Aaron joined 1stAveMachine in 2007, changing the landscape of the company. His first effort, (project: 40895825 title: Audi Unboxed), garnered our first Cannes Lion while his work for (project: 41441159 title: Google Speed Tests) brought seven more into the pride. In 2015, Aaron was named first out of the “30 Most Creative People in Advertising Under 30” by Business Insider. His unique abilities can be seen in his iconic Super Bowl for Google (project: 43627069 title: Parisian Love) and these three unique pieces for Rag & Bone: the short film (project: 253484689 title: Why Can't We Get Along), the experiential AI-hosted dinner (project: 334495344 title: A Last Supper), and finally the (project: 499858294 title: New York Fashion Week) runway show filmed by an AI-operated camera. Aaron’s love of optical illusions can be enjoyed in both this viral music video for (project: 99175040 title: OK Go) and this film for the release of the (project: 393837869 title: iPhone X).

As a director and cinematographer, Anthony’s humane work and emotive style have allowed him to uniquely capture the natural world in (project: 262290408 title: "I Am Water"), (project: 699801762 title: "Just Like Us"), and (project: 393824264 title: "World Needs Love") for WWF. His sensibility and vision comes through in his heart wrenching film for (project: 393824180 title: "World Animal Protection"). His love of cinematography and innovative camera techniques gave him a keen eye for working with many brands including (project: 783746723 title: Sony), (project: 783745904 title: Photobox), and (project: 783746416 title: National Trust). (project: 262290875 title: "Where Next") for Transpennine Express transports us through many settings and shows Anthony’s ability to capture motion in a natural, cinematic, and interesting way.

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Baz’s work is colorful, eclectic, and whimsical, embodying a generation raised on internet culture. As the contributing director for Facebook’s kaleidoscopic mixed media work (project: 752730337 title: Facebook Obsessed Together) he brought UGC content to life, and explored the unique offbeat Facebook communities. His imaginative music videos for (project: 88925273 title: Klo Pelgag), (project: 393821860 title: Coeur de Pirate), and (project: 208710230 title: Karim Ouellet) are prime examples of his one-of-a-kind creative spirit. Truly a renaissance director with a diverse body of work, you can see his comedic tone in (project: 393822494 title: Mighty Blend) and his anthemic stylings in this spot for Adidas, (project: 201057993 title: Tubular), starring Damien Lillard.

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The directing duo D.A.D.D.Y. (aka Mike Ahern and Enda Loughman), are absolute comedy gold, as their surreal (project: 333589756 title: National Lottery) and quirky (project: 83754975 title: Susan’s Morning Win) films can attest. More than just funny guys, Mike and Enda’s cinematic sensibilities permeate their beautiful film (project: 290743954 title: Bedtime Stories), their wild spot for the Irish Lottery (project: 138666518 title: Bigger Better Dreams), and their musical spot for TransUnion (project: 393843443 title: Getting to Know You). In fact, these renaissance men are also published authors of the serious scientific tomes 100 Facts About Sharks and 100 Facts About Pandas, both available on Amazon. Their latest effort is (project: 393843422 title: Extra Ordinary), a feature-length comedy starring Will Forte that premiered at SXSW.

A born and raised New Yorker living in Los Angeles, Danielle’s directing style is defined by its heightened visual aesthetic and offbeat, comedic sensibility. She artfully balances humor and style in her spots for (project: 352332610 title: Venetian Las Vegas) and (project: 574020385 title: Facebook Take on Anything), as well as her Clio award winning Vogue x Free People spot, (project: 352332694 title: Coat Check Stories). Her comedic tone ranges from playful and cheeky to totally absurd, exemplified in her work for (project: 574020781 title: Blue Diamond Almonds), and (project: 504677859 title: Wings Financial). She was featured in SHOOT Magazine’s 2017 New Directors Showcase, and her short film adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut’s (project: 354714239 title: The Foster Portfolio) had its World Premiere at the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival.

