Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 16 June 2000 — Page 29
FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2000 ■ PAGE D1
INSIDE*D*SECTION*CLASSIFIED*REAL ESTATE
Jaguar partners with Spike Lee Special to The Recorder NEW YORK — Jaguar North America has announced the formation of a marketing partnership with 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks Inc., headed by Academy Award nominated movie director Spike Lee. Under the agreement, the 40 Acres and a Mule organization will create marketing communications aimed at broadening the appeal of Jaguar cars to a more diverse customer base. The initial product of the new relationship, an eight-minute short film depicting how Jaguar automobiles complement the lifestyle of a young and successful African-American couple, premiered on the Jaguar stand at the New York International Auto Show. “As we grow the Jaguar Film director Spike Lee (center) prepares for the production of a Jaguar short film. business, we need to have the ability to communicate to a new, broader range of customers,” said Mike O’Driscoll, executive vice president. Jaguar North America. “Our partnership with Spike Lee’s team gives Jaguar a new edge to its communications. It is allowing us to translate the style and passion of the marquee in a more relevant way to a more diverse customer,” continued O’Driscoll. Filmed at locations ranging from Harlem’s landmark block Striver’s Row, to the picturesque beaches of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, “The Harlem to Martha’s Vineyard Special" short film presents a telling vignette of contemporary full-to-capacity lifestyles. “What makes this partnership an ideal match is Jaguar’s clear understanding that the company’s image must expand in other directions to succeed with their coming products,” says Spike Lee, who personally directed the filming. “We are very fortunate to be given this unique opportunity to go be- An actress has makeup applied to appear in Spike Lee film for Jaguar. yond the usual 30-second commercial.” The selection of 40 Acres and a Mule as Jaguar North America’s minority marketing partner was based Worldwide. on a formal agency search, which included creative presenta- A shorter, four-minute version of the film will be available tions. On issues of brand strategy and media planning. 40 for viewing on www.jaguar.com/us/spikelee. Jaguar North Acres and a Mule Filmworks Inc., will coordinate efforts with America will use copies of the full eight-minute, and shorter Jaguar’s longstanding advertising agency, Ogilvy & Mather four-minute film in forthcoming marketing and communications programs.
BUSINESS BRIEFS
Eclipse Creative appoints Fugh as director of client services Eric Longs, president and executive producer of Eclipse Creative announced the appointment of Kelly D. Fugh, Farmington Hills, to the position of director of client services at Eclipse Creative, (EC). Eclipse Creative is a Detroit based corporate communications firm specializing in film/ video and business theater communications for the financial and health care industries. Fugh is responsible for account management and marketing for new business develop-
ment.
Prior to joining Eclipse Creative, Fugh was director, events and community relations for LovioGeorge Inc., Detroit. A resident of Farmington Hills, Fugh is a graduate of Wayne State University and has a B.A. degree in public rela-
tions.
Founded in 1996, Eclipse Creative, has grown over 50 percent annually. In 1999, the
Kelly D. Fugh
firm posted sales of $1.5 million and expects sales of $2
million in 2000.
Eclipse Creative is a minor-ity-owned corporate communications firm specializing in film/video and business theater communications for the. financial and health care industries.
Gerald Roberts joins Bose McKinney & Evans UP
Gerald Roberts has joined the Indianapolis-based law firm of Bose McKinney & Evans LLP as an associate in the Intellectual Property Practice Group. Roberts received his t.D. degree cum laude from Indiana University School of Law, Indianapolis and his B.S. degree in electrical engineering from Rose-Huiman Institute of Technology. He has worked at Allison Engine Co. in a variety of positions including senior project engineer. Roberts is admitted to the State Bar of Indiana, the United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana and the U.S. Patent Bar. Bose McKinney & Evans provides a full-range of legal services to the public sector and to the local, national, international and high-tech business
Gerald Roberta communities. The firm’s offices are located in downtown Indianapolis and at Keystone at the Crossing. The firm’s Web address is*www.boselaw.com.
