Big moves this week, with new signings at RSA, Bikini, A Band Apart, Love, and many more...
RSA has signed director John O'Hagan for UK and US representation. O'Hagan, who directed the acclaimed documentary Wonderland, moves to the company from Hungry Man, where he shot spots for brands including Halfords, MTV, Coors, and Toyota. "I'm excited about joining RSA because it's a company that combines years of experience with new blood, and non-conventional thinking," said the director. "The advertising world is changing and RSA is a leader in this new thinking about how to advertise."
Director Katie Bell, formerly with Rose Hackney Barber in London, has signed to Bikini Films for commercials and music video representation. Bell has directed ads for Eurostar, Scholl, Dove, and Capital Radio, and music videos for artists including Delta Goodrem and Rachel Stevens. "Katie is a fantastic signing for us," said Bikini MD Kate Elson, "we have been searching for a director to compliment our existing roster and Katie is a perfect fit on every level."
Young directing team Coodie and Chike has signed to A Band Apart in Los Angeles for exclusive representation in commercials and music videos. This is the first time the team, who recently won the Video of the Year award at the Source Hip Hop Awards for their Through the Wire video for Kanye West, has been formally represented by a production company.
Love in London has signed director Jake Knowles for UK and European representation. Knowles, previously repped by Great Guns, has directed spots for Expedia, Green Flag, Ford Ka and Volvo.
New Moon has signed director Daryl Goodrich. Goodrich has shot campaigns for brands including Ford, Budweiser, Nokia, Southern Comfort, Panasonic, Coca-Cola and Texaco, as well as the recent official London Olympic bid film. He joins New Moon from Love.
Passion Pictures in London has signed animation collective SSSR to its roster. SSSR are Kristian Hammerstad, Marc Raisbig and Yu Sato, and the collective all graduated from Central St Martin's in London in 2004. To date, the team has made a trilogy of music videos for Subtle (Lex Records) and won the Kodak Student Film Award for Evolution, a 30-second test commercial that highlights the dangers of smoking.
Design company Hornet in New York has signed directing team JJ & Maithy for exclusive representation. The team have recently finished a commercial for Chevron/Texaco via Young & Rubicam and are currently at work on a spot for Sweet'N Low via Pedone & Partners.
JWT in London has hired Mark Cadman as managing director and promoted Lindsey Clay from head of account management to deputy managing director. Cadman joins the agency after recently departing Lowe in London, following the controversial appointment of Garry Lace as chief executive. He was previously at JWT from 1995 to 1997 and rejoins the agency on April 4.
In other JWT news, John Foster has been appointed as executive creative director for the agency's Gulf region. Foster joins the agency from Batey Advertising where he has worked for the past two years. In his new role, Foster will be based in Dubai and partner Vatche Keverian, chief executive officer of JWT's Gulf region which comprises Kuwait, Dubai and Bahrain. He will also work closely with Ramsey Naja, JWT's chief creative officer for the Middle East and North Africa.
Todd Tilford has joined BBDO New York as executive creative director, director of visual communications. He joins the agency from TM Advertising in Irving, Texas, where he was a creative director.
Colourist Seamus O'Kane has moved to The Mill in London from VTR. O'Kane has worked with award-winning directors including Ivan Zacharias, Steve Reeves, Stuart Douglas, Chris Palmer, Vince Squibb and Tom Carty.
Soho postproduction house Golden Square has hired Fire and Smoke operator Aman Kang. Kang joins the company after two years at VTR's off-shoot facility K-Post, where he worked on projects for Vodafone and Mazda, amongst others.
Editor Greg Chamberlain has moved to Minneapolis post-production house Crash & Sue's. Chamberlain joins the company from Santa Monica's Red Car and Pistolera Post.
Rhinofx in New York has hired 3D digital artist Chris Moore, 2D graphic designer Neo and 3D digital artist Bogdan Mihajlovic. The company has promoted Jill Hughes from production coordinator to production manager.
