Ian Schwartz is an LA native who wet his feet as a staff writer at PRETTYBIRD, where he helped develop a diverse array of acclaimed commercials and music videos. He is an award-winning director who brought a unique eye for cinematic visuals, surreal storytelling, and dark humor to music videos for The Dead Weather, Joel Compass, Mr. Little Jeans, and the offshoot of Swedish House Mafia; Axwell /\ Ingrosso.
Ian continues to lend his creative eye to various projects as a solo filmmaker. He teamed with fourclops and Wieden + Kennedy to helm Portugal. The Man’s interactive music video for “Feel It Still,” a viral resistance movement with clickable Easter Eggs designed to inspire the fight against political injustice. The project took home a Bronze Entertainment for Music Lion at the 2017 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity and a Graphite and Wood Pencil at the 2017 D&AD Impact Awards.
More recently, he directed campaigns for Philadelphia Cream Cheese, the Meta Quest, “Fitness is Ready” DC, and Coca-Cola “Factory” for their 2021 Global Campaigns. Ian has also directed commercials and integrated ad campaigns for global brands such as Google Audiobooks, Virgin Mobile, Campbell’s, KFC, Budweiser, and Nike.
In addition to his work with global brands, Schwartz helmed the integrated ad campaign for No Frills’ “Hauler Made,” in which he depicts customers of the Canadian supermarket chain as daring, mysterious individuals capable of anything, including levitating, cloning themselves, and floating in outer space without a spacesuit.
Ian continues to create work that resonates and pushes storytelling boundaries in music videos and advertising.
