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Events

Filmscape Chicago brings industry together this weekend at CineCity

By Barbara Roche Jun 24, 2026

The Chicago production community has one of its biggest annual gatherings this weekend as Filmscape Chicago returns to CineCity Studios on Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, June 28...

ONE CHICAGO

NBC sets Fall premiere dates for One Chicago

By Reel Chicago Jun 24, 2026

NBC is locking in its fall schedule, and Chicago Wednesdays are officially back. The network has announced premiere dates for its 2026 fall lineup, with the One Chicago franchi...

CREATIVE

Bottle Rocket Media marks 15 years with stop motion campaign

By Reel Chicago Jun 24, 2026

Chicago’s Bottle Rocket Media is celebrating 15 years with a campaign that looks back at where the agency started and makes a clear statement about where storytelling is head...

CANNES LIONS

Chicago adds awards as Cannes Lions honors Entertainment and Craft

By Reel Chicago Jun 23, 2026

Cannes Lions has announced its winners across the Entertainment and Craft Track Lions, and Chicago’s presence continues to grow. The biggest local headline from the latest wi...

FILM

BAM Studios records Joan Cusack as Jessie for Toy Story 5

By Barbara Roche Jun 22, 2026

BAM Studios recently welcomed Joan Cusack back into the recording booth to reprise her role as the spirited cowgirl Jessie for Disney and Pixar's Toy Story 5, continuing a crea...

MUSIC

INTERVIEW: Ed Cuozzo of University Drive

By Julie Simmons Jun 22, 2026

“She was my best friend, and then she had a heart attack out of nowhere. I’m still working that stuff out. The only way I know how to deal with those sorts of things is thr...

CANNES LIONS

Cannes Lions opens with Chicago in the creative brand mix

By Reel Chicago Jun 22, 2026

The rosé is ready, the jurors are assembled and the global creative industry is back in Cannes. The 73rd Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity opens Monday in Fran...

CHICAGO MADE

Chicago-Made Deli Boys climbs Hulu charts

By Barbara Roche Jun 18, 2026

Deli Boys, the comedy crime series created by Abdullah Saeed and filmed in Chicago, has emerged as one of Hulu's most talked-about breakout shows, earning strong critical revie...

CELEBRITY

Obama Presidential Center opens in Chicago celebrating South Side roots

By Barbara Roche Jun 18, 2026

Chicago officially welcomed home one of its most influential sons Thursday as the Obama Presidential Center opened in Jackson Park, marking the culmination of a journey that be...

In memoriam

Tom Dreesen, Chicago comic and Sinatra’s opening act, dies at 86

By Barbara Roche Jun 18, 2026

Tom Dreesen, the Chicago area native who rose from south suburban Harvey to become one of America’s most successful stand-up comedians and Frank Sinatra’s longtime opening ...

Streaming

Disney leaves Mickey Home Alone this Christmas

By Barbara Roche Jun 18, 2026

Disney is putting a new spin on a holiday classic. Disney Branded Television has announced Mickey Home Alone, a new animated Christmas special that adapts the familiar setup ma...

In memoriam

John Claxton, beloved creative leader, dies at 75

By Reel Chicago Jun 18, 2026

John Claxton, a deeply admired Chicago advertising writer, creative leader, mentor, and voice actor whose work helped shape some of the industry’s most memorable campaigns, h...

SPORTS

Enterprise turns corner kicks into chances to win a car

By Reel Chicago Jun 17, 2026

Enterprise is giving soccer fans a reason to watch every corner kick a little more closely. The brand’s new #OnEveryCorner campaign, created with BBDO New York, turns one of ...

CREATIVE

Orkin bets on next generation of bug scientists

By Reel Chicago Jun 17, 2026

Orkin is celebrating its 125th anniversary by looking 125 years into the future. The pest control brand has launched Orkin Insect 2151, a social-first science fair contest crea...

CELEBRITY

The Obama’s Higher Ground teams with Disney+ on animated fantasy series

By BANG Showbiz Jun 16, 2026

Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground is heading into fantasy animation. The former first couple’s production company is partnering with Disney Branded Television and D...

CASTING

The Bear’s Liza Colón-Zayas teases Spider-Man: Brand New Day role

By Reel Chicago Jun 16, 2026

Liza Colón-Zayas is giving fans their first real clue about her role in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. The Emmy-winning star of FX’s Chicago-set hit The Bear has joined the Marv...

CREATIVE

Nathan’s Famous + Savannah Bananas = the dog mitt

By Reel Chicago Jun 16, 2026

Nathan’s Famous is bringing hot dogs to the trick-shot era. To celebrate the launch of its new 100% Grass-Fed Beef Franks, the iconic Coney Island brand teamed with Leo on a ...

Reel Ad of the Week

Tootsie Roll, SCC and Calabash give Mr. Owl a new friend

By Reel Chicago Jun 16, 2026

One of advertising’s most familiar wise guys is back, and this time, he has a new scene partner. Tootsie Roll Industries has launched a new animated spot introducing a playf...

PRODUCTION CENTRAL

A Disney Channel pilot x an indie-horror, among productions in Chicago this summer

By Reel Chicago Jun 12, 2026

Chicago and Illinois appear to be heading into an active production stretch, with a Disney Channel pilot, a Midwestern sports biopic, a completed HBO Max drama pilot, and a dow...

SPORTS

Knicks v Spurs lifts NBA ratings to Jordan-era heights

By Reel Chicago Jun 11, 2026

The New York Knicks are not just one win away from their first NBA championship since 1973. They are also helping push NBA television ratings to levels the league has not seen ...

TOP STORIES

The 10 best episodes of The Bear, ranked

What are critics saying about the final season of The Bear?

Chicago agencies pick up Lions across three categories

Filmscape Chicago brings industry together this weekend at CineCity

NBC sets Fall premiere dates for One Chicago

Bottle Rocket Media marks 15 years with stop motion campaign

Chicago adds awards as Cannes Lions honors Entertainment and Craft

BAM Studios records Joan Cusack as Jessie for Toy Story 5

INTERVIEW: Ed Cuozzo of University Drive

Cannes Lions opens with Chicago in the creative brand mix

Chicago-Made Deli Boys climbs Hulu charts

Obama Presidential Center opens in Chicago celebrating South Side roots

Tom Dreesen, Chicago comic and Sinatra’s opening act, dies at 86

Disney leaves Mickey Home Alone this Christmas

John Claxton, beloved creative leader, dies at 75

Enterprise turns corner kicks into chances to win a car

Orkin bets on next generation of bug scientists

The Obama’s Higher Ground teams with Disney+ on animated fantasy series

The Bear’s Liza Colón-Zayas teases Spider-Man: Brand New Day role

Nathan’s Famous + Savannah Bananas = the dog mitt

Tootsie Roll, SCC and Calabash give Mr. Owl a new friend

A Disney Channel pilot x an indie-horror, among productions in Chicago this summer

Knicks v Spurs lifts NBA ratings to Jordan-era heights

COLUMNISTS