DIRECTOR’S BIO

BRENDAN HEATH

Brendan Heath exemplifies the qualities of a true creative visionary, with a steadfast commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the world of advertising. In an industry where innovation and fresh ideas are highly valued, Heath’s name is synonymous with both. His exceptional ability to tell a story in a succinct and impactful way, anchored in a striking visual style, has been the driving force behind his success in directing commercials and branded content. From the first frame to the last, Heath captivates audiences with his unique talent for grabbing their attention and keeping them engaged. His ability to connect with audiences on a deep, emotional level, coupled with his expertise across multiple genres, has made him one of the most capable, and sought-after directors in the industry. Heath’s unique flexibility and multidisciplined experience bring a fresh perspective to creative and concept development. And with a portfolio of globally recognized brands under his belt – including L’Oréal, AT&T, The Mayo Clinic, Givenchy, Pepsi, Julliard, ABC Birds, Vera Wang, Toyota, Caltech, Pepsi, Smirnoff, Goodyear, NCPG, Samsung, Pantene, Nivea, Human Rights First, among others - it's clear that his work resonates with consumers and clients alike.

Perhaps Heath's most significant relationship in advertising is his longstanding partnership with L’Oréal. With a penchant for groundbreaking techniques and a keen eye for captivating visuals, Heath's collaborations with the brand have been truly remarkable. His daring campaigns, which prominently feature A-list celebrities, introduced a revolutionary approach to hair commercials with specialized anti-gravity rigs and modified high-speed cameras. The result reinvigorated the hair category and established a new benchmark for advertising in the field. A true innovator in every sense of the word, Heath's 9-year alliance with L'Oréal contributed to an impressive 11 billion Euros in growth.

Heath was deeply influenced by Hollywood feature film directors like Spike Jonz, David Fincher, Michel Gondry, Wes Anderson, Sofia Coppola, and especially Ridley Scott, whose work inspired him to begin his career at Scott's Black Dog Films in New York. Over the next six years, Heath produced and collaborated with director Marcus Nispel on iconic music videos for C&C Music Factory and commercials for global brands such as AT&T, Verizon, and Nestle. Seeking new challenges, Heath became executive producer at Storm C&C Films, where he teamed up with director Charles Stone on the critically acclaimed and award-winning Budweiser "Whassup" campaign. Heath then became a partner and executive producer at Double Wide Media, where he helped launch Academy award-winning cinematographer Ed Lachman's career as a powerhouse director in the advertising world. Together, they pushed the limits of filmmaking by shooting a branded content series for Motorola using twelve interlaced cellphones. Throughout his career, Heath's fascination with experimentation and innovation in filmmaking has never waned.

Heath's unyielding passion and unwavering dedication to his craft as a director and creator continually drive him to explore new frontiers. With his boundless creativity and insatiable thirst for fresh ideas, he remains a source of inspiration, constantly breaking new ground and pioneering new approaches to storytelling that engage and captivate audiences.

NOWHERE TO GO.

In this joint initiative between Conservation International and the AWF, two prominent organizations widely recognized for their conservation efforts, a synergistic approach was required to raise awareness of both the deleterious effects that climate change and habitat loss pose on wildlife. By juxtaposing giraffes and rhinos, iconic wildlife species, against winter landscapes, the stark visual contrast between the animals adapted to warmer climates set against cold, inhospitable winter environments symbolizes the disruption and challenges faced by wildlife due to changing climatic conditions. In showcasing these majestic animals in unfamiliar and unsuitable environments, the threat of habitat loss and degradation is made chillingly clear. These gentle and vulnerable animals evoke strong emotions in viewers and are depicted in striking visuals to capture attention, tap into empathy, and elicit a clear call to action, encouraging viewers to take steps to combat the plight of wildlife, support conservation initiatives, and donate to the organizations.

The image of the giraffe standing alone on a drifting ice floe serves as a powerful representation of the profound effects of climate change and habitat loss on wildlife. The giraffe's contemplative gaze upon its own reflection in the water evokes a sense of longing for companionship and a connection to its natural habitat, underscoring the pressing challenges faced by its species. This visual narrative symbolizes the urgent call to address the plight of wildlife and serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of human actions on the natural world. The stark nature of the message evokes a strong emotional response, inspiring individuals to take meaningful action and make a positive impact on the preservation of our planet's biodiversity.

