Brian Smego has joined Dictionary Films, Chicago-based Cutters Studios' integrated production arm, as managing director, said Cutters Studios President/Managing Director Craig Duncan.

Smego comes from Framestore, which is also based in Chicago, where he served as executive producer. Prior to that, he was executive producer at The Mill Plus for more than five years. Before joining The Mill, he spent more than 20 years in producing, including working as director of integrated production at Y&R for nine years. 

“Brian has a vast knowledge of the world of advertising production and a plethora of contacts and relationships in Chicago and across the entire industry,” Duncan said, in a statement. “He will be working closely with Head of Production Joe Kirkendall, Senior Producer Cody McGuire, Production Manager Lilly Hanson and our amazing directors to take Dictionary Films to the next level.”

“Dictionary was one of the first production arms to emerge from a post house, and I know first-hand there are amazing talents here,” Smego said, also in a statement. “Looking at the marketplace, I've seen how very rare it is to find a studio that can offer its clients such a high level of talent and service across all the varying disciplines of production, editorial, VFX and design, as well as audio. Having this kind of creative firepower at your disposal is an incredible asset.

“I'm looking forward to working with Dictionary's many gifted talents and bolstering them. There will be an emphasis on adding more underrepresented and diverse talents in the near future. Dictionary will be a growing collective of artists readily available to serve projects of all sizes. Our unique strengths will help us serve our agency and brand partners to create the highest quality work possible.”