Syfovre “No Gimmicks” Campaign
Starring Henry Winkler • Directed by Jesse James McElroy
“I produced the Syfovre ‘No Gimmicks’ campaign starring Henry Winkler—a smart, self-aware spot that flips the usual pharma formula. Instead of glossy metaphors, we let Henry break the fourth wall and speak directly to viewers with warmth, humor, and honesty.
The ad went on to win the 2025 Fierce Madness Drug Ad Tournament, recognized for cutting through the clutter with simplicity and sincerity. For me, it was about crafting something human in a category that rarely feels that way.”
The Crew
Notable Campaigns
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Philo “Channel Comfort” Campaign
Directed by Jesse James McElroy • Line Producer: Leslie Lucey
“I had the privilege of line producing Philo’s “Channel Comfort” campaign—a boldly human story in the streaming space. We shot on location in Mexico City, built 11 “comfort creatures” that visually embodied the relief of tuning in, and balanced playful craft with emotional clarity.
The work was proudly credited in BestAds on TV, including a full-credit listing with Jesse McElroy as director and myself in the line producer role. Best Ads on TV
While the campaign’s primary goal was brand differentiation and audience connection, it gained strong attention in industry and trade circles—particularly for leaning into a lighter, more imaginative tone in a saturated streaming category. (See coverage in StreamTV Insider on how Philo aimed to position itself as “the destination for comfort TV.”) StreamTV Insider
To me, this campaign stands out because it married real craft (puppetry, character design, VFX) with a human insight: that TV should be a refuge, not a burden. It’s the kind of work I strive to bring to every project.”
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Sir Kensington’s “Obey Tongue” Campaign
Directed by Jesse James McElroy • Produced by Leslie Lucey
“I produced the Sir Kensington’s “Obey Tongue” campaign—one of my most playful, daring projects to date. Under Jesse McElroy’s direction, we built surreal worlds, rigged an oversized puppet mouth, and collaborated with Serbian puppeteers to bring the tongue to life in a visual language as bold as the brand’s flavors. Little Black Book+2Honor Society Films+2
While the campaign is still relatively new in its rollout, it’s already garnered attention in trade and creative circles for its imaginative craft and tone-shifting visuals. (Check out Honor Society’s showcase of “Obey Tongue” among their featured films.) Honor Society Films
For me, this work demonstrates what I work for: production that’s adventurous in execution and anchored in a strong, distinct brand voice.”
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Crayola "Color Wonder" Campaign
Director: Benzo Theadore • Produced by Leslie Lucey
“One of my absolute favorite commercials to have produced is the Crayola Color Wonder campaign, shot in the heart of Prague. We took a globally beloved children’s brand and elevated it with cinematic nuance—perfectly balancing whimsy with visual clarity. The Prague setting gave us incredible architecture and light, which lent scale and texture to what could have been a purely functional spot.
Though this campaign isn’t always front-and-center in award wrap-ups, it has been admired in creative circles for its elegance, production ambition, and clean storytelling. (You’ll find it listed in broadcast catalogs and TV spot archives like iSpot.) iSpot+1
Color Wonder exemplifies what I love: taking a product that’s “simple” in concept and treating it with respect in form. The result is work that feels like craft, not just messaging.”
Opzelura “Pursuit It” Campaign
Directed by Adam Donald • Voiceover by Morgan Freeman
“I produced the Opzelura ‘Pursuit It’ campaign for Incyte and Klick Health—a cinematic, voice-driven story led by Morgan Freeman. We shot across multiple locations over six intense days, building a campaign that broke through the noise of traditional pharma advertising.
What I loved most was pairing emotional storytelling with high-end craft—something that felt more like film than commercial. The work went on to win two Gold MM+M Awards for Best TV/Connected TV Campaign and Best Media Plan, a real testament to the creative and production teams behind it.”
Pursuit – Behind the Scenes (Spain)
Filming Pursuit in Spain was as unforgettable as the story itself. Our cast and crew brought a rare mix of grit, laughter, and creative magic to every moment — from late-night shoots in winding streets to spontaneous dance breaks on set. These photos capture the spirit of the production: the long days, shared meals, and the collective energy that made it all possible. We came together from around the world, bonded by storytelling and adventure — and left with lifelong memories (and a few too many jamón sandwiches).
Dove – “Bond Strength”
Directed by Gemma Lee | Produced by Leslie Lucey
Bringing this spot to life was about more than beauty — it was about connection. Director Gemma Lee approached the concept with cinematic sensitivity, grounding the story in real emotion and everyday strength. We wanted the film to feel intimate and honest, capturing those small, human moments that define resilience and care. The production balanced authenticity with elegance — natural light, lived-in performances, and a quiet confidence behind the camera. I’m proud of how our team crafted something that reflects Dove’s ongoing mission: celebrating strength not as a surface quality, but as something that lives deep within our bonds to one another.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Combe Campaign with Anna Wolf — Behind the Scenes in the Palisades
Filming one of a couple Combe campaigns with Anna Wolf in the Pacific Palisades was one of those rare shoots that carried an almost magical weight. The cliffs, the ocean light, the wind — every frame felt imbued with a quiet intensity. And doing it with a team that was about 98% female? That was nothing short of powerful.
From prep to wrap, women held almost every role — camera, grip, PA, hair, makeup, set design, production leads. That synergy of shared experience and mutual empathy became its own kind of narrative. We leaned into that strength. We trusted instincts, we gave space for voices, and we lifted each other up daily.
Looking back, there is also a bittersweet echo knowing we shot here just before the Palisades fire — a reminder of fragility amid strength. These images and memories are not just about what we made, but who we were while making it: a fiercely creative, resilient sisterhood, standing together in a place of light, before the landscape around us forever shifted.
Some behind-the-scenes below.
Recognition & Awards
Operation Dinner Party became one of Persil’s most recognized comedic campaigns, earning a spot among iSpot.tv’s “Top 25 Breakthrough Ads” for its originality, pacing, and audience recall. The ad also gained standout visibility within the Household & Cleaning category, praised for reviving The Professional campaign with fresh humor and sharp direction.
Trade publications highlighted the spot’s cinematic polish and tonal precision — an uncommon blend in the detergent space — with nods in Adweek and Campaign US for its wit and strong brand storytelling. While not built around traditional awards season ambition, the campaign resonated widely across broadcast and digital, drawing strong engagement metrics and praise for its clever, performance-driven writing and seamless comedic delivery.
Persil – “Operation Dinner Party”
Directed by Brennan Stasiewicz – Honor Society | Starring Peter Harman
Filming Operation Dinner Party in Mexico was a masterclass in timing, teamwork, and pure comedy. Brennen brought his signature wit and sharp comedic rhythm to every scene, turning the chaos of a dinner-party disaster into something effortlessly cinematic. Our crew leaned into the absurdity and charm of it all — the perfect mix of high-stakes humor and glossy brand storytelling.
Shooting on location in Mexico gave the spot a warmth and authenticity that elevated every frame — sunlight pouring through kitchen windows, real family energy, and that slightly unpredictable magic you only get on set when everything just clicks. Producing this with Honor Society and such a talented, spirited team was an absolute joy — a reminder that even when the stains are tough, laughter is the best cleaning agent of all.
