Yard Dog, the L.A.-based production company founded by partners/executive producers Beth Pearson and Joe Piccirillo, has signed director Duane Crichton for exclusive representation in the U.S. The Canadian native’s credits include spots for Mercedes, Volkswagen, Home Depot and Purpose Investments. Yard Dog will pursue projects spanning commercials, branded content and digital media in markets across the U.S.
Among Crichton’s recent work is the spot "Shattered" for the Canadian bank CIBC and Fuse Marketing. It features members of the Canadian Paralympic team who compete in skiing, snowboarding and other winter sports despite missing limbs and other disabilities. The director also recently created an expansive branding campaign for Ontario Medical Association, via Yield Branding, where emotionally-charged vignettes set inside the hospital are linked through seamless camera motion.
“Both projects appealed to me because they had an emotional kick,” Crichton said. “And in both, pictures tell a powerful story along an escalating arc. Even visual spots need a beginning, middle and end. Those two spots take viewers on a journey with a payoff that resonates.”
Crichton got his start in music videos and enjoyed considerable success for emerging and established artists before pivoting to advertising. He went on to direct many successful campaigns originating both in Canada and the U.S.
Crichton is repped in Canada by Revolver. Prior to joining Yard Dog, he was handled in the U.S. market by Bully Pictures.
“Duane is a passionate filmmaker with an uncanny ability to get to the heart of a story,” said Piccirillo. “Beth and I have been fans of his work for years and are especially impressed with his recent work. We are very excited to be working with him and helping him to continue to build off of the great foundation he has.”
Crichton said, “I have had many conversations with Joe and Beth and have discussed future steps together. I sensed they had put in a lot of thought about my work and had a specific plan for me in the U.S. market. I want to be proactive as the industry returns to normal and Yard Dog is poised to make that happen.”
