Production and management firm Anonymous Content has added the two-man filmmaking team of David and Ian Purchase to its Commercial, Integrated, and Feature Film divisions. The Toronto-based directing duo, who have put together an impressive string of guerilla-style spec spots and indie endeavors, made a major splash recently with a spec short film based on the popular Half-Life video game which they have been fans of and playing for nearly a decade.
On a shoestring budget, the Purchase Brothers shot and deployed a grab bag of post and effects software to make Escape from City 17, a spec short for Half-Life that has the look and feel of a big budget action movie. David and Ian posted the short online and it became a YouTube sensation overnight, generating more than 500,000 hits during its first 24 hours. By the end of the first weekend, the film exceeded a million hits and earned the lofty status of the number one piece of content viewed worldwide during that period. The Internet community and gaming sites globally were abuzz. A traffic overload caused the Purchase Brothers own website to crash.
The short resulted immediately in the up-and-coming directorial duo securing its first production house roost, Toronto-based Sons and Daughters, for spot representation in Canada. Now Anonymous has secured the young directors for work across the spot, integrated and feature film disciplines.
By the way, a second spec Half-Life installment is in the works, with the Purchase Brothers estimated it should be completed in a couple of months.
Dave Morrison, head of commercials for Anonymous Content, said, “These guys [David, age 25, and Ian, 23] are the future of the business, and are perfectly suited to create content in any economic climate. Their ability to handle and understand all areas of production and post make them the ultimate students of filmmaking. We’re looking forward to getting them in front of agencies and studios.”
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