Zack McDonald
Lexington
I'm one of those monkeys who tries to figure out what is important and tell others.
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Articles by Zack McDonald
Chaos x Magic del caos y la curiosidad surge la chispa
Ayuda Buscar en la ayuda Buscar en la ayuda Chaos x Magic del caos y la curiosidad surge la chispa Autores: Javier Pérez Rey (entrev.), Zack McDonald (entrevistado), Nils-Petter Lövgren Lóvgren (entrevistado) Localización: Ctrl: control & strategias, ISSN 1578-4967, Nº. 738 (Diciembre), 2025, págs.
Cannes Lions owner Ascential sells to Informa for £1.2 bn
Ascential plc, the owner of the Cannes Lions and Money20/20 businesses, has accepted a £1.2 billion cash offer from the UK events and academic publisher, Informa plc. This was announced alongside Informa’s first-half results on 24 July, where it was revealed that the recommended offer values each Ascential share at 568 pence. Stephen A.
Why purpose is still showing up at Cannes
Purpose was once again rightly on the agenda at Cannes Lions, with 66% of Grand Prix or Titanium Award winners containing a purposeful brand action, up 4% from the year before. Despite this, there was perhaps less of the fevered debate of previous festivals about the role of purpose. This year the discussion was about unlocking the value of purpose and the need for it to be part of both the company culture and the marketing mindset.
Did the women win this year at Cannes?
That’s over 26,000 chances to accurately reflect the world we live in and the people who live in it. But did that happen? We’ve all seen the data or at least read the headlines earlier this year. That conversations around women’s equality have gone ‘far enough’. That progress around better representation has stalled. And women, and men, still don’t feel truly represented in the advertising they see around them. So, what happens now?
Popping our Cannes cherry
We originally decided to head to Cannes to see what all the fuss was about and the excitement certainly lives up to the hype. One of the highlights was an inspiring session on empowering women in the workforce, hosted by She Runs It. Appropriately titled ‘Best of the badass bosses’, it featured strong female leadersdiscussing support, fearlessness, self-care, boundaries, and leadership and started with a meditation by Deepak Chopra.
Cannes Lions 2024: the Grand Prix winners
The 71st edition of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity came to an end on 21 June. Below, we have compiled a list of all the Grand Prix winners across all 32 categories from the industry’s most prestigious awards.
10 must-attend sessions at the Cannes Lions Creativity Festival
The Cannes Lions Creativity Festival is just around the corner. To both enhance the excitement of Cannes and shed some light for those who might get lost in the busy schedule, I have compiled a list of standout sessions from this year’s program for MediaCat readers. Could an advertorial brief turn into an Oscar-nominated art-house film idea? You probably didn’t think so, did you? But if we look at the story of Perfect Days, it’s quite possible.
The News Movement becomes Young Lions’ official media partner
On 10 June, Cannes Lions announced The News Movement — the social-first publisher and creative studio — as the official media partner for the Young Lions competitions. This is the publisher’s first collaboration of this kind, and its journalists will be tasked with sharing the competitors’ stories and behind-the-scenes content from the festival.
Cannes Lions names Unilever Creative Marketer of the Year
On 13 May, the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity announced Unilever as the 2024 Creative Marketer of the Year. Owning 400 brands around the globe, Unilever is known as one of the world’s largest consumer goods companies. This is not the first time that Unilever has been named Creative Marketer of the Year, with Cannes Lions initially awarding it the honour in 2010. Since then, the company has received hundreds of Lions across its brands.
Cannes Lions reveals 2024 Jury Presidents
The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity has announced the 2024 Jury Presidents and has opened its portal for this year’s awards submissions. Among the global experts confirmed to lead the juries is Apple’s VP of Marketing and Communications, Tor Myhren, who will serve as the Film Lions Jury President — the first time Apple has been represented.
McDonald's and Jung von Matt shine light on Para Sport athletes
A new campaign marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities from McDonald’s Germany and Jung von Matt SPORTS advocates for greater visibility in Para sports by portraying ‘invisible’ feats of athleticism. We the (in)visible showcases sports moments without the performing athletes: a basketball sails across a court by itself; a splash appears in a pool without the swimmer diving in; a scoreboard flickers in front of empty stands.
