Dictionary Films, with bases of operation in Chicago and L.A., has added directors Miki Magasiva and Robin Walters to its U.S. roster. This marks the first time they have been represented in the American ad market. Both directors are well established internationally, particularly Down Under. Magasiva is on the Curious Film roster in Australasia while Walters recently joined production house Robber’s Dog for commercial representation in the region.
Magasiva has directed assorted ads reflecting his storytelling prowess, including for DB Breweries out of Saatchi & Saatchi Sydney, Commonwealth Bank for M&C Saatchi Sydney, Nike Tennis for the Australian market, F. Whitlock & Sons for US&CO, New Zealand, and a U.S. job for Old Navy via Crispin Porter+Bogusky,
Walters began his career with the short film The Platform, and he has gone on to direct some of Australasia’s most acclaimed and controversial advertising campaigns spanning comedy and drama. He has worked extensively throughout Asia, Europe and the U.K. Walters’ credits in Australia and New Zealand include spots for eBay, Hyundai, Nimble and Telecom, collaborating with such agencies over the years as Clemenger BBDO, Havas Worldwide, J. Walter Thompson, McCann, Shine, and Saatchi & Saatchi.
Magasiva and Walters are contemporaries of Peter Grasse, managing director and EP of Dictionary Films’ Tokyo office. “Robin and Miki both hail from New Zealand, and Kiwi humor is the hot new comic direction,” said Grasse who assessed that the two directors’ timing, creative casting and comedic sensibilities are “perfect fits” for the U.S. market.
“With Peter’s recent launch of our operations into Tokyo and all the exciting new work happening there, we are continuing to expand our talent base globally,” said Chris Rossiter, Dictionary Films’ U.S. managing director. Part of that expansion entails now being able to offer Magasiva and Walters to the U.S. ad agency community. “Miki and Robin are both a very big deal,” related Rossiter. “It will be our pleasure to recommend them to our colleagues and to explore unique solutions drawing on their phenomenal experiences and talents.”
Dictionary Films is the integrated production arm of Cutters Studios. In addition to handling its directorial lineup, Dictionary together with its partner companies Another Country, Cutters, Flavor and Picnic Media represent full-service creative, production and post capabilities. Magasiva and Walters join a Dictionary U.S. roster which also includes directors Logan Cascia, Chris Hafner, Jon Moore, Jay Patton, Jesse Shamata and Dan Waymack.
