Rogue Appoints Ben Hampshire as MD/EP

Rogue Films has deepened its formidable talent pool with the addition of industry big hitter Ben Hampshire, who joins the company in London as managing director/executive producer. Hampshire brings 18 years of advertising and production experience in both the U.S. and UK, most recently as managing director of The Mill Los Angeles where over 7 years he grew the L.A. studio from 12 employees to 220, following 5 years heading production at The Mill London. Hampshire delivers a well honed mix of creative, technology and business acumen to Rogue, and will focus on creating new opportunities for its A-list directors, developing young talent, recruiting new directors and managing day to day operations with company partners/executive producers David Van Der Gaag and Charlie Crompton.

“It’s no secret we’ve been looking for someone who will help keep Rogue at the top of its game as the production business evolves,” Van Der Gaag and Crompton said, “and Ben has impeccable credentials for just that role. With his vast management and entrepreneurial experience garnered over 7 years at The Mill LA, Ben also has a unique insight into the opportunities for production companies from a country which is generally regarded as being slightly ahead of the curve. We’re absolutely delighted about Ben becoming a Rogue. He shares our philosophy and ambition in building deep and genuine partnerships for an increasingly exciting future.”

Hampshire said, “Rogue is a unique company with a very strong roster including directing titans Sam Brown and Stacy Wall, and deep relationships with the London agency community where they are known and respected for unparalleled production experience and craft. Many of their producers have been at the company for 10 years or more. What is exciting about Rogue is what’s at the company core—a refusal to become a big toiling production factory, an absolute focus on every project that they engage on, and the dynamism of a tight family unit creating some of the most memorable and awarded spots of recent years.”

Rogue has been one of London’s top creative boutiques for the past 15 years, building its reputation on the high craftsmanship, quality and originality of its work across commercials, music videos, digital content, documentary and film. This year alone, Rogue has taken home multiple honors at Cannes, British Arrows and the APAs. Cannes Lion wins include Gold for Guinness “Made of Black,” directed by Sam Brown; Silver for Channel 4’s promo “Prototype,” featuring amputee model Viktoria Modesta and directed by Saam Farahmand; and two Bronze for Department of Transport “Celebrate,” directed by Mark Zibert. Zibert is part of the Imperial Woodpecker roster, represented by Rogue for the UK and European markets.

Rogue also received APA 50 awards for Guinness “Made of Black” and Freeview “Left Behinds,” both directed by Sam Brown; CLIC Sargent “The Jokes Appeal,” directed by Misha Manson-Smith; and Department for Transport “Celebration” directed by Mark Zibert.

A native of London, Hampshire’s career began there, then took him to Los Angeles and back across the Pond to London again. His perspective extends borders and continents, and reflects collaborations with the globe’s finest directors, visual artists, agency creatives, producers and brand clients.

“I’ve always really enjoyed working with directors, and the opportunity to join a boutique London company like Rogue with A-list talent and a strong focus on the client experience was very enticing,” Hampshire said. “We are also in a time where the creative execution is heavily reliant on existing and emerging technology, something I was fortunate to be involved in for many years at The Mill. Saam Farahmand and other Rogue directors have a strong grasp of these new frontiers in a way that Gondry and others did years before them. I couldn’t be more pleased to help shape these types of new and exciting opportunities for Rogue.”