NEW ZEALAND’S CURIOUS FILM has dived into the North America market with the appointment of Chris Breneman as Head of Sales USA, based in Chicago. He’s now the link to all things Curious, including the production company’s dozen directors and a team of Australasian producers, with 12 years experience in Australia, New Zealand and Asia.
For the past nine years, Breneman has operated his own BS Worldwide rep firm.
Curious started in New Zealand in 2002, opening its Sydney office in 2007 with Pennsylvanian Peter Grasse as general manager/EP. Grasse also oversees Curious’ footprints across Asia.
AFTER A NATIONAL REVIEW, digital agency Elevate Studios, in the West Loop won HanesBrands’ direct-to-consumer business, beginning with three of Hanes ecommerce websites: Hanes, Champion and One Hanes Place.
Founded in 2003 by president/ECD Lawrence Bak, Elevate Studios has a staff of 15, and counts Redken hair care global websites and L’Oreal among its clients.
ABELSON-TAYLOR has started an in-house production department called Dose (it is a leading pharma agency, after all), for work that goes into client presentations. It’s led by Mitch Apley, the agency’s broadcast production director. He will oversee a staff of seven.
ANIMATED STORYBOARDS appointed Paul Grajek, who heads its Chicago office, and Allison Kurtzer of its LA office as the team to lead ASB’s new Global Marketing initiative. They will work closely with the marketing teams in each of ASB’s offices to increase the company’s global presence.
TECH AGENCY DIGITAS LBi has formed a digital media partnership with social relationship platform SocialFlow, whereby SocialFlow will create tailored distribution solutions for DigitasLBi clients.
FREE SPIRIT MEDIA’S annual FOCUS 2014 fundraiser June 3 at Attic, 15 W. Illinois, to support programs that each year teach 400 youth in under-resourced communities the media skills to express their diverse voice and vision. Executive director Jeff McCarter started the non-profit in 2003.
VETERAN STANDUP COMEDIAN and best-selling humor author Jen Kirkman presents two special live, improv tapings of her podcast “I Seem Fun: The Diary of Jen Kirkman” at The Hideout.
Saturday, June 7. Doors open at 6, performance at 7 p.m., tickets, $15 per show.
NICK NUMMERDOR’S Little Cabin Films’ “Vannin” will have its official Chicago premiere during an indoor/outdoor event at the Empty Bottle Sunday, June 8.
Guests will get an exclusive look into the world of custom vans, along with tasty barbeque provided by the Bile Cafe and a live set by DJ Fuzzbuster 5-8 p.m. Screening starts at 8. Free and open to all.
