O Positive Signs Award-winning Comedy Director Spencer Riviera

Riviera Adds to Company’s Renowned Comedic Talent Pool, Bringing Versatile Background in Acting, Writing & Production

Bicoastal/international O Positive Films has signed award-winning director Spencer Riviera to its roster for commercial representation. Among his work, McCann-Erickson’s multiple Cannes Lion-winning Tommee Tippee campaign; the viral hit “Telemarketer,” for DailyMVP, with NFL great Tom Brady playing it straight while sporting a very bad disguise; and the Barton F. Graf spot for Bai called “Rat Tail,” featuring a clean cut guy who uses his one unsettling quirk to illustrate the drink’s diverse benefits. He’s also directed commercials for Priceline (BBDO NY) and Xfinity (Goodby Silverstein + Partners), among others, and the viral short Dad Metal for Funny or Die.

“Spencer is a smart storyteller who understands the nuances of comedy, both performance and visually driven,” said Ralph Laucella, Founding Partner/Executive Producer, O Positive. “We were drawn to his enthusiasm and approach—to maximize each opportunity and make the creative the best it can be. He fits in perfectly at O Positive.”

“O Positive is kind of an anomaly in the commercial world,” Riviera said. “For such a small roster of directors they've got a relatively huge footprint—especially when it comes to comedy. They've just got such high standards and there's an expectation to do great work. They're like the Seal Team 6 of commercial comedy directing, but with a much higher average body fat percentage.”

Riviera brings versatile experience to the director’s chair. He spent many years immersed in acting, studying improv with Del Close (Second City, SNL) and Gary Austin (founder of The Groundlings). His own work as a filmmaker is aptly performance-driven, reflecting his ability to bring actors into a space where they can relax and do something interesting among all the distractions. Riviera has also been a writer at Goodby Silverstein + Partners on work honored at Cannes and the One Show, among others.

“Spencer is not only a huge talent and super collaborative, he has a rare and invaluable effect on people—everybody who works with him loves him,” said Jim Jenkins, Director/Founding Partner, O Positive. “We are so happy that he chose us, although we do feel badly about covering our O Positive office signage with MJZ signage for our initial meeting.”

“He just understands that short form comedy is as much about what you leave out as it is what you put in,” added David Shane, Director/Partner, O Positive.  “He intuitively knows how to tell a story in 25 seconds and let’s face it, that’s still the time constraint we’re often up against.”

“Anyone who knows Jim and David knows that, aside from being two of the top directors in the industry, they are also exceedingly decent human beings,” Riviera said. “I've found that decency runs through the entire company. There seems to be zero tolerance for egos and B.S. at O Pos. It's just a great company run by great people and I couldn't be happier to join the roster.”

Riviera joins O Positive on the heels of the company making the prestigious Palme d’Or Top 5 in Cannes this past June, recognized among all commercial production companies worldwide. O Positive’s roster also includes Jim Jenkins, David Shane, Brian Billow, Kenny Herzog, Jonathan Klein and Peyton Wilson (UK).

www.opositivefilms.com