Latest news with #Together
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Together Group Acquires ‘Experiential' Agency Obo
Together Group, a London-based collective of marketing, communications, digital and events agencies, has acquired Obo, which has produced fashion spectacles for Victoria's Secret, L'Oréal Paris, Elie Saab and many others. Financial terms were not disclosed. More from WWD Helen Mirren on Cannes, Culture Shift and the Power of Visibility Viola Davis, Jane Fonda Spotlight Emerging Directors at L'Oréal's Lights on Women's Worth Award Lancôme's Françoise Lehmann Is Stepping Down René Célestin, who cofounded Obo 25 years ago in New York, later opening offices in London and Paris, is to remain its chief executive officer, while benefiting from the broader Together ecosystem, which includes PR firm Purple. 'Obo is the creative agency and supervising producer trusted by leading brands and destinations for their brand-defining experiential moments,' Christian Kurtzke, CEO of Together Group, said in a statement shared with WWD. He lauded Obo's 'exceptional blend of creativity and cultural insight, enhanced by a range of digital tools — including real-time digital rendering technologies that have been part of their process since 2015 — allows them to craft immersive, emotionally resonant storytelling experiences across both live and digital environments.' Founded in 2017, Together also recently added Dubai-based communications agency Frame Publicity to its portfolio. Obo's client roster includes Ami, Giorgio Armani, Bulgari, Celine, The Row, Saint Laurent, Toteme and Zimmermann. It is also one of the founding partners of Paname 24, which produced opening ceremonies for the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. Célestin said he spied operational and strategic opportunities as part of Together's collective, which includes digital animation studios Imerza and Visualization One. Indeed, Kurtzke sees Obo as an integral part of Together's 'tech-powered immersive experiential platform to transform luxury for the experience economy.' According to Célestin, 'when it comes to fashion shows as well as to wider brand storytelling across all customer touch points and campaigns, luxury brands need to think in ways that overcome segmentation and beyond the past, in order to meaningfully engage next-generation audiences. 'Our mission is to further revolutionize guest experiences by weaving entertainment and cultural references seamlessly into every project,' he added. For example, Elie Saab's 45th anniversary show in Riyadh last November fused fashion, entertainment, choreography and a high-profile lineup of female musical talent woven together under a loose '1,001 Arabian Nights' storyline. Best of WWD Model and Hip Hop Fashion Pioneer Kimora Lee Simmons' Runway Career Through the Years [PHOTOS] Salma Hayek's Fashion Evolution Through the Years: A Red Carpet Journey [PHOTOS] How Christian Dior Revolutionized Fashion With His New Look: A History and Timeline Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
BGT's Jonathan and Charlotte's now - from tragic split to new careers and weight loss
BGT's Jonathan and Charlotte's now - from tragic split to new careers and weight loss Opera duo Jonathan and Charlotte have been on a rollercoaster since finding fame on Britain's Got Talent back in 2012 The pair competed together on Britain's Got Talent in 2012, but where are they now? (Image: ITV/ Ken McKay ) Britain's Got Talent has been a launching pad for opera talents over its 18 years, with names like Paul Potts and Susan Boyle emerging from the show. A teenage operatic pair captivated the audience in 2012, leaving Simon Cowell shocked as he uttered "Seriously?". At the tender ages of 17 and 16, Jonathan and Charlotte stunned the judges with their rendition of 'The Prayer. ' In classic Simon Cowell fashion, he suggested Jonathan should "dump" Charlotte to further his chances, but the two decided to stick together, even switching the order of their act's name for their journey to the live final. They eventually were runners-up to Ashleigh and her dog Pudsey, much to the dismay of their fans. Charlotte expressed her astonishment at the success: "Oh my God, we came second out of 70,000 people, it's incredible, it's been amazing." For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter . Subsequently, it was revealed that Simon Cowell was deliberating a £1 million record deal with them under his Syco label. Jonathan and Charlotte went on to drop their debut album 'Together' in September 2012, reinterpreting songs by artists including Elton John, Muse, and Queen into Italian. After touring Europe and releasing another record and selling over a quarter of a million