Director DA Yirgou has joined bicoastal Epoch Films for representation in the U.S. spanning commercials, branded content and music videos. This marks his first signing with a production company.
A first-generation American by way of Ethiopian roots, Yirgou has a background which fuses a collision of cultural experiences–as a musician and writer, as a creative director at agencies, and as a director of commercials, TV and film.
Originally from Austin, Texas, Yirgou developed his love of storytelling as a diehard sports and music junkie. The passion and obsessions from artists and athletes alike shaped a lens for highlighting self-reflective growth and the surreal means of the creative spirit.
Today, his work explores how to blur the line between genres to create tension, always striving to uplift authentic stories and unique characters with a raw cinematic grit. With talent, he takes care to celebrate their pursuit and heritage, rather than their persona–creating soulful, emotive moments that share heart unexpectedly.
“I enjoy the parts that are messy and in-between, actively challenging the visual conformity that’s become redundant,” Yirgou explained. It’s chaotic and more fun to subvert how we want to find value from an ending that’s always ‘to be continued,’ constantly out of reach. That’s both organic and meaningful.”
His documentary about LeBron James, Long Live The King, was shortlisted at Cannes for Best Film Direction and has garnered over 60 million views across various channels. Additionally, he has helmed an array of commercial, editorial and branded content projects that reflect his approach for clients such as Nike, Adidas, Peloton, KITH, 1800 Tequila (Future), Moschino, Balmain, Vogue (Joan Smalls), The Los Angeles Lakers, and ESPN. In a previous life as an editor, he worked under director Terrence Malick on To The Wonder and Song to Song.
“As filmmakers we like to think of ourselves as rogues, but at every step you understand how crucial the right team and collaboration plays in nurturing how stories come to life,” said Yirgou. “It’s that camaraderie and joy in the process that makes the whole thing sing. For that, I’m thrilled to join the legendary Epoch team alongside such a talented roster. They’ve shown unity and creativity in building something with intent that’s inclusive from so many diverse perspectives. We have big goals, and together I can’t wait to see what we create.”
“Danny’s work is approached with a love for storytelling and a background in film making,” assessed Epoch founder Mindy Goldberg. “His heart and experience comes through in his analysis of an idea, his pitch presentation, job prep and finally, in his execution. Our first commercial job with Danny was a real bear. He approached every challenge with grace, expertise and vision. We are thrilled to be introducing him into the commercial arena and look forward to creating great work together.”
Epoch is represented in the West by Dexter Randazzo and Jonathan Logan at The Department of Sales; in the East by Tara Averill and John Robertson at RepresentationCo; and in the Midwest by Chris Brown and Nicole Feddock at Baer Brown Reps.
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