Kontagious is Catching in L.A. and TO

Kontagious is Catching in L.A. and TO
 

Kontagious Director Richard D'Alessio.

Executive Producer Adam Bloom and Director Richard D'Alessio have launched Kontagious, a new creative collective that they describe as part production company and part creative team.  
 
Based in Los Angeles and Toronto, the company is already spreading its work around thanks to a 2:00 public service spot for Los Angeles Mission, produced in tandem with the ad agency 180 Los Angeles. 

Directed by Kontagious director Elliott Lester, the short, titled "Quick Fix," is an elaborate ruse in which viewers are immersed in what feels like a reality TV makeover show in which a homeless person undergoes a makeover, complete with new hair style, new clothes, a tan and a manicure.  As the bewildered yet made-over man is dumped back on Skid Row at the end of spot, the tagline "there's no quick fix for homelessness" appears on screen.
 
Kontagious opens with a directorial roster that includes Billy Paul, Joe Stevens and Grady Cooper, in addition to D'Alessio and Lester.  The team has been busy since the shop opened its doors, with Stevens having recently wrapped production on the "We're Not for Everyone" campaign for Kraft's Miracle Whip out of McGarry Bowen Chicago. Meanwhile, D'Alessio recently wrapped production on a new campaign for Volkswagen out of DDB in Berlin and Moscow.

Kontagious EP Adam Bloom.

Says Bloom, "Kontagious is solely focused on the best way to tell a story across any medium. As a result, our work spans multiple disciplines and covers all forms, web, commercials, TV, branded content and promos. It's about thinking beyond what has been successful in the past and creating a new way to execute effective storytelling for today's audience."
 
The company has lined up representation in both the US and Canada, with Tim Harwood & Associates covering the Midwest, Lori Benson & Company covering the East Coast and Teri Walderman covering Canada.

Published 26 July, 2011