PARAGON Signs Director Tony Franklin For Midwest Representation

Los Angeles-based Director Tony Franklin has signed with PARAGON for exclusive Midwest representation. Franklin has directed campaigns for such noted brands as Etsy, BMW, Universal, IBM, WIRED, Purina, Pizza Hut, Gatorade, Prudential and many more. His most recent campaign is an anthemic brand film for Riot that is epic in both tone and scope. 

Following art school in San Francisco, Franklin began his advertising career as a creative at Target where, for over a decade, he applied design thinking and creative visual storytelling to one of the world’s most recognized brands. Along the way, he also gained agency insight, which he applies to his approach when directing and how best to collaborate with all partners. Of his alliance with PARAGON, he notes: “I feel very connected to the Midwest creative community and am excited to align with PARAGON for representation in what very much feels like a home away from home. They have a trailblazing attitude that aligns with my goal of being fearlessly creative and hyper-passionate about everything I create.”

Since becoming a director, Tony’s style of storytelling has helped national brands to deliver campaigns that resonate with audiences and award juries alike. Tony has been shortlisted for two consecutive years at The One Show for Best Short Documentary of the Year, premiered his passion work in film festivals across the country, and won both Best of Show as well as two Addy Awards from the National American Advertising Federation. Additionally, The Atlantic has featured Tony’s work the last three years on their ’10 Best Short Documentaries of the Year list. His latest documentary, is a six-year production labor of love, is “The Big Green House,” which is currently screening in film festivals both nationally and internationally. 

“It’s a privilege to represent Tony in the Midwest,” says PARAGON founder Jack Linderman. “His track record with world-class brands speaks for itself, but what excites us most is his dedication to the craft and to building and lifting up the community. Tony’s commitment to mentoring and creating space for other filmmakers is the kind of ethos we value deeply at PARAGON. We believe great work comes not just from talent, but from the culture that surrounds it, and Tony brings both.”

His commitment to storytelling and craft extends to building community through Filmmakers Forum LA, a monthly meet up with networking and a diverse range of industry guest speakers. He is also the Co-Host of the We Are Official podcast, which recently launched season two.

“Networking and access to insight are very important aspects of fostering any creative career, and I enjoy being able to cultivate opportunities and foster conversation and community with the incredible people I have come to know over the years,” Tony relays. “It’s all interconnected – Whether interviewing people for a podcast or directing a commercial campaign, it comes back to making a lasting impression through storytelling.”

To view a selection of his work and learn more about PARAGON, please visit: https://www.paragonproductions.co/directors/tony-franklin