Stept Studios has added Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin–the filmmakers behind Free Solo, the Best Documentary Feature Oscar winner in 2019–to its commercial roster of talent for US representation. Prior to joining Stept, Vasarhelyi and Chin were handled in the ad arena by Caviar.
Vasarhelyi and Chin have been longtime collaborators with Stept. Their partnership started with a project for Panerai. Promoting the launch of Chin as the luxury watch brand’s ambassador, an intimate short directed by Stept founder/CEO Nick Martini highlighted Chin’s fearless life as a filmmaker and adventurer. The two continued working together on additional projects including the launch campaign for the Ford Bronco and Powder Hounds for Samsung, which Chin shot on the Galaxy S20.
In a joint statement, the wife-and-husband team of co-directors and co-producers Vasarhelyi and Chin shared, “We are excited to formalize our relationship with the Stept team–over the last several years they have become one of the most inventive storytellers in the brand space. We’re looking forward to working with them to bring new stories and worlds to life.”
Stept founders Nick Martini, Alex Martini, and Cam Riley have known Chin since their early days touring the world as professional athletes, with Nick Martini and Chin sharing The North Face as a brand sponsor. Since that time, they have collaborated on projects for brands such as Ford, Panerai, Samsung, and Got Milk?
“I’ve been lucky enough to travel and shoot with Jimmy a lot over the past decade,” said Nick Martini. “In recent years, our relationship has grown stronger through collaboration on countless brand projects, and the timing felt right to partner with both Chai and Jimmy in a more meaningful way. Global audiences have recognized their strong perspective as filmmakers, and we are excited to showcase their talents in the U.S. advertising market. Their eye for sharing exceptional human stories is second to none, and the Stept team is charged up to find ambitious projects to tackle alongside them.”
Vasarhelyi and Chin’s success in film and television continues with several upcoming projects, including a feature documentary about the events of the dramatic rescue of the Wild Boar soccer team from the Tham Luang cave in Thailand, and a scripted feature about the distance swimmer Diana Nyad, starring Annette Bening, among several series in production.
In addition to the Oscar, Free Solo–an intimate, unflinching portrait of rock climber Alex Honnold–won a BAFTA Award and seven Emmys. Among Vasarhelyi and Chai’s other notable filmmaking credits is Meru, which won the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival in 2015 and earned a place on the 2016 Oscar shortlist for Best Documentary Feature.
Stept Studios maintains bases of operation in Los Angeles, and Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
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