Steve Emmens has joined VML Canada as sr. VP, national head of production. He comes over from TBWA Group, where he served as managing director, integrated production, for eight years. Attracted by the prospects offered by the newly unified VML and the chance to reunite with his TBWA team member, Graham Lang (chief creative officer, VML Canada), Emmens will also feel at home with TAXI alums from his time at the agency from 2011-2019.
In his new capacity, Emmens is charged with elevating VML’s production capabilities across the agency’s Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver offices.
"I'm absolutely thrilled to be returning to VML at such a pivotal moment. The merger of TAXI and Wunderman Thompson into VML has created a powerhouse agency celebrated for creativity, technology, and diverse perspectives that make a positive impact on our communities. I’m genuinely excited to lead this production team, and I'm deeply committed to delivering exceptional work for our clients. My primary goal is to streamline our production processes while maintaining our high standards of quality, value, efficiency, and brining a little magic to everything we do,” said Emmens. “This role gives me a chance to collaborate with our incredibly talented team of creators, shapers, and makers. Together, we'll continue to build VML's global reputation for creativity, excellence, and industry leadership."
Emmens has worked with some of the most storied agencies in Canada throughout his 30-year career, including DDB, Juniper Park \ TBWA, Crispin Porter + Bogusky and Leo Burnett. He also spent time earlier in his career as a freelance producer working with Cossette, FCB and BBDO, to name a few. Ironically, he started his career in advertising at the legendary JWT, now known as VML.
Emmens has been credited on assorted creative campaigns throughout his career and one of his proudest achievements is winning a Glass Cannes Lion for the Canadian Women's Foundation "Signal For Help" campaign, which was one of only eight awarded by the Glass Lions jury in 2022 and earned a Gold in the category dedicated to combating inequality and prejudice.
Biscuit Filmworks Adds Director Matthew Dillon Cohen To Its U.S. & U.K. Rosters
Filmmaker and photographer Matthew Dillon Cohen has signed with Biscuit Filmworks for commercial representation in the U.S. and U.K. Cohen is best known for his visual storytelling, with vivid colors and cinematic realness. Prior to connecting with Biscuit Filmworks, he was most recently repped by Anonymous Content. Cohen’s latest film for Zach Bryan builds upon his previous collaborations with the artist, including the acclaimed “Nine Ball,” starring Matthew McConaughey. For the just-released “Oak Island,” the production moved east to Schenectady, New York to breathe life into the story starring Casey Affleck and Jack Martin. Cohen continues to hone his distinctive eye through projects with other artists like Gus Dapperton, Joji, and Olivia Rodrigo, as well as international brands including Converse, Facebook, Citi, Prada, Nike x Foot Locker, Vogue, New Balance, and Ralph Lauren. Cohen is a New Jersey-born, New York-based self-taught director and photographer who began his career in music journalism while still a teenager, moving on to become a music video producer while in college. His varied background and close collaboration with artists have served to provide him with a vast network of young emerging talent, many of whom he’s gone on to direct first-time films and visual content for over the past decade. “Matt has a fascinating backstory and remarkable trajectory coming up in the industry,” said Shawn Lacy, co-founder and managing director, Biscuit Filmworks. “His connection to the talent he works with, paired with his keen sensibility, offers him an edge. We’re thrilled to be joining forces for this next phase of his career.” “I love the problem-solving that comes with production, finding the most original and interesting... Read More