Production company Ruffian has added director Zoë Neary to its roster for U.S. representation. This marks her first commercial signing in the American market.
Born to Chinese and Irish parents and hailing from Vancouver, British Columbia, Neary attended Capilano University’s School of Motion Picture Arts and has been making films that speak to the Gen-Z experience ever since. Her strong visual point of view is evidenced in her spots for Levi’s, Cupcakes and Johnnie Walker; and in her short film, Kids Who Jump Off Bridges, Neary’s distinctive blend of the sweet and the sour cuts to the core.
In “Born Wild” for Levi’s, Neary illustrates the restless, caged feeling permeating youth’s post-pandemic mindset. With an underlying yearning and a wary hopefulness, the film evokes a grungy, broken-down 1990s aesthetic while still living outside of time. Her short Kids Who Jump Off Bridges follows a young girl drawn into a world where girls bare all for social media likes and kids drink themselves blind, going too far despite the consequences. The film found success on the festival circuit as an Official Selection at Miami Independent, HollyShorts, Buffalo International, and Los Angeles Cinefest, among others, and won Best Picture at the Oregon International Film Festival.
“Zoë’s talent is unmistakable,” said Robert Herman, founder/EP at L.A.-based Ruffian. “Her wry visual wit brings a fresh voice to advertising and we’re very happy to have Zoë’s artistry on Ruffian’s roster.”
“Ruffian is a dream home for me because of their deep sense of storytelling and the integrity they bring to safeguarding their directors’ voices,” said Neary, “I trust their taste implicitly and I am thrilled to be joining such a galvanizing team.”
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