LOS ANGELES -- Director Matt Ogens has an affinity for connecting audiences with people from different walks of life, particularly real-life protagonists who are seeking a sense of acceptance and belonging. In order to do that in his films, Ogens must first connect personally with the subjects themselves, their humanity and aspirations. Two of his most recent documentaries are shining examples of this-- Audible which earned an Oscar nomination for Best Documentary Short Subject in 2022, and the feature-length... Read More 

NEW YORK (AP) -- #MeToo founder Tarana Burke has heard it before. Every time there's a legal setback, the movement is declared dead in the water. A legal success, and presto, it's alive again. So Burke, who nearly two decades ago coined the phrase "Me too" from her work with sexual assault survivors, found herself again declaring after New York's highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction: The #MeToo reckoning is greater than any court case. It's still there, and it's working... Read More 

NEW YORK (AP) -- New York's highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction, finding the judge at the landmark #MeToo trial prejudiced the ex-movie mogul with "egregious" improper rulings, including a decision to let women testify about allegations that weren't part of the case. "We conclude that the trial court erroneously admitted testimony of uncharged, alleged prior sexual acts against persons other than the complainants of the underlying crimes," the court's 4-3 decision said... Read More 

LOS ANGELES -- The Television Academy has revealed the recipients of its 17th Television Academy Honors, recognizing seven compelling television programs and their producers who have leveraged the extraordinary power of storytelling to propel social change. The honorees include four non-scripted series and three scripted series, representing some of the most consequential and inspiring television of 2023. They are 1000% Me: Growing Up Mixed, The 1619 Project, A Small Light, BEEF, Deadlocked: How America... Read More 

ATHENS, Ga. -- The Peabody Awards Board of Jurors has revealed the 27 nominees for the Arts, Children’s/Youth, Entertainment, Interactive & Immersive categories. The nominees represent the most compelling and empowering stories released in broadcasting and streaming media during 2023. The nominees were chosen by a unanimous vote of 32 jurors from over 1,100 entries from television, podcasts/radio and the web in entertainment, news, documentary, arts, children’s/youth, public service, and multimedia... Read More 

ATHENS, Ga. -- The Peabody Awards Board of Jurors has unveiled the 41 nominees for the Documentary, News, Public Service, and Radio/Podcast categories selected to represent the most compelling and empowering stories released in broadcasting and streaming media during 2023. The nominees were chosen by a unanimous vote of 32 jurors from over 1,100 entries from television, podcasts/radio and the web in entertainment, news, documentary, arts, children’s/youth, public service, and multimedia programming. The... Read More 

"Barbenheimer" is a hard act to follow. But as Hollywood enters another summer movie season, armed with fewer superheroes and a landscape vastly altered by the strikes, it's worth remembering the classic William Goldman quote about what works: "Nobody knows anything." Four decades later, that still may be true. Yet one thing Hollywood has learned in releasing films through the pandemic and the strikes is how to pivot quickly. The summer of 2023 brought a new enthusiasm for moviegoing, with the... Read More 

NEW YORK -- The International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences (IADAS) has unveiled the winners for the 28th Annual Webby Awards, which include the boundary-pushing cultural icons, companies and organizations shaping today’s ever-expansive online world. Adam Driver, Apple, Barbie The Movie, Bowen Yang & Matt Rogers, Conan O’Brien, Emerson Collective, First We Feast, GLAAD, Google, Gretchen Whitmer, Gucci, Jason and Travis Kelce, Jay-Z, Jimmy Fallon, Jon Batiste, The Kelly Clarkson Show , Laverne... Read More 

NEW YORK -- The International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences (IADAS) has revealed the winners for the 28th Annual Webby Awards, with DEPT® taking home the top honors for Webby Agency and Network of the Year. With 11 Wins and 3 Nominations, including projects like Bang & Olufsen - See Yourself In Sound, Virgin Galactic, Give a Hand and Trainline, the company earned more Webby Awards across all categories than any other agency this year. The Academy also announced DEPT® (21 Wins, 10 Nominations)... Read More 