albums. the duo parted amicably in February 2014 when solo opportunities came knocking from Sony Classical. When they announced the news, Jonathan and Charlotte expressed their gratitude in a statement on their website, saying: "We have had the most exciting journey together ever since meeting at West Hatch High School in 2006 and are so happy for each other." The offer of solo record deals from Sony Classical was met with excitement as they looked forward to returning to the recording studio. They expressed their gratitude to their fans, saying: "For those that voted for us, bought our CDs and saw us in concert – thank you. We hope to see you soon at our own shows. Love Jonathan and Charlotte." Charlotte has continued her career in the performing arts, shifting her focus towards musical theatre productions. Her notable performances include Carousel in Concert at The Royal Festival Hall and a role in the original West End cast of The Heathers. Recently, Charlotte gained popularity on TikTok with a video recalling her Britain's Got Talent audition. The caption read: "Simon Cowell hated me but then he got me Kurt Geiger's for xmas." In the video, she joked about people recognising her as 'Charlotte from Jonathan and Charlotte', confirming "probably because I am". Content cannot be displayed without consent In early April, Charlotte took to the stage in Todrick Hall's new musical, Midnight. Reflecting on the experience in an Instagram post, she said: "This show has been one of the most fulfilling and rewarding shows I've ever worked on. "I've laughed and cried every day, watched the most talented humans create, and been giddy to see what would happen each day." Meanwhile, Jonathon is currently immersed in producing his next album following a global tour, as well as delighting audiences in his hometown of Essex. Following their separation, he soared to the top of the Classical Artist Album chart with his debut solo album, 'Tenore'. Content cannot be displayed without consent In a heartfelt social media update, he expressed gratitude towards his supporters for engaging with his music, which has fuelled his passion and enabled his career as a singer. He stated: "Your kindness in allowing me to explore all kinds of music and your superlative taste in good tunes has led the way! !". Jonathon has recently made headlines with his remarkable five-stone weight loss achievement. Having previously acknowledged his lack of self-discipline, he has shared: "I've still got a lot to lose but I'm making my way. I feel stronger and healthier than I have in 10 years, which is a lot. "This year I've made an active choice. I've felt I've lacked the discipline a lot. When I was out in America it's fast food everywhere." He recounted his challenging start to the year and his progress since then, saying: "I was in a terrible state in the start of the year and I've been able to claw my way back doing light exercise. Article continues below "For a long time I was just experiencing life, letting life live me, trying to find the next pleasure. Taking control of your own life, grabbing the world with your hands, feels amazing."
The Age
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Age
This TV star spent so long making a film in a Sydney funeral home that they put him on staff
Years later, he met one of the funeral directors, Michele Salamone, in a cafe and thought he seemed like 'the John Wayne of Leichhardt'. When the cafe owner asked whether business was good, Salamone deadpanned 'yeah, fridge is full'. Byers thought the dignified work of an Italian funeral parlour would make a great documentary and, once filming was under way, he was given an unpaid job. 'I think they realised I may never finish the film and they were like 'we've got to get something out of this',' he said. But doing everything himself – writing, directing, acting, shooting, recording sound, producing and editing – proved challenging. 'It's not a chill thing to make a feature film in a funeral home,' Byers said. 'It's not a chill thing to make a feature film at all, let alone on your own, let alone in a funeral home, let alone for six years, seven years, eight years by the end of it. 'So I just threw everything I had and more at it until it was done. I'm quite glad that I finished it before it finished me.' Like Sparrow, Byers struggled as he shot during the pandemic after the Black Summer bushfires, running out of money, and going through a break-up and some distressing funerals. 'This film, rather than this beautiful centre point of expression and release in my life, just became this ultimate liability,' he said. 