Download Festival welcomes Liquid Death as first-ever headline partner
Beverage company Liquid Death will be the first headline partner for Download Festival 2024 — the UK’s biggest rock and metal festival. This is the first time the festival, which runs from 14-26 June 2024, will have a headline partner in its 21-year history. Liquid Death and Download first partnered in 2023, with Liquid Death joining the festival as a still and sparkling water partner. Festivalgoers drank more than double the amount of water than the year before.
Cannes Lions to introduce the Luxury & Lifestyle Lions
The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity has announced the launch of the Luxury & Lifestyle Lions, providing a global benchmark for brands in the luxury space. The Luxury & Lifestyle Lions will recognise the most impactful creative work, experiences and creative business solutions for the luxury and lifestyle sector.
Most creative businesses of Cannes Lions 2023 revealed in new report
The 2023 LIONS Creativity Report, which ranks the most creative businesses in the world based on their performance at the 2023 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, has been released. The report features company rankings, trends and themes from the winning work, along with insights, analysis and interviews with Lions Jurors and Lion-winning creators. Taking the top spot for Creative Company of the Year was Omnicom for its Newspapers Inside the Newspaper campaign.
Channel 4.0 launches first branded series and e-commerce campaign with e.l.f. - MediaCat
Channel 4.0, Channel 4’s digital-first strand for YouTube, is launching its first ever social branded series Ready or Not?! and first ever e-commerce campaign with e.l.f. Cosmetics. Ready or Not?! sees content creator Adeola Patronne and special guests dive headfirst into unfamiliar worlds of work while expressing their true selves through style, makeup, and skincare.
Pinterest’s CMO Andréa Mallard: positive corners and wellbeing
In June Pinterest announced that it became the first social media platform to sign The Inspired Internet Pledge, a call to action for technology companies to make the internet a safer and healthier place. On a sunny day at Cannes Lions, we sat down with Pinterest’s CMO, Andréa Mallard, to discuss the nature of the platform, the negative impacts of social media and Pinterest’s recent commitment to creating a positive corner for the internet.
Havas acquires majority stake in Uncommon Creative Studio
French agency network Havas has announced that it acquired a majority stake of 51% in the London-based agency Uncommon Creative Studio, with agency founders Natalie Graeme, Lucy Jameson and Nils Leonard retaining the 49% material stake. The all-cash deal puts the valuation of the agency over £100m. The acquisition brings Uncommon within the Havas Creative network and strengthens Havas’ presence in the UK market.
Does anyone feel grown up anymore?
When I was in year 10… My school organized a ‘Take Your Child to Work’ day. I dressed up in my smartest skirt, packed into an overcrowded tube carriage and followed my father to his law firm in the heart of the city. My dad spent the day enthusiastically introducing me to his colleagues and trying to explain some of the finer points of copyright law.
Cannes Lions 2023: comedy, sport and creative independence
I was happily surprised to see many, many great comedy moments at this year’s Cannes Lions. I’m also happy to report that my first ever appearance on stage at the Palais wasn’t one of them. Below are a few themes and topics that I found exciting. Maybe you will too. Comedy for real Maybe we’re ready to laugh again. Or maybe the festival was trying to play down its recent reputation after so much focus on corporate purpose and social responsibility.
Cannes Contenders: Sweden
I'm very biased on this one but I think the world needs an H&M and Pete Davidson collaboration right now. It's brilliantly directed by Tim Godsall. A reminder how much fun a thirty second spot can be if you do it right.
Frankfort man sentenced to 70 years for child molestation
By ZACK McDONALD, The State Journal FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) - A Frankfort man convicted of repeatedly sexually abusing a 7-year-old girl over the course of almost a year was sentenced Friday to the maximum punishment allowed by state law. Travis A. Durrum, 31, was sentenced by Circuit Judge Thomas Wingate to spend seven decades in prison. Durrum has been in custody since July 2018 in connection with the abuse of the girl that spanned from Oct. 1, 2016, to Nov. 13, 2017.
