Michael Sugarman Signs to Johnny Foreigner for UK Representation

After working for the past several years exclusively in North America, the Emmy-nominated comedy director is now straddling both sides of the pond and poised to lend his dry wit and deadpan delivery to UK productions. 

Michael got his start directing segments for The Onion, the renowned US parody news source. Since then he has brought his unique style - a blend of nuanced performance, precision comic timing, and playful production design - to just about the full range of products and services that can be legally had in exchange for money.    

He’s been honoured at the Cannes Lions, Cannes Young Director competition, Favourite Web Awards, and Best Ads on TV, and has appeared many times in Adweek’s Top 10 and Creativity’s Top 20 lists. When not directing he is busy photographing, writing, and changing the endless diapers his new born son is devoted to filling. 

Johnny Foreigner’s Olivia Hirschberg elaborates: ‘I’ve followed Michael’s career with great interest. He is an exceptional comedy director, particularly when it comes to parody and working in very subtle ways with actors. Recently he’s been pursuing more work that shows off his visionary design sensibility, making for a powerful reel.’

Says Michael, ‘I’ve worked a lot over the years with British agencies and production crews, and they’re some of my most favourite people to collaborate with. I always appreciate their work ethic, which I’d sum up as: do a great job without making a fuss, and be nice. Which is very much my philosophy. As for Olivia, she has always impressed me with her wisdom and openness, and I’m really looking forward to working together in her home territory.’

Check out Michael's work here.