Director Federico Brugia has signed with Beverly Hills-based Saville Productions for exclusive representation in the American ad market. He was formerly repped stateside by Tate USA, Santa Monica. Earlier in his career, Brugia was handled in the U.S. by bicoastal/international Partizan.
While the lion’s share of Brugia’s spot work has been for European audiences, he is not stranger to American commercialmaking, with credits that include Toyota for Saatchi & Saatchi, Los Angeles, and Nissan Infiniti for TBWA/Chiat/Day, Los Angeles. His work in Europe, primarily Italy, has earned recognition at such competitions as the Cannes International Advertising Festival, the Clios, Mezzominuto d’oro, Epica, EuroBest and the New York Film Festival.
The director got his start helming music and fashion videos in the early 1990s. He then successfully diversified into commercials, directing for such clients as Audi, Renault, McDonald’s, Samsung, Phillips, Volvo, Visa, Lufthansa, Damiani, Alitalia, Bravo Juices and BMW. For the latter, he shot a spot in New York promoting the automaker’s 3 Series, with an ambitious historic reconstruction of the 1940s featuring more than 200 extras and 70 classic cars. Titled “New York” and conceived by agency D’adda Lorenzini Vigorelli, Milan, the spot shows a BMW coasting past Packards and DeSotos in postwar Manhattan, fascinating onlookers, including Fedora-wearing men; the period piece was shot entirely in black and white.
Known for his prowess in storytelling with fine visual touches, Brugia comes aboard a Saville roster of spot directors that includes Amon, Frank Devos, Ray Lawrence, Patricia Murphy, Sng Tong Beng, Paul Vos, Agustin Marques and Ivo Wejgaard.
Saville also works with noted feature directors for commercials such as Fabian Beielinsky (Nine Queens), Stephen Daldry (Billy Elliot, The Hours), Barry Levinson (Bugsy, Rain Man), Roger Michell (Notting Hill), Fernando Meirelles (The Constant Gardener), Chris Noonan (Babe), Bryan Singer (X-Men, The Usual Suspects, Superman Returns), Oliver Stone (Platoon, JFK), Vincent Ward (What Dreams May Come) and Wim Wenders (Buena Vista Social Club).
Brad Emmett and Rob Legato Join Doner As EVPs, Exec Creative Directors
Doner, part of Stagwell, has hired Brad Emmett and Rob Legato as EVPs, executive creative directors. Their remit includes leading and strengthening Doner’s creative work, as well as fostering new client relationships. In their newly created roles, the duo will work across Doner’s full client roster, which includes a diverse portfolio of brands from Zyrtec to Hackensack Meridian Health to Stellantis.
“As an agency founded and headquartered in Detroit, we are committed to investing in top local talent. Welcoming Brad and Rob back to Doner reflects that mission,” said Doner CEO David DeMuth, who also serves as chair and CEO of the Doner Partners Network (DPN).
Emmett and Legato rejoin Doner from McCann Detroit where they led creative efforts for General Motors, including the Will Ferrell “No Way Norway” and Mike Myers “Dr. EVil” Super Bowl campaigns. Emmett and Legato also led creative efforts for brands including Alfa Romeo, JBL and U.S. Bank. Together, their work has been recognized by Cannes Lions, Webbys, One Show and the Clio Award Hall of Fame.
“I’ve grown so much from partnering with CEOs, top creative leaders, and, of course, my teams. I look forward to continuing that same spirit of collaboration back at Doner,” said Emmett. “The agency’s diverse portfolio of brands has always impressed me, and I look forward to working with the team to create new work that moves the needle for clients.”
Legato added, “Something exciting is happening around every corner at Doner, and I’ve missed that. I’m thrilled to rejoin the team as it turns the page on a new chapter in its legacy of creating groundbreaking work for brands at the intersection of Modern and Main Street.”
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