CAF moves into swanky new Oakbrook Terrace offices

THE CHICAGO AD FEDERATION, one of 13 associations under the management umbrella of Kellen, a global  management and communications company, recently moved into the 32,000 sq. ft., entire eighth floor at One Parkview Plaza in Oakbrook Terrace, from former Naperville quarters.

CAF’s new offices encompass the very latest and best in design features favoring employee wellness, collaboration and environmental responsibility. 

They include such trendy furnishings as treadmill desks and adjustable stand-up workstations, to improve the health of those seated all day; numerous collaboration areas; 360 degree window lines, with all offices internal to the space for maximum light entry and fully integrated WiFi for seamless employee mobility, from docking station to any other office location.

New phone number is 847/686-2302; Maria Schrage is executive director; Patrick Farrey is Kellen Group/VP in Oakbrook Terrace.

Sidebar: The CAF was founded in 1935 as the Chicago Advertising Club.   

LET THE LAWSUITS BEGIN! A former employee of Commonground/MGS’ Miami office filed a class action lawsuit against the company on behalf of 100 employees of the defunct company, in hopes of some financial compensation for employees who were abruptly laid off without warning Dec. 5.

Fallout of the sudden closure affected many Chicago production and post companies who were left unpaid for work dating back six months or more.  Commonground’s accounting department had assured vendors that that payment was forthcoming. But ultimately no checks were in the mail.

Although Commonground partners Ahmad Islam and Sherman Wright, who’ve been looking for office space for a new agency, are also said to be talking to an agency holding company to finance their new endeavor.

CHANGING TIMES.  Former Fletcher Camera general manager Zoe Borys can be found in the Buffalo Grove offices of worldwide Production Resource Group as senior account executive of business development; phone, 847/227-5171 … Nathylynne McGinnis is freelancing as senior business manager at Burrell Communications … Stephanie Rabiola is now a producer at political strategists/producers A/L Media.

 

POST CHRISTMAS JOY.  Burrell Communications made 70 families happier at Christmas with its donation of pajamas and toys for the kids to the Primo Center for Women and Children, spearheaded since 2013 by agency co-CEOS, Faye Ferguson and McGhee Osse.

The concept was born of a tradition within Ferguson’s family. “For more than 50 years, my late mom bought new pajamas for her 15 grandchildren,” she says.  “When the Burrell Culture team was planning our 2013 holiday party, they wanted to find a way to adopt a family.” 

“The pajama drive provides an opportunity for the staff to relive their childhood vicariously and reach more kids by purchasing new PJs.”

“The program continues our agency’s mission of empowering women and children to become productive, responsible and independent members of their communities,” Ferguson adds.

 

DIGITAS CEO TONY WEISMAN will receive the Chicago Ad Federation’s 2015 Silver Medal Award Jan. 19 at a dinner in his honor at Morgan MFG in the West Loop.  The annual award honors a distinguished member of the Chicago advertising community for their contribution and accomplishments.

SECTION 181 IS BACK!  Everybody’s favorite on-again, off-again federal film funding incentive is back. But with a twist, reports consultant Jeff Steele of Film Closings.

Section 181 is retroactive for 2015 and the new-and-improved version is also extended through 2016. For a bonus, Congress has included live theatrical plays.

NEW YEAR’S GREETINGS! We’re looking forward to a boatload of news from you in the year ahead, as 2016 media & is headed for the most explosively growth in history.  Send your news to ruth@reelchicago.com or call 312/274-9980.