Bridging Advertising and Filmmaking, New Division to Flourish Under Williams’ Creative Leadership
Rakish, the boutique production company founded by Golden Globe-nominated feature film director Marc Forster and Preston Garrett, proudly announces the appointment of Zack Williams as Head of Creative Development. This pivotal hire marks the groundbreaking of Rakish’s new long-form development division, a bold step towards forging relationships with brands to create and produce long-form entertainment offerings.
Zack Williams brings a wealth of experience from his diverse background in creative development and advertising to Rakish. Over the past decade, Zack has produced work for and collaborated with renowned brands, agencies, and production companies, including MullenLowe, 180LA, and Cashmere. His freelance stints with high-profile clients like Apple, LIV Golf, Durable Goods, and David&Goliath highlight his adaptability and expertise in fluidly oscillating between the agency and client sides in constantly pushing the boundaries of creative production. Notably, Zack led a successful KIA campaign with David&Goliath and managed key projects at Faraday Future, demonstrating his capability in handling productions from pre through post. His early career at six-time Academy Award nominated The Kennedy/Marshall Company, provided invaluable exposure to the highest levels of filmmaking and television production in the entertainment industry. Transitioning from feature films and television to advertising, Zack’s unique career trajectory and diverse experience align seamlessly with Rakish’s vision, making him a valuable addition to the team. His unique ability to think like a producer with a creative lens will be instrumental in developing longer-form entertainment content backed by branded funds.
“I’ve never quite fit the mold of any traditional role that I’ve filled and therefore couldn’t be more excited to join the Rakish team in this capacity,” states Williams. “We are truly building a new division of Rakish and, in turn, a whole new approach to branded filmmaking. With such a strong, clear vision from Marc and Preston, I know the opportunities are endless. I can’t think of a better team and group of creative individuals to build this with.”
“Zack’s background in both creative development and advertising is lightning in a bottle,” shares Rakish co-founder and managing director Preston Garrett. “Per our long-term vision at Rakish, Zack’s bilingualism is indispensable: fluency in both pure filmmaking and brands. I know we at Rakish are not alone in the endeavor to build a bridge between advertising and long-form entertainment; though our vision and purpose for pursuing this dragon is very specific to us. Zack is aligned with this vision, and I also happen to love him as a human being. That’s the Rakish way – chemistry and mutual adoration within the four walls of the company is the whole point of doing this. If it don’t feel right, then it ain’t.”
Rakish’s new long-form division seeks to collaborate with brands to develop and package long-form entertainment properties that prioritize storytelling over overt advertising. Inspired by the filmmaking heroes of independent cinema, such as the early era of United Artists, John Cassavetes, and American Zoetrope, Rakish aims to empower brands to act as independent studios, financiers, and producers.
“Our vision is to make Rakish and its long-form brand endeavors synonymous with new wave auteurism,” expresses Garrett. “We are galvanized to pursue different ways of producing and financing director and writer-forward filmmaking. The inherent risk of having too many financiers and producers, let alone the crippling process of too many voices in the room, is not conducive to artistic output. We aspire to make vision-first filmmaking that will stand the test of time.”
Currently developing a slate of original IP, Rakish is manifesting its vision with Zack Williams at the helm. As Head of Creative Development, Williams will be a conduit between talent agencies, prospective brands, and distributors. He will pair Rakish’s roster of directors with specific brand visions, shepherd the development of new projects, and oversee and broker distribution.
With a client portfolio that includes Lexus, Toyota, Chevrolet, GMC, Samsung, Nissan, Courageous Conversations, Nintendo, Bank of America, Kia, Publix, FanDuel, The Home Depot, Disney, Meta, American Family Insurance, Hershey’s, and many more, Rakish continues to excel in the commercial production landscape while expanding its creative horizons to long-form filmmaking. Earlier this year, Rakish produced the award-nominated “Progress Feels Like” for Kotex and Capital A, directed by Jaci Judelson.
Representing a slew of directing talents in addition to Marc Forster, Rakish’s roster includes Noah Marshall, Josh and Jonathan Baker (aka TWIN, directors of KIN), Olivia Kasterbring and Bruce St. Clair, among others, for commercials and branded content.
Of recent note, Rakish’s directing collective Sunny Sixteen joined FCB Chicago in celebrating their branded documentary short film “The Last Barf Bag” winning the Grand Prix at Cannes Lions in the Health & Wellness category. A lighthearted 12-minute mini-documentary, the film explores the eccentric subculture of air sickness bags by profiling four collectors who passionately display their unique treasures. Created in collaboration with Dramamine and FCB Chicago, it also examines the broader decline of air sickness bags on commercial airlines, correlating this trend with the reduced incidence of air nausea due to advancements in aviation technology. Dramamine humorously credits itself for this decline, showcasing a chart that maps the brand’s growth against the disappearance of the bags. Charting an impressive course through the film festival and awards circuit, Sunny Sixteen’s “The Last Barf Bag” continues to collect accolades, including the coveted Vimeo Staff Pick and Vimeo Best of Staff Picks, an honor that places their film alongside other exceptional shorts of years past. In addition to its Grand Prix honors at Cannes, the film also received a Special Mention from this year’s Jury at the Tribeca Film Festival, further cementing its impact and reach within the film entertainment and advertising communities. The recognition from both Cannes Lions and Tribeca underscores the film’s success in capturing the audience’s imagination with its quirky and engaging storytelling.
