Director Jamal Ademola Joins Where The Buffalo Roam

Full-service creative production company Where The Buffalo Roam (WTBR) has signed award-winning director and multidisciplinary artist Jamal Ademola. Over the last decade, the Nigerian-American director’s eye-catching work in the branding and advertising space includes clients such as Apple, Google, LEGO, Reebok, and Skechers. In addition to representing Ademola for commercials, branded content, and brand experiences, WTBR will work closely with him to produce original content and IP. The signing marks his first exclusive commercial representation deal. 

Jamal is hailed for his examinations of everything from Black identity and Afro-futurism to love, cultural consciousness, and society. He brings a welcome perspective to the WTBR roster and their commitment to breaking down barriers that Black talent face in entertainment, advertising, and production – behind and in front of the camera. 

“In turning to the next chapter of my journey as an artist with WTBR, I'm excited about defying categories and labels with story-driven content that is thoughtful, dream-like, and immersive,” remarks Jamal. “Moreso, to do it in a way that cultivates interdimensional healing while fostering more opportunities for other artists and people of colour.” 

“To spend any time with Jamal is truly a gift,” adds Tim Pries, founder/executive producer at WTBR. “His passion and caring about the world, along with his ever-curious nature, are truly evident in all he embodies. He brings so much to the table, from his perspective on life to his dedication to the craft. We're honoured to jam with him and make some really meaningful work together.”

Prior to directing, Jamal enjoyed a successful commercial design and animation career of 10 years. These experiences inform his approach as a mixed-media filmmaker, where he excels in visual experimentation across live-action, 2D/3D animation, painting, photography, illustration, and design. Prior to joining WTBR, Ademola previously animated and directed projects via Gentleman Scholar, Brand New School, and Psyop, as well as direct-to-brand. 

Recent work exuding the rich, prismatic worlds Jamal creates includes an earth-conscious brand film for House of Marley; the music video for Sidibe’s single 'Place For You & I,' where a woman falls in love with a man trapped inside a painting; and 'Fearless Leader,' a commercial he co-directed with MJZ director Fredrik Bond for Northwell Health, which won a Muse Award for Creativity. Currently, Jamal is in post-production of a film titled 'Ellas Vinieron de las Nubes,' an experimental documentary about the Afro-Mexicans of La Costa Chica.

Jamal believes that truth and authenticity of expression is essential for brands to connect with today’s consumers: “The brands that excite me most are the ones that are brave enough to be vulnerable and answer to a larger purpose, such as social justice, mental health, mindfulness, and sustainability in their marketing.” 

Outside of the commercial world, the LA-based director keeps busy writing and directing original films. His recent short film, I Dreamed of Seeing Myself, will screen at the 2022 Alchemy Film and Moving Image Festival. Combining video, painting, drawing, photography, and performance, the film is a surreal exploration of self-identity and African experience. He also recently starred in an episode of Hulu’s Your Attention Please, a series on Black innovators and creators who are leaving their mark on the world. 

Jamal is also renowned in art scenes from Lagos, Nigeria, to New York City. Last month, his triptych video installation titled 'I Forever Am' (2021) displayed as part of a group exhibition produced by the NEW INC-supported Black Beyond in partnership with Parsons School of Design. He is also the recipient of the 2021-22 Kala Media Art Award and Fellowship and has been awarded residencies at Caldera Arts (founded by Dan Wieden); the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts; and Pocoapoco. 

“From the very first project we did together, I could tell the WTBR ecosystem was just different,” concludes Jamal. “Tim and [WTBR founder/executive producer] PJ [Koll] just seemed to get it as they put a lot of trust in the artist while upholding client integrity. I'm thrilled to make magic with them.”