Award-winning editor works on Pytka-directed storytelling spots.
CHICAGO—Bob Ackerman of The Colonie has edited a package of four spots for ConAgra Foods with former Leo Burnett Creative Director Dave Linne. Producing for ConAgra was Dennis Bannon and Patrick Brennan, both formerly of Leo Burnett with Brennan coming more recently from Element79.
The first two spots were quickly finished to air on Child Hunger Ends Here, an NBC special with Al Roker about a ConAgra/Feeding America campaign to fight child hunger. One spot shows a group of kids preparing Banquet pies, Chef Boyardee pizza and other food items (all Con Agra brands) for a movie night held on the roof of their apartment building. In the other spot, a man prepares an elaborate breakfast for his wife who has just given birth. The rest of the campaign will roll out over the next several months.
“It’s always great to work with creatives skilled in making spots that are rich in dialogue and storytelling,� said Ackerman, a co-founder of The Colonie. “Having Pytka direct just makes it that much cooler. Whenever you find yourself smiling the whole time you watch dailies, you know you’re in good shape.�

Ackerman is no stranger to Pytka’s work as he has had the opportunity to cut several long-form Hallmark Hall of Fame spots through the years, including 2009’s Brother of the Bride, which won a Clio and earned an Emmy nomination.
Linne, now Senior VP of Advertising at ConAgra, has won numerous awards during his years at Leo Burnett on such accounts as Hallmark and Disney.
The Colonie, a 3-year old editorial boutique based in Chicago, has been quickly growing since Ackerman and his partners Executive Producer Mary Caddy and Editor Brian Sepanik, opened the shop in 2008. Client rosters include Draft/FCB San Francisco, Draft/FCB Chicago, Cramer-Krasselt, Leo Burnett, Cramer-Krasselt, A. Eicoff, PGA and Stern Advertising.
The Colonie is located at 610 N. Fairbanks, Chicago IL 60611. For more information, call 312.255.1234 or visit www.thecolonie.com.

Credits
Titles: Movie Night, Breakfast in Bed
Client: ConAgra
Agency: In-house. Dave Linne, creative director; Dennis Bannon and Patrick Brennan, producers.
Director: Joe Pytka
Editorial: The Colonie. Bob Ackerman, editor; Brian Salazar, assistant editor; Lyndsay McCully, design; Tom Dernulc, VFX/finish.
Audio: Optimus. Joel Anderson, mixer.
Transfer: Optimus. Craig Leffel, colorist.
Music: David Banner (Movie Night), Comma Music (Breakfast in Bed).