Jungleboys former commercials director and EP emerge at Rabbit
A director and an executive producer of commercials have moved from Jungleboys to branded content production company Rabbit, which quietly launched in Australia last year.
Abe Forsythe, who directed the much-loved Mastercard ‘Pirates’ commercial and the Allianz ad in which a house burns down while at Jungleboys, moves to Rabbit with executive producer Alex Hay.
Abe Forsythe and Alex Hay
Hay was Jungleboys’ EP of commercials for the last year after joining the company in 2012. She had previously worked with George Patterson Y&R Sydney as head of broadcast, and spent three years with Y&R Brands in New York.
She said leaving Jungleboys was a difficult decision for both her and Forsythe, but she had long admired the Rabbit brand and its success in the US market.
“Being given the chance to establish and build Rabbit as a top production company in Australia was too good an opportunity to pass up,” she said.
“Having said that, Jungleboys will always have a special place in our hearts and I know they will continue their great momentum.”
Jason Burrows, EP at Jungleboys, said: “We’re sorry to see them go as they were both great people to work with, but we’re excited by the recent signing of Trevor Clarence, who is moving over from South Africa shortly to join Jungleboys, as well as by the people we are talking about as possible candidates to replace Alex.”
Rabbit, which launched in the US in 2009, maintains it is as a collective of directors, producers, designers and “brand experience builders” creating branded content for multiple screens. The company opened an office in the Sydney suburb of Redfern in February.
Forsythe said the move to Rabbit is the most significant step in his career to date.
He said: “To always achieve the best results, I consider my role as a director as one of collaboration. So the opportunity to continue my association with Alex, alongside people like Lucas, Owen and Dael was a no-brainer. I’ve never felt more ready or excited to tackle new projects.”
At Rabbit Hay will work with EP Lucas Jenner alongside directors Owen Trevor, and Dael Oates. Bobby Farrelly and Tim Abshire are also listed as the company’s directors.
