Martine Syms–who wrote and directed The African Desperate, which was nominated for the John Cassavetes Award at the 2023 Independent Spirit Awards–has joined the roster of production house Imperial Woodpecker for representation in the U.S. This marks her first formal commercial representation.
The African Desperate–distributed by Mubi and the closing night film of New Directors/New Films–is one of three features Syms has written and directed, the others being The Mundane Afrofuturist Manifesto and Incense Sweaters & Ice.
Syms’ shorter form credits include commercial work for Nike and Prada. She just shot a commercial campaign for Louis Vuitton.
Syms has also made her mark on the art gallery circuit with solo exhibitions at such venues as the Museum of Modern Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Tate Museum.
She is a recipient of the Herb Alpert Award, the Creative Capital Award a United States Artists fellowship, the Tiffany Foundation award, the Future Fields Art Prize and is a 2023 Guggenheim Fellow.
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