'This terrible decision that I'd made that was not going to solve itself.' At the premiere, Byers will dispel any funereal vibes by having the film's composer and sound designer, Luke Fuller, bring a boombox to play 'some '80s Italian Bocelli [style music] which I know will please all the Italians in the house'. The festival, which runs from June 4 to 15, opens with Australian director Michael Shanks' horror film Together, which became controversial when an American production company filed a lawsuit claiming it was a 'blatant rip-off' of a 2023 comic romance - an allegation the Together team's agent called 'frivolous and without merit'. Festival director Nashen Moodley described Together as probably the most anticipated Australian film of the year. 'It's so smart, it's so funny,' he said. 'Wickedly funny.' Films from 70 countries will screen in the State Theatre and nine other venues. While stories from exotic locations are always part of the festival's charm, there are Hollywood stars right across the program. Naomi Watts plays a New York novelist with Bill Murray as her mentor in The Friend, Tilda Swinton and Michael Shannon are living underground after the apocalypse in The End, Jodie Foster is a psychiatrist turned investigator in Vie Privee, Jacob Elordi and Daisy Edgar-Jones are gamblers drawn to each other in On Swift Horses, Carey Mulligan plays a musician in The Ballad of Wallis Island and Tom Hiddleston is a mysterious businessman in The Life Of Chuck. The Iranian thriller that won at Cannes last weekend, Jafar Panahi's It Was Just An Accident, is among 12 films running in the $60,000 competition for 'audacious, courageous and cutting-edge' cinema.
Sydney Morning Herald
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
This TV star spent so long making a film in a Sydney funeral home that they put him on staff
Years later, he met one of the funeral directors, Michele Salamone, in a cafe and thought he seemed like 'the John Wayne of Leichhardt'. When the cafe owner asked whether business was good, Salamone deadpanned 'yeah, fridge is full'. Byers thought the dignified work of an Italian funeral parlour would make a great documentary and, once filming was under way, he was given an unpaid job. 'I think they realised I may never finish the film and they were like 'we've got to get something out of this',' he said. But doing everything himself – writing, directing, acting, shooting, recording sound, producing and editing – proved challenging. 'It's not a chill thing to make a feature film in a funeral home,' Byers said. 'It's not a chill thing to make a feature film at all, let alone on your own, let alone in a funeral home, let alone for six years, seven years, eight years by the end of it. 'So I just threw everything I had and more at it until it was done. I'm quite glad that I finished it before it finished me.' Like Sparrow, Byers struggled as he shot during the pandemic after the Black Summer bushfires, running out of money, and going through a break-up and some distressing funerals. 'This film, rather than this beautiful centre point of expression and release in my life, just became this ultimate liability,' he said. 'This terrible decision that I'd made that was not going to solve itself.' At the premiere, Byers will dispel any funereal vibes by having the film's composer and sound designer, Luke Fuller, bring a boombox to play 'some '80s Italian Bocelli [style music] which I know will please all the Italians in the house'. The festival, which runs from June 4 to 15, opens with Australian director Michael Shanks' horror film Together, which became controversial when an American production company filed a lawsuit claiming it was a 'blatant rip-off' of a 2023 comic romance - an allegation the Together team's agent called 'frivolous and without merit'. Festival director Nashen Moodley described Together as probably the most anticipated Australian film of the year. 'It's so smart, it's so funny,' he said. 'Wickedly funny.' Films from 70 countries will screen in the State Theatre and nine other venues. While stories from exotic locations are always part of the festival's charm, there are Hollywood stars right across the program. Naomi Watts plays a New York novelist with Bill Murray as her mentor in The Friend, Tilda Swinton and Michael Shannon are living underground after the apocalypse in The End, Jodie Foster is a psychiatrist turned investigator in Vie Privee, Jacob Elordi and Daisy Edgar-Jones are gamblers drawn to each other in On Swift Horses, Carey Mulligan plays a musician in The Ballad of Wallis Island and Tom Hiddleston is a mysterious businessman in The Life Of Chuck. The Iranian thriller that won at Cannes last weekend, Jafar Panahi's It Was Just An Accident, is among 12 films running in the $60,000 competition for 'audacious, courageous and cutting-edge' cinema.