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Throughout his career David worked on and off screen for networks and agencies. His roles have included writer, performer, director, producer, creative director, art director, and illustrator. He previously worked as a creator and writer for the TruTV series Ghost Story Club, creator and director of the YouTube series Netflix by Bots, and as co-writer of the Emmy nominated Netflix series It's Bruno! With a performance background at UCB, he has worked as a commercial and TV actor, with roles in Master of None and WeCrashed. Since joining 1stAve, he's brought to life projects like (project: 577342100 title: Youtube Brandcast) & (project: 673424980 title: Google Pixel 6 Product Launch) as both an ECD and a director. He served as both talent and director for (project: 756434716 title: Kraft) playing a Mayo Reader who offered personalized interpretations of people's mayo spreads. Most recently he helmed a campaign for (project: 756437591 title: Heinz), where he tapped TikTok star EJ Marcus to play a Vegetarian Vampire committed to only eating "tomato blood" in a mockumentary and accompanying series of TikToks.

Em Cole is an East London-based 21st Century image maker whose work spans photography, film, animation, and interactive art. Her approach is focused on the belief that embracing new formats & tech can help us tell better stories. (project: 741183234 title: Little Moons) shows her soft aesthetics mixed with the tongue-in-cheek style, and a carefully crafted art direction. This approach is also apparent in the miniature world of wonder she constructed for (project: 499831817 title: Mercari), her work with (project: 552544962 title: Facebook) her Instagram campaign (project: 471489410 title: InstaGiftGuide), her original short film (project: 471489653 title: Sloppy Seconds), and her music video for (project: 506639990 title: Carrie).

Emil Nava is one of the world’s most prolific music video directors and has been instrumental in forming long-lasting creative relationships with artists and brands, taking them to the international level. His diverse and influential work as a director and creative director has gained 25 billion views on YouTube and multiple awards including 5 VMA’s. Nava has worked with industry giants such as Calvin Harris, Rihanna, Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa, Post Malone, JLo, Pharrell Williams, Selena Gomez, Eminem and many more, and global brands like McDonald’s, Mercedes and GAP. Recognized for his keen understanding of the zeitgeist, youth culture, fashion, and pop sensibility, Nava’s unique voice and creative vision has created culture shifting work, some of the most notable music videos by the world’s biggest artists.

Emil is also an advocate for open discussions about mental health in the creative industries, sharing his own experiences with mental illness, addiction and recovery on social media and through his 2023 Manchester Film Festival award-winning feature, SNORKELING. Now, Emil is harnessing his skill as an award-winning director and his passion for nature, wellness
and connection to create powerful, meaningful mental-health content.

Born in the halls of Universidad Complutense of Madrid in 2008, the Espadaysantacruz studio is the creation of Miguel Espada, Juan Santa-Cruz and Nerea Goikoetxea. They are a band of professionals with different backgrounds in the field of creative programming, visual arts, production design, filmmaking, and artificial intelligence. Their work (project: 530544172 title: Jose Cuervo) illustrates a great mix of AI & robotics in storytelling. Their ability to weave visuals, craft and technology is best showcased in their piece (project: 237601798 title: WASO) for Shiseido, and (project: 330786959 title: Now What) for Qualitas Auto. The group has also collaborated with innovative fashion brand Rag & Bone to create two stunning live installations using AI technology: (project: 334495344 title: A Last Supper) and (project: 499858294 title: New York Fashion Week Fall 2019). Their spirit for innovation can be seen in their deep fake-assisted music video for (project: 506642718 title: TREMENDO LA JUVENTUD). Espadaysantacruz's work has traversed the creative spectrum from their impactful, high-profile (project: 193744471 title: BLIND CAP) for Samsung to (project: 209285376 title: Motor Dreams) for Ford, which earned them a Cannes Gold Lion.

Henri & Sebastian’s directing duo are known for combining wildly different visual styles and techniques in a way that feels fresh, innovative, and just plain fun. Currently based between Madrid and Buenos Aires, they shot around the globe in their latest action-packed spot for Facebook (project: 734704821 title: Pass the Board). Their rapid-fire montages of vivid 2D & 3D animation mixed with perfectly coordinated art direction on live-action for (project: 264316784 title: Oreo Cookie People) reflect on the duo’s distinctive directorial style. In the animation world, they brought powerful stories to life with (project: 347635821 title: Inside Google), and remixed the iconic classic Gatorade (project: 122672753 title: Groove Like Mike). The duo’s creative work has won them five Cannes Lions Awards and many more!