Michigan murder suspect sentenced on Frankfort drug charges
A Michigan man who fled to Franklin County while wanted on a murder charge in his home state has been sentenced to three years in prison for crimes he committed while laying low. Martez Deneal Ford, 35, pleaded guilty Friday to first-degree possession of heroin, first offense, and tampering with physical evidence, both Class D felonies. He had been wanted for allegedly killing a man in Detroit and setting his body ablaze to destroy the evidence.
Durrum sentenced to 70 years for child molestation
A Frankfort man convicted of repeatedly sexually abusing a 7-year-old girl over the course of almost a year was sentenced Friday to the maximum punishment allowed by state law. Travis A. Durrum, 31, was sentenced by Circuit Judge Thomas Wingate to spend seven decades in prison. Durrum has been in custody since July 2018 in connection with the abuse of the girl that spanned from Oct. 1, 2016, to Nov. 13, 2017. A Franklin County jury convicted Durrum in June and suggested an 80-year sentence.
Citizens weigh in on plans for Second Street revitalization
Truck access, parking, public art and one property dispute arose during the first public hearing on preliminary plans for a $12 million overhaul of the roadway and streetscape of a major downtown corridor. Frankfort city commissioners held a special meeting Thursday about the project, which is largely funded by a federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant.
Sex offender and man passed out in fast food parking lot among indictments
A sex offender from Texas who relocated to Franklin County and a Frankfort man accused of passing out from heroin use in a Taco Bell parking lot were among the subjects of Tuesday’s grand jury proceedings. David F. Daniel Jr., 47, of Lexington, and David J. Hersh, 35, of Frankfort, were indicted in Franklin County Circuit Court. Daniel faces charges of failure to comply with sex offender registration, second or greater offense, a Class C felony. He is no longer in custody, jail records indicate.
Singing Bridge inspection
As any 126 year old should, the Singing Bridge got a checkup Tuesday. The bridge that connects south Frankfort to downtown closed about half the day to vehicle traffic due to its annual inspection from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Pedestrians were still able to cross at all times. Officials said the inspection was a routine annual inspection of the Singing Bridge’s integrity. “It’s 126 years old, so you got to take a look at it frequently,” said Keith Buckout, spokesman for KYTC.
Frankfort seeks more package store licenses after running dry
As Frankfort considers an ordinance that would ease restrictions on open alcoholic containers downtown during designated hours, city commissioners have approved a request that would allow for more package stores per capita in the city. The commission voted unanimously Monday to file a request with the Kentucky Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (ABC) for an increase in “quota licenses” within the city limits for businesses to sell bottled liquor and bottled wine.
Preliminary plans unveiled for Second Street revitalization; city commission to discuss Thursday
Frankfort city commissioners will have a special meeting Thursday to review preliminary roadway and streetscape plans for a more than $12 million overhaul of a major downtown corridor. Citizens will have a chance to view the preliminary plans in the back hallway of City Hall from 3:30 p.m. Thursday until the start of the special meeting at 5 p.m., then have the chance to speak to the commission with comments, questions or concerns.
City commission modifies property rehabilitation grant programs
City commissioners agreed Monday to restructure two reinvestment grant programs, allowing a larger payback for low-income residents looking to rehabilitate their properties. However, the amount of funding for the programs will initially be much less than it has been in previous years. The Frankfort City Commission voted to restructure the Downtown Reinvestment Grant by a 5-0 vote and the Neighborhood Reinvestment Grant by a 4-0 vote.
Frankfort police officer pleads guilty to gasoline theft
A Frankfort Police Department officer has pleaded guilty to criminal charges of stealing about $27,000 in gasoline from the city to fuel lawn equipment and his personal vehicle. Former Officer Rick Tucker appeared in Franklin County Circuit Court on Friday afternoon to hear the charge and enter the plea.
FOCUS: Frankfort could tap reserve funds for $1 million as pension costs increase
The city will be looking at dipping into its reserves for as much as $1 million in the current budget year, partly due to increasing pension costs. But despite incrementally increasing pension contributions over the next several years, city officials say they are not concerned about depleting the almost $15 million reserve. The topic arose at the city commission’s last meeting with a presentation from Finance Director Jennifer Jenkins.