Sydney Morning Herald
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
15 unmissable movies at this year's Sydney Film Festival
The 72nd Sydney Film Festival has a dizzying number of screenings. Films from 70 countries – all the way from Afghanistan to Zambia – will run in the grand State Theatre and nine other venues around the city. The opening night will be spicier than expected. Given its success at the Sundance Film Festival, where it sold for a record $26 million after a bidding war, there was already keen interest in Michael Shanks' Australian horror film Together, which stars American couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie. Then it ran into controversy when a New York production company filed a lawsuit claiming it was a 'blatant rip-off' of a 2023 comic romance - a claim the American agent for the Together team has described as 'frivolous and without merit'. A jury headed by Australian director Justin Kurzel will judge the 12 films in the $60,000 official competition for 'audacious, courageous and cutting-edge' cinema. Here's our guide to festival highlights ... SLANTED Sydney-raised writer-director Amy Wang has been quietly building a career in Los Angeles. Her first feature film, Slanted, is a body horror satire with a touch of The Substance meets Mean Girls about it. In the winner of the narrative feature competition at South by South West, a Chinese-American teenager (Shirley Chen), who is desperate to be a prom queen, goes through 'ethnic modification' surgery to become white. It promises timely observations about body image, sexism and racism. BLUE MOON With Dazed and Confused, the Before Sunrise trilogy, School of Rock, Boyhood and Apollo 10½, director Richard Linklater is a brilliant chronicler of charming American stories. His latest film is what IndieWire calls 'a razor-sharp biopic' about struggling lyricist Lorenz Hart (Ethan Hawke) on the night his former writing partner Richard Rodgers (Andrew Scott) triumphantly opens Oklahoma! Hart calls a young Yale student (Margaret Qualley) his writing protegee. Loading VIDEOHEAVEN Growing up in Pennsylvania, filmmaker Alex Ross Perry (Listen Up Philip) worked at Suncoast Video. After graduating from New York University, he worked at Kim's Video in Manhattan. So a documentary about the history and culture of video stores that has taken a decade to make is very much a passion project. Narrated by Maya Hawke, it sounds like an entertaining and thoughtful three hours of nostalgia. IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT Iranian dissident director Jafar Panahi has paid a heavy price for courageously making films. Imprisoned several times, he was officially banned from making films and travelling outside the country until recently. Panahi made this thriller secretly to avoid having the script vetted by Iran's Ministry of Islamic Guidance. An emotional rollercoaster that starts with a family having an accident while driving on a remote road, it won the Palme d'Or, the top prize, in a strong Cannes competition last weekend. ORWELL: 2 + 2 = 5 Haiti's Raoul Peck is best known for the masterful I Am Not Your Negro, a ferocious, racially charged documentary about American novelist James Baldwin. In this equally political documentary, Peck draws parallels between George Orwell's classic dystopian novel 1984, where Big Brother dictates every aspect of life, and Trump's America. With Orwell's writing narrated by Homeland star Damian Lewis, it uses archival footage and clips from movies and TV news. Deadline called it 'an urgent, indispensable film for our times'. Jodie Foster speaks pitch-perfect French as a psychiatrist drawn into a mystery when one of her patients dies suddenly. This upmarket psychological thriller, warmly reviewed overseas, is from French filmmaker Rebecca Zlotowski. She has surrounded her American star with a strong French cast including Daniel Auteuil as her ex-husband and Mathieu Amalric as the late patient's grieving husband. ONE TO ONE: JOHN & YOKO Restored vision of the 1972 