The Players Film Company’s Philip Mellows has solidified an ongoing relationship with longtime associate Carl Harvey, adding the iconoclastic director to the expanding (and set to keep expanding) roster of the company.

Harvey, with director/dop Alar Kivilo, was one of the founding minds behind the former Propeller Films (Leon’s, Molson ‘Magic Moments’) where he executive produced before moving into the director’s chair and a three-year stint on The Partners’ Film Company roster.

Harvey has worked on comedic spots for Taco Bell and Leon’s and is looking to apply his particular vision through the comedic-touching spectrum.

Known not only for a comic flair behind the camera, Harvey is also behind some of the extracurricular bright spots in the industry in recent years, including distributing fridge magnets of himself, see-the-world-through-the-eyes-of-your-toaster photography and creating a bizarre tv spot for Propeller that ran during an episode of Letterman.

Working on Atlantis mow Kurt Vonnegut’s Harrison Bergeron, Harvey created (and starred in) the hilariously bent ‘tv shows’ – like Cooking with Jell-O – playing on the omnipresent tv screens throughout the actual tv movie.

Mellows is in full swing with further plans for his shop, which include human and geographical expansion.

– JWT’s Thomas moving to Stealing Time

Alex Eaton’s Stealing Time editing operation will bring on new executive producer Nansi Thomas June 29.

Thomas has occupied a production role at J. Walter Thompson for the past 10 years, currently as executive producer, and will take over the general running of Eaton’s blossoming shop.

– Schmoozing in NYC

The Canadian contingent was out in force to hear the lectures and attend the lovely MoMa soiree held by the Association of Independent Commercial Producers in New York recently.

It was a chance to meet and greet American counterparts and catch up on the noise, which includes rumors of consolidation among u.s. production concerns, with Propaganda and Michael Romersa’s operation said to be up for sale.

What are the odds, you ask? About the same as Michael Schwartz and Don McLean being seated next to each other on a flight from New York… and enjoying themselves.

– More laughs at Sparks

Chris McCumber, who directed 14 short films for Saturday Night Live, Fuzzy Memories by Jack Handy, is the latest addition to the Sparks roster.

The funny man began his career at Comedy Central where he wrote and directed network image campaigns. He then joined creative service agency Lee Hunt Associates in New York as a staff director and writer, where he is still repped for promo and broadcast marketing assignments. Sparks and Zooma Zooma in the u.s. have exclusive commercial representation.

– Apple Box additions

Seattle director/cameraman Jay Alan brings his eye for fashion to the Apple Box roster. Alan has shot for such big names as Calvin Klein, Polo and Nautica as well as for more general markets.

Also new to Apple Box is l.a. director/dop Leo Zahn and director Joao Daniel Tikhomiroff from Sao Paulo, Brazil, who has been featured in The Commercials Book, which profiles 32 of the world’s best directors.

– TVB heavy metal

CKCK-TV Creative Services, Regina, picked up gold for its Audio Warehouse spot ‘Chauffeur Pioneer’ at the Television Bureau of Canada’s 1997 Retail Comp TV commercial competition.

Marshall Fenn Communications’ Casino Rama commercials ‘Breaker’ and ‘Black John’ tied for silver, and Pirate Radio and Television’s ‘Puck Sandwich’ for the Hockey Hall of Fame picked up a bronze.

– Anderson moves uptown

Anderson Advertising’s recent growth has led to the agency moving from its Toronto office from 330 Front Street to 33 Bloor St. E., putting the company together with sister operations in public relations, multimedia, sales promotion and sports event marketing.

– Clarification

Zed Films exclusively represents cinematographers, not director’s as stated in last issue’s Word. The majority of dops on the roster are from Toronto.