Kinka Usher, a past DGA Award winner as Best Commercial Director of the Year, has joined the roster of Hungry Man, accompanied by his executive producer Nancy Hacohen. Usher and Hacohen come over from House of Usher which the director has shuttered so he can now fully focus on increasing his creative output with the support and collaboration of the Hungry Man team.
Usher’s first spot under the Hungry Man banner, a spot for Pepsi, is set to get underway this month. Best known for his comedy and unique visual style, Usher has directed many award-winning campaigns and Super Bowl spots for Bridgestone, Apple, Time Warner, Visa, Pepsi, and Volkswagen.
Usher has been nominated for the DGA Award several times, winning the honor as Best Commercial Director of 1998 on the strength of five entries: Sony’s “Egg” for Y&R New York; Mountain Dew’s “Michael Johnson’s World” out of BBDO NY; Miller Brewing Company’s “Cupid” for Fallon McElligott, Minneapolis; Nike’s “Undercover Ushers” for Wieden+Kennedy, Portland, Ore.; and Hallmark’s “Neighbor Lady” out of Leo Burnett, Chicago.
Hacohen brings 20 years of high-level production experience to Hungry Man, including 10 years as executive producer at House of Usher, a shop which enjoyed an 18-year run.