After more than ten years as an award-winning creative director, Jonathan Gurvit decided to start a new career as a director, and the results have been incredible. Fearless imagination and courageous curiosity combine to create his gorgeous film for (project: 393816427 title: Palacio de Hierro), the Mad Max-inspired spot for (project: 393816855 title: Doritos), the dystopian world of (project: 506647801 title: Axion Energy), and the cinematic (project: 393816394 title: Hyundai Wireless Charger). Jonathan has an amazing knack for bringing fabulous CG characters to life, as seen in the magical (project: 208741836 title: SCARECROW) spot for Galbusera, the heart-warming piece for (project: 699799247 title: Mercedes), his depiction of the future in (project: 253496995 title: Cox Gigablast). Jonathan also has a great eye for the epic and cinematic, as seen in his sweeping spots for (project: 230480868 title: Toyota Corolla) and (project: 347629782 title: Renault Kwid).

Karim's love of design and art direction breathe life into his work, as seen in his film for (project: 291136026 title: Mobalpa) and (project: 783749226 title: Ecobee). Some more examples of his carefully crafted worlds can be seen in (project: 506639064 title: Lenovo Yoga), (project: 506638931 title: Target), (project: 205959854 title: IZZE), and (project: 160359892 title: CHOOS-THE-MANGO) featuring Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan. His unique eye for design and camerawork come to life in these very unexpected spots for (project: 783782668 title: PA Tourism) and (project: 724922291 title: Doordash), while (project: 253498157 title: Android Wear 2.0) demonstrates Karim’s understanding of in-camera magic. His work (project: 291136064 title: Google Fi) takes his distinct look out of the studio and into the real world, while adding an element of comedy. Karim was also tapped to design and direct the entire upfront, (project: 577342100 title: Youtube Brandcast). The challenge involved blending virtual and physical worlds elegantly and directing celebrities such as Miley Cyrus, Hasan Minhaj, and James Corden.

Lake Buckley is a NY-based director best known for creating works that blur the divide between mundane and bizarre. Her stylized directorial eye can be seen in (project: 756844400 title: Google Pixel 3A Launch) & (project: 775449194 title: Bumble). She also has a clear vision for authentic cinematography with people centered docu-style pieces, such as (project: 756844087 title: Google Dots). From her past experience as a creative director, her use of art direction and creative collaborations come through in pieces like (project: 704568198 title: Frooti) & (project: 699801745 title: Instagram Tag In). Lake’s work has been recognized by Fast Company, Sundance Film Festival, ADC Young Guns, SPD Awards and Walker Art Center.

Never one to be confined to a single technique, Marc Reisbig seamlessly combines live-action and animation in his own unique mixed-media style, as seen in his piece for Elkjøp, (project: 778213704 title: Paranoid). He uses this mixed media approach to create a driving, contagious energy for the brand. Meanwhile, Marc’s Nordic sense of humor is on display in his irreverent and whimsical films such as (project: 499849805 title: Super Draw), (project: 123255170 title: Frooti), and (project: 530544172 title: Jose Cuervo). In his beautiful spots for Walmart (project: 778222884 title: Growing Up) & (project: 499831026 title: America's Cart), Marc switches gears to develop a more cinematic and anthemic style. His visual and emotional storytelling can also be seen in (project: 778220344 title: Kirkens Bymisjon), (project: 778239855 title: KLP), and (project: 778213858 title: Infinitum).

Erika Zorzi and Matteo Sangalli comprise Mathery, a one-of-a-kind Italian directing duo bred from a background in design and photography. Currently based in Brooklyn, their work turns simple, everyday life upside down to form worlds of both breathtaking art direction, as seen in their spots for (project: 699799481 title: Ruggable), (project: 342494201 title: Deloitte), (project: 476496114 title: A101), and (project: 290718228 title: Mega Ice Cream). Their worlds also have a wonderful sense of tongue-in-cheek humor, as seen in their spots for (project: 333590017 title: Orbitz), (project: 673427496 title: Gopuff), (project: 499832584 title: Olly), and their independent short film (project: 301099413 title: OFFF). They also blend different film elements tastefully, such as unique choreography with artistic lighting, which can be seen in (project: 301674222 title: Ikea), & (project: 713030101 title: Amex).

