Publicis Media U.S. has acquired Picture Motion, a social impact and cause marketing company that develops campaigns and leads marketing initiatives for films, TV and other entertainment, including news and media.
Picture Motion will further strengthen Publicis Media’s existing content capabilities and sit within specialty entertainment division Publicis Media Content & Innovation (PMCI). PMCI offers an end-to-end entertainment solution that includes initial concept development, strategy, distribution, monetization and promotional support. Picture Motion will drive the development of original film and television projects, collaborating with brand clients and entertainment industry partners.
Picture Motion will also work closely with PMCI’s Inclusion Investment Fund, which helps find and fund content that amplifies diverse voices. With the addition of Picture Motion, Publicis Media clients will be able to explore integrations in already produced content and work with creators to develop new material.
Picture Motion CEO Brian Walker will join Publicis Media, reporting to Eric Levin, as Picture Motion CEO. Co-founder Christie Marchese will join Publicis Media as EVP, Entertainment Partnerships, also reporting to Levin, while maintaining other roles outside the company including as CEO of distribution service Kinema.
“Brian and Christie’s dedication and expertise in the world of film creation and distribution is inspiring. We’re lucky to have them, along with the rest of Picture Motion’s talented staffers, as part of PMCI Entertainment and the broader Publicis family. Together, we have a truly breakthrough offering in the ever-evolving entertainment space,” said Eric Levin, chief content officer at Publicis Media.
Picture Motion’s CEO Brian Walker and co-founder Christie Marchese said, “We are thrilled to join Publicis Media. Their growing studio work and commitment to multicultural storytelling align perfectly with our mission to elevate stories from diverse voices and drive audiences through innovative strategies and activations.”
Founded in 2012 by Christie Marchese and Wendy Cohen, Picture Motion has helped some of the world’s leading storytellers, studios, brands and nonprofits amplify their content and mobilize key communities and changemakers to drive impact beyond the credits.
Clients have ranged from nonprofits to brands to studios, including projects for Apple, Disney, Hulu, CNN, HBO, National Geographic, Warner Brothers Discovery, Springhill Company, Hello Sunshine, Patagonia, Qualtrics, Global Fund for Women and PBS. Picture Motion has executed campaigns for over 400 groundbreaking films, TV series, news and media works reaching millions through screenings, digital engagement and educational content and experiences. Picture Motion also drove impact strategies for recent films including American Fiction (Amazon Studios), Origin (NEON), Fire of Love (National Geographic), LFG (HBO), Summer of Soul (Disney), Free Solo (National Geographic), 13TH (Netflix), Till (Universal Pictures), The Problem with Jon Stewart S2 (Apple TV) and Creed III (MGM Pictures).