NEW YORK (AP) -- How sexy can a qualifying tennis tournament in New Rochelle, New York, be? When the on-court drama involves Zendaya, Josh O'Connor and Mike Faist, the answer turns out to be quite a bit more than your average USTA singles match in Luca Guadagnino's "Challengers." The film, directed by Guadagnino from a script by playwright Justin Kuritzkes, may have the appearance of a sports movie. Much of the action happens in between baselines. There are break points and short shorts. But in Guadagnino's... Read More 

WASHINGTON (AP) -- When President Joe Biden showed off his putting during a campaign stop at a public golf course in Michigan last month, the moment was captured on TikTok. Forced inside by a rainstorm, he competed with 13-year-old Hurley "HJ" Coleman IV to make putts on a practice mat. The Coleman family posted video of the proceedings on the app — complete with Biden holing out a putt and the teen knocking his own shot home in response, over the caption, "I had to sink the rebuttal." The network television... Read More 

NEW YORK (AP) -- Legislation forcing TikTok's parent company to sell the video-sharing platform or face a ban in the U.S. received President Joe Biden's official signoff Wednesday. But the newly minted law could be in for an uphill battle in court. Critics of the sell-or-be-banned ultimatum argue it violates TikTok users' First Amendment rights. The app's China-based owner, ByteDance, has already promised to sue, calling the measure unconstitutional. But a court challenge's success is not is not guaranteed. The... Read More 

CHICAGO -- Leo Burnett Chicago has hired Kate Jeffers as chief executive officer, effective May 15. Jeffers will oversee Leo Burnett’s flagship Chicago office and operations, and the agency’s brand partnerships including Bank of America, Beam Suntory, Kellogg’s, Molson Coors, Nintendo and Tillamook. She will relocate to Chicago, reporting to Publicis Groupe Creative U.S. CEO Susie Nam. “I’ve long admired Leo Burnett for its bold creative ambition, driven by a longstanding belief that what helps people,... Read More 

NEW YORK -- After a hiatus from commercial directing to focus on their latest feature film, brothers Tom and Charlie Guard, have returned to advertising, signing for U.S. and U.K. representation with the women-owned production company, Merman. The Guard brothers recently wrote and directed the thriller, Dead Shot , which opened to strong reviews last year. The feature’s cast included Colin Morgan, Aml Ameen, Felicity Jones, and Mark Strong. While at their prior commercial home, SMUGGLER, the Guards helmed... Read More 

LOS ANGELES -- Pulse Films has added Rodrigo Saavedra, to its U.S. commercial and music video directorial roster. Originally from Rio de Janeiro, Saavedra has collaborated with an array of global brands including Coca-Cola, Heineken, Corona, Honda, VW, Facebook, Dropbox, and the Francis Ford Coppola Winery. He has garnered awards from D&AD, The One Show, Cannes Lions, 1.4 awards, AICP, Berlin Commercial, UKMVA, and MVF. In the U.K. Rodrigo is represented by his own production company, Immigrant. Pulse and... Read More 

NEW YORK -- Director Florence Noble has joined the roster of Moxie Pictures for her first U.S. representation. Known for her irreverent humor and visual flair, Noble has roots in the advertising industry dating back to her childhood when she stole pens from Saatchi & Saatchi Design London where her mother served as creative director. After attending school in Paris and art school in Brighton, Noble entered the agency world working as a copywriter at TBWA London, TBWA Hunt Lascaris, Johannesburg, and... Read More 

SANTA MONICA, Calif. -- Director Ella Ezeike has joined production house Eleanor for her first U.S. representation spanning commercials and branded content. Drawn to narrative-style films but unafraid to waver from linear structure, Ezeike has turned out such work as Words We Don’t Say , a poignant exploration of the relationship between an estranged immigrant father and his American-born daughter. The short was inspired by Ezeike’s conversations with friends about the complexities of intergenerational communication... Read More 

