*Whittall takes it to the Maxx

Lisa Whittall, former executive producer at International Shooters, has taken on a new job as executive producer at Toronto’s Maxx Productions. Whittall had been with Shooters for close to a year before making the jump to Harve Sherman’s spot shop last month.

‘It wasn’t terribly sudden,’ admits Whittall. ‘I had been thinking about it a while and Harve and I had been talking back and forth. We had spoken again just after Christmas, and once I figured out where he was coming from, the direction Maxx wanted to go, and what I wanted to do, the opportunities were there for both of us.’

Whittall and Sherman agree after their first meeting it did not look as though the two would eventually team up. Sherman calls his start with Whittall ‘bumpy,’ but he soon became aware of what she could do for his company.

‘It wasn’t about getting a sales rep in here,’ he says. ‘I wanted somebody who was going to add something to the company.’

Sherman says the pairing of he and Whittall is a good one because they both feel very strongly about the commercial industry, and they share similar points of view on how to nurture their talent, management and philosophy behind decisions.

‘I am still very emotional about this business, and have been for all of my career,’ says Sherman, a commercial-making veteran. ‘I needed someone who felt as strongly as I do about it. Someone who hates rejection, and wants to get the jobs we fall in love with.’

Whittall adds the emotional part for her is in the befriending of those she works with, whether it be directors on her roster, folks on the creative side or anyone in between.

Sherman believes Whittall is going to add immeasurably to Maxx with the large number of relationships she has formed over her brief time in the commercial biz.

‘I was without a partner or anyone in Maxx for quite some time and I had spent the time very consciously trying to decide what I wanted,’ says Sherman. ‘We are here as a group to create a sort of partnership which will grow our business and grow it in a very intelligent way. I think Lisa is going to bring that to this company.’

*Rival Music and Sound Design launches

Conceived in mid-1999, Rival Music and Sound Design has launched from its new quarters at the renovated Deschamps Studios in Toronto.

Staffed by composer/producer Gerry Mosby, sound designer/producer Sonny Keyes and production co-ordinator/producer Jane Heath, Rival clients include u.s. design firm Pittard Sullivan (Family Channel id package) and Young & Rubicam (Sony vaio, Brita, Mercury Sable).

The new studio features digital facilities, including a 5.1 mixing theatre, a digital commercial studio complete with large recording floor, and digital phone-patch capabilities. Rival says the phone-patches, compatible with international studios, will strengthen its cross-border business.

*Eisner is Stealing Time

Kate Eisner has joined Toronto’s Stealing Time Editing as executive producer. Eisner says the move is a homecoming of sorts – she and Stealing Time owner Alex Eaton worked together at another company about a decade ago.

‘This is kind of a reuniting of the two of us,’ says Eisner. ‘I used to work in post here, but more recently at Spin Productions. I think it’s kind of going back to my roots. For me that’s what it is about – kind of coming home.’

*Myers steps up at Palmer Jarvis

Palmer Jarvis ddb has appointed Anne Myers to vice-president. Myers will retain her title as media director of the Toronto office.

A media planning specialist, Myers joined Palmer Jarvis in September 1998 with over 19 years’ experience in the field.

*Calling all innovators

Saatchi & Saactchi is calling all creatives for entries in the second Saatchi & Saatchi Innovation in Communication Award. The competition’s prize is us$100,000 ($146,000) – us$50,000 cash and us$50,000 worth of exposure from Saatchi’s worldwide network.

The ‘innovation’ can be an idea, product or service (proof of patent, patent pending, copyright or design registration is a prerequisite before entering) which will help the world better communicate.

The competition is open to applicants worldwide and submissions will be accepted until May 31. The winner will be announced in September.

Information can be accessed at www.saatchi-saatchi.com.