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.
Mike Pierantozzi joins Movers+Shakers as exec creative director
Creative agency Movers+Shakers has appointed Mike Pierantozzi as executive creative director. In this new role, he will help guide the creative direction of Movers+Shakers’ socially-native campaigns. Pierantozzi will report to co-founder and chief creative officer Geoffrey Goldberg.
With nearly two decades of experience as a copywriter, creative director, and multi-platform storyteller, Pierantozzi brings a wealth of knowledge from his work with major brands including Kraft, Unilever, IBM, and Walmart. He has led the creation of award-winning campaigns for agencies like Red Tettemer, Ogilvy, The Brooklyn Brothers, TAXI, Saatchi & Saatchi, and most recently, Vayner, where he spearheaded culturally iconic work for Planters including “Death of Mr. Peanut.” He led the National Down Syndrome Society and Luvs account, whose “First Kid. Second Kid” campaign was awarded by the Effies, ADC, Clios and LIAs.
Outside of the office, Pierantozzi practices what he teaches brands. He’s gone viral multiple times on his own TikTok account, featuring comedic interactions with his son and a trombone. He’s accumulated 15K followers on TikTok.
“Mike brings a rare and awesome combination of deep social and platform experience, a keen eye for excellent storytelling, and a humble and kind approach to leadership,” said Goldberg. “Mike’s got a knack for turning brand stories into cultural movements, making him the perfect fit for Movers+Shakers. He’s got the kind of bold vision and attention to culture that fits perfectly with our mission to push creative boundaries and drive industry firsts. Plus, as a creator himself he has the innate ability to make people stop, laugh, and share--which is exactly what we’re about.”
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