Production company Rattling Stick has signed director and writer Vanessa Beletic for commercials in the U.S. and U.K.–her first spot representation after an extensive independent career spanning 15 years of writing, producing and directing. Beletic has crafted award-winning music videos and projects for brands like Levi’s, Theory, Estee Lauder and Samsung.
Rattling Stick director/co-founder Ringan Ledwidge said, “With Vanessa, there’s just no shortage of what any brand, and advertising as a whole, needs to keep pushing forward–a clear, distinct voice, vision and passion that fuels who she is. As a filmmaker, Vanessa has never needed the system to clear a path for her, she just did it, so it’s an absolute honor that she chose Rattling Stick to take it to the next level and see how far we can go together.”
Spending her early childhood in Haiti, Beletic lived in Guatemala before moving to the U.S. with her family at 13 years old. There she studied dance and education at New York City’s Hunter College and launched herself into an esteemed career as a professional dancer. It was in Los Angeles working with acclaimed commercial and music video directors on projects for Michael Jackson, Prince and Justin Timberlake that Beletic decided to pursue her life-long passion for filmmaking. She followed an instinct to merge lifestyle content and advertising, tapping into a new breed of branded storytelling. Beletic quickly became a pioneer in that world as a writer and director, pitching some of the first branded content shows to Nike and Sephora. In 2006, she became a key creative in the development of one of the earliest digital lifestyle networks.
Beletic’s background in fashion and dance guides her work and lends it kinetic energy. As a director, she loves producing work that is dynamic and high impact yet grounded in reality, with characters that defy the odds-–by way of magic, perseverance, or straight up hustle. She cites Herb Ritts, Spike Jonze, Alfred Hitchcock, and the ‘80s era of iconic music videos as major sources of influence on her work.
In addition to pursuing new commercial opportunities with Rattling Stick, Beletic enjoys working on feature films, music videos, and short films. She directed the recent “Ooh LA LA” music video for rap duo Run The Jewels, which was nominated for the 2020 MVPA, UKMVA, and the 2021 Libera awards. Currently in development on a feature-length thriller, Beletic is also a mentor to several young female filmmakers of color as part of her advocacy for the advancement of Black women’s voices in film and media.
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