The concept art, originally developed as a blueprint to produce short-format videos optimized for multiple social media platforms, was repurposed to create a parallel running print campaign. An NDA precludes sharing the video content at this time. 

This ad features a rhino navigating through an inhospitable winter landscape. The composition draws attention to the presence of a drinking hole in the ice made using an oversized corkscrew which serves as a symbolic representation of the inadequate and misguided attempts by humans to address these issues. The corkscrew signifies the futility of such actions and the need for more effective and sustainable solutions. This ad is a powerful and thought-provoking visual narrative crafted to evoke emotions, spark reflection, and prompt viewers to take action in preserving wildlife habitats and addressing climate change.

RECENT DIGITAL VIDEO CONTENT

Concept-driven video campaigns strategically focused on niche demographics, leveraging a diverse array of media platforms, including live streaming and traditional channels, to amplify engagement, enhance brand recognition, and produce measurable results.

VERA WANG CAMPAIGN

ON A SHOESTRING BUDGET

This campaign is as much about a young budding romance, a delicate tapestry woven with innocence, curiosity, tenderness, and an exhilarating dance of emotions, a time when hearts flutter with anticipation, and the world seems to shimmer with newfound possibilities. But it's also about friendships cultivated at a time when we navigate the threshold between adolescence and adulthood, and embark on journeys of self-discovery, shared experiences, and develop lasting bonds that are marked by a unique blend of exuberance and heartbreak. It is these unbreakable bonds forged in a time of carefree innocence, when the purest and most authentic of connections are made, characterized by a deep sense of camaraderie, shared laughter, tears, and countless memories, that leave an indelible mark on our lives, as we carve out our place in the world.

In developing this campaign for Vera Wang's perfume “Princess”, we wanted to appeal to the desires and aspirations of the emerging young Generation Z demographic, which has grown up in a highly digital world. The overwhelming majority of this digital generation yearns for the real-world experiences of yesteryear, where they can disconnect from their digital devices and immerse themselves in the authentic beauty of the natural world around them and form authentic human bonds with friends. Real-life friendships forged through meaningful experiences, possible only beyond the confines of screens, and explore new horizons and embark on their own free-spirited journeys of discovery and exploration creating lasting memories that will live on forever.

I decided to shoot the campaign in Iceland set amongst their breathtaking and surrealistic landscapes that lend well to capturing a sense of enchantment and creating a whimsical and dreamy atmosphere.

HUMAN RIGHTS FIRST

A campaign created for Human Rights First capitalizing on celebrity influence to promote human rights and equality. Working with celebrities for over a decade, we were able to leverage those relationships to attract a star-studded cast to combat racism, xenophobia, and a growing anti-immigration sentiment. Shooting multiple celebrities in a short window is a complex task requiring meticulous planning and the ability to compromise and adapt at a moment's notice.

TROPICANA CAMPAIGN FOR PEPSI ASIA

TROPICANA COMMERCIAL AND DIGITAL CONTENT CAMPAIGN DEVELOPED AND DIRECTED FOR PEPSI ASIA IN COLLABORATION WITH WUNDERMAN THOMPSON.

Understanding regional markets and cultural sensitivities were a critical factor in developing this campaign directed towards Generation Z consumers in Asia. The original narrative concept featured a mischievous angel, which I quickly replaced with a mischievous fairy. An angel is sacred in many Asian cultures and could have created complications for the brand. I shot the commercial and digital content in Vietnam. The surreal fantasy-driven commercial and digital campaign was released across multiple media platforms and channels, setting record metrics across the board. The fairy character has become a mascot for the Tropicana Twister brand in Asia.

CONCEPT DESIGN

Video stills from the commercial and video content.

L'ORÉAL PARiS AND BEAUTY

A 10 Year collaboration with McCann Paris saw 10 billion Euros in growth for L’Oréal.