Derby Signs Director Andrew Hardaway

Creative production company Derby announced today that it signed renowned commercial director and filmmaker Andrew Hardaway to its roster.

Hardaway is an award-winning director known for his passion and expertise in bringing great stories to life across any medium. With an innate ability to tackle complicated shoots and budgets of all ranges, Hardaway’s multi-tiered skill set matches the modern needs of the industry and Derby’s expanding capabilities. He has delivered award-winning work for brands including HP, Lexus, Nissan, and Volkswagen, for which his “Moving Cities” work was honored with a Gold Medal in Execution from the Art Directors Club. Having directed large commercial shoots across North and South America, Africa, Europe and Asia, his work is highly regarded in international creative reviews, including Adweek, Lürzer's Archive, Campaign Brief, and many others. In addition, Hardaway was shortlisted at Cannes in Boards Magazine's ‘Best New Director Review’ and featured in SHOOT Magazine's ‘New Director Showcase’ at the CLIOs. Hardaway honed his technical skills working at Industrial Light and Magic, where he was a senior digital artist on projects spanning Star Wars to Men in Black. Following this, Hardaway worked with David Fincher as an effects supervisor and 2nd unit feature director on the acclaimed BMW film series.

“Andrew has an undeniable skill and passion for telling great stories and creating beautifully intriguing visuals,” said Mary Crosse, Executive Producer of Derby. “With his multitude of talents and creative vision grounded in impeccable technique, we’re thrilled that he’s joining our roster.”

“What a time to be involved in advertising,” said Andrew Hardaway. “No matter the screen size or audience, we must entertain and engage viewers like never before. Creatively, I find delight in these new mediums, because we’re charging past preconceived notions about commercial filmmaking and surging into things like VR with nothing but our wits and experience. Every treatment seems like a total redefinition or cutting-edge pitch of something entirely new."

Hardaway joins Derby’s expanding roster, which includes award-winning directors Lucas Borrás and Nickolas Duarte. Since its launch last fall, Derby has produced campaigns with its agency partners and brands including Listerine, Lucky Charms, S’well, Tidy Cats and more.

Signing Hardaway is the latest move in Derby’s ongoing expansion of its services – all part of the vision of Executive Producer Mary Crosse to execute flawless, full-service productions across all mediums in collaboration with ad agencies, brands and broadcast networks. Curated by Crosse, Derby’s stellar roster of modern storytellers and directing talent is known for its diversity of backgrounds and creative visions.