The I CARES is administered by Phill DiMambro who is committed to supporting industry related functions. He also has the same interest in helping local charities. If you have an industry event or a charitable cause that you would like us to consider supporting, please contact Phill at: icares@theigroup.com
When The I GROUP was contacted to provide a speaker for an upcoming legal seminar on our industry, there was no better person for the job than The I GROUP Exclusive and retiring SAG President Laurie Meeker. Laurie graciously donated her time and energies when she spoke at the Institute of Continuing Legal Education in Ann Arbor this past May. The seminar, titled “Representing the Celebrity” described the ins and outs of legal representation to an audience of over 60 lawyers looking to gain insight into the entertainment industry.
Laurie informed this cavernous collection of counselors about the perspective of the working talent in the ever-changing entertainment world, focusing on Agents, Contracts and New Technology. Laurie explained that 99.9% of working actors are not celebrities, but hardworking artisans that must share time between their craft and regular employment that pays the bills. The main focus of Laurie’s talk emphasized the enormous challenges presented to SAG and its actors by new technological applications of media, particularly on the internet where videos are seen at a rate of over 9 billion views a month. Laurie noted that this new media market, worth over $2.9 billion in on-line ad revenue alone, is frequently believed to fall outside of the jurisdiction of SAG and AFTRA, a misconception that is erroneous and damaging to the fragile compensation due its actors.
Laurie’s erudite enlightenment left the seminar recipients with a greater understanding of the frequently misunderstood world of acting. The I GROUP, on behalf of the actors we represent, proudly acknowledge Laurie Meeker’s efforts towards improving societies understanding of our craft.
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This summer The I GROUP was an instrumental provider to the innovative Cristo Rey High School, a work study college preparatory institution for underserved students. Initiating a public outreach program for institutional development that included television advertising, Cristo Rey work study & development director Dirk Cappo reached out to The I GROUP for assistance. Agency talent Sidi Henderson and Foster Braun generously gave their voices to the campaign that describes the unique format of the Cristo Rey program for perspective donors and TV audiences. We would like to thank Sidi and Foster for the generosity in assisting this school that is bringing powerful change to Detroit’s most challenged youth.
Some of the best in the business repeatedly graced The I GROUP with their presence in 2008. Over the summer, Ron & Mary Beth Castorri (pictured at left...before they hit the soda fountain), conducted an audition at The I GROUP for a project featuring Campbell-Ewald’s creative new ideas in advertising. The project featured The I GROUP talent Jackie Floyd, Dan Crosby, and David Herbst.
To wrap up 2008, the Castorri’s worked on several other projects featuring The I GROUP talent. First, Mike Kelly appeared as a hand model in a series of vignettes for Polartec. Second, Val Howard, Mark Imasa, Heather Afram and Brandon Mata were all featured in a TV spot for Gardner White. Then, to top off the year, Ellington King, Riana Hardyniec, Tricia Wilson, Tanya Gunn, and Kimble Little lit up the screen in the Castorri’s TV commercial for Macomb Prompt Care.
Thank you to Ron & Mary Beth for their continued commitment to The I GROUP, and we look forward to assisting you with all your upcoming projects in 2009!
