Los Angeles, CA — SixTwentySix has announced the addition of Executive Producer Jay Wert, strengthening the company’s leadership as it continues to build a new model for director-led commercial and branded storytelling.
Wert joins from BUNKER with a multidisciplinary background spanning music, television, theater, and large-scale commercial production. His arrival reflects SixTwentySix’s continued focus on pairing creative ambition with production leadership that understands how to protect and elevate the work.
“I had been watching and admiring the SixTwentySix rocketship taking off,” said Wert. “When I met Austin and Jake, I was immediately impressed by their vision, work ethic, and the caliber of artists they were building around. I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to join such a young, dynamic company.”
Wert began his career in New York at the intersection of film and music video production, collaborating with artists including Jay-Z, Beastie Boys, Jack White, Raekwon, Gang Starr, Justin Timberlake, Mariah Carey, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, DMX, Busta Rhymes, DJ Premier, Swizz Beatz, and Aesop Rock. He later expanded into theatrical and television marketing, serving as Executive Producer on campaigns for Broadway productions including In the Heights, West Side Story, The Last Ship, and Twyla Tharp’s Come Fly Away, as well as broadcast content for Shark Week, America: The Story of Us, and The Next Iron Chef.
At the core of Wert’s approach is a creative-first philosophy shaped by his own background as an artist, having performed throughout New York’s independent music scene.
“What I love most is working directly with creative people,” Wert added. “My goal is to make sure directors feel confident and supported, not just logistically, but psychologically. When artists feel secure and understood, they take creative risks, and that’s where the best work comes from.”
In addition to director development, Wert is known for his ability to align creative ambition with production strategy, guiding both agency partners and brand clients across projects that range from intimate storytelling to large-scale campaigns, including Super Bowl work.
“Jay understands both artists and agencies in a rare way,” added SixTwentySix founders Austin Barbera and Jake Krask. “He’s lived every level of this business, and he knows how to guide directors while also solving for the realities our clients face. He’s exactly the kind of leader we want helping shape the next phase of SixTwentySix.”
Wert’s arrival comes at a moment of accelerating momentum for the company, as SixTwentySix continues to expand its creative footprint across culture, sport, and brand storytelling. Director Iris Kim recently earned an Emmy nomination for ESPN’s Line ‘Em Up campaign for the WNBA in the Outstanding Public Service Content Sports category, a project that reflects the company’s commitment to work that resonates beyond the screen and into communities.
The studio has also been named a Webby Awards nominee for Dunkin’s The Value Affleck, directed by Jimmy Tatro for Artists Equity, and recognized at the Clio Awards for its Nike activation at ComplexCon featuring Lil Yachty’s Concrete Boys for Bakery. Together, these honors underscore SixTwentySix’s ability to operate at the intersection of entertainment, music, and brand culture.
Recent and upcoming collaborations continue to build on that trajectory, including recent new work with Mojo Supermarket for Truth Initiative directed by Plummer/Strauss, as well as upcoming projects for Credit Karma, Priceline in partnership with Mirimar, Sonic with Mother, and Heineken with Publicis. Co-founder Jake Krask also recently took the stage at SXSW, contributing to a broader industry conversation around creativity, technology, and entrepreneurship.
With Wert joining the leadership team, SixTwentySix enters its next chapter with a clear focus on creative ambition, cultural relevance, and a production model designed to give directors the space and support to do their most meaningful work.
