Culture-driven creative studio Florence has brought Ned Brown on board as managing director and executive producer. Brown’s experience with creative and strategic cross-platform storytelling for brands, artists, and entertainment informs his new hybrid role.
Brown joined The Directors Bureau as an executive producer where he spearheaded an evolution in the company moving from a focus on music videos to encompass commercial production as well. After, he founded Rock Fight, which he ran for eight years as an EP before the company’s merger with HKM. During his time there, he helped launch the careers of directors Daniel Barber, Pep Bosch, Leigh Marling, and Rob Leggatt in the U.S. Brown was key in opening the West Coast office of Humble and, later, briefly joined Drive, a boutique live-action VFX company, before joining the ranks at Florence.
Florence founder Jerad Anderson said of Brown: “Ned can’t sit still and that’s what I love about him. He is consistently driven to make every project he touches better. He’s remarkably gifted at serving as a conduit between clients and directors to translate their creative vision into work the whole team is proud of. What’s more is that he–like our company mission at Florence–is impact-focused. That’s just the way he’s wired.”
Originally from Minnesota, Brown hustled his way to his first job in the commercial and music video space in the early ‘90s working on Billy Ray Cyrus’ popular music video for “Achy Breaky Heart.” His innovative approach to leadership and dedication to social justice has led Brown to serve as board member to three non-profit organizations, including the AICP. Additionally, he is a father who’s passionate about mentoring foster youth and using his experience to help individuals and families navigate adoption as well as the foster care system.
Brown said, “From the start I could tell that Florence was onto something different. They have created a playground where they all meet as friends to support each other’s creativity and that formula has built a sense of enthusiasm and authenticity that is infectious. It feels like a winning intersection for art and commerce and I am really excited I get to be a part of it!”
Jean Smart, Ariana Grande, Michael Keaton among hosts for “SNL” season 50
Fresh off her Emmys win, Jean Smart will kick off the landmark 50th season of "Saturday Night Live."
NBC on Thursday announced the lineup of hosts for the season, which premieres Sept. 28. Joining Smart on the first show will be Jelly Roll as the musical act. He was also at the Emmys, singing during the ceremony's in memoriam segment.
It will be Smart's first time hosting "SNL."
Comedian Nate Bargatze will host on Oct. 5, with Coldplay as the musical guest.
Ariana Grande will host Oct. 12, with musical guest Stevie Nicks.
"Beetlejuice" star Michael Keaton will host on Oct. 19, the last show before Halloween, and Billie Eilish will be that night's musical guest.
The host on Nov. 2 will be "SNL" alum John Mulaney, with breakout sensation Chappell Roan as the music guest.
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