BUD LIGHT’S NEW AGENCY, Translation is different from the usual species of ad agencies that are often formed by veteran admen who believe they can operate more creatively and and relevantly than their former companies, and often do.
One big difference between the New York-based Translation “trans-cultural agency” and others is that it was founded in 2008 by non-agency guy Steve Stoute, a very successful, powerful music industry executive, with a track record as a consumer brand marketer for Fortune 500 companies.
For another, Stoute’s partner and co-chairman also comes from outside the traditional ad biz. He’s Jay-Z (real name Shawn Carter), a Grammy-winner rapper, a club owner, part owner of a baseball team and more.
Together, Stoute and Jay-Z own 51% of the company and Interpublic owns 49%. As such, Translation puts an Interpublic-owned agency back in Michigan Ave. for the first time in 30 years.
In an earlier phone interview with The New York Times, Jay-Z said he considered his involvement in an ad agency “part of the natural growth” of his career.
“As an artist, you make music,” he said. “And if you see people who don’t know how to market your music, you get involved in it. Otherwise, what you want to accomplish gets lost in translation.” He added, “No pun intended.”
ANIMATION COMPANY LOOSE KEYS, producers of fun and informative “who we are and what we do” animated videos for startup company websites, has hired Jake Williams as its first full-time staffer, says owner/motion graphics designer Brad Chmielewski.
Creative motion designer/artist Williams moved here from Portland, Maine “when he saw we have an active community of motion designers and had no problem diving into everything Chicago has to offer,” says Chmielewski. Williams freelanced for Loose Keys before he received the full-time offer.
Chmielewski, a 2005 Columbia College grad, started the company last May after three years with Daily Planet, with post supervisor/editor Maeve Price, who previous edited for Spiffy Pictures and Richter Studios. Their phone is 630/399-6750.
“SOUL TRAIN’S” DON CORNELIUS will be posthumously inducted into the Illinois Broadcasters Association’s Hall of Fame, at the recently opened new Museum of Broadcast Communications. The induction date, Friday, Aug. 17, is 42 to the day of “Soul Train’s” debut on WCIU-TV. At the induction, the IBA will pay tribute to the late TV show pioneer. “Soul Train’s” first guests, Marshall Thompson and Chi-Lites and Jerry Butler and The Emotions, will perform along with video tributes, guest speakers and a “Soul Food” tasting and reception.
“JERSEY BOYS” IS ON A NATIONAL SEARCH for four lead roles in the upcoming feature adaptation of the Broadway music, to be directed by Jon Favreau. The producers seek 20-35 year old male actors/singers to play the Four Seasons. There’s no casting call here, but tapes are being solicited from all over and ya never know. Shooting starts in New York early next year. Click here for details.
USEFUL INFO. National AICP unveiled guidelines for best business practices for digitally produced content, including interactive, visual effects, design, and animation.
REEL MICHIGAN. Raleigh Michigan Studios in Pontiac is expected to miss a second bond payment that was due Aug. 1. Consequently, the State of Michigan Retirement Systems (SMRS) will cover the $630,000 to the studio’s bondholders.
SMRS guaranteed $18 million in tax-exempt bonds used to help finance the conversion of the former GE truck into a film complex. The studio missed a previous payment in February.
Some $16 million out of the $25 million allotted for state film grants has been approved for seven projects and roughly $7 million is on hold for three additional projects for the remainder of 2012. Set aside is $1.25 million that will start to be parceled out for postproduction incentives.
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