WIN BATES

Win Bates is not only an Emmy-nominated director, but a wonderful person. He even adopted a career-change puppy named Wilbur from the Guiding Eyes for the Blind Foundation. Years later, Win got the chance to direct Eli Manning, who sits on the foundation’s board. When Win mentioned he had a Guiding Eyes dog, Eli was visibly shocked. For the rest of the shoot, Eli was the kindest anyone had ever been to him, constantly offering encouragement. Win now realizes he should have clarified that Wilbur isn’t a working guide dog, and firmly believes Eli Manning thought he was blind.

Win has been blessed to win almost every major award, except at the Emmys, where he lost. He was nominated for In Real Life, an emotional short for BBDO and the Monica Lewinsky Foundation that proves he may, in fact, have a soul. His client list includes the NFL, BMW, Toyota, DoorDash, Zocdoc, Samuel Adams, Burger King, Doritos and Pringles. He loves working with athletes and kids, the latter of which has gotten significantly less creepy to say since becoming a father. He lives in Connecticut with his incredibly forgiving wife, two funny kids, and, of course, Wilbur.