Voyager Welcomes Director Grayson Whitehurst for U.S. Commercial Representation

Voyager is thrilled to announce the signing of Writer/Director Grayson Whitehurst to their creative family. The Brooklyn-based filmmaker offers a unique approach at blending dark comedy with unconventional storytelling, placing humor in unexpected places for clients like Skittles, Purple, Mountain Dew, and most recently, AXE. Outside of his commercial work, Grayson’s knack for spot-on casting shines through in his narrative projects, which have premiered on Omeleto and screened at several Oscar-qualifying film festivals worldwide. 

“From the moment I first saw Grayson’s work, I was struck by his focus on craft,” expresses Charles Frank, Director and Co-Founder of Voyager. “His attention to detail, his cinematic sensibilities, and his grounded, human performances transform even the most outlandish concepts into believable realities. He’s a storyteller through and through. Grayson always finds a way to draw you in and make you laugh at something deeply human, even at times, tragic. To me, that’s the best kind of comedy. I’m so grateful to have Grayson join the Voyager roster.” 

A life-long filmmaker at heart, Grayson discovered his love for storytelling at an early age. Later graduating from New York University with a degree in Film & Television, he dedicated himself to directing short films which garnered award nominations at festivals like HollyShorts, RiverRun, Sarasota, and more. As his craft evolved, Grayson ventured into the advertising space, looking to apply his already established skillset to new creative challenges. In 2021, he signed with creative production studio Los York, solidifying his position in the realm of commercial and branded content. Following his achievement of an AdAge Editor’s Pick and a Silver Clio for the “Make It With Dairy” campaign by BC Dairy and Alberta Milk, along with notable recognition as an alumni of the SHOOT Magazine New Directors Showcase, Berlin Commercial Festival, and 1.4 Awards, Grayson organically transitioned to Voyager’s roster of creatives.  

“I’m most excited to know that they will be advocating for projects that resonate with my vision, goals, and creative intentions day in and day out,” shares Grayson. “I like to leave audiences moved, confused, and conflicted…this combination is typically a hard sell in the ad space, but we’re on the same page that these types of stories are the ones that are worth fighting for. It’s refreshing to have a team behind you that not only sees and hears your perspective, but embraces and encourages it.” 

To kick off their collaboration, Grayson’s most recent campaign for AXE showcases their new Black Vanilla scent from their premium Fine Fragrance Collection. Edited by Kauai of Leap Year, the humor-filled spot follows a protagonist caught in a daydream as he enjoys the sweet smell of vanilla ice cream while showering. Reality quickly interrupts as he finds himself in a grocery store checkout line, smelling AXE’s new Black Vanilla body wash. 

Grayson Whitehurst: 

Grayson Whitehurst is a writer/director living in Brooklyn, NY. Known for treating silly subjects seriously, Grayson’s work is fearless and populated by unforgettable characters cast in surreal environments. An actor’s director, he possesses an uncanny ability to find humor in spaces where you’d least expect it. Grayson has been trusted to helm spots for brands like Axe, Skittles, Mountain Dew, NBA 2K, WestJet, Listerine, Dollar Shave Club, and Purple, amongst others. He recently earned a Silver Clio for BC Dairy and Alberta Milk’s ‘Make It With Dairy’ campaign, and is an alumni of the SHOOT Magazine New Directors Showcase, Berlin Commercial Festival, and the 1.4 Awards. His narrative work has toured Oscar-qualifying festivals across the globe. (edited)  

About Voyager: 

Voyager is a Brooklyn-based production company that tells stories of all sizes for agencies, brands, and audiences everywhere. Founded in 2015, Voyager quickly established itself as an incubator for new talent, garnering awards at D&AD, One Screen, YDA, Young Guns, and CLIOs. Voyager and its directors have collaborated with agencies such as 72&Sunny, Anomaly, and Wieden+Kennedy, and for clients like Adidas, Kia, and McDonald’s, among countless others. Their documentary and narrative films are available for streaming on Hulu, HBO, and Prime Video, being recognized at such prestigious festivals as SXSW, Tribeca, and CIFF. Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.