Workers around world gear up for summer vacation
Special to The Recorder .Traditionally, summertime means vacation time for millions of employees worldwide, and this year should be no exception. However, this custom brings to light one distinct global difference: Many employees around the world enjoy more time off than U.S. workers — in some cases, nearly three times more. This difference in time off results from U.S. companies determining vacation time based on length of service, while in other countries vacation time often is mandated by law, regardless of length of service, according to Hewitt Associates, a global management consulting firm. For example, most Americanemployers (82 percent) provide at least two weeks of vacation to salaried exempt employees after one year of service. After five years, the majority of employers (75 percent) Offer three weeks or more, and after 15 years, 87 percent of employers provide at least four weeks of paid time off, comparable to time^off policies in many European countries. ; “Jn most cases, U.S. employ-
u « 8 H H
ees reaching 15 or more years of service are awarded time-off allowances that are similar to those mandated by the government in other countries for all employees, regardless of tenure,” said Ann Leeds, a Hewitt consultant specializing in glo-
bal benefit practices. “With that in mind, several U.S. .employers are beginning to . offer larger paid time-off alIdwances and increased flexibility, as a way to recruit and retain quality employ-
ees.”
According to Hewitt, a growing number of
Traditionally, aummertime means vacation time for millions of employees worldwide, and this year should be no exception. However, this custom brings to light one distinct global difference: Many employees around the world enjoy more time off than U.S. workers — in some cases, nearly three times
more.
employers offer a “bonus” week of vacation time to employees who reach certain milestone anni-
versaries, such as 20 years. There’s also a greater number of employers (15 percent) allowing for the purchase (and sometimes sale) of additional paid vacation time beyond that earned through service. Typically, these employers
permit up to five days for either buying or selling time. Additionally, 8 percent of employers make no distinction between sick leave and vacation time, rolling all days into a single pool called a paid timeoff “bank.”
Even
with flexible rangements, U.S.
paid time-off allowances can’t match those of other countries that are subject to government
mandate. Although some employers choose to supplement prescribed standards, mandated vacation allowances can be quite generous — in some cases a month or mote after an employee's first anniversary. In addition to paid vacations, employers in certain countries are required to provide a cash “vacation bonus,” which usually equals one-half to one month’s pay. Meanwhile in the U.S., there are a number of workers leaving their jobs without first lining up another position (approximately 13 percent of the unemployed workforce, according to a recent report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics). In some cases, these “job leavers" are searching for a new position with the intent of enjoying an extended time off before beginning a new job. “With such a strong economy and talent shortage in the U.S., a number of ‘job leavers’ are confident they will find a new position fitting their talents and skills very quickly," said Leeds. “However, instead of starting this job immediately, many of these professionals are opting to take a lengthy summer break, much like several of their counterparts around the world."
New American Family agent appointed
Derrick L. Gentry, who has been an Indianapolis resident for 10 years, has been appointed a fulltime agent for American Family Insurance in the Indianapolis area, according to district manager Brian Ciesil. The Gentry Agency opened an office at 2557 E. 55th Place earlier this month. Gentry is a former district manager for American Family insurance. As a top performing agent, he has won many sales awards with the company. His office is staffed with two assistants to help serve clients. To contact Gentry call (317) 255-2310.
Derrick L. Gentry
National City Bank announces new employee
National City Bank is pleased to announce the addition of Trevor Meeks-Chambliss as mortgage loan officer in Central Indiana. He will be responsible for originating mortgage loans that focus primarily on affordable housing and rehab lending. Meeks-Chambliss has seven years of mortgage banking experience. He began his career as a loan analyst with Meridian/Keystone Mortgage. He was a loan originator with Security Federal Bank and most recently was a community loan officer with Irwin Mortgage. Meeks-Chambliss received his bachelor’s degree from IUPUI and currently resides in Indianapolis.
Trevor Meeks-Chambliss
f