One to One charity fundraising concert that John Lennon and Yoko Ono co-ordinated in New York, performing alongside the likes of Stevie Wonder and Roberta Flack, is the centre of a documentary The Hollywood Reporter has called 'a stone-cold brilliant fusion of kinetic and contemplative'. Oscar-winning director Kevin Macdonald (Touching The Void, The Last King of Scotland) and editor/co-director Sam Rice-Edwards (The Rescue) revisit an eventful time in the couple's post-Beatles life, using audio and video from personal and public archives. THE PRESIDENT'S CAKE This comic drama set in Saddam Hussein's Iraq was hailed as a warm-hearted, crowd-pleasing gem when it screened in Cannes. The debut film for Iraqi director Hasan Hadi centres on nine-year-old Lamia (Banin Ahmad Nayef), who wins the questionable prize of having to bake a cake for the dictator's birthday. She sets off to Baghdad to find ingredients with her beloved pet rooster Hindi and her grandma, Bibi (Waheed Thabet Khreibat). 2000 METRES TO ANDRIIVKA Ukrainian director Mstyslav Chernov won an Oscar last year for the documentary 20 Days in Mariupol, which was about the first weeks of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This time he follows a Ukrainian platoon attempting to liberate a Russian-occupied village. A jury at a Danish documentary festival called it 'a masterpiece in filmmaking: a haunting, multilayered portrayal of war comparable to All Quiet On The Western Front '. COME SEE ME IN THE GOOD LIGHT Director Ryan White, who made the wonderful Mars rover film Good Night Oppy, follows a Colorado couple - spoken word artist Andrea Gibson, who has incurable ovarian cancer, and poet Megan Falley - for a documentary that won a festival favourite award at Sundance. Noting that it is about grief, joy, heartache and love, POV magazine said that calling it 'deeply moving is an understatement'. Loading THE LIFE OF CHUCK Tom Hiddleston stars as the mysterious Charles 'Chuck' Krantz in an emotional end-of-days sci-fi film told in reverse. Adapted from a quirky Stephen King novella and directed by Mike Flanagan (The Haunting Of Hill House), it won the people's choice award at the Toronto International Film Festival. The strong cast includes Mark Hamill, Karen Gillan and Chiwetel Ejiofor. DANGEROUS ANIMALS Directed by Sean Byrne (The Loved Ones), this Australian horror film with echoes of Wolf Creek was a surprising Directors' Fortnight selection at Cannes but was warmly reviewed. Jai Courtney plays a shark-obsessed serial killer, Tucker, who abducts a resourceful American surfer, Zephyr (Hassie Harrison), in a gory romp screening in the festival's Freak Me Out program. MY FATHER'S SHADOW British-Nigerian director Akinola Davies jnr's semi-autobiographical drama follows two young brothers, Akin (Godwin Egbo) and Remi (Chibuike Marvellous Egbo), during a chaotic day in Lagos, Nigeria. Their estranged father Folarin (Sope Dirisu) takes them into the city as an election promises hopeful changes for the country. Deadline described it as 'one of the most moving and universally relevant and emotional films' at Cannes. MISTRESS DISPELLER Mistress Wang has a role in Chinese romantic relationships that seems fascinating to outsiders. In Hong Kong filmmaker Elizabeth Lo's documentary, the so-called mistress dispeller is hired by a Chinese woman who wants to break up her husband's affair to save her marriage. IndieWire said the film revealed 'a profound and searching panorama of loneliness and partnership, where everyone gets a chance to be heard'. Brazilian director Kleber Mendonca Filho, who won the festival competition with Aquarius in 2016, won best director and actor at Cannes for this stylish political thriller set during the country's military dictatorship in 1977. Wagner Moura plays mild-mannered Marcelo, working undercover in a film the BBC said 'bursts with sex and shootouts, sleazy hitmen and vintage cars'. Like the Oscar-winning I'm Still Here, set during the same period, it's about the brutality of political tyranny.
