Gov. Quinn’s L.A. visit a ‘we’ll see’ situation

GOVERNOR’S L.A. UPDATE. Gov. Pat Quinn’s appointment schedule for next week has not been completely finalized, says a spokesperson for the governor, which kinda suggests that he just might be able to make the important Aug. 1 TV Production Executives Dinner in L.A. after all. 

Nothing’s definite, of course, but still … “The IPA is hopeful” about the governor’s attendance, says Jeff Crabtree, president of the IPA, which is hosting the dinner in conjunction with the Illinois Film Office.  From 40 to 60 L.A. industry guests are expected at the reception and dinner, to be held at the Mondrian Hotel. 

So far, the confirmed Chicago contingent attending the dinner includes IPA members Tom Fletcher and Zoe Borys, Fletcher Camera & Lenses, Alex Pisseos and Jim  Mirkopoulos, Cinespace; John Coli, Jr., the Teamsters; Mark Hogan, Local 476; Paula Froehle, Tribeca Flashpoint Academy; John Crededio, Jr., Chicago Studio City and Betsy Steinberg, Illinois Film Office; Rich Moskel, Chicago Film Office, and casting director Claire Simon.

BIG PREMIERE NIGHT for Chicago television Sept. 17, when two new Chicago-set and shot-in-Chicago TV shows make their national debut.
“Mob Doctor,” at Chicago Studio City, has as an executive producer Michael Dinner, who knows the Chicago production scene well from directing two earlier series, “Chicago Hope,” 1994-1996, followed by “Early Edition in 1996-1997.
Joining the cast of “Mob Doctor” is Steppenwolf founder and actor/director/producer Terry Kinney (coproducer of “The Last Rites of Joe May,” starring Dennis Farina) and Evanston native Zach Gilford (“Saturday Night Lights”). The show stars Jordana Spiro (“Harry’s Law”) as Dr. Grace Devlin from Bridgeport who does double duty as a doctor for the Mob.
Other new show debuts: Aug. 17 for season two of “Boss,” on Starz network, as every hopes and prays there will be a season three of the show. “Chicago Fire,” which just began shooting, will debut on NBC Oct. 10 at 9 p.m., following Dick Wolf’s “Law and Order” – the longest running series in television!
ON THE SPOT.  The active commercial scene kept Essanay’s stages were busy: a Hungry Man shoot for Old Navy followed by MJZ’ Irv Blitz directing a spot for Sargento Cheese. Then, Essanay’s grip and lighting truck was utilized for a Kawasaki motorcycle spot via Jerry Rig Productions, the in-house production arm led by executive producer Tyler Jay for agency Tris3ct.  
DIRECTOR/SHOOTER LAURIE RUBIN  is returning from the $2.2 million South Pacific expedition that came up empty in its search for wreckage of Amelia Earhart’s final flight.  Rubin was the only still photographer and one of two women on the 19 person team.
ON THE SPOT.  The commercial scene was active this week as Essanay’s stages were busy with a Hungry Man shoot for Old Navy followed by MJZ’ Irv Blitz directing a spot for Sargento Cheese. Essanay’s grip and lighting truck was utilized for a Kawasaki motorcycle shoot for Jerry Rig Productions, the in-house production arm led by executive producer Tyler Jay for agency Tris3ct.
CHANGING TIMES. Euro RSCG bolstered its strategic team with the addition of Mike Czuba in the newly created position of SVP/group strategy director. 
Previously, Czuba was Draftfcb’s VP/strategic planning director; Marc USA’s VP/director of account planning and BBDO’s SVP/planning director.  And on the non-agency side, he’s been the lead singer and lead guitarist in the punk band, The Steves.
New at AbelsonTaylor: senior copywriter Rachael Arons Gelman from senior copywriter at JUICE Pharma Worldwide. Senior copywriter Bill Hyland, from senior copywriter at Williams Labadie. 
Promotions. Leo Burnett named Carey Isom SVP/director of strategic partnerships and platforms, from SVP director of digital strategy … AbelsonTaylor upped Scott Bernover to director of digital sales, from marketing solutions director at Appature; Ben Murphy to associate director of interactive technology, from manager of platform development.
THE CHICAGO EXTREME WEATHER GAL Carrie Holecek tracks our crazy, deliriously hot (and stormy) weather on her website.  Fun and informative weather prognosticator Holecek is Red Car’s managing director.