Changing spaces. Popular FCB/Chicago president/CEO Dana Anderson is DDB’s new CEO, reporting to chairman Bob Scarpelli. Former agency president Ray Gillette will head a yet-to-launch Chicago office of Downtown Partners DDB, the Toronto- based agency that has become increasingly visible in the U.S. through its work for Anheuser-Busch.
Swell new people and titles: Producer Christine Johnson, from Cutters; assistant directors Jared Sirota from Optimus, Nicole Mueller from Whitehouse and Matthew Stewart who’d been J.R. Porzel’s assistant at Leo Burnett. Paul Buranosky was promoted to producer from assistant editor, and 3D programmer Yuri Nedelin joined from an L.A. company.
The May 13 AICE Awards Show expects a great crowd of 700 star editors and guests from throughout the U.S. to attend the “Editors Unveiled” show at Soldier Field — the first time the national association has ever held its show in Chicago. (And it probably won’t be the last.) Second City performers entertainingly host the awards presentations. Cocktails preceed the 7 p.m. ceremony, honoring winners in 11 categories. Drinks and dancing afterwards.
Grant Martin is Red Car’s new audio engineer, formerly John Binder’s assistant at Cutters. He replaces Drew Weir, who on May 3 officially opens Vagabond Recording with Rise Stevens at 445 E. Illinois, in what is now known as River East Plaza.
Crossroads adds director Marcus McCollum and executive producer Peter Abraham – the second time around for Abraham.
Florida Film Commissioners were in town making the rounds of producers and companies last week, doing a good marketing job of promoting reasons to shoot in the Tampa Bay area.
The HistoryMakers celebrates its 5th anniversary with “An Evening with Russell Simmons” on Oct. 22. McDonald’s USA president Mike Roberts is an event co-chair.
Nikki Weiss & Co. has added Santa Monica production company Untitled and New York- based music house JSM to its rep roster.
Comics representing content for the new Stand-Up Comedy Television 24-hour cable network strut their stuff by performing at national cable programming conclave NCTA in New Orleans May 2-5. SCTV launches next January.
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