Table Read My Screenplay announces Chicago semifinalists
The International Screenwriters Association announced the semi-Finalists of their 2017 Table Read My Screenplay – Chicago Contest.
According to a statement, “There are some fantastic concepts, excellently executed stories, and unique writer voices that sing to the birds. This wasn’t an easy pick, and choosing the Top 10 winners will absolutely be the difficult choice. With new bold talent and writers that keep coming back after revising, working hard, and improving, it’s no wonder you all are rising as the cream of the crop. Congratulations to you all!”
The prizes for a local winner are numerous including $1,000, a director workshopping scenes with professional actors, an invitation to the ISA Development program and ISA spotlight.
For the full list of semifinalists click here.
Eric Zuncic appointed CSO at DDB
DDB North America announced today that Eric Zuncic will join the North American Leadership Team as Chief Strategy Officer effective October 2, 2017. Zuncic, a Harvard Business School graduate, joins DDB from Crispin Porter + Bogusky where he spent almost two and half years as Chief Strategy Officer for all of its North American offices.
“This final hire of Eric as Chief Strategy Officer puts the last puzzle piece in place,” said Wendy Clark, Chief Executive Officer of DDB North America. “Our North American leadership team is complete and encompasses some of the most impressive talent working in our industry. We are incredibly excited for Eric to join us and hit the ground running.”
Reporting to Clark, Zuncic will oversee strategy for all DDB North America offices as well as We Are Unlimited, the bespoke agency launched for McDonald’s U.S. business earlier this year.
“Ask the best creatives in the world and they will tell you their dirty little secret is to find the best strategists in the world and to hold on for dear life. Eric is one of those strategists, and lucky for me there’s lots to hold onto,” commented Ari Weiss, Chief Creative Officer of DDB North America.
Prior to joining CP + B, Zuncic spent over three years at Mekanism, where he oversaw strategy on accounts including Method, Pepsi, and Ben & Jerry’s. Earlier, he was Director of Strategy and Innovation at the Brand Union. Before going agency side, he worked for Unilever and Geico.
“I’ve always admired the creative legacy of DDB and am thrilled to partner with Wendy, Ari and the extended North America Leadership Team to continue the resurgence of this iconic agency,” said Zuncic.
The hire of Zuncic completes DDB North America’s leadership team with Clark, Weiss and Chief People Officer Britt Hayes at the helm of the agency.
Gitersonke announces new venture and roster
Last month, we reported that Sarah Gitersonke would announce who her new venture, SG+Partners, would add to their roster. Today in a statement she announced three new signings.
SG+Partners’ roster ranges from live action production, VFX / Motion Graphics and Sound / Music for soup to nuts creative solutions. The firm will continue to build a roster of diverse solutions with top-notch talent across the board, including female talent.
Joining SG+Partners roster for the initial launch are Strange Loop Studios, a full service commercial and content production company, post-sound and music house Noise-Floor and Bay-area based production company, PictureLab. Sound Solutions and PictureLab.
Gitersonke, who spent nearly a decade as producer and EP at AKA MEDIA INC, had this to say about her new venture, “I’m beyond thrilled to not only create another woman-owned company in the Chicago production space, but to represent a roster of creative solutions I know the advertising community will love partnering with. Everyone on the roster is committed to creating stand-out work with top-notch service. The talent here are so diverse, vibrant and each solution brings a killer eye to the creative landscape!”
For reels and more click here.
Samuel leaves Energy BBDO after seven years
Rowley Samuel will depart Energy BBDO today after nearly seven years as head of integrated production.
Before joining the agency in November of 2010, Samuel served as Director, Creative Integration at DDB Chicago, where he produced integrated concepts for McDonald’s, Reebok, State Farm, Budweiser and AT&T.
Samuel’s time at the agency corresponded with a number of high profile wins. In 2011, they won a substantial portion of the ad business of consumer products behemoth SC Johnson. They also took over advertising for AB InBev for Bud and Bud Light.
When he originally joined the agency, he had this to say about integrated production:
“I don’t necessarily have a vision for the perfectly integrated production department/agency because quite honestly, I don’t think such a thing exists. On a very basic level, integration is about getting the right people in the room together, solving the creative problem at hand and then actually being able to get it out of the door and executed in the best possible way…which is a lot more difficult than it sounds. Luckily, the production team along with the rest of Energy BBDO and Proximity Chicago is grounded in the right structure and primed with potential. I see myself as a person to help connect some of the dots.”
After reaching out to the agency, there was no further comment.
Happy National #StarTrekDay!
Fifty-one years ago, today, a show launched that would forever change our lives. Live long and prosper Star Trek!
To send your news to Colin Costello, email colin@reelchicago.com.