NEW YORK -- The 2024 Tribeca Festival--which runs from June 5-16--has unveiled its lineup of short narrative, documentary, and animated films, as well as music videos. The 2024 shorts lineup features 87 total selections from 101 filmmakers, including 65 films in competition and 10 music videos. There are a record-breaking number of countries--27 in all--represented this year from Saudi Arabia, Côte D’Ivoire, Martinique, Chile, Qatar, and more. For the first time, the majority of the program is directed by... Read More 

NEW YORK -- The One Club for Creativity has unveiled the finalists entries from 38 countries and regions for the global ADC 103rd Annual Awards. A pair of agencies lead the world with 21 finalists each. One is Rethink Toronto/Montreal/Vancouver, whose total includes eight finalists for Kraft Heinz “Heinz Ketchup Fraud,” and five for “Coors Light--Hits The Spot” on behalf of Coors Light. Also with 21 finalists is Serviceplan Germany Munich, including eight for Aizome “Wastecare: Industrial Waste—Certified... Read More 

VENICE, Calif. -- Rodeo Show has signed director Uri Schutzer for commercial representation in the U.S. A multidisciplinary creative whose output spans traditional broadcast spots, promos, music videos, and interactive experiences, Schutzer--who was previously repped in the U.S. market by The-Artery--has turned out work for such clients as Caesarstone, Unilever, Mercedes-Benz, Mercari, and Nestlé, alongside a diverse array of fashion and cosmetic brands. “Uri is an incredibly talented and multifaceted director... Read More 

LOS ANGELES -- Filmmaker Matteo Mosterts has come aboard the talent roster of creative studio Florence. Hailing from Verona, Italy, Mosterts has shaped a distinctive directorial sensibility that’s grown out of a love of film craft in tandem with his European upbringing. Having played on the Italian National Volleyball Team, he considers directing an athletic pursuit fusing teamwork, focus, and excellence under pressure. Mosterts pivoted into filmmaking immediately following his career in professional sports... Read More 

LOS ANGELES -- Production company London Alley has added director Fred de Pontcharra to its roster for his first U.S. representation. London Alley handles him for commercials, branded content and music videos. Based in Paris, de Pontcharra has assembled a body of work spanning spots, music videos and short films. He has collaborated with artists and brands such as Alpine, Deezer, Puma, L’Oreal and Dior. \ Luga Podesta, founder of London Alley, said, “Fred’s unparalleled talent and creative vision align... Read More 

SAN FRANCISCO -- Creative studio Even/Odd has signed filmmaker Dave Laven for U.S. representation spanning commercials and branded content. Even/Odd will also support nonfiction and fiction feature projects for Laven, a multidisciplinary writer, director, and producer whose film and advertising work encompasses the worlds of art, music, film, fashion, and technology. An Indian-American raised in San Francisco, Laven draws upon his unique roots to make colorfully absurdist nonfiction and fiction films, taking a... Read More 

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. -- Independent full-service advertising agency INNOCEAN USA has appointed Gui Borchert as its executive creative director. He will oversee the Hyundai North America account. Borchert, most recently senior director of creative at Squarespace, brings over 20 years of experience in delivering iconic creative work for brands such as Nike, Google, Puma World Cup and Adidas Football. His work has been recognized by Cannes Lions, D&AD, Effies, Clios and Andy Awards. Jason Sperling, chief creative... Read More 

LONDON -- Creative agency BMB has appointed Laurent Simon as its new chief creative officer. He succeeds Matt Lever, former CCO who left BMB at the end of last year. Simon brings nearly two decades of experience and a stellar track record of creativity to BMB. He will be responsible for leading the agency’s creative output, with oversight of their full portfolio of clients, which includes Samsung, Rana, Farrow & Ball, Kerry Dairy, FREENOW, Bonne Maman, Breast Cancer Now and The LTA. Most recently,... Read More 

