A THREE-MAN TEAM will head DraftFCB’s ?broadcast & emerging content department’ as its called. They are FCB producers Chris Bing and Ron Lazzeretti, and editor Steve Morrison.
Bing and Lzzeretti’s new titles are being determined, while Morrison was named SVP/director of broadcast editorial, and whose mandate is to build an internal editing department.
Morrison, incidentally, edited Lazaretti’s three acclaimed short films, “Last Day,” “Flowers,” and “Wedding Night.” which are now playing in worldwide film festivals.
When the integration of the two agencies is completed in January, DraftFCB will be Chicago’s biggest agency with 1,100 employees.
Among the new agency’s goals, according to worldwide creative honcho Jonathan Harries is to establish a great creative reputation, and win as many creative awards as it can ? setting a fire, one hopes, under agencies that are woefully absent from advertising competitions.
TRAVEL WEBSITE ORBITZ’ $61 million account is leaving Y&R in search of a new strategic partner. Element 79 competes against Mullen of Boston for the business … Pepsi-Cola, meanwhile, tapped Element 79 to introduce Tava, a lightly carbonated beverage next year, with emphasis on experiential and grass roots marketing.
A FIFTH SEASON of Rick Bayless’ “Mexico, One Plate at a Time,” has begun airing over PBS. The co-production of Bayless’ One Plate at a Time Productions and executive prodcer George Elder’s Luminair, was filmed in Merida, Mexico.
Luminair’s Scott Dummler produced on location and edited. Director of the 13 episodes was Chris Gyoury who worked with fellow Atlantans DP Dan Cornwall and steadicam operator Ramon Engle.
KI’S ALARIC MARTIN edited two Wal-Mart holiday spots that were directed by Chicago native Robert Townsend and stars L.A. comedic actress Jenifer Lewis. Among his many occupations, Townsend is president/CEO of the new Black Family Channel. E. Morris was the agency.
AD NOTES. At news-making DraftFCB, Scott Johnson was named SVP/ECD of interactive. Formerly he was creative head for Tribal DDB in Dallas ? GreenHouse added ACD Christine Peterson, formerly senior AD at DraftFCB where she worked on GlaxoSmithKline, United States Postal Services and MilkPEP? What’s your news today? Email to Ruth@ReelChicago.com.
THE IFO’S TAX CREDIT PROCESS is being accelerated with the addition of tax credit specialist Elaine Tuman. She brings the number of IFO staffers to nine. The tax credit has definitely spurred spot production, as producers note an increasing number of out-of-state companies are shooting here.
IN MEMORIAM. LEE DUNCAN, 78, the feisty but always charming president of Victor Duncan film camera/lighting rental and sales in Chicago for 25 years, died Oct. 27 in Dallas after a long illness. She is survived by her husband, Victor.
Screenwriter Delle Chapman, 54, a respected, long-time member of Chicago’s creative community, died of ovarian cancer. Returning from Hollywood, she taught at Northwestern and at Act One, Inc. She is survived by her daughter Ramona.
