Territory has officially introduced itself to the national market as the finishing touches were recently completed on the second floor of the hybrid editorial and postproduction boutique’s 13,000 square foot space. The new moniker provides a vehicle for the restructuring and re-branding of founder and editor Terry King’s award-winning company, STS-Griot. Territory takes its business model to the next level by meeting the demand for an integrated and efficient approach to high-end editing, finishing, visual FX, motion graphics, audio and sound design services for broadcast commercials, as well as digital media content.
Reflecting the vision of founder King and partner/editor Sarah Fisher, Territory is a single-source editorial through finishing firm, with top-caliber talent and a range of services. Its nimble infrastructure is designed to enable its roster of editors to work from anywhere in the country–while still providing projects with the benefit of the cutting-edge metro Detroit based facility’s cost effective, full-service approach.
King, senior producer Joan Porter, and producer Manan (Vicky) Patel, head up a talent staff that includes editors Fisher, Michele Ballard, Dave Crosslin, Nicole Finateri and LA-based cutter Cary Gries, as well as three assistant editors. Brent Edwards brings years of experience as a finishing editor, compositor and colorist to the team. Client relationship manager Marie Hansen is the most recent addition to the staff.
The company also draws upon a select pool of top-caliber visual FX artists, animators, mixers, sound designers and composers, who work as a collective with its staff.
Territory’s 2014 reel showcases a diverse mix of work including Toyota Avalon’s “Only The Name Remains” campaign, cut by King, which won a 2014 Gold ADDY, and two Silvers. Directed by Anthony Hoffman for Believe Media/LA, the fast paced trilogy of broadcast and digital spots (“The Pick Up,” “Check Point” and “The Getaway”) feature Golden Globe winner Idris Elba in the role of a secret agent eluding his nemesis as he puts the Avalon through its paces in this dramatic commercial mini-series, which drives viewers to its interactive counterpart.
King also took home a 2014 AICE Award for the Cadillac spot, “Monkey Do” produced by Supply & Demand for Hill Holiday. After cutting the spot in LA, he brought the elements back to Territory’s facility to take advantage of its bells and whistles for some final tweaking before passing it on to The Mill NY for finishing. The quirky 30-second commercial features dozens of Charlie the Chimp wind-up toys positioned around a Cadillac CTS on stark white pedestals, clanging their cymbals, bringing home just how effective CTS’s new Bose Active Noise Cancellation System actually is.
Territory is housed in an industrial-style building that dates back to the ‘30s. The loft-like space has an eclectic mid-century décor, while retaining many of the classic details of the original structure. It provides clients with a full range services and capabilities, as well as room for future growth in the scalable editorial-driven post-production environment.
The first floor of the facility is home to the Territory’s five roomy creative editing Suites, each featuring Mac towers running Final Cut Pro software, as well as the newest version of Avid Media Composer. A walk-in vintage vault has been transformed into a state-of-the-art audio suite that houses Gold Sound, an audio post-production and sound design company.
The recently completed second floor takes Territory to the next level, expanding its capabilities with a fully loaded Premiere Online Suite featuring Pablo Rio, Quantel’s newest finishing solution, which provides high-speed editing, compositing and color grading. It also houses an Autodesk Smoke Suite, which offer additional finishing and graphic options that can be accessed in every suite via Adobe’s new Creative Cloud software.
Territory’s new Facilis’ 24D TerraBlock media management system accesses media from any room on either floor of the facility, ensuring efficient, smooth workflow–both wirelessly, or via high-speed fiber optics.
The new space, which boasts high ceilings, large windows, and skylights, is home to a spacious lounge, a café style dining area, and an abundance of client amenities. The centerpiece of the second floor is a dramatic glass-walled conference room that overlooks historic Woodward Avenue, which is designated part of Michigan’s Heritage Route and Detroit’s National Heritage Area by the US Congress.
Proximity to Detroit has made Territory a natural creative resource for automakers, such as Cadillac, Chevrolet and Ford. At the same time, the company’s talent attracts a wide range of work from other industries, for clients such as JBL Electronics, DTE Energy, The University Of Michigan, the US Navy, 5-Hour Energy, and numerous financial institutions.
Territory is a certified minority owned and operated company with a diverse team of talent.
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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