BODEGA SIGNS DIRECTOR DAVE MERHAR FOR SPOTS

New York/San Francisco-based content creation/production company Bodega signs award-winning director and former agency creative Dave Merhar for commercial representation. Merhar comes to Bodega upon the closing of his L.A.-based production company, Mortar. After 10 years working on the agency side, he’s spent the last 13 years working as a director for HSI and Sandwick Films in addition to Mortar, winning nearly every award in the industry including multiple Cannes Lions. Merhar has helmed spots for such top clients as Anheuser Busch, Hyundai, Snickers, Polaroid, ESPN, General Mills, Heineken and Lincoln Mercury. Upcoming work includes his debut Bodega spots for Legal Shield out of Level Two, Dallas and “Unplug” for USFS/Ad Council.

Says Bodega Executive Creative Director Adam Reid, “Dave is a mega-talent and a true hero of mine. He is a triple threat: he understands branding, comedy and visual effects better than any creative I’ve ever worked with.” Adds Bodega Executive Producer Clint Goldman, “Dave has already done two jobs now with Bodega and his instincts are extraordinary in all three key disciplines: writing, art and direction. We continue to strengthen our talent roster and Dave’s comedic and narrative faculties complement our vision perfectly.”

Merhar’s creative interests began at Iowa State University, where he earned a B.A. in Graphic Arts. Upon entering the advertising industry at JWT Chicago in 1989, Merhar transitioned from graphic arts to writing until 1991. At this time, he went to DDB, where he served as Group Creative Director for 7 years running top clients such as Budweiser, Bud Light, McDonald’s and Heinz. He left DDB to start his own agency, Fusion Idea Lab, where he could write and direct for Anheuser Busch. He led a team to craft spots for Anheuser Busch brands as well as other top clients including Subway, Target, Orbitz, ABC Family and FOX Network. Though a successful venture, Merhar left the agency to dedicate more time to directing. After spending time as a roster director for HSI and Sandwick Films, Merhar teamed up with Executive Producer Grayson Bithell to open Mortar. After directing projects for top clients including Hyundai, Hefty, McDonalds, Pepsi, Toshiba, Arby’s, Bud Light (“Falcon” earned a Cannes Lion) and Heineken (“Shoveling” also earned a Cannes Lion) he closed the shop in hopes of allotting more time to his pursuits in writing.

Notes Merhar, “Bodega has really embraced the change in the landscape of content production. I am truly excited that they are both able to create their own content and adapt to serve the needs of agency clients.”

About Bodega

Bodega Studios is a creative production company based in New York and San Francisco.

We are the passionate nerdy. We develop, produce and distribute award-winning projects in every medium. We make commercials, digital content, promos, feature films, television and music videos.

We believe the world is a beautiful place full of surprises, cool things and true magic. Our goal is to inject your project with geeky enthusiasm, groundbreaking creative, visionary style, original solutions and a passion for storytelling.

Our one-stop-shop model has been embraced by brands including: IBM, Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft, USA Network, Logitech, Mattel, MasterCard, Walt Disney Pictures, Nickelodeon, Food Network, Applebee’s, KIA, Subaru, Toyota, Honda, Chevrolet and Volkswagen.