KSP sees encouraging turnout for first 'Recruitment Open House'
As the Kentucky State Police drone launched hundreds of feet into the air, 7-year-old Wayne Casey’s eyes grew large. KSP Lt. Hunter Martin explained that the drone is used to investigate crashes or search for missing people while saving money that would have been spent to have a helicopter do the same job. However, the only thing Wayne wanted to hear was when it would be his turn to man the controls. “It was so cool,” Wayne said excitedly after his first time piloting a drone.
Alabama man indicted for 'radar' theft, near crash with off-duty officer
An Alabama man faces charges that he stole a $22,000 radar from a former employer and almost crashed into an off-duty officer while hauling the equipment through Frankfort toward his home state. Authorities also suspect alcohol was involved in the incident, but toxicology tests are pending. Robert R. Callison, of Boaz, Alabama, was indicted Tuesday by a grand jury in Franklin County Circuit Court.
Private medical company denies role alleged in inmate death lawsuit
A private company contracted to provide medical services at the Franklin County Regional Jail has denied allegations in a lawsuit arising from the death of an inmate, including claims that the company “fabricated” documents after the man’s death. Southern Health Partners, a Chattanooga, Tennessee-based company, filed its response Tuesday to the federal lawsuit filed by relatives of 21-year-old Dylan Stratton. He was found dead in his jail cell Jan.
FPB scraps reservoir media campaign, moves forward on electrical car chargers
Frankfort Plant Board members decided Tuesday to ditch their media campaign for a Tanglewood reservoir replacement but took a step toward installing electrical vehicle charging stations in the city. Directors voted 4-1 to stop airing a cable and social media campaign that promoted the municipal utility’s preferred option for a new reservoir and asserted its independence from city government.
Richmond man indicted in Franklin County bleach attack
A Richmond man has been indicted on felony charges after a domestic incident turned into what was tantamount to close-quarters chemical warfare, according to officials. Arthur Redford, 40, was indicted by a grand jury Tuesday in Franklin County Circuit Court. He was arrested Aug. 12 after a domestic altercation at a Franklin County apartment complex led to Redford's allegedly pouring bleach on his significant other and her mother while he was being pepper-sprayed by one of the women.
Former FCRJ deputy chief named in excessive force lawsuit
A former Franklin County Regional Jail inmate has filed a lawsuit claiming he was struck, had human waste rubbed in his face and was subjected to physical pain by a former chief deputy jailer who retired last year amid unrelated allegations of sexual misconduct. Zachary T. Harrod, 33, filed a lawsuit Aug. 14 in federal court against former FCRJ Chief Deputy Kelly Rouse.
Western Kentucky man pleads guilty to traveling to meet minors for sex
A western Kentucky man who traveled to Frankfort with hopes of meeting two minors for a sexual encounter faces three years in prison. Michael Shane Stewart, 45, pleaded guilty Friday to several felonies. He was taken into custody in May after driving almost three hours from his home in Sacramento, Kentucky, to meet who he thought would be 15- and 17-year-old females. Stewart now faces a combined three years in prison when he is sentenced Oct. 18 by Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd.
Armed standoff suspect sentenced to 13 years in prison
The subject of an armed standoff at a Frankfort mobile home park earlier this year has been sentenced to more than a decade in prison. Johnson, Joey Joey W. Johnson, 46, pleaded guilty Friday to several charges related to the hours-long armed standoff in February at Capital Mobile Home Park, 5134 Georgetown Road, in which police say he held a woman at gunpoint against her will. For violating probation during the incident, Johnson was sentenced to a combined 13 years’ incarceration.
Man who drove alleged gunman to scene of fatal shooting accepts plea deal
Editor's note: This caption in the photo with this story was updated at 10:43 a.m. Thursday to state that Derek Garten was not the father of Margaret "Meg" Smith's son. A Midway man has been released from custody after pleading guilty to driving a man to the scene of a fatal shooting and then driving him to dispose of the alleged murder weapon. Billy Jo Turner, 38, pleaded guilty Wednesday to reduced charges in the case.
