JIM MANERA
J. James Manera - Writer/Director/Poducer
Current news: Director/Writer/Producer “Lombardi” The feature film, starring John Travolta 2013)
2009 – 2011 “ON RECORD – The Soundtrack of our lives”
A 10-part Documentary Series for PBS/Sony World-wide release in 2011.
J. James Manera – Co-Executive Producer and Director
Sir George Martin – Partner, Creative consultant, talent.
Manera Directed and Produced interviews and performances to name a few: Afrika Bambaataa, BB King, Baskhar Menon, Bonnie Raitt, Brian Eno, Chuck D., Cosimo Matassa, Darryl McDanials, Dave Mason, Eddie Kramer, Frankie Valli, George Massenburg, Gustavo Santaolalla, Herbie Hancock, Imogen Heap, Gamble & Huff, Jack White, James Burton, Jim Keltner, Jimmy Jam, Lemont Dozier, Phil Q, Robbie Robertson, Robby Krieger, Smokey Robinson, Sir Elton John, Vince Gill, Willie Nelson.
History and Background
10 years in the advertising agency business, beginning as a writer at the Chicago-based Leo Burnett Company under Norman Muse and leaving 4 years later as an ACD, then working at Tatham/Chicago and SF as a Creative Director, where Manera pitched the new business that built the agency there.
Manera was recruited to DDB under Kieth Reinhardt as a Creative Director to oversee the Anheuser Busch brands and American Dairy Farmers accounts, ending his agency run there as a GCD for Anheuser Busch family of Beers.
He has overseen and was responsible for more than 50 advertising accounts and started the in-house production company, “Zone One” at DDB, where he created and directed work for DDB clients successfully.
He began directing full time in 1989 when he moved to Malibu California as a Director merging into The Bedford Falls company. Manera was a co-creator and directed the long running “Like a Rock” campaign for Chevy trucks, as well as authored other successful National commercial campaigns for a variety of advertising agencies.
While in the agency business, Manera was credited as a Writer/producer on: (HOF) The Allman Brothers, (HOF) Dave Mason, Leon Russell, The Neville Brothers, The Temptations, Nick Lowe, Taj Mahal, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Frank Sinatra and numerous blues artists.
Directorial Achievements/Awards
- 24 Clio Awards
- 8 International Awards (including 2 Cannes festival awards, The 2004 IBA Awards Show’s “Best Commercial in the World”, “Best in Show” and Best of 3 Categories)
- 22 USA Aurora Awards – both of which were “Platinum Best in Show” awards, 3 Gold Caddy Awards, including, “Best in Show” in three categories
- 14 US Andy Awards
- 5 Canadian Bessie Awards, including, “Best in Show” and “Best in category”, in which James directed Alan Arkin in a 5-spot package for Moosehead beer
- 3 USA One-Show Awards
Notable highlights
- CBS’s “Nash Bridges” (season 1)
- Second Unit Director and ‘B’-camera operator for the Paramount Pictures’, “Indecent Proposal”
- On Eternity Pictures’ “Body Shot”, Directed Second Unit
- Showrunner/director - 30-minute Pilot/drama for Comcast Network entitled, “The Sum of Us”
- Director/writer - Sony webisodes for broadcast worldwide via the Internet, Network TV, theaters
- Directed/Produced ABC’s Fall Network Promo (2011).
- Manera Produced independent documentary film for late 2013 release entitled, “Festifull Summer”
- Writer/director “The Red Blanket” - a worldwide independent film that he will direct on location in Spain 2014
Outdoor Career
- Outward-bound survival instructor
- United States Eagle Rugby player
- Wrestling
Manera earned awards for his years as an athlete, winning numerous Ohio State golf championship tournaments, which led to a full ride offer at Bowling Green State University.
Manera began a Rugby career that led to his playing for the United States Eagles rugby team; ending his career on the field against the South African Springboks in 1982.