Independent advertising agency Chemistry has promoted Renee Williams Royal to president of Test Tube Productions, its in-house, full-service production arm. In her new role, she will continue to lead the production division and oversee growth, offerings, and creative work for both agency and external clients. Williams Royal previously held the role of VP, head of production.
“Renee is an extremely unique and talented leader,” said Chemistry chairman and CEO, Ned Show. “To run a production company, you need to be, first and foremost, a creative problem solver; Renee is truly the best I’ve ever worked with. She is universally respected and admired inside the company and with every client she works with. Renee’s accomplishments since taking the helm at Test Tube Productions speak for themselves.”
Test Tube Productions handles all types of projects, from large-scale broadcast productions to experiential, social, and radio spots. Since joining the company in April 2022, Williams Royal has been instrumental in tripling the division’s revenue and adding significantly to its employee count. Under her leadership, the team launched a new social media content division within Test Tube, @TestTube, which handles all social content creation and management for GoTo Foods, the parent company of seven brands: Auntie Anne’s®, Carvel®, Cinnabon®, Jamba®, McAlister’s Deli®, Moe’s Southwest Grill®, and Schlotzsky’s®.
Williams Royal brings over a decade of industry experience from agencies including Huge, BBDO Atlanta, and Moxie. Her enthusiasm and commitment to DEI initiatives, mainly introducing those who may not have been exposed to a career path in advertising and production into the industry, has benefited the agency and its clients tremendously. Chemistry, which has pledged that the diversity of each of its five offices reflects the diversity in the corresponding cities, is much closer to reaching its goals with Williams Royal’s help. Test Tube Productions staff is 63% diverse and 72% female.
“I am extremely proud of our brilliant team of content creators, producers, editors, and project managers who have helped scale Test Tube Productions to what it is today,” said Williams Royal. “I’m grateful to step into this new role at such an exciting time for Test Tube as we continue to push creative boundaries and expand our capabilities.”
SMPTE elects board officers, regional governors
SMPTE®,the home of media professionals, technologists, and engineers, has revealed the board officers and regional governors who will serve terms beginning in January 2025.
Three new officers--Richard Welsh as SMPTE president, Eric Gsell as SMPTE executive VP, and Polly Hickling as SMPTE Education VP--have been elected for a two-year term from Jan. 1, 2025, to Dec. 31, 2026. One SMPTE officer, Lisa Hobbs, will be continuing her service as SMPTE secretary and treasurer for another two-year term. Additionally, Raymond Yeung will be stepping into the role of standards VP on Jan. 1, 2025.
“SMPTE’s membership has spoken,” said SMPTE interim executive director Sally-Ann D’Amato. “These officers have been tasked with an important responsibility, one each of them is prepared to tackle head-on. These next two years are looking bright for SMPTE!”
In addition to the officers, 10 regional governors were elected by the Society to serve two-year 2025-2026 terms.
These include the following regional governors, re-elected to continue their service:
Asia-Pacific Region Governor
Tony Ngai, Society of Motion Imaging Ltd.
EMEA - Central & South America Region Governor
Fernando Bittencourt, FB Consultant
United Kingdom Region Governor
Chris Johns, Sky UK.
USA - Central Region Governor
William T. Hayes, Consultant
USA - Eastern Region Governor
Dover Jeanne Mundt, Riedel Communications
USA - Western Region Governor
Jeffrey F. Way, Open Drives
Also elected were four newcomers to the SMPTE Board:
Canada Region Governor
Jonathan Jobin, Grass Valley
USA - Hollywood Region Governor
Allan Schollnick, Voxx... Read More