Continuing to expand its creative roster, Yard Dog, the Los Angeles-based production company founded by Partners/Executive Producers Beth Pearson and Joe Piccirillo, has signed director Duane Crichton for exclusive representation in the United States. The Canadian native, whose credits include spots for Mercedes, Volkswagen, Home Depot and Purpose Investments, is a visual storyteller whose work connects with viewers through its striking imagery, narrative force and emotional depth. Yard Dog will pursue projects spanning commercials, branded content and digital media, in markets across the U.S.
“Duane is a passionate filmmaker with an uncanny ability to get to the heart of a story,” says Piccirillo. “Beth and I have been fans of his work for years and are especially impressed with his recent work. We are very excited to be working with him and helping him to continue to build off of the great foundation he has.”
“I have had many conversations with Joe and Beth and have discussed future steps together. I sensed they had put in a lot of thought about my work and had a specific plan for me in the U.S. market. I want to be proactive as the industry returns to normal and Yard Dog is poised to make that happen.”
Among Crichton’s recent work is the spot Shattered for the Canadian bank CIBC and Fuse Marketing. It features members of the Canadian Paralympic team who compete in skiing, snowboarding and other winter sports despite missing limbs and other disabilities. The director also recently created an expansive branding campaign for Ontario Medical Association, via Yield Branding, where emotionally-charged vignettes set inside the hospital are linked through seamless camera motion.
“Both projects appealed to me because they had an emotional kick,” Crichton says. “And in both, pictures tell a powerful story along an escalating arc. Even visual spots need a beginning, middle and end. Those two spots take viewers on a journey with a payoff that resonates.”
Crichton got his start in music videos and enjoyed considerable success for emerging and established artists before pivoting to advertising. Shortly thereafter, he won a Shots Young Director Award at Cannes for an Adidas spot. He went on from there to direct many successful campaigns originating both in Canada and the US.
Pointing to its boutique size, Crichton describes Yard Dog as a perfect fit. “I like the commitment and personal attention they give to their directors,”
Midwest
Ideal Partners
Tracy Bernard
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Robin Stevens
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West Coast
DiMAGGIO Representation, Inc
Integrated Artist Representation
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T-Reps
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