Agency pro Brian Smego joins The Mill+ in new EP role

The Mill+ Brian Smego

BRIAN SMEGO HAS MOVED from the agency side to production in the newly created position of executive producer at The Mill+, the creative content studio of the international visual effects company’s Chicago branch.

A 20-year agency veteran, Smego made the transition last Monday after nine years as Y&R’s SVP/director of integrated production.

The Mill+, Smego explains, “provides end-to-end solutions, from live action shooting through post.” He leads a staff of three in Chicago and will draw from creative talent across The Mill’s network.

“I’ve worked throughout my career with The Mill and have been impressed with everyone over here,” he says. “I like the mix of technology, storytelling and animation and I’m excited to be combining all of them in one place.”

Also new: Senior producer Larissa Berringer joins from six years at Vitamin Pictures, the last three years as EP and three earlier as senior producer.

TALENT IN ADVERTISING: What You Don’t Know Can Cost You,” discussed by a panel of experts and presented by AICP Midwest, takes place Tuesday, July 19 at the Virgin Hotel.

Discussing the challenges of managing talent in advertising will be Carl Zucker, VP/production business affairs, the TEAM Companies; casting director David O’Connor; producer Marsie Wallach and Marie Goss, VP/The Team Companies Chicago’s talent business affairs.

At 203 N. Wabash; 5:30-8 p.m. To attend, register here.

MEDIA PROCESS GROUP can now claim winning awards from three continents for its “Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise” doc. The latest award just came from the Galway Film Festival in Galway, Ireland. The doc will make its Chicago premiere at the Black Harvest Film Festival next month. PBS’ “American Masters” will air it early in 2017.

PRIDE FILMS AND PLAYS will open The Pride Arts Center in two Uptown theatres at Broadway and Montrose “as a safe and open space for all artists,” announced founder/executive director David Zak.

The 90-seat space at 4139 N. Broadway will be named The Broadway and serve as the company’s primary stage venue.

The other theatre, a 50-seat studio a few doors north at 4147 N. Broadway, to be called The Buena, “will mainly serve as a rental venue for art groups of all types – theatre, film festivals, musicians, performance artists, for those who share our mission to speak for the under-represented populations of our community,” said Zak.

Both venues are currently available for rental; phone 800/737-0984 for details.

THE CHICAGO AD FEDERATION is hosting a Conversation & Cocktails evening Wednesday, July 20 to bring together Chicago’s diverse marketing and advertising professions, sponsored by Pandora.

The objective, says CAF, “is to engage on how we, as a collaborative community, can make a difference driving diversity and inclusion in Chicago’s creative industries.”

At 130 E. Randolph, suite 850, 5 to 7 p.m. Members, $30, non-members, $40, including an open bar, appetizers and DJ set.

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