Eleanor signs Candice Vernon
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Director Candice Vernon brings authentic humour and storytelling to Eleanor’s roster.
Director Candice Vernon brings a unique lens to storytelling, blending humour and authenticity in a way that connects deeply with audiences.
Her journey from agency producer to director has given her an insider’s understanding of the creative process, a rare fluency that enhances her powerful voice in filmmaking. A former agency producer turned director, Candice Vernon’s creative career followed an unconventional path. Vernon’s background as a producer gives her a unique fluency in the agency world's distinct creative language.
“Being a former Agency Producer, I know the language, I understand where the creatives are coming from, I understand the nuances of what it takes to get to the point when the board comes to me,” said Vernon. That deep understanding of people that fortifies her leadership and gift for collaboration fosters brilliant filmmaking.
Sophie Gold, Eleanor’s President and Executive Producer, reflects on her relationship with Vernon: "I’ve known Candice for over 12 years, and watching her evolution as a director has been truly inspiring. She brings a rare depth of understanding to both comedy and visual storytelling, a unique talent for capturing the humour in life’s nuances, paired with a refined eye for art direction that elevates every frame. Blending sharp performance and dialogue with strong, visually driven narratives, Candice is a remarkable addition to Eleanor, and I’m thrilled to finally have her join us.”
Able to capture and amplify the humour in small, human moments, Vernon ties her unique sense of humour to her Jamaican heritage and upbringing. “I think my process for working on comedy stems from my upbringing and being from Jamaica,” says Vernon. “As a people, we find humor in almost every situation, especially dramatic or dark situations.”
Her recent campaign for Versalie is a gleaming example of Vernon's gift for capturing the all-too-relatable with comedic flair. Digestive dilemmas, misplaced frustration, brain fog–Nicey Nash’s hilarious soliloquy tackles the complex and often unspoken realities of menopause with playful humour.
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This year, Vernon made history as the first Black director to direct a Febreze commercial. Watching the Small Spaces campaign you’ll notice the films are a major departure from Febreze’s typical blue-and-white world. The home of Revolving Door is a beautiful array of bold sunset hues, African prints, and African art.
“I asked myself, what feels right to me? What feels new?” said Candice. “I wanted to bring an essence of not just Black Americans but the full diaspora. I wanted to make a statement that we’re not a monolith.”
Following the glowing success of the Small Spaces campaign, Febreze brought Vernon back for a comedy-infused trifecta exploring the hilarious situations that call for an air freshening hero.
Throughout her filmic career, Vernon has worked with some astounding celebrity talents, Sterling K. Brown, Regina King, Neicy Nash-Betts, Yara Shahidi, Jenny Slate, the Obamas, Paul McCartney. Her talent for working with people elicits the best performances from every actor she directors–from household names to the yet unknown.
A world-traveler, a community builder, a comedy club regular Vernon is a true cultural polymath. The depth of her storytelling flows from the considerate perspective she brings to every experience, “Life inspires me. I think experiencing life with an openness is what really inspires me.”
There aren’t many Black, female comedy directors. Breaking into a space dominated by a homogenous ‘old guard’ is no simple feat. Unafraid to shatter a glass ceiling or two along her cinematic journey, Vernon takes pride in paving the way for the next generation of Black female directors in comedy.
“I grew up with the odds stacked against me, " said Vernon. “I had to work my way up. I want young women to know they can make a living doing exactly what they dreamt up in their heads because they saw another woman do it. I want to be an example of what’s possible.”
"Advertising is the perfect blend of art and commerce, and Eleanor embodies that balance in a way that really excites me," says Vernon. "I’m thrilled to work with Sophie, who has built something remarkable in such a short time. I look forward to doing truly stand out work together.”
