Alkemy X Adds Director Dean Blumberg to Directorial Roster
Award-winning global entertainment company Alkemy X has added commercial and film director Dean Blumberg to its roster for US commercial representation. Living in Johannesburg, South Africa, but shooting globally, his obsession with story and performance has spurred an eclectic body of work spanning all genres. Thriving on challenges, the Cannes Lions-winner doesn’t believe in playing it safe--and his work reflects this emboldened approach. A voracious cinephile and lifelong student of the craft and world at large, his deep care for the audience experience is evident, with a throughline of cinematic storytelling coupled with a distinctly familiar playfulness. His body of work showcases his affinity for eliciting strong performances from actors on spots for such top brands as KFC, Virgin and Toyota, as well as campaigns with top celebrity talent including Sir Ben Kingsley and William Shatner.
"Dean’s work is unforgettable. In fact, most of his work tempts you to watch it again, which is almost unheard of in this age of disposable media. He’s a seasoned professional whose intellect and confidence are evident at all times in his approach to the work. We’re delighted to welcome Dean to our team of filmmakers and we’re excited to formally continue our collaboration," notes Alkemy X Director of Production Jim Huie.
“The team at Alkemy X not only has such a deep understanding of the current landscape of commercial production, but they also immediately grasped the trajectory of my directorial career. I’m thrilled to join such a robust team with a keen eye on the future of advertising,” adds Blumberg.
Dean started his career directing short films which garnered him honors at the Cannes Film Festival in 2005. He then entered the competitive commercial directing world with an impressive start. Dean was chosen for the New Directors Showcase in Shots Magazine in 2007 and won the Shots Young Director Award at Cannes Lions in 2008. Shortly thereafter he won his first Ad of the Year for Creative Circle with his spot, Ford “Together”. That same year, another of his spots, 1st for Women “So Backwards,” made the Gunn Report’s 100 Most Awarded Commercials List—something he repeated in 2015 with his spot, Student Flights “Grandpa.” He’s gone on to win various Cannes Lions, Clios, Midas, London International, and One Show awards. Dean is also the most awarded director in Creative Circle’s history, having won Creative Circle’s Ad of the Year twice, as well as 2nd and 3rd places in alternating years.
Outside of advertising, Blumberg has continued to work on his feature film and television endeavors throughout the entirety of his career. He has penned three feature film scripts, two of which he sold early on, and is regularly invited to lecture and give workshops on narrative direction. He is currently in development on his first feature film for Netflix, “Splitsville,” which is slated to begin production in 2023.
