David Brickel has joined Sibling Rivalry–the hybrid brand studio and production company–as managing director/executive producer.
Now based in New York, Brickel previously worked in L.A., most recently as managing director at Stept Studios. Brickel was brought in to help that studio expand its commercial arm; winning jobs, retaining existing directors, bringing in new talent, and helping in part as the company tripled in size during his years there.
Brickel has long admired Sibling Rivalry partner and head of films Darren Foldes’ work, and the pair quickly hit it off. “He made it really clear that he was looking for a teammate, and that he wanted another like-minded individual to help raise things to a new level,” said Brickel. “I really respect what he’s accomplished and I’m also extremely excited by the potential we’re sitting on at Sibling.”
Brickel further noted, “Sibling has created an environment where every voice can be heard, and you’re able to move mountains that way. I also knew that in today’s landscape you can’t just be a single faceted company. With Sibling Rivalry, the brand studio and film sides work so well together.”
Brickel had initially studied engineering, before being invited to make a feature film over a summer in his hometown in New Jersey. “That was my first introduction to producing,” he recalled. “I went on to work on set all summer long in a number of capacities, and ended up helping manage the postproduction process. I threw myself into the deep end and learned an immense amount of information quickly.”
From there he moved to Boston, working on three more feature films over the following six months. He then began making and producing local commercials, before moving to Brooklyn to jumpstart a new production company (Voyager), where Brickel spent five years as head of production and then managing partner before parting ways. “We were just fearless: we were in our early 20s and didn’t know what we didn’t know,” he said. “I surrounded myself with the most talented producers I could get a coffee with or hire and that became my foundation in this industry.”
Foldes said, “It is incredibly satisfying to find new voices, bring them to market, punch above your perceived weight and then go on to absolutely crush the creative by listening intently, collaborating and pouring your last drop into craft. Those have been the highest highs in my career; and I know me and David share the DNA and drive it takes to consistently deliver upon that mantra.”
He added that Brickel’s role will be focused on making processes more effective and streamlined; and that his knowledge and experience, coupled with his “empathetic, caring and sharing personality means he can develop our roster and in-house team, which is a hugely valuable and unsung part of his role.”
