Synthetic Pictures Signs Director Kanyessa McMahon
The talented director was snatched up following the success of her #mygirls campaign.
Synthetic Pictures recently added NYC-based director Kanyessa McMahon to its roster for worldwide representation. Specializing in sports and entertainment content, McMahon’s long-time clients include sports apparel giants Nike and adidas. She has also worked with MTV, i am OTHER, Billionaire Boys Club, Estée Lauder, (RED), and Pacific World Cosmetics.
McMahon is known for her extensive work with Nike and adidas, and she’s one of the only people to seamlessly navigate between the two competitors to deliver spot on content for both. She’s directed and produced more than 400 international brand films over 5 years in countries such as the US, Japan, Italy, Austria, and France, featuring world-renowned athletes and entertainers including Carmelo Anthony, Serena Williams, Kobe Bryant, Big Sean, A$AP Rocky, and Jeremy Scott.
Kanyessa also directed the global campaign #mygirls for adidas, featuring young female athletes and empowering women all over the world.
McMahon was featured on the cover of Black Enterprise after starting her own production company at the age of 24. Her can-do attitude awards McMahon respect as a director and outside-the-box thinker. “I’m always trying to get an authentic moment out of the talent, especially when I’m dealing with big brands,” says McMahon. “Finding their voice and maintaining and tapping into that. Even when it’s scripted, I’m really good at pulling authentic moments out of people.”
“Kanyessa is a groundbreaking talent in the brand film scene,” says Synthetic Executive Producer Allison Smith. “She’s a strong and creative voice for women and athletes in the media, and her projects resonate so well with those who love an empowering, energetic and unique journey. When the team at Synthetic saw her work, we instantly knew we’d love to help take her to the next level.”
McMahon is excited to join a new team. “You need to have people who are efficient, who know what they’re doing, who respect the process, and want to make good work—and that’s something I get from the team at Synthetic,” says McMahon. “There’s basically no project that comes my way that I won’t be able to handle because I can focus on the creative and I know the rest will be taken care of by people who understand the approach that I have.”
