Darapen Vongsa-Nga Joins Academy as Head of Emerging Talent

Darapen will join George Floyd in the sales division as head of emerging talent. She brings her years of experience working agency side at AMV BBDO and Saatchi & Saatchi, her passion for filmmaking and an immense knowledge of the industry as a whole, not to mention a boundless energy and enthusiasm. 

The new position will focus on developing commercial opportunities for Academy’s most recent signings such as Runyararo Mapfumo,  GRANDMAS and Remi Laudat, continuing Academy's strong tradition of nurturing new talent in the industry. 

Darapen had this to say on her new role: ‘I’m incredibly honoured to be part of a company with such a legacy of making iconic & memorable work. To be developing the emerging talent of today, the very people who will play an important role in shaping the future of the industry, is extremely exciting. My recent years Agency side working alongside incredibly talented people have been eye opening; the appetite for fresh & new ways of thinking is palpable. As taste-makers in this changing modern world, we have a responsibility to evolve & be at the forefront of it. How we bring  these ideas to life and the choices we make along the way rely so crucially on who we collaborate with. I hope to bring these insights into this new role and help to foster new ways of storytelling in the  hope of continuing Academy’s legacy in making stand out work. And ideally to have a bunch of fun in the process!’ 

Of the new appointment, Academy’s joint MD Medb Riordan said, ‘We have known and worked with Darapen for a number of years, and it was always exciting when we’d receive a script from her. Her passion and deep creative knowledge meant she always pushed for excellence, no matter the restraints. It is exactly this type of attitude that is needed in the industry right now, as we try to adapt the way we think and work moving into the future. Darapen is the perfect representation of where Academy and the industry can and should go. We are thrilled to have her working alongside us and to see her develop deep and long lasting relationships with the directors she is representing.’