Toronto’s Industry Films has signed two new California-based directors in Melodie McDaniel and Maggie Zackheim for exclusive representation in Canada.

L.A.-based McDaniel, an avid photographer, recently signed on with Industry U.S. affiliate The Directors Bureau. She has amassed a stellar reel of commercials and music videos, having worked on brands such as Nike, MasterCard and Miller Genuine Draft.

Zackheim, also based in L.A., started her career at MTV, where she worked as a writer, producer and director. She moved on to Comedy Central, then VH1 and more recently Satellite Films. Her current home is at Industry affiliate HKM. Her reel includes work for AT&T, Avis and a 10-spot campaign for Coors Light.

Industry has also welcomed executive producer Merrie Wasson. Wasson is a former freelance line producer with an extensive background in commercial production.

-www.industryfilms.com

Anderson to Spark interest in Canada

L.A.-based director Clark Anderson has signed on with Toronto’s Sparks Productions for exclusive Canadian representation.

Anderson spent 11 years as both staff director and creative director at Rhythm & Hues Studios in L.A., resulting in award-winning spots for Coca-Cola, Honda, United Airlines, Intel, Nabisco, Colgate, Huggies, Post-its, La-Z-Boy, Kraft, Conoco, Samsung, GEICO and Budweiser. He has also done work for the Children’s Television Workshop’s Electric Company and Sesame Street.

Anderson has a strong background in art direction, visual effects, animation and CGI.

Most recently, he joined L.A. commercial production house KA-CHEW!. This newly formed company is a division of Klasky Csupo, best known for its animation work on Fox’s The Simpsons.

-www.sparksproductions.com

Hoodoo’s laughin’ with new helmers

Toronto’s Hoodoo Films has signed a pair of new directors, both known for their comedy stylings. Hoodoo executive producer Michael Rosen says the signings will help build the shop’s growing reputation for comedy.

‘I don’t know why we are landing all of these comedy directors, but I think it’s a riot,’ says Rosen. ‘When you have a chance to do smart comedy, it’s really a lot of fun.’

The first director to sign is New York-based Steven Gill, a former agency creative who has worked at Ogilvy & Mather, Cliff Freedman & Partners, TBWA/Chiat/Day and Spike DDB. Although he is relatively new to the behind-the-camera side of advertising, Gill has already shot a spot for Jax Sunglasses.

The second new addition is Eric Goldstein. Based in Chicago, Goldstein started his career as a DOP, but in his role as director rarely shoots his own commercials. His reel includes spots for MCI, Chi Chi’s, Polaris and Fox Broadcasting.

-www.hoodoofilms.com

Pierce is D Man

L.A.-based Berton Pierce has signed an exclusive representation agreement with upstart Toronto commercial production house The D Squared Picture Co. D Squared partner and executive producer Dan Kaminsky says, Pierce’s signing is a major step forward for the company, as they are now able to sell an internationally respected talent in Canada.

According to Kaminsky, Pierce shopped his reel around Germany while visiting his mother a few years back, and and ended up shooting a number of spots for German clients. He has since morphed somewhat into a storytelling director, melding American and European visual sensibilities on spots for a number of European clients including Tchibo, Otto, DWS, Comundo and Movenpick.

-www.d2pic.com