DWA Client News

Welcome to “Rare Air” - my series of succinct travelogues immersing us all in nature, minute by minute. I hope you’ll find unexpected surprises in these scenic moments - and always be inspired to get outdoors, look for magic, and find it.

Producer extraordinaire Andrew Meyer is the Executive Producer of The Breakfast Club, Fried Green Tomatoes, Better Off Dead, and many more iconic and award-winning films you are probably very familiar with.

This actively researched and updated series is my ongoing contribution toward helping us all learn about Ultimate Events on a timely basis.

“On World Water Day 2026, let’s explore the critical relationship between water, women, and gender equality.”

“From the very first concept through every frame in post, we had the privilege of shaping this story alongside the Tennessee Titans. It’s about grit, hard work, and the lifelong devotion that bonds father to son and fan to team.”

Cutters Studios is the international creative company that provides top-tier production, post-production and creative development services for causes, brands, studios, networks and agencies. Since launching in Chicago in 1980, Cutters has earned a reputation for extraordinary editing and post-production artistry. With its world-class editorial talents, family values and strong leadership, Cutters Studios now operates in top advertising markets. Through partner companies Cutters, Dictionary Films, Flavor and Another Country, Cutters Studios represents unlimited production capabilities.

“Great athletic facilities are designed for performance, but the best ones tell a story. When Northwestern University opened two new athletic facilities, they partnered with us to create an immersive digital experience worthy of the architecture.”

“This spot for the Big Game may be an action parody, but the work from dna Communications and Boehringer Ingelheim is no joke. Super grateful to the stellar team at dna Communications for the opportunity to join this playful piece with such an important message.”

“Kathryn Hahn and Derrick Henry are lucky they didn’t miss out on their trolley tour, but we’re even luckier that we didn’t miss the opportunity to hop on this Big Game spot for Oikos. Getting to play on this hilarious work with the powerhouse team at Omnicom/BBDO was a dream.”

“It’s not an illusion, it’s just the gold standard of WeatherTech. How magical to have another Super Bowl in the books with the wizards at Pinnacle. Always great to collaborate with these fine folks - thanks for asking us to jump in for a spell!”

“As ISE2026 comes to a close, I want to drop a note of thanks to all the amazing humans who are crafting meaningful experiences around the world. From watching the opening projection mapping experience by United Visual Artists, to experiencing our Fivestone Studios AI experience at Lenovo, to running through the hills around Barcelona, it was quite the week.”

The Darnell Works Agency’s quintessential zine dives back into our most historic, fascinating, and impactful collaborations. Read Issue 4: Artists now 🎨

“Latest work for the world’s leading brands and creative agencies added to Another Country’s ‘Adventures in Sound’ playlist. #SoundOn”

Lucie Schwartz: “First shoot of 2026 is officially in the can! It was an honor to spend time at Babcock Ranch, America’s first solar-powered town. We’re excited to head into post and can’t wait to share this beautiful film—and place—with you!”

“This was a fun one, no doubt! Always a special treat getting to showcase one of our hometowns, and this work for Visit Detroit was no exception. Major thanks to the wonderful team at MMGY for including us!”

“As cancel culture seeps into real life and plans are abandoned with a tap of a screen, Miller Lite is stepping in with a reminder to actually show up.”

“The Brooklyn Museum has opened Monet and Venice, the largest exhibition in New York City to focus on Claude Monet in over two decades. Running through February 1, 2026, the exhibition features 100 works by Monet and contemporaries, including 19 Venetian paintings by Monet.”

The Cutters Studios editor shares how she finds the emotional pulse of a project – and why every edit begins long before the timeline, as part of LBB’s Finely Sliced series

“Whisker, the pet-tech company behind the Litter-Robot, has decided to stop fighting one of the oldest laws of cat behavior. If a cardboard box is the only thing your cat truly wants, why not make it the hero of your holiday marketing?”

“To celebrate an eventful year, directing duo Jake Wegesin and Frankie Principe at Ambient Press release a pair of mischievous raccoons into a wintery night for some lighthearted electrical adventures.”

Unwrap the joy 🎁✨♥️ This stunning new work for Estée Lauder is out just in time to be the perfect holiday gift inspo. Special thanks to the incredible creative team at Estée Lauder and the brilliant Lacey for inviting us to be a part of this project!

Managing Partner David Perry and his colleagues from commercial production and post company Bella announce the addition of Ambient Press to their directorial roster.

Gregory brings more than two decades of global creative leadership experience to his new role, having built and led award-winning studios and campaigns for the likes of Google, PepsiCo, Ram Trucks, Hasbro, IBM, and IKEA.

