When we asked Matt how he got started in advertising, he’s quick to cite the Nobel Prize-worthy sitcom Bosom Buddies. The one where Tom Hanks and his pal play ad men (who dress in drag to afford cheap room and board at an all ladies apartment building). Even at a tender age, Matt knew his future was destined for advertising, though not necessarily the draggier aspects of Hanks’s modus operandi…

At first a copywriter and then creative director at Goodby Silverstein & Partners, Matt made the transition to directing in his late 20s. Initially focusing on comedic work, Matt’s filmmaking sensibilities have evolved to make him one of the most sought-after emotional storytellers in commercials. Much of his work is characterized by a human, relatable, and honest core. Connections between characters are often boiled down to their simplest almost purely visual components, even within his dialogue-driven work; resulting in a viewing experience that is felt, not simply seen or heard. Every nuance of a look, gesture, or what isn’t said charges Matt’s films with a subtext that makes them linger after they’re over.

Matt has directed ads for brands such as Toyota, MINI, Nike, McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, NFL, Budweiser, MTV, Reebok, AT&T, Absolute, XBOX, and Verizon to name a handful, and has been nominated for the Best Direction award at the AICP Awards. Matt’s first feature film Wildflower starring Kiernan Shipka, Jean Smart, Jacki Weaver, and Dash Mihok was in official competition at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival and premieres in the United States on March 17th, 2023. As his filmmaking career continues to evolve, Matt’s focus is to add even more complex depth to all of his projects – visually and emotionally.