Joel Umbaugh is an Executive Producer and Director with a career spanning feature film, advertising, and global brand storytelling. He studied Media Arts and Science at Purdue University, where he wrote and directed his first feature film, the dark thriller Fake I.D., while still in college. The film was picked up for national distribution, launching his professional career early.

​

Following that success, Joel moved into advertising, directing and creatively leading campaigns for major brands including Volkswagen and Eli Lilly. He later went on to develop and produce work for Microsoft, Netflix, and JPMorgan Chase, establishing himself as a sought-after producer and director for international brands and complex, multi-market productions.

 

Joel’s work is driven by the belief that strong storytelling creates real engagement—bringing audiences closer to brands, ideas, and the people behind them.

​

Outside of production, he’s an avid snowboarder, a lifelong drummer, and unapologetically obsessed with architecture and design