Commercial production company Voyager has signed Canadian director Brent Foster for his first exclusive U.S. commercial representation. The Brooklyn-based shop has also hired Meliz Yilmaz as production manager.
Foster’s clients include Canada Life, Chevy, Huawei, McDonald’s, Prince Edward Island, and Nature Valley. He’s been shortlisted numerous times for the Young Directors Award at Cannes. Foster is also represented in Canada by visual storytelling director Mark Zibert’s Scouts Honour, and Spindle in the U.K.
Currently living in Toronto, Foster cut his teeth as a photojournalist, where he first developed a love for the moving image while at the Los Angeles Times before freelancing across India for the New York Times and others. It’s this wide breadth of experience in photojournalism and documentary filmmaking that informs his deeply human approach to directing. His work is grounded in authentic performances, defined by carefully considered cinematography and often enriched by the finely crafted use of visual effects to create work that is polished and genuine.
Charles Frank, director and Voyager co-founder, said, “Brent has an undeniable gift for finding the cinematic humanity in everything he directs, whether it be meticulously detailed VFX-driven productions or intimate real people shoots. As a fellow director, I am in awe of Brent’s vision and look forward to working alongside such a kind soul.”
“The thing I love most about Voyager, and this is true of the other rosters I’m on around the world too, is that it is a tight-knit community of collaborators,” said Foster. “It’s one in which we all check our egos at the door, bounce ideas off each other, nurture and help each other grow. It’s the perfect fit for me in the U.S. market, and I can’t wait to see what we can do together.”
Regarding the hiring of Yilmaz, Voyager EP Andrew Hutcheson said, “It’s with great pride and excitement that we welcome Meliz, our favorite production manager from Atlanta, to our production team here in New York. Endlessly curious and masterfully organized, she’s someone who enriches every project she touches, making sure the experience is as good for the PAs as it is for the clients.”
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