About

David Mesfin - Creative Director / Director

Creative Director, writer, and director. Born in Ethiopia, I grew up in a small town in St. Augustine, Florida, before venturing west to California to earn my BFA, build a beautiful family, and find better places to surf while creating purpose-driven work and cultivating a collaborative team and community.

Accolades:

Super Bowl Silver for Best of AdMeter Commercials (25-year span), Cannes, One Show, Clio, Webby, EFFIE, Communication Arts, Google Creative Sandbox, OC and LA ADDY, DIGIDAY, TED | Ads Worth Spreading, American Advertising Federation, FWA, The A-List Hollywood Awards, IAB Mixx, and Graphis, Anthem Awards, The Telly Awards.

Documentary Film Work:

I am the director, writer, and producer of "Wade in the Water: A Journey into Black Surfing and Aquatic Culture." An award winning feature-length independent documentary delves into the millennium-old tradition of Black surfing, tracing its roots from Africa to the Americas. A purpose driven project that garnered over 186M impressions worldwide, securing distribution deals with giants like PBS, Video Project and Comcast.

Leadership & Mentorship:

- Co-Chair of Innocean Worldwide Diversity Council: Pioneered the council's inaugural charter, mission, and objectives, fostering an equitable and inclusive environment.

- Associate Member of IADAS: An institution driving digital art and science's progress.

- Mentor/Advisor at ONE School: An intensive program crafted to mold future creative leaders.

- Mentor/Coach for 4A's Foundation MAIP: A dedicated initiative for students of color aspiring to penetrate the advertising industry.

- Early Education Ethiopia (Board Member)

- Black Surfers Collective (Board Member)

- Ethiopian Community of Los Angeles (Board Member)

- YMCA of Greater Long Beach (Board Member)

Judging Roles:

- Webby Awards (Judge)

- Shorty Awards (Judge)

- Anthem Awards (Judge)

- Digiday Awards (Judge)

- Pele Awards (Judge)