Independent film and commercial content studio More Media has brought director, DP and editor Jen Sommer aboard its talent roster. This marks her first official commercial representation as a director. Among Sommer’s credits is notable work for Google that bridges the gap between commercial and documentary fare.
“We love the realness and humor that Jen brings to her filmmaking, and felt it would be a great fit both for her and us,” said Blaize Saunders, executive producer at More Media.
For Sommer, advertising was a natural progression after her stint as a business and marketing professional, combining that know-how with her innate storytelling ability and keen eye. Finding film through photography, she pursued advertising with the express purpose of crafting quirky and unconventional but always heartfelt human stories.
A self-starter since childhood, Sommer parlayed her business mindset and many technical skills into directing, DPing, and editing films for Google. Her most recent brand work is the "Search On" series, wherein she deftly highlights ordinary people achieving extraordinary things with Google’s free technology. Expanding the boundaries of what documentaries can do for branded work, the “Finding Blue Holes” short follows an uncharted scientific expedition to discover three new blue holes across Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
This type of purpose-driven work greatly appeals to Sommer, who was initially exposed to More Media for its documentary Chasing the Wind, which she even used as an inspiration for the “Finding Blue Holes” episode. In addition to the "Search On" series, Sommer directed “Find Your Scene” for Google, an Oscar spot that showcased people recreating their favorite movie moments using Google Maps.
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