, and an integrated creative approach. Caruso Company founder and executive producer Robert Caruso said, “Formalizing our relationship, will allow us to work together organically with our good friends at 1606 and tap into the best capabilities of both companies.”
In today’s challenging environment, agencies and brands are looking for solutions that simplify production. “Cross-disciplinary collaboration reduces the number of layers in the production process that can slow the process and dilute the quality of the end product,” said 1606 Studio exec producer/partner Jon Ettinger. “Our two companies have developed a strong rapport and we welcome the opportunity to take the relationship to the next level.”
Caruso Company and 1606 Studio have engaged independent agency Novick, Inc. as their joint sales representative.
The most recent project for OXIGEN Water features its owner and Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry as well as frontline workers. It parallels Curry’s training regimen with the efforts of real-life workers involved in pandemic recovery. Caruso Company and 1606 are currently working on a project for agency Butler, Shine, Stern & Partners, with Walker as director and 1606 Studio’s Brandy Troxler as editor.
Ettinger expects the strategic alliance to lead to a greater diversity of projects and opportunities for 1606 Studio’s full editorial staff.
Other past collaborations include:
- A public service campaign via Erich & Kallman for the United Nations UN Women initiative, promoting International Women’s Day.
- A branding video for the University of Arizona Health Sciences titled Tomorrow is Here.
- An earlier series of short films for OXIGEN and Erich & Kallman profiling frontline workers affected by COVID-19.
“Scandal” cast will reunite for online script reading for hurricane relief in western North Carolina
The cast of ABC's hit political drama "Scandal" may need to brush up on their snappy, speedy delivery known as "Scandal-pace," because they're reuniting for a good cause. Its stars including Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn and Bellamy Young will take part in a live virtual script reading on Nov. 17 to raise money for hurricane relief in western North Carolina.
Beginning Friday, fans can go online and donate to reserve a spot for the online reading. Proceeds will benefit United Way of North Carolina. Everyone who donates will be able to take part in a virtual pre-event with the cast and Shonda Rhimes will give an introduction.
Additional guest stars will also be announced. The online fundraising platform Prizeo is also holding a contest where one person who donates online via their site will be selected to read a role from the script with the actors. The winner should not worry about the "Scandal"-pace, assured Young over Zoom.
"Whomever the lucky reader is can read at whatever pace they want," she said.
Young, who played Mellie Young, the first lady and later Republican presidential nominee on "Scandal," was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina. She came up with the idea for the effort with a friend and took it to her fellow "Scandal" actors, who all jumped on board. Young said this is the first script reading the cast has all done together since the show ended after seven seasons in 2018.
Which episode they will be reading has not been announced yet.
Young said it's "been devastating" to see so many parts of her hometown badly damaged by Hurricane Helene, which ravaged western North Carolina one month ago.
To research the best use for donations, Young spoke with numerous political leaders, including North... Read More