Production company Sweetshop has signed acclaimed comedy director Jim Hosking for global representation spanning commercials and branded content. He had previously been handled in the ad arena by Skunk.
Hosking got his start directing promos for MTV both in the U.S. and the U.K., before turning his attention to his singular films occupying an alternate reality and making a name for himself with daringly funny and imaginative commercials for the likes of Cadbury, V Energy, Tic Tac, Tooheys and Xbox.
Hosking’s first feature, The Greasy Strangler (2016), is both a sweet and sad treatise on father/son relationships, and a cult-classic in the making about a grease-encrusted maniac who murders the innocent. The New York Times called it, “just maybe the weirdest movie ever.” Shot in L.A., it premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, and won Best Comedy at the Empire Magazine Film Awards, as well as The Discovery Award at The British Independent Film Awards.
The director’s second feature film, An Evening With Beverly Luff Linn, also premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, and it stars Aubrey Plaza, Jemaine Clement, Matt Berry and Craig Robinson. Peter Bradshaw, reviewing the film for The Guardian, described it as, “an entirely ridiculous shaggy-dog story, a comedy salted with strangeness and seasoned with surreality…it is very funny, and the song about football referees is quietly amazing.”
Most recently Hosking turned his attention to TV, and created Tropical Cop Tales for Adult Swim, a surreal, genre-bending, psychedelic take on the cop procedural and possibly the most bizarre show on the home of out-there TV.
Greg Schultz, managing director and executive producer at Sweetshop USA, said, “Jim’s work is like no-one else’s. He creates characters and worlds that are eccentric, strange, tragic and hilarious at the same time. We all aim to create work that cuts through and helps the brands we’re working for stand out. There’s no doubt that Jim’s work is unique and unforgettable.
Hosking added, “I love to make distinctive, memorable work with striking characters and unexpected humanity with some finely calibrated nuanced top-secret oddness. Luckily that’s exactly what Sweetshop want me to do, so hurrah for that.”
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