Daniel Schaefer and Szymon Rose Sign with Arts & Sciences London as a Directing Team
Fresh off the success of their acclaimed debut commercial film, renowned agency CCOs Daniel Schaefer and Szymon Rose have made a bold career leap into directing. Now working under the name Daniel & Szymon, the duo has officially joined Arts & Sciences London for commercial representation. Following a year of incredible growth and expansion, Arts & Sciences ushers in an exciting new era with this signing, further cementing its reputation as a hub for cutting-edge talent in the UK.
Daniel Schaefer and Szymon Rose launched their advertising careers at the agency Jung von Matt in Hamburg in 2006 before moving to BBH London, then Wieden+Kennedy Amsterdam, and eventually returning to Jung von Matt as partners and chief creative officers. Collectively, they’ve shaped global campaigns for brands like Facebook, Hyundai, Axe, Samsung, and LEGO, among countless others, winning nearly every major industry award like Cannes Lions, Clios, British Arrows, and D&AD Pencils.
Daniel&Szymon’s first directorial effort was the Christmas campaign for the Austrian bank Erste Bank, “Silent Night.” With cinematic polish, “Silent Night” also makes a profound emotional impact as it traces the journey of the Christmas classic from its humble beginnings as a hymnal tune written by village priest Joseph Mohr and composed by local music teacher Franz Xaver Gruber in the Austrian hamlet of Oberndorf in 1818. Marking the conclusion of their storied careers as agency creatives and the promising start of their endeavors as a directing team, the success of this campaign immediately won them more work with Erste Bank directing the timeless and emotional “Life Stories,” which tells the epic yet ordinary story of a father and son through time.
“This itch came back, and we thought that maybe now is the best moment to try our hand as directors,” said Szymon Rose. “We were lucky to have that seamless transition from being in the office to being on set. We had our first taste of directing with our Erste Bank job and loved it.”
Daniel Schaefer added, “Emotionally, all other prospects were leaving us cold, so there was no other choice, and we were excited to start from scratch and become directors. We have twenty years of experience as creatives working with the best directors on the planet, so we had the best learning experience and training. Our careers as agency creatives were probably the greatest apprenticeship in teaching us how to be exemplary directors.”
James Bland, managing director and partner at Arts & Sciences, added, “Directors like Daniel & Szymon don’t come along often. Their jump into filmmaking has been nothing short of remarkable, with their debut ad, Silent Night, demonstrating their uncanny ability to tell stories that resonate deeply. At Arts & Sciences, we’re eager to be part of their incredible journey and help shape this exciting next chapter.”
