Written by Kianna Best on Aug 7, 2023. Posted in Production News

Raheem Sterling to launch Playmaker Films alongside Carly Cussen

Sports and entertainment collide once again with the launch of Playmaker Films, a creative production agency born form the minds of Chelsea and England football player Raheem Sterling and award winning music video director Carly Cussen. Specialising in branded content, advertising and music video production, the new agency draws upon the passion and expertise of the respective founders.

Commenting on the launch, Sterling commented: “Part of the day job involves a lot of time on sets at video shoots for brands. Over time I was more and more interested in what was going on behind the camera. I’d worked with Carly on a number of projects, for brands like Gillette and Samsung, and I started to ask her questions about different aspects of the process. When it came to starting my own production company, she was the obvious choice

Past collaborators, Sterling and Cussen have crafted a creative working bond, both with the footballer in front of the camera for Gillette Lab’s Effortless Flow campaign  to now behind the scenes. Working with brands such as Bottega Veneta and Burberry, Sterling began forging an identity outside of his sports realm, dipping into the fashion industry, as well as becoming a powerful advocate for social change with the Raheem Sterling Foundation.

“We’ve got some great projects lined up, with some amazing brands and talent, including Clarks ‘Back To School’ campaign which was a lot of fun to create and shoot,” added Sterling. “I can’t wait for the world to see what we’ve got up our sleeves.”

Now making his mark in the world of entertainment, Sterling is joined by directorial powerhouse Cussen, who’s career spans 15 years. Working with stars such as Ed Sheeran, Keke Palmer, Little Mix and Lil’ Baby and top brands like Disney, Pretty Little Thing and Samsung, Cussen’s career possesses a multidimensionality that has garnered her critical acclaim, including a Gold Lovie in the Weird and Wonderful category for the OnePlus Never Settle campaign.

“I knew Raheem was a natural performer on the pitch, but I didn’t know that he also had the talent in front of the camera as well! I loved working with him, and when he started to pop up behind the scenes as well, I knew he had a future on the other side of the camera,” commented Cussen. “Playmaker Films is a truly collaborative endeavour between myself and Raheem, as well as the amazing people that perhaps don’t get a mention in the headlines. There’s a real buzz about the place, what we are trying to do and we have some exciting projects in the pipeline. I can’t wait to kick off.”

Playmaker Film’s in-house capabilities will include specialist strategy, creative and production functions, fronted by Royston Reeves, former Head of Strategy at JOE Media, and Kem Ekundayo - an international producer with a background working with top influencers and musicians such as Anne-Marie, KSI and Popcaan.

Images courtesy of Playmaker Films