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The Brandcenter to Super Bowl pipeline
This Brandcenter duo has experienced a meteoric rise since graduating last year. | Photo via Alex Ward and Boyan Zlatarski
Mama, we made it. Two newly minted VCU Brandcenter grads will be on the big screen this Super Bowl Sunday. Or at least their ad will be.
Expect appearances from filmmaker Spike Lee, retired NFL player Marshawn Lynch, global creator iShowSpeed, professional golfer Akshay Bhatia, and several Olympian icons.
About the VCU alums
After earning diplomas, it didn’t take long for Art Director Alex Ward and Copywriter Boyan Zlatarski to secure their footing.
Executive Director Vann Graves concluded the 2025 ceremony with, “Today marks the end of your time at the Brandcenter, but it’s just the beginning of your time to create impact in this world.”
Photo via VCU Brandcenter
“Winning a project this big just six months after graduating from VCU Brandcenter definitely wasn’t on our bingo cards,” Ward and Zlatarski told RICtoday. “But the rigorous prep we got in Richmond gave us a solid production foundation, and the confidence to learn on the fly.”
Plus, we suspect rats might have had something to do with the students’ sudden rise...We’ll explain.
Richmond Spiders Men’s Basketball vs. George Mason Patriots | 7-9 p.m. | Robins Center | $15+ | The University of Richmond men’s basketball team will take on the George Mason Patriots at the Robins Center next Tuesday. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m., with a “Mutts Gone Nuts” halftime show.*
The Downtown Short Pump center, anchored by Regal Cinemas and Barnes & Noble, sold for $31.5 million to a local buyer. The site hasn’t traded hands since an early $33 million deal in 2003. We’ll keep an eye out for developing site plans.(BizSense)
Open
Local Reddit users are vouching for the newly opened Vietnamese restaurant D’Annam. The eatery opened earlier this week in the Dumbarton area, and Reddit user @threecolorless already said, “This is my new go-to pho place.” Check out the menu.
Try This
Learn some hip-hop, K-pop, and line-dancing moves at The Valentine’s upcoming Dancing for Everyone series with Richmond Urban Dance. You can RSVP to three Sunday afternoon classes, Feb. 8, Feb. 22, and March 8. Here’s a closer look at this weekend’s hip-hop class. P.S. It’s free.
Read
Think ahead to warmer days. The Henrico Parks and Rec Spring + Summer Digest is out, packed with community programming, sports leagues, summer camps, and outdoor gatherings. Keep scrolling for a few that caught our eye.
Edu
VCU master’s student Emily Schreer is working on a thesis project about biking in Richmond, and she’s seeking perspectives from folks in the local scene. Think you can help?Read more about Schreer’s research meet-ups on Sunday, Feb. 22, and Saturday, Feb. 28, or email her directly.
Health
Worried about bone health during menopause? Dr. Emily Stone from Virginia Physicians for Women breaks down why strength training matters, whether weighted vests are enough, and shares her favorite podcasts to help you get started. Learn more + protect your bones.*
Read
AI won’t take over the world — people who know how to use AI will. That’s why 1M+ pros working at Google, Meta, and OpenAI read Superhuman AI. Join now and learn AI skills, tools, and news in just three minutes a day. Subscribe for free.*
Try This
Level up your play with Virginia Lottery Rewards. It’s simple: Log in or sign up and start earning points you can redeem for free Lottery games — online or in-store. That’s play that pays back.*
Anyone else miss the Richmond postcard mural on Broad? Before you get too sad and reminiscent, the original artist is looking to recreate the landmark piece. All they need is a new wall.
It’s almost time for the perfect holiday to tell your friends how you feel: Galentine’s Day. Treat the bestie in your life to a February 13 gift that says, I’m grateful for you.
🍻 When did Terry O’Neill first open Penny Lane Pub?
O’Neill has been at the helm of Penny Lane Pub since 1979, and 54% of you can proudly tip your local trivia hats. We bet you’ll learn a lot more lore at the pub’s debut documentary screening this weekend.
The six-month pipeline from Brandcenter graduation to working with Spike Lee for a Super Bowl ad is hard to fathom. I was at that graduation ceremony, and I still can’t track it. In case you missed the link earlier, you can watch the commercial now or tune in this Sunday to catch it on air.
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