Director Brian Billow has joined O Positive for commercial representation globally. Known for his performance-driven, comedic storytelling, Billow comes over from Anonymous Content where his work included Netflix’s recent “You Gotta Get It To Get It” campaign (produced in concert with Steam Films, Toronto) from DDB Canada, Vancouver; King’s Hawaiian’s “Sweet Role Suckers,” a SHOOT Top Spot (4/18) out of Energy BBDO, Chicago; the Webby-winning viral Beth, a short film parody inspired by the classic KISS rock ballad; and Miracle Whip’s “Keep An Open Mouth” from mcgarrybowen, Chicago, which premiered during last year’s Grammy Awards. Billow is currently in production on a short film about the world’s worst paparazzo, one with extremely poor facial recognition skills.
The move to O Positive realigns Billow with his long-time friend, director Jim Jenkins, a company partner. The two had previously been together at Hungry Man and their relationship dates back to when Billow was on the agency side. “Jim [Jenkins] has been a mentor to me since my days at DDB,” Billow said. “We are kindred spirits when it comes to the work. Both he and [O Positive director/partner] David Shane are obsessive about casting and performance and direct some of the best work out there–O Positive ranked second this year and in 2011 for the Cannes Palme d’Or. Also, my blood type is O Positive, so I sort of had to sign with them.”
Jenkins said, “Brian cares about the right things, and never stops thinking or trying to improve things every step of the way. Plus, he’s managed to remain friends with me for years, which proves he can handle difficult people.”
Among Billow’s early filmmaking career achievements was gaining inclusion into SHOOT’s 2008 New Directors Showcase.
Shane cited Billow’s “eye for the small moment and he’s a natural storyteller. I’ve been a fan from afar and now I get to be a fan from up close.”