AUSTIN, Tex, -- Advertising agency GSD&M has appointed John McAdorey to serve as its head of production. He will report to GSD&M CEO Duff Stewart. McAdorey previously served as an executive producer at GSD&M, supporting clients including Pizza Hut and Fruit of the Loom. Before joining GSD&M, he was a director of production at McCann, overseeing campaigns for Verizon’s 5G, B2B, and consumer businesses. This work included five consecutive years of Super Bowl campaigns, ranging from Jim Carrey’s... Read More 

"Challengers" is a bit of a tease. That's what makes it fun. There is plenty of skin, sweat, close-ups of muscly thighs and smoldering looks of lust and hate in this deliriously over-the-top psychodrama. But get that image of Josh O'Connor, Zendaya and Mike Faist sitting together on the bed out of your mind. Most of this action takes place on the tennis court. It's still a sexy tennis movie about friendship, love, competition and sport set to a synth-y score from Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross... Read More 

In writer-director-star Joanna Arnow's "The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed," Ann (Arnow), a 30-something New Yorker, lies naked in bed with an older man, Allen (Scott Cohen), with whom she has a yearslong BDSM relationship. She tells him she's grateful he only cares about his own pleasure. "It's like I don't even exist," she says. Much is just out of reach in Arnow's shrewdly perceptive and very funny new film. Love, certainly, is nowhere near Ann's life despite a series... Read More 

NEW YORK (AP) -- "Civil War," Alex Garland's ominous American dystopia, remained the top film in theaters in its second week of release, according to studio estimates Sunday. The A24 election-year gamble, the indie studio's biggest budgeted film yet, took in $11.1 million in ticket sales at 3,929 theaters over the weekend. The $50 million film, set in a near-future U.S. in which Texas and California have joined in rebellion against a fascist president, has grossed $44.9 million in two weeks. Its provocative... Read More 

Samsung and Cheil Worldwide Spain have launched a groundbreaking AI app for the Samsung Galaxy Watch that puts an invisible haptic speech coach on people’s wrists to improve their lives. The app, called IMPULSE, combines mobile innovation with sophisticated AI to augment human capabilities, replacing the “missing metronome” inside those with speech impediments and disorders. The app is based on the proven rhythm therapy technique, which involves creating beats that subconsciously help to... Read More 

SOS Children´s Villages has introduced a workwear collection for children in dangerous industries. These are clothes that shouldn´t exist for conditions that can´t be allowed. The clothing collection is a way to expose the harsh realities of child labor in the brickmaking, mining, and tobacco industries. Agency NORD DDB Stockholm is behind the campaign, which includes this film directed by Alexander Biörsmark via production company House Agency. The garments include Miners Pants, the Brick... Read More 

At a time when Canadians feel it’s becoming increasingly difficult to attain their goals, a new campaign from The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and CBC/Radio-Canada is showing what’s possible through hard work and perseverance to inspire them and rally support for Team Canada ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The “Brave is Unbeatable” campaign is the first work for the COC and CBC/Radio-Canada by agency The Hive since winning the assignment in October. It focuses on the human side of... Read More 

NBA superstar Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat stars in this campaign from Droga5 NY introducing consumers to Essentia Hydroboost, an enhanced water which carries 30x the electrolytes compared to premium waters, without the artificial ingredients of sports drinks. The social campaign features Butler as he saddles up to show what supercharged hydration can do in a super-epic game of H.O.R.S.E. on a Horse. Directed by Zach Math via production house Caviar, this film--”H.O.R.S.E on a Horse”--... Read More 

In a move to make Brazil’s roads safer, Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus (Volkswagen Trucks and Buses) is teaming up with Livelo--Brazil’s biggest rewards program--to create an initiative to monitor truck drivers’ hours of rest along shipping routes nationwide and convert them into benefits. The Trucker Napp--Earn While You Sleep program is currently being piloted. The first phase will focus on a single client, Carsten Serviços e Transportes. After an initial three-month evaluation period, the... Read More 

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