New Commercials & Global Entertainment Role at Pulse Films

LONDON: Pulse Films has appointed BBH executive Davud Karbassioun as global president of commercials and branded entertainment.

In this newly created role, Karbassioun will work alongside co-founders Thomas Benski and Marisa Clifford. He will help the company develop existing and new talent and diversify its output internationally. Karbassioun will initially be based in London and will move to Los Angeles in summer 2017, where he will focus on Pulse’s push in the U.S. and will also spearhead collaborations through the company’s partnership with VICE Media.

Karbassioun’s career with BBH lasted 14 years. He most recently served as chief production officer.

Thomas Benski, global CEO for Pulse Films, said, “It has been an exceptional year for Pulse, and having Dav join us is a real coup. Not only does he share the Pulse passion for nurturing talent, but also the drive to find fresh and ambitious ways of working with brands. I am looking forward to working with him, particularly on the U.S. side of the business, where he will be instrumental in helping us achieve our goals.”

Marisa Clifford, CEO for the U.K. and Europe at Pulse Films, commented, “Dav has an outstanding and unrivaled reputation in the creative industry. His innovative, multi-skilled experience in the commercials and branded space ensures he is perfectly placed to work closely with James Sorton, managing director of commercials and music in the U.K., and [myself], in driving these crucial elements of our business forward.”

Tom Punch, the chief commercial and creative officer at VICE Media, added, “Pulse is an integral part of the VICE Media network, producing some of the best content and branded content out there. Dav’s hire couldn’t be coming at a more opportune moment as we look to bring together and build upon the best that VICE and Pulse are doing within the branded-entertainment space. With his incredible track record he’ll bring a level of expertise and excellence to the table, helping us create best-in-class work with brands that will resonate with our global audience.”

Karbassioun remarked: “I’ve spent 14 years at BBH learning from the best. Leaving the black sheep family is the toughest decision I’ve ever had to make, especially being party to the fresh momentum building there. The opportunity of partnering with Thomas and Marisa at Pulse is hugely exciting for me at a time of so much change in the film production industry. They have built a unique next-generation production company with a strong foothold in both entertainment and commercials, offering a wide spectrum of creative opportunity for their talent. Even in a more senior role at BBH, I’ve always been close to the work, so collaborating [with] top directors is something I’m looking forward to. The partnership with VICE Media in the U.S. is a huge opportunity to properly make highly crafted and entertaining branded content for a massive audience. The thought of working in the same office as Spike Jonze (creative director at VICE Media) is a dream come true; his work over the years is the reason I got into the industry. I can’t wait to get started and help continue to build on Pulse’s incredible story.”