IRAQ
Executive Producer, Director, Art Director
In July 2005 I was offered the incredible chance to move to Baghdad, Iraq and take over the direction of the Baghdad Media Center for the International Republican Institute (IRI)- an NGO which works directly with the US State Department. My mission was to lead a group of five Iraqi men new to media production, in the creation and production of advocacy messaging for newly formed political groups in Iraq. I was also responsible for the operation of a new $2mill, production facility, the Baghdad Media Center and act as a liaison between IRI and the Iraqi government. From July -Dec. 2005 my team wrote and produced 75 TV commercials and instructional videos for the first Constitution Ratification and first Parliamentary elections.. We also produced numerous printed pieces and held the first ever (check you guns at the door) taped, televised debates in the history of Iraq in the Media Center studios. The mission of the Media Center was an overwhelming success and by the end of six months I had a very talented and accomplished team.
1959
1959 is a TV:30sec shot entirely on the streets of Baghdad. Using actors from the Baghdad Repertory Theater, they tell the story of the first Parliamentary election held in 1959, and now the citizens of Iraq have the privilege and the duty to carry on the tradition by casting their votes in the upcoming election. An estimated 90% of the Iraqi population voted in December 2005
One of the most difficult and creative spots that the Media Center produced was an After Effects spot advocating youth to get involved in the Parliamentary election. The voting age was 25yrs+ in the first election which marginalized millions of youth. IRI represented Yalla Shabab which was one group organizing youth in an effort that young people had representation in the new government
Embassy of Qatar
Producer, Writer, Art Director
In the fall of 2017 I was asked to submit a print and television pitch to the Embassy of Qatar in Washington DC. Through out 2017, Qatar was facing severe economic restrictions placed on them by other middle eastern countries and scrutiny from the US. Below you will see an approach that speaks to the goodness of the country instead of the popular, accusatory, retribution techniques often found in political messaging. The creative was widely hailed at the Embassy for its unique approach.
