Blink Pictures director Raymond Bark has been signed by bicoastal Gartner for exclusive spot representation in the u.s. Gartner, which has only signed one other director in the last three years (American Ray Dillman, repped in Canada by Avion Films), is excited to have the South African native on board.

Says Gartner partner and executive producer Rich Carter: ‘We’ve been very selective about who joins us because we want to maintain the happiness factor here. [Bark has] one of the best reels I had never seen [before].’

Bark was previously repped in the u.s. by Concrete Productions in Dallas.

The director says the move to Gartner signals his stepped-up commitment to the American spot market.

*Boris still loves spots

Angel Films director Boris Damast’s feature film Pros & Cons scored a win at the Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, Co. The jailhouse comedy took the best actor prize for Larry Miller.

Despite the movie’s success, Damast insists he still loves commercials and has no intention of stepping away from spot work. In fact, Damast was in Toronto at the beginning of March on a two-day shoot for Enbridge Consumers Gas through Grey Canada.

Freelance producer Andrea Kikot, who works almost exclusively with Damast, explains their outlook: ‘Commercial is our home route. That’s where we came from. We’re doing long-format now, but only in combination with commercials.’

Damast, a longtime veteran of the advertising game (director, copywriter and agency owner) will continue to accept boards from Santa Monica-based Bedford Falls, his u.s. representative, and Angel.

Currently, Damast is shooting an episode of Invisible Man for USA Network south of the border.

*Stealing Time steals Bessner

Jeff Bessner has joined Stealing Time Editing after 12 years as an editor at Partners’ Post.

‘Jeff comes to us with a wealth of experience, talent and laughter and we are thrilled to have him here,’ says Kate Eisner, executive producer at Stealing Time.

*MacLaren McCann broadcast shuffle

MacLaren McCann Canada has announced a number of changes in its broadcast production department. Lesley Parrott is expanding her role as director of broadcast production and creative services to include the responsibilities of director of training and development for all MacLaren group companies.

Assisting Parrott in her expanded role is Franca Piacente, who has been promoted to executive producer, manager, broadcast production.

Jan Riley, 21-year MacLaren veteran, is also reshaping her role with the company. Riley will continue on as executive producer between the months of September and May. She will spend her summer months in Little Pond, p.e.i.

The agency also announced the appointment of Sarah Michener as broadcast producer, effective April 17.

*Golden Marbles deadline

Playback sister magazine KidScreen has announced the dates for its second annual Golden Marbles Awards and Conference. The two-day event, under the banner Advertising and Promoting to Kids, will be held at the Grand Hyatt in New York City, Sept. 13-14. The awards celebrate creative excellence in children’s advertising.

Deadline for entries is June 1. For more info call 1-800-marbles or check out www.kidscreen.com.

*V&B pomotes DeRose

Vickers & Benson has promoted broadcast coordinator Francesca DeRose to producer. In her new role, she will produce television spots in addition to the radio spots she currently produces.

DeRose has been with v&b for two years. Her first tv spots were for the Oshawa General Hospital.