We Hear: \MAL Loses a Pair of GCDs

muelasmalWe received a straight-up “no comment” when we inquired with camp TBWA, but word from various sources is that Hector Muelas and Ricardo Viramontes, who spent nearly a year at TBWA\Media Arts Lab as group creatives directors, have moved into CD roles at Apple. Of course, you know that the brand and agency unit have been working together as exclusive partners for years so a move such as this doesn’t seem so shocking. Prior to their time at \MAL, Muelas and Viramontes spent nearly a year at B-Reel and have both worked at the likes of Creative Artists Agency and W+K during their careers. We’ll let you know if and when we hear more.

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\MAL Makes Some Cuts

It seems like we’ve been hearing about cuts at TBWA\Media Arts Lab (although relatively minor) pretty much every week this month but all tips up until now have proven to be fairly inaccurate . Now, though, we’ve received word from sources that TBWA’s Apple-focused, L.A.-based unit did let go of some staffers last week (the \MAL camp, like always, is keeping quiet). From what we’re hearing, approximately a dozen or so \MAL folks have been cut based on skill sets needed for the business at present.

On the flipside, though, Media Arts Lab, which also has office space in London, Tokyo, Shanghai, Seoul and Sydney, did make some creative hires in recent weeks including former B-Reel creative directors Hector Muelas and Ricardo Viramontes, who now serve as GCDs at the former agency.

 

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We Hear: TBWA\Media Arts Lab Welcomes B-Reel CDs to the Fold

We’ve been getting a few tips on the Spy line that Ricardo Viramontes and Hector Muelas, who have each spent nearly a year as creative directors at B-Reel, have been lured away by TBWA\Media Arts Lab to, you guessed it, work on Apple. Since\MAL is like Area 51 considering its Apple tie-in, TBWA would not comment on the hirings, but prior to their work at B-Reel, Viramontes served as an art director for four-plus years at W+K New York on accounts including Jordan Brand and has also worked at the likes of CAA (you surely remember this) and BSSP.

Muelas, meanwhile, also worked at CAA on the same campaign among other things as well as W+K Amsterdam on accounts including Nike and Coca-Cola. We’ll let you know if and when Tim Cook & Co. or those on the agency level remove the leash and reveals more specifics.

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