Merman Signs Prolific Directing Duo the Guard Brothers for Commercials

After a hiatus from commercial directing to focus on their latest feature film, brothers Tom and Charlie Guard, have returned to advertising, signing for US and UK representation with the women-owned production company, Merman. The Guard brothers recently wrote and directed the thriller, “Dead Shot,” starring Colin Morgan, Aml Ameen, Felicity Jones, and Mark Strong. The film opened to strong reviews last year and was described by The Times “as a voyeuristic thrill ride… every scene bristles with authorship and a sense of aesthetic purpose”.

While at their prior commercial home, Smuggler, the Guards helmed campaigns for Lexus, Sony Playstation, Nike, Nokia, Stella, Chevy, GM and Toyota (featuring blues legend B.B. King), among many others. Their work has been celebrated on many top advertising lists, and has been awarded top prizes at industry award programs. Their Audi spot “Prom” was ranked among the most popular on the USA Today Ad Meter. 

“We’ve always been so impressed with Tom and Charlie,” said Merman global managing partner Ellen Jacobson-Clarke. “They are artists who approach commercial-making with a cinematic eye and an uncanny ability to tell stories that are heartfelt, soulful and emotional. We’re excited to be finally working with them and not bidding against them!”

“We felt an instant connection with the team at Merman,” said Tom and Charlie Guard. “Their passion for character, comedy and their effortless knack for seizing the zeitgeist is something of a marvel. Great work comes out of great homes– we’re thrilled to be jumping in with them and can’t wait to charge a new horizon.”

The Guard brothers began working together at Cambridge University and went on to direct a series of shorts which won awards at festivals around the world, catapulting them into advertising and features. Integrity is at the heart of their work and their skill at telling stories with scale, charm and a lightness of touch has characterised their most iconic campaigns.