Director Scott Zabielski, Grand Prize Winner of the 2015 Doritos Crash the Super Bowl contest, has joined the roster of RECOMMENDED for exclusive US spot representation. In addition to winning the most votes on Doritos’ site, Zabielski’s entry, “Middle Seat,” garnered more than 515,000 YouTube views by kickoff, the most of any finalist at that point (since airing on Game Day, the spot has upwards of 1.7 million views). The ad, which came in at #5 on USA Today’s Ad Meter in the post-game wrap-up (and #1 among :30 spots), features a young man with an aisle seat doing anything possible to discourage travelers from taking the seat next to him. When his eyes meet those of an attractive young woman, he changes strategies, putting on his best behavior and prominently displaying a bag of Doritos. The woman gratefully accepts the offered middle seat. Only then does our protagonist realize that this young lady has a baby in tow.
“‘Middle Seat’ is such a great ad – not only does it fit perfectly with what Doritos is all about, it’s relatable, brings a smile to our consumers and clearly resonates on a global scale,” Ram Krishnan, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Frito-Lay North America, told the Washington Post. “Exactly what you look for in a Super Bowl spot.”
“Scott's was the best cast spot on the Super Bowl,” added RECOMMENDED EP/Partner Jeff Rohrer. “The performances were spot on and it had more jokes in 30 seconds than anything I have seen for quite awhile.” Rohrer said he courted the Tosh.0 director this past spring and initiated an affiliation via RECO’s Third Party banner, the company’s TV director satellite program. “Scott is a collaborator by nature and full of ideas,” he said of the move to make the signing official. “I have worked with many, many directors and this man is a natural. We are going to have some serious fun and do some amazing work this year.”
“I take nothing for granted,” said Zabielski. “Filmmaking, and spotmaking in particular, are challenging roads to travel. But I always put everything I’ve got into my projects, and I know that I’m in very good hands with Jeff. I’m excited to be entering the commercial arena.”
Chicago native Zabielski began his career in comedy after earning a BA in Cinema Production from the prestigious USC School of Cinematic Arts. He started in post on the VH1 series Late World with Zach starring Zach Galifianakis and went on to edit trailers and promos for a variety of networks and studios. Zabielski’s work on FOX’s “Talkshow with Spike Feresten” led to a job at Tosh.0 at its inception. He quickly rose from editor/producer to director and has helmed the show through several successful seasons. Zabielski’s diverse experience, spanning live action and VFX, has allowed him to develop a unique skillset rooted in fast-paced, intelligent humor and memorable comedic moments. He draws inspiration from the absurdity of our daily lives, and enjoys the unintentional humor of shared truths. Growing up, Zabielski had a strong affinity for law enforcement as well as movies and resisted choosing between the two, ultimately deciding to do both. He now complements his role in entertainment with that of a West Hollywood Reserve Deputy Sheriff (bearing the distinction of being among Paris Hilton’s arresting officers in 2009).
Zabielski developed Police Academy for New Line/Warner Bros and is currently Executive Producing and Directing Season 7 of Tosh.0. He joins a RECOMMENDED roster comprised of directors Ross Cooper, Adrian De Sa Garces, Greg Gray, Him & Her, Nick Jones, Leigh Ogilvie, Alexander Paul, Keith Rose, Snorri, Devin Supertramp, Cynthia Wade, and Woods.
About RECOMMENDED
RECOMMENDED (www.reco.us) is a modern content production company, based in Los Angeles, California, with an international network of alliances, partners and representation. Our mission is to discover, develop and deliver Directors that are not only inspired storytellers and sought after film makers, but also collaborative creative partners. Partnership is the cornerstone philosophy that defines us at every level. Passion for the art and business of communication is our common mantra. Regardless of the scope or challenge presented, RECOMMENDED has the power to deliver impressive results, in any format or medium of visual entertainment. The company is overseen by Founder Stephen Dickstein and EP/Partner Jeff Rohrer.
