The Penguin Empire strikes back with Grant Sputore + Kelvin Munro relaunching in WA

The Penguin Empire, one of Western Australia’s most celebrated production companies, is returning to its roots in the advertising industry, with plans to produce TV commercials in addition to their long-form drama business.

Founded in 2006, The Penguin Empire quickly made a name for itself in the local advertising industry, producing many of Western Australia’s most memorable TV campaigns over the last decade.

The company’s work was consistently recognised locally and internationally at award shows including the PADC Skulls, Campaign Brief Awards, D&AD, Cannes Lions, Clios, Spikes Asia and the AWARD Awards.

Following the success of their debut feature – I Am Mother – the company began focusing exclusively on long-form drama projects, but in the intervening years, business partners Kelvin Munro and Grant Sputore found themselves missing the fast pace and creative problem solving that commercial work offers.

“As storytellers, we live to make things – and advertising allows us to take projects from concept to final execution in time frames the feature world can only dream of,” says director Grant Sputore.

“We also missed the creative community we were able to build here in WA,” added producer Kelvin Munro. “There’s something so fulfilling that comes from working with a roster of directors, all of whom inspire and actively contribute to each other’s work.”

The new vision for the company is centered around a roster of some of WA’s top directing talents: Melle Branson, Matt Sav, Grant Sputore and Richard Vilensky.

“We couldn’t be more excited about the team we’ve put together,” says Munro. “Each of these directors are the best at what they do, and we’re looking forward to getting together with clients and agencies in short order to show off their work.”

The announcement comes at an especially exciting time for the company, as one of its principals, Grant Sputore, has recently returned to Perth after several years living and working in Los Angeles.

To coincide with the company’s reintroduction to the local market, The Penguin Empire launched a new website today, showcasing their directors’ work.

“As a company we’ve always aspired to be best in class,” says Munro. “Not just in our creative execution but also the process we provide our clients. That hasn’t changed.”

“This feels like a new beginning in a way that’s very exciting.” says Sputore. “We’re ready to build a new empire from the ground up.”

For more information, check out The Penguin Empire’s new website, or contact Kelvin Munro: kelvin@thepenguinempire.com