The judging panel praised the efforts made at DWA to immerse themselves in the industries they serve. “Acting as a genuine partner, DWA leverages its industry credibility and broad connections to amplify its clients’ message significantly, securing authentic endorsements along the way,” highlights judge Osmaan Mahmood.

“The show opens with a series of large-scale video screens showing footage of modern-day Venice—a city that, despite the 100-plus years that have passed, looks very much like the place that Monet painted.”

“Upon entering the Museum’s fifth-floor rotunda, visitors will be greeted by an immersive installation that captures Venice’s unique atmosphere produced by Brooklyn-based design and technology studio Potion. It features film by Joan Porcel and his Venice-based Joan Porcel Studio, and an ethereal soundscape by Luther, using field recordings he captured in Venice and fragments of melodic themes drawn from his symphony. This visual and aural experience sets the stage for the visitor’s journey through Venice in the subsequent exhibition galleries.”

In this episode of The Spark, Traylor Woodall—founder & CEO of Fivestone Studios shares how mentors, hard-won failures, and a “Culture of Honor” shaped his leadership and creative philosophy. We dig into scaling teams, evolving from animation to immersive experiences, measuring impact, and protecting people while pursuing excellence.

“Such a splendiferous project for Secret that all of Cutters Studios - Dictionary Films, Cutters, Another Country, and Flavor - got to work on from production all the way through post. So much gratitution to the wonderful wizards at P&G for inviting us to Oz!”

The Nashville-based production and post company confirms new partnerships across Canada, Eastern Europe, India, Latin America and South Africa.

“Football is bigger than ever and the Latino community is leading the way 🙌🏈♥️ We’re pumped about this new work for the NFL highlighting how the game is inspiring the next generation, and growing across the globe. So much gratitude for our wonderful friends at Dentsu Creative for recruiting us on this awesome spot!”

“Why have an ordinary night, when you can make it legendary? There’s really no one better to narrate this BetMGM spot than icon and legend Jon Hamm. Major thanks to the fine folks at Highdive Advertising for including us on this one!”

Such an honor to be interviewed by the team at Bold Journey Magazine, and to have the opportunity to look backward and forward while shining some light on my superheroes. Onward and upward, friends!

Hyperquake, the independent creative strategy, branding, and experience design agency, is very proud to announce the immediate addition of Creative Director Mary Franck to its Experiences Team.

“Lights. Camera. Mayhem 🎥😈💥This just may be the most epic Mayhem yet. Thanks again to our thrill-seeking friends at Allstate for asking us to come along on this exciting ride!”

Unsplash is a website dedicated to sharing stock photography under the Unsplash license. The website claims over 100,000 contributing photographers and generates more than 9 billion photo impressions per month on their growing library of over 690,000 photos. Not only does DWA principal Roger Darnell rely often on Unsplash for spectacular stock photography, many of his own images are reaching a wide global audience through the platform.

“WARNING: A certified used car from CarBravo may result in excessive head-banging, happy dancing, and/or adoring fans🤘🕺🌹 The Usedphoria is definitely contagious, and we're here for it. Thanks so much to the incredible team at MRM for asking us to tag along on this delightful spot!”

“We loved this deep dive Ad Age took into what it takes to create a Big Game spot that truly stands out. We consider ourselves very lucky to have been a part of the journey for three of the main spots featured in the article: Jeep “Groundhog Day” (Highdive), WeatherTech “Whatever Comes Your Way” (Pinnacle), and Lay’s “Little Farmer” (Highdive).”

“SHOOT’s 65th Anniversary Issue just released, and in honor of this incredible milestone they looked to a number of industry leaders to reflect on the past, present, and future of post production - including Cutters Studios President/Managing Director, Craig Duncan!”

“We talk a lot about experience, and story, and how people feel. Often, technology is a facilitator and digital signage as a whole is a major piece of that, no longer being tied to short messages or advertising. Thanks AV Magazine for letting me contribute to the conversation.”

“We love this new work for YUMBO *almost* as much as Mindy loves her meats. A hearty thank you to the incredible team at Havas Chicago for asking us to share in this deliciously funny spot!”

The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony will be held on Sunday, September 14, 2025, and will be broadcast live on CBS. The Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Commercial is awarded to one ad each year. 2025 nominees include State Farm’s ‘Batman vs. Bateman,’ produced by Hungry Man via Highdive. Its credits include Cutters and Another Country.

Fresh off his last feature, Will Bullins, CTS-D shares his unique perspective in this original article for AV Technology Magazine.

Editorial boutique Cutters has promoted Liz Stallmeyer to head of production, and Jaye Ayres-Brown to producer for Cutters New York.

“Marking one year of partnership, Hyperquake was asked to breathe new life into Jim Stengel’s brand across his consultancy, podcast, and personal platforms.”

