Bryan Fogel–whose Icarus (Netflix) won an Academy Award for Best Feature Documentary in 2018–has joined the directorial roster of Hungry Man for commercials and branded content.
Recipient of a Special Jury Prize for documentary filmmaking at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival, Icarus unfolds like a kind of hybrid documentary/geopolitical thriller, exposing Russia’s state-sponsored Olympic doping program through revelations from Dr. Grigory Rodchenkov, a scientist at the center of that cheating scandal and a prime whistleblowing target of Russian President Vladimir Putin. On the strength of Icarus–which contributed to Russia’s ban from the 2018 Winter Olympics and 2020’s Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act–Fogel garnered the Edward R. Murrow Award for Journalism, was nominated for a BAFTA Award, three Emmys, and the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Documentary.
Fogel’s latest documentary is The Dissident which too is a unique documentary thriller and a rebuke of authoritarian power. The film delves into the murder and dismemberment of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi embassy in Istanbul, Turkey, on October 2, 2018. With a mix of never-before-seen footage and unprecedented access to those closest to the story–including Khashoggi’s fiance Hatice Cengiz, Turkish police and prosecutors, and a young Saudi Arabian dissident, Omar Abdulazia, whom Khashoggi was working with–Fogel’s film chronicles the heinous murder of Khashoggi, a principled reformer who sought to create a more just and open society in his Saudi homeland. Evidence points directly to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmon as being culpable but he has orchestrated an international cover-up fueled by wealth, tyranny and advanced technology. The Dissident went on to earn a BAFTA Award nomination and wound up winning a Writers Guild Award.
Fogel had earlier in his career been repped in the ad arena via production house Supply & Demand. The alluded to three Emmy nominations he earned in 2018 on the basis of Icarus were for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special, Outstanding Directing for a Documentary/Nonfiction Program, and Outstanding Writing for a Nonfiction Program.
Fogel is currently in production on both scripted and documentary features and series.
The Many Hires Jeremiah Wassom As Group Creative Director
Independent agency The Many has added Jeremiah Wassom as group creative director.
Wassom most recently worked a decade at Deutsch LA where, as SVP/creative director, he led the Taco Bell account and won new business for the agency. His agency past also includes AKQA and TBWAChiatDay. His creative work has touched the QSR, video games, automotive, fashion, and culture brand sectors. He also served eight years with the United States Marine Corps.
“Throughout his career, Jeremiah has helmed work that has not only made me personally jealous but has consistently pushed brands to show up in memorable and innovative ways,” said Josh Paialii, head of creative at The Many. “One look at his body of work and you will see his passion for storytelling and craft has raised the bar for entire categories, driving participation with many brands’ most loyal fans. Beyond being a world-class creative director and maker, Wassom is a proven team player and strategic thought leader. He’ll be a great addition to the leadership team at The Many working across all accounts. His role will be immediately felt as he guides and supports each of the creative leads in the department.”
A 20-year creative with agency, brand, and freelance experience, Wassom has forged a creative approach which focuses on crafting engaging connections rather than simply make ads. He sees the need for advertising to mean more, not simply do more.
The Many believes that true business growth is made possible by harnessing the power of participation and partners with brands to forge deeper connections with consumers, cultivate trust and loyalty, and maximize marketing spend and execution. The agency is built around a flexible model that offers a suite of capabilities, including... Read More