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Maxime Bruneel's spot for (project: 266382811 title: Engie) is a celebration of the filmmaker's passions: choreography, animation, and unbridled human spirit. The same could be said for his latest pieces for (project: 506638034 title: Facebook Obsess), (project: 499831587 title: L’Oreal), (project: 208689901 title: Facebook Stories), or his live-action music video for (project: 121878742 title: Mennen). Medium-bending and mesmerizing, (project: 172595831 title: Remember the Future) is Bruneel's mixed-media mashup for Adidas Originals, featuring Kate Moss. No less transfixing or inventive is his promo for TT Diplo and Swick, (project: 118024921 title: Dat A Freak), his tongue-in-cheek mixed media anthem for (project: 499849370 title: Back Market), his shapeshifting splitscreen music video for (project: 393812660 title: Vodafone), and his propulsive found footage extravaganza for (project: 499850058 title: Gatorade). He also has a very distinct anthemic style, as seen in (project: 499833189 title: Bolt24), and (project: 781974232 title: Masterclass).

Roman is truly a multi-faceted director. While Roman started his career in graphic design, his work has evolved over multiple genres from narrative, lifestyle, and fashion, to the technical world of VFX and animation. This can be seen in his celebratory lifestyle films for (project: 423275581 title: Oppo), (project: 347192002 title: Youtube Music), and the gritty conceptual storytelling in his short film (project: 208553224 title: Reminiscence). Roman was tapped to direct the entire Made By Google 2022 Pixel 7 Launch, showcasing elegant storytelling which married beautifully with cinematic visuals. From a (project: 783787764 title: Pixel 7 Watch), to a (project: 783787634 title: Guided Frame Feature), this campaign allowed Roman to showcase his artistic vision through docu-style interviews & powerful cinematography. When merging all of his skill sets, and letting the imagination take the lead, his craft comes through in films for (project: 87025290 title: Vision Express), (project: 393848118 title: Garmin), and the acclaimed (project: 108810132 title: Sonos) campaign, a collaboration with Tomi Dieguez.

Ron Brodie is a BIPOC director & cultural enthusiast. Inspired by his Jamaican-American heritage, Ron’s passion is telling underrepresented stories that are often missed by mainstream media, as seen in (project: 783790895 title: Target Black Beyond Measure). His portfolio is also made up of a diverse group of commercials, music videos, and branded content. His commercial directing credits include spots for (project: 471486073 title: Spotify), (project: 699801745 title: Instagram), (project: 506635669 title: Chime), and (project: 471593777 title: Airwalk). He's also produced promos for MTV, BET, HBO, and the Emmy Award-winning ROBBIN' SEASON of FX's Atlanta. As a filmmaker, Ron's 35mm short film (project: 471488867 title: Jumpman) debuted on Booooooom, and his contribution on the music video for Bob Marley's (project: 471593143 title: No Woman No Cry) has been widely recognized.

(project: 708315868 title: Magnum), a Peggy Gou remix of Kylie’ Minogue’s Can’t Get You Out of My Head, recalls the dynamic energy of his music video background. Using this experience, he then jumped into the commercial world. A notable piece that blends both of his backgrounds beautifully is the (project: 759550618 title: Google Hardware Launch Intro Film). Other works for (project: 506768818 title: Izze), (project: 530547131 title: Macy's), and (project: 783788858 title: Instagram Rallying Cry) are also great showcases of his elegant cinematography & rhythmic directorial style. His campaigns for (project: 234012558 title: Bose) and (project: 393808444 title: Jaguar) are contrasting works that illustrate his passion for design. Tim’s keen eye for aesthetic documentary-style cinematography also shines through in his work for (project: 347192002 title: Youtube Music). His film (project: 262403337 title: The Labour Train), an op-doc featured in the New York Times and supported by the Pulitzer Center.

With a diverse skill set, Tomi has brought inspirational stories to life with his beautiful spot for (project: 476511499 title: King Arthur), conquered in-camera live action projects for (project: 253497093 title: Uber), and incorporated incredible CG in (project: 221294282 title: Toyota CH+R). You can see his knack for kinetic visual storytelling in his visually inventive spots with (project: 253527701 title: Atma) and (project: 506634625 title: Quaker). Tomi also created an Emmy Award-winning animated kids series (project: 333625388 title: Little Big Awesome) which premiered on Amazon in May of 2018. More recently, Tomi is directing his second season of the exciting mixed media series (project: 737615131 title: Meta Are We There Yet), cinematically blending the Metaverse with reality.