I’m an Austrian-born Director, Creative Director and AI Director with more than 20 years of international experience creating films and content for global brands. I started my career in post-production, editing TV shows, feature films, music videos and movie trailers. That experience taught me the fundamentals of storytelling, rhythm, emotion and cinematic timing. After training as a drama educator and working as a copywriter, I moved into directing, combining visual storytelling with a deep understanding of people, performance and brand communication. Over the years I’ve worked with international brands including Mercedes-Benz, IKEA, Guinness, McDonald’s, Henkel, Blue Band and artists such as Lady Gaga, leading productions across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Today I work at the intersection of live action, creative direction and AI-powered filmmaking. I use AI not as a replacement for creativity, but as a tool to accelerate ideation, visualization and production workflows while keeping storytelling and authentic human performances at the centre of every project. Whether it’s a global campaign, branded content, documentary storytelling or social-first content, I enjoy turning complex ideas into films that connect emotionally with audiences and deliver meaningful results for brands.

Markus Stummer

I’m an Austrian-born Director, Creative Director and AI Director with more than 20 years of international experience creating films and content for global brands. I started my career in post-production, editing TV shows, feature films, music videos and movie trailers. That experience taught me the fundamentals of storytelling, rhythm, emotion and cinematic timing. After training as a drama educator and working as a copywriter, I moved into directing, combining visual storytelling with a deep understanding of people, performance and brand communication. Over the years I’ve worked with international brands including Mercedes-Benz, IKEA, Guinness, McDonald’s, Henkel, Blue Band and artists such as Lady Gaga, leading productions across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Today I work at the intersection of live action, creative direction and AI-powered filmmaking. I use AI not as a replacement for creativity, but as a tool to accelerate ideation, visualization and production workflows while keeping storytelling and authentic human performances at the centre of every project. Whether it’s a global campaign, branded content, documentary storytelling or social-first content, I enjoy turning complex ideas into films that connect emotionally with audiences and deliver meaningful results for brands.

Available to hire

I’m an Austrian-born Director, Creative Director and AI Director with more than 20 years of international experience creating films and content for global brands.

I started my career in post-production, editing TV shows, feature films, music videos and movie trailers. That experience taught me the fundamentals of storytelling, rhythm, emotion and cinematic timing. After training as a drama educator and working as a copywriter, I moved into directing, combining visual storytelling with a deep understanding of people, performance and brand communication.

Over the years I’ve worked with international brands including Mercedes-Benz, IKEA, Guinness, McDonald’s, Henkel, Blue Band and artists such as Lady Gaga, leading productions across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

Today I work at the intersection of live action, creative direction and AI-powered filmmaking. I use AI not as a replacement for creativity, but as a tool to accelerate ideation, visualization and production workflows while keeping storytelling and authentic human performances at the centre of every project.

Whether it’s a global campaign, branded content, documentary storytelling or social-first content, I enjoy turning complex ideas into films that connect emotionally with audiences and deliver meaningful results for brands.

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Language

German
Fluent
English
Advanced
French
Beginner

Work Experience

Managing Partner & Executive Producer at Zumo Produktion Gbr/Gmbh
January 1, 2017 - January 1, 2023
Concept development and production of cross-media campaigns (Trade fair, video, photo, AR) for clients such as BASF, e.GO Mobile AG, RWTH Aachen.
Creative Director at e Marmelade GmbH
January 1, 2008 - January 1, 2010
Development and execution of TV-spots, postproduction supervision.
International Director & Creative Director at Self-employed / Freelance (represented by CREAM DIRECTORS LONDON and ANTONELLA PERILLO AGENCY)
January 1, 2007 - Present
Development and execution of advertising and brand films, music videos, commercials and social media campaigns for international clients. Represented by established agencies; collaborated with BBDO, Jung von Matt, Kolle Rebbe, McCann, Serviceplan and TBWA. Clients included Alfa Romeo, Bayer, Bitburger, Disney, Faber Castell, Guinness, Ikea, Lidl, Lindt, Miele, Nestlé, Otto, P&G, ZDF, Zeiss.
Director, Copy Writer, Producer, Production, Freelance at Various (Munich/Cologne/Stuttgart)
January 1, 1999 - January 1, 2015
Direction, conception, realisation and production of TV reports and corporate films, OnAir-Design, music videos, documentaries.
On-Air-Promotion-Producer at MTV Networks, Viva, Vox, RTL II, Prosieben
January 1, 1996 - January 1, 2008
Concept, text, editing and motion design for programme trailers and campaigns.
Video Editor at Schawa TV GmbH
January 1, 1993 - January 1, 1997
Editing of industrial and image films, magazine reports, news, documentaries; mobile editing of live productions; instructor for TV journalists on live news reporting on location via satellite.

Education

Drama Pedagogy (BuT) at Off-Theater Neuss
January 11, 2030 - May 13, 2026
Civil Engineering (Studies) at University of Stuttgart
January 1, 1991 - January 1, 1992
Internship at Schawa TV GmbH
January 1, 1993 - January 1, 1994
The Director's Journey at Mark Travis
January 11, 2030 - May 13, 2026
Client-Centered Counseling Training at Foundations of Client-Centered Communication
January 11, 2030 - May 13, 2026
Hands-on Training in Professional Production Technology at Sony Europe
January 11, 2030 - May 13, 2026

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Consumer Goods, Manufacturing, Professional Services, Retail