“Composer Joe Philips works at Cutter Studios’ Another Country, an audio post company specializing in sound design, mix, sonic branding, ADR, Foley, VO record and dialog sweetening for branded content and film. He is also creative director of the company’s Detroit studio.”

“Bella was excited to work creating video and stills assets for the ‘Books That Made Us’ campaign. This campaign promotes the long-term value of developing strong reading skills with New Worlds Reading, by leveraging real stories from the local community such as parents and kids currently enrolled in the program.”

What it takes to win the Stanley Cup has always been the same…it takes EVERYTHING 😤🔥🏒 Completely floored by how this work for NHL finals turned out. Going through hundreds of hours of footage from as far back at the early 1900s was no small task but, boy, does this make it worth it. Huge shout out to our good friends at Highdive for recruiting us again for this playoffs season!!

“We’re so proud to support Huenited Collective and the incredible students at Western Hills High School who turned a community challenge into real change. With lots of creativity and initiative, these students brought a great idea to life. Now, their very first billboard stands above their football field, serving as an important reminder of safe driving.”

“Founded in 2000, DWA has empowered creative businesses like Cutters Studios and Hyperquake by combining strategic insight with Darnell’s deep communications expertise and global perspective.”

“We are so excited to announce the addition of NYC-based director, Em Marie, to the Bella Roster. A visionary director with a strength in fashion, beauty and evocative storytelling, she infuses a fresh perspective to the Bella brand.”

“It’s time to make a certain wiseguy rodent with underworld affectations an offer he can’t refuse. And that would be extermination at the hands of Orkin professionals. Who, we’re told in DDB Chicago’s creature-filled campaign, are waaay smarter than household pests.”

“Creative director of Sonic Branding and composer for Another Country on navigating change, exploring a diverse skill set and musical heroes, as part of the Thinking in Sound series”

“Rob Churchill, VFX director, Flavor, on keeping creativity flowing, evolving technology and empowering a team as part of The VFX Factor series”

“Play SUPER together 🎮🍄⭐️ We love getting to collaborate on full circle moments, and this one featuring Paul Rudd for Nintendo Switch 2 was beyond fun. Many many thanks to the team at Leo Burnett and PXP Studios for inviting us to play!”

Corporate life is so rock and roll 🤘⚡️🎸 This star-studded spot for Workday was a wild one to work on. Shout out to the rockstars at Ogilvy for inviting us to hop on this banger!

Fivestone Studios CEO/Founder Traylor Woodall and Hyperquake Executive Director of Creative Technology Will Bullins joined industry leaders worldwide to contribute their insights for AV Magazine’s March/April issue cover story on Experiences.

“Today is International Women's Day. A day to celebrate women's achievements and advocate for gender equality. We recognize our women on staff Jennifer Bonior, Leslie Kleine, Erin O’Barr, Rockie Britzmann, Rachel Fleming, Erin O’Hara, and Amanda Dillingham for all their efforts and talents that make Fivestone a better place, everyday!”

“Known for fostering a collaborative environment, Grady has cultivated a culture where creativity thrives alongside efficient project management. In this exclusive interview, she shares insights on managing production, nurturing client relationships, adapting to industry trends, and defining success.”

“Another Country’s sound designer and mixer Peter Erazmus discusses tips and tricks while working on Big Game ads for Lay’s, MSC Cruise Lines, WeatherTech and more”

“Having Luvy Delgado and Will Bullins onboard continues Hyperquake’s trajectory of adding iconic, industry-leading talents to fortify our core operations. With our growing roster of super-friends, we are fully prepared to conceive and deliver integrated immersive experiences of the absolute highest order for our clients.”

“A Rock County native has played a crucial role in multiple award-winning Super Bowl ads, and he hopes to do it again this year. Grant Gustafson, a managing editor at Cutters Studios in Chicago, has spent years perfecting his craft. The Beloit-born editor has been creating high-profile commercials for decades, including some of the most memorable Super Bowl spots.”

“What an amazing week at ISE2025! There were so many takeaways, new connections, and experiences but here are a few highlights I walked away with...”

Bella's supervising producer on the importance of preparation, mentorship and her time as an art director as part of the 'Meet Your Makers' series.

Life doesn’t come with an owner’s manual – you have to write your own. And no one knows this better than Harrison Ford. Since 1941, each rugged Jeep Brand vehicle has been built for those who tell their own story. Whether it’s the legendary Jeep Wrangler or the all-new, all-electric Jeep Recon, our SUV’s embody strength, spirit and above all the freedom to explore. Now, get out there and write your owner’s manual.

Design agency Hyperquake has created the logo and branding for The Brain Tumor Institute at Mayfield. The new initiative is being spearheaded by the Mayfield Education & Research Foundation, an affiliate of Mayfield Brain & Spine, which is said to be one of America’s premier independent neurosurgery practices.