State office building named after historic Frankfort African American school
By ZACK McDONALD, Frankfort State-Journal FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) - The future home of about 1,500 state workers now has a name. Finance and Administration Cabinet officials hosted a naming ceremony Tuesday for the building at 500 Mero St. previously known as simply “the new state office building.” A few dozen people waited in anticipation during a presentation by Secretary William Landrum III called “honoring the past, moving to the future” for the unveiling.
State office building named after historic Frankfort African American school
By ZACK McDONALD, Frankfort State-Journal FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) - The future home of about 1,500 state workers now has a name. Finance and Administration Cabinet officials hosted a naming ceremony Tuesday for the building at 500 Mero St. previously known as simply “the new state office building.” A few dozen people waited in anticipation during a presentation by Secretary William Landrum III called “honoring the past, moving to the future” for the unveiling.
Frankfort Plant Board files for summary judgment in Tanglewood lawsuit
Frankfort Plant Board attorneys have laid out their legal case for why plans to replace the controversial Tanglewood reservoir should go forward. FPB recently filed a 170-page motion for summary judgment on the remaining count of its lawsuit against the Frankfort/Franklin County Planning Commission.
DFI embraces task of master plan implementation
Downtown Frankfort Inc. has accepted the torch of the Downtown Master Plan. DFI board members met Tuesday for the first time since inheriting responsibility for the plan's implementation from a dissolved committee of city and county leaders. DFI will continue the legwork of community engagement and implementation of the desired master plan for downtown, and will recommend how $150,000 in city funds will be prioritized for the work. DFI board members seemed up to the task.
State office building named after historic Frankfort African American school
The future home of about 1,500 state workers now has a name. Finance and Administration Cabinet officials hosted a naming ceremony Tuesday for the building at 500 Mero St. previously known as simply “the new state office building.” A few dozen people waited in anticipation during a presentation by Secretary William Landrum III called “honoring the past, moving to the future” for the unveiling.
Durrum denied retrial on molestation conviction
A Frankfort man facing 80 years in prison for sexually abusing a 7-year-old girl won’t be getting a second chance to plead his case in Franklin County Circuit Court. Judge Thomas Wingate has denied a request from Travis A. Durrum for a new trial. Durrum, 30, had argued that the prosecution’s closing arguments bolstered the credibility of the child and unduly influenced the jury’s decision to convict him of several sex crimes and recommend he serve an 80-year sentence. Wingate disagreed.
FOCUS: $95k and rising - Legal fees mount in Tanglewood reservoir dispute
A hundred thousand dollars can buy a lot. From a cursory internet search, that amount of money can purchase a franchise for a Caribbean cruise agency, a high-end water jet pack, Kobe Bryant’s NBA championship rings from 2000 or even an entire private island off the coast of Brazil. Then again, it could pay for — and indeed has — a year’s worth of litigation over an almost century-and-a-half-old water reservoir that everybody agrees is urgently in need of replacement.
KSP continues investigation of crash that killed FCHS teacher
Kentucky State Police continue to investigate an interstate crash that claimed the life of a popular schoolteacher last month. So far, no charges have been filed in the three-car wreck, according to KSP Trooper Lloyd Cochran. Franklin County High School teacher Adam Hyatt, 38, died July 7 in the violent crash on Interstate 75 near the Kentucky-Tennessee line. He was rear-ended at about 1 p.m. while stuck in traffic and later died from injuries sustained in the crash.
'Confidential' material to be sealed in whistleblower lawsuit
Attorneys in the whistleblower lawsuit filed by a former deputy judge-executive who claimed that she was fired for exposing a hostile work environment have agreed to leave some confidential information out of the public record. It’s the most recent development in the lawsuit by Jennifer Wilson, former deputy judge-executive, against Franklin County.
Escapee to face charges of stealing car, assaulting officer
A Lawrenceburg inmate who escaped after treatment at Frankfort Regional Medical Center could face charges of assaulting an officer in connection with his means of escape, authorities said. Michael W. Townsend, 32, is in custody at the Shelby County Detention Center on numerous felonies and misdemeanors. His list of charges grew longer on Aug. 1 after he was treated at FRMC for injuries allegedly sustained in a previous attempt to flee arrest in Lawrenceburg.
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