Switching sides
Creative talent Chris Schofield has moved to Shine, where he taken up the role of creative partner.
Schofield previously worked at DDB as a creative director, joining the agency in 2011 from FCB (then DraftFCB).
While at DDB, Schofield worked on the Sky Television and Lion Breweries accounts, producing a range of award-winning work.
It is unclear if DDB has appointed a replacement for Schofield at this stage (we are awaiting a response from the agency).
Grasse added to Dictionary
Peter Grasse, former general manager and executive producer of Australasian production company Curious Film has opened a new Tokyo based production company Dictionary Films.
About his new venture, Grasse said: “Change is as good as a holiday. But, I didn’t need a holiday. Rather, I craved creative rewards as a result of honest hard work with talented people I respect and enjoy.”
Since its opening, Dictionary has already completed its first spot for global sports brand Nike via Wieden + Kennedy Tokyo.
It has offices in Tokyo, Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit, and New York.
Grasse joined Curious Film New Zealand in 2004 and rose to general manager before establishing Curious Film Sydney in 2006 and Curious Singapore in 2013.
New talent
The Sweet Shop has welcomed a new talent, with Amos LeBlanc signing on for international representation.
LeBlanc is fresh from his second Cannes Young Director Award win, which adds to a collection including being named MMVA’a Director of the Year in 2014.
Originally from Toronto, LeBlanc started his career producing skate films and progressed to working as a professional cinematographer shooting music videos for a long list of mainstream Canadian artists. He then enrolled at Sheridan College for Media Arts where he took his many years of experience behind the camera and became a full time director.
In his career, he has partnered with brands including American Express, The Creator Class, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Budweiser.
Managing director of The Sweet Shop Auckland Fiona King said: “Amos’ work blends story telling within his unique understanding of contemporary visuals.
“We are super excited to see what comes next.”
The Sweet Shop’s CEO and founding partner Paul Prince said: “Amos LeBlanc’s signing is yet another example of The Sweet Shop’s ongoing commitment to developing new and original talent all across the globe.
“I am thrilled to see what we create together.”
Another punch
Sunday Punch has a new director in Cathy MacDonald.
MacDonald joins the roster of the Auckland-based production company with a career that has seen her work across the globe.
She spent nearly a decade in London where she won Young Creative of the year in Europe for her first-ever directing job. She then went on to direct major campaigns for the BBC, Disney, MTV and Sky across global markets, developing branded content for audiences across the US, Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Australasia. More recently, last year she was selected from a global field of nearly 4500 directors by the Weinstein Company as a finalist in the Lexus Short Film Competition.
Managing director and executive producer Nikki Smith said it is thrilled to have MacDonald on board.
“Such a talented storyteller with seasoned cinematic sensibilities – we welcome Cathy to the ring.”
