Mohammad Gorjestani and Jonny Mass have signed with their first production company, joining the live action directorial roster of bicoastal m ss ng p eces.
Gorjestani is an Iranian-American filmmaker who fled Tehran with his family during the Iran-Iraq War, setting in the Bay Area. His work often explores the immigrant experience and social justice issues, giving an authentic narrative across both independent and branded projects. He has directed spots and short films for brands including Airbnb, Square, Visa, and Pinterest. His short film for Square, Yassin Falafel, was a Tribeca X Award finalist earlier this year and three-time Webby Award winner; his “Love is Welcome Here” spot celebrating Pride Month for Airbnb was also honored with a Webby. Five of Gorjestani’s projects have been selected as Vimeo Staff Picks, he is a two-time San Francisco Film Society Grant winner, and his films Refuge and Miss Me: The Artful Vandal were SXSW Official Selections.
Mass, an accomplished action sports athlete, has already worked on more than 30 projects for brands including RED Digital Cinema and Ford. He began filmmaking as a young teenager at the skate park, where success through his YouTube channel led him to branded content opportunities early on. In 2016, RED Digital Cinema approached Mass to create a short film to launch its new HELIUM 8K sensor for the WEAPON. A self-taught jack-of-all-trades, Mass understands both the technology and creative techniques that deliver visceral and energetic stories.
“Mohammad captures these beautifully authentic stories of resiliency, which helps brands to forge more meaningful content that sets them apart and gives them a voice. Jonny is a very nimble, outside the box thinker with innate technical skills to push a story to new levels and make you experience action in a new way,” said Ari Kuschnir, founder and managing partner at m ss ng p eces. “They each bring a unique skillset to m ss ng p eces.”
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