Michael Koerbel

Director + Storyteller

Michael Koerbel


Michael was homeschooled for most of his formative years, and grew up in the Midwest. The oldest of four siblings, his extra dry sense of humor was largely misunderstood by his family, and resulted in him trekking to Los Angeles in search of meaning.

When he discovered directing, specifically commercial storytelling, the rest was history. You’ll know when Michael knows something is interesting or funny, because you’ll see the little twinkle in his eye turn into a full-blown smirk. (At least that’s what his mom always said.)

On a day off, you’ll perhaps catch Michael at the zoo or amusement park with his 9-year-old daughter Lucy Leigh, or hanging with friends at a comedy show in many of the comedy clubs in Los Angeles. He loves telling a good story, so if you see him, ask about the “chocolate shake in Chicago,” or perhaps the “legend of demon dog bridge in Ohio.”

Whatever job you're looking for Michael to accomplish, he won't disappoint. He's a storyteller first and foremost, and if you see that twinkle or smirk, you’ll know whatever you're working on together - it’s going to be extra good.

Michael Koerbel has been featured by Adweek, Apple, Creativity, SHOOT magazine, the New York Times, CNN, The Guardian, PBS, NPR, and USA Today. Known as a pioneer for emerging filmmaking technologies, he has been invited to speak at The Academy of Arts and Sciences, SAG, the DGA, TEDx, and SXSW.

The high-end talent Michael's directed is extensive, a selection includes:
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Leighton Meester, Luke Evans, John Slattery, Kathryn Hahn, Richard Sherman, Penn & Teller, Kristin Chenoweth, Nolan Gould, Lucas Till, Estelle Harris, Chris Webber, Aaron Boone, Cody Bellinger, George Springer, Anthony Rizzo, Herm Edwards, Luke Robitaille, Kaylee Hartung, Shrek, John Buccigross, Kenny Mayne, Carlo Rota, Brad Keselowski, Chris Buescher, Helio Castroneves, Dario Franchitti, Kyle Larson, Ryan Newman, Denise Richards, Arielle Vandenburg, Emma Roberts, Greer Grammer, Abbie Cobb, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and Mickey Mouse.


Clients

  • 20th Century Fox
  • Ad Council
  • Ally Bank
  • Anani Jeans
  • Applebee's
  • AT&T
  • Audible
  • AXE
  • BMW
  • BP
  • Buick
  • Bush's Beans
  • Castrol
  • Capital One
  • Chrysler
  • Cisco
  • Coca-Cola
  • Coventry Direct
  • Disney
  • Disney on Ice
  • EARGO
  • ESPN
  • Fiat
  • Fitbit
  • FivePoint
  • FOX Searchlight
  • Frito Lay
  • GE
  • Home Depot
  • Honda
  • Hotels.com
  • Humana
  • Intuitive
  • Jaguar
  • Jeep
  • Johnnie-O
  • Liberty Mutual
  • Lionsgate
  • Mattel
  • MetroPCS
  • mike's Hard Lemonade
  • Milliman Financial
  • MLB
  • NASCAR
  • NBA
  • NCAA
  • Neff
  • NHTSA
  • NFL
  • NVEnergy
  • Nickelodeon
  • Panda Express
  • Porsche
  • RAM Trucks
  • Realtor.com
  • Royal Caribbean
  • Samsung
  • Scion
  • Sony Pictures
  • Star Clippers
  • TikTok
  • T-Mobile
  • TD Ameritrade
  • Teleflex
  • Toyota
  • twico
  • Unilever
  • Vetstreet

Education

MFA in Directing at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts