Simian, the video sharing and collaboration service used by advertisers, agencies, media companies, production houses, post studios and music providers, has underscored its commitment to the commercial production industry by signing on as a Supporting Partner of AICP, the Association of Independent Commercial Producers.
AICP represents the interests of independent companies that specialize in the production and postproduction of commercials in various media–film, video, digital–for advertisers and agencies. With national offices in New York and Los Angeles and regional chapters across the country, it provides leadership, guidance and education on issues ranging from labor and employment to business affairs and production standards and best practices.
“Our goal at Simian has been to help people work smarter and more efficiently, and we can’t think of a better way to do that than to support the work of AICP,” said Brian Atton, Simian co-founder and chief operating officer. “Through its programs and its advocacy, AICP has made immeasurable strides to help production companies and post houses stay competitive, profitable and on the cutting edge of media, technology and technique. We’re proud to join as a Supporting Partner and are looking forward to a long and beneficial relationship.”
Matt Miller, president and CEO of AICP, welcomed the company and its support, coming as it does at a particularly challenging time for all stakeholders in the advertising and marketing content creation space. “There’s never been a more important time for independent production and post companies to connect with and demonstrate their range of talent to their agency and brand partners,” Miller noted, “and with the help of our partners like Simian, AICP will continue to be able to fulfill its mission of service, advocacy and education. We thank them for their participation.”
In addition to offering video asset management tools that facilitate reel-building, presentation and review and approval functions, Simian has also positioned itself as a resource for the ad industry, hosting a series of high-level roundtables, both in person and virtually, for agency and brand-side heads of production over the past two years. This follows a long series of hosting roundtable dinners for editors, executive producers and production company owners, as well as providing financial support for AICE, which merged with AICP in 2018.
“Our users are almost exclusively AICP members, or they’re companies which have benefitted from AICP’s programs, guidelines and awards competitions,” added Jay Brooks, co-founder of Simian and chief technology officer. “Signing on as a Supporting Partner is our way of paying a little something back to an industry that has helped make Simian the product that it is. Their feedback and suggestions have been an inspiration for so many of our most popular features and updates. As far as we’re concerned, it’s been a win-win relationship since day one.”
SMPTE elects board officers, regional governors
SMPTEยฎ,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.
โSMPTEโs membership has spoken,โ said SMPTE interim executive director Sally-Ann DโAmato. โThese 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!โ
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