Rakish, the boutique production company founded by Golden Globe-nominated feature film director Marc Forster and managing director Preston Garrett, has appointed Zack Williams as head of creative development. This hire marks the groundbreaking of Rakishโs new long-form development division, which looks to forge relationships with brands to create and produce long-form entertainment offerings.
Williams brings a wealth of experience from his diverse background in creative development and advertising to Rakish. Over the past decade, he has produced work for and collaborated with brands, agencies, and production companies, including MullenLowe, 180LA, and Cashmere. His freelance stints with clients like Apple, LIV Golf, Durable Goods, and David&Goliath highlight his adaptability and expertise in fluidly oscillating between the agency and client sides in constantly pushing the boundaries of creative production. Notably, Williams led a successful KIA campaign with David&Goliath and managed key projects at Faraday Future, demonstrating his capability in handling productions from pre through post. His early career at six-time Academy Award nominated The Kennedy/Marshall Company, provided invaluable exposure to the highest levels of filmmaking and television production in the entertainment industry.
โIโve never quite fit the mold of any traditional role that Iโve filled and therefore couldnโt be more excited to join the Rakish team in this capacity,โ stated Williams. โWe are truly building a new division of Rakish and, in turn, a whole new approach to branded filmmaking. With such a strong, clear vision from Marc and Preston, I know the opportunities are endless. I canโt think of a better team and group of creative individuals to build this with.โ
โZackโs background in both creative development and advertising is lightning in a bottle,โ shared Garrett. โPer our long-term vision at Rakish, Zackโs bilingualism is indispensable: fluency in both pure filmmaking and brands. I know we at Rakish are not alone in the endeavor to build a bridge between advertising and long-form entertainment; though our vision and purpose for pursuing this dragon is very specific to us. Zack is aligned with this vision, and I also happen to love him as a human being. Thatโs the Rakish way โ chemistry and mutual adoration within the four walls of the company is the whole point of doing this. If it donโt feel right, then it ainโt.โ
Rakishโs new long-form division seeks to collaborate with brands to develop and package long-form entertainment properties that prioritize storytelling over overt advertising. Inspired by the filmmaking heroes of independent cinema, Rakish aims to empower brands to act as independent studios, financiers, and producers.
โOur vision is to make Rakish and its long-form brand endeavors synonymous with new wave auteurism,โ expressed Garrett. โWe are galvanized to pursue different ways of producing and financing director and writer-forward filmmaking. The inherent risk of having too many financiers and producers, let alone the crippling process of too many voices in the room, is not conducive to artistic output. We aspire to make vision-first filmmaking that will stand the test of time.โ
Currently developing a slate of original IP, Rakish is manifesting its vision with Williams at the helm. As head of creative development, Williams will be a conduit between talent agencies, prospective brands, and distributors. He will pair Rakishโs roster of directors with specific brand visions, shepherd the development of new projects, and oversee and broker distribution.
With a client portfolio that includes Lexus, Toyota, Chevrolet, GMC, Samsung, Nissan, Courageous Conversations, Nintendo, Bank of America, Kia, Publix, FanDuel, The Home Depot, Disney, Meta, American Family Insurance, Hersheyโs, Rakish continues its work in commercial production. Earlier this year, Rakish produced the โProgress Feels Likeโ branded film for Kotex and Capital A, directed by Jaci Judelson.
Rakishโs directorial roster includes Forster, Noah Marshall, Josh and Jonathan Baker (aka TWIN, directors of the feature film Kin), Olivia Kasterbring and Bruce St. Clair for commercials and branded content.
Of recent note, Rakishโs directing collective Sunny Sixteen joined FCB Chicago in celebrating their branded documentary short film โThe Last Barf Bagโ winning the Grand Prix at Cannes Lions in the Health & Wellness category. A lighthearted 12-minute mini-documentary, the film explores the eccentric subculture of air sickness bags by profiling four collectors who passionately display their unique treasures. Created in collaboration with Dramamine and FCB Chicago, it also examines the broader decline of air sickness bags on commercial airlines, correlating this trend with the reduced incidence of air nausea due to advancements in aviation technology. Dramamine humorously credits itself for this decline, showcasing a chart that maps the brandโs growth against the disappearance of the bags. Charting an impressive course through the film festival and awards circuit, Sunny Sixteenโs โThe Last Barf Bagโ continues to collect accolades, including Vimeo Staff Pick and Vimeo Best of Staff Picks distinction. In addition to its Grand Prix honors at Cannes, the film also received a Special Mention from this yearโs Jury at the Tribeca Film Festival, further cementing its impact and reach within the film entertainment and advertising communities. The recognition from both Cannes Lions and Tribeca X underscores the filmโs success in capturing the audienceโs imagination with its quirky and engaging storytelling.
