Named Ad Age’s Production Company to Watch for 2021, Sanctuary paid that off in 2022, as its diverse roster delved into important and highly topical issues.

New signing Aisha Ford, who joined the roster straight out of film school, impressed immediately with a campaign for Dove and Ogilvy highlighting the alarmingly early age at which Black girls experience hair discrimination. “As Early As Five” was based on research from Dove, but Ford drew on her own personal experiences as well.

Another new signing, Goh Iromoto, made waves with “The Name,” a moving campaign from Procter & Gamble that debuted during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and questioned what exactly it means to have an “American” name. (Iromoto went on to direct the beloved Farmer’s Dog Super Bowl ad this year, too.)

Other Sanctuary 2022 highlights included Paul Hairston’s "Project Convey" campaign for Cox. The film captured how the project helped individuals on the autism spectrum with video calls by using speech and facial recognition technology.

Elsewhere, Brandt Lewis’ “Unfiltered” campaign for Snickers had fun with a couple on a double date, and Elle Ginter helmed a stylishly evocative black-and-white film for White Claw. Sanctuary also opened a new film division, headed by Preston Lee; offerings include the darkly comedic thriller “Booger,” written and directed by ex-Droga5 creative Mary Dauterman.

See all the winners of