Rattling Stick U.S. has signed director Iqbal Ahmed for U.S. commercial representation.
With an innate ability to capture the humanity in brand stories, he has lent his narrative cinematic lens to clients including Nike, Adidas, Google, Spotify, Pinterest, Facebook, Snapchat, Microsoft and many others–work he has directed independently. Ahmed’s connecting with Rattling Stick marks his first career commercial representation.
Ahmed was a Commercial Directors Diversity Program (CDDP) Fellow in 2020 and has been recognized with numerous awards from global film festivals and Vimeo Staff Picks. Developing feature film projects with Disney, Sony, and Fox, Ahmed has turned out scripts which have been semifinalists for the Sundance Lab and the Motion Picture Academy’s Nicholl Fellowship.
Rattling Stick EP Joe Biggins said, “Iqbal’s immense passion for filmmaking and the joy he brings to the creative process is all together infectious, inspired and inspiring. But, it is Iqbal’s inherent talent that makes the sky the limit for what he’ll do behind the camera for a long time to come. I can’t wait to get started and see what we can do together!”
Ahmed added, “Rattling Stick has always held an elevated position in our industry for a reason–they care about great creative and bold storytelling. I instantly felt a kinship with the entire Rattling Stick team, and I’m thrilled to be joining the roster. I look forward to creating meaningful stories together.”
Growing up in a farming and industrial town in Southern Virginia, Ahmed was constantly pulled between orthodoxies, sometimes identifying as a Muslim, sometimes as a Southerner/American, and often neither. Planning to become a doctor, Iqbal attended Stanford University and graduated with degrees in biology, creative writing, and studio art, but realized that the long path to medicine would come at the expense of his creative interests. Pivoting to finance in New York, a circuitous journey brought him to the eventual realization that his passion lay in visual storytelling. Ahmed thus attended USC’s School of Cinematic Arts and graduated with an MFA in film production.
Informed by his own experiences, Ahmed often directs cinematic narratives about marginalized people, making short films and commercials about outsiders who are not often represented. The common thread through his work is his commitment to celebrating all of humanity through visual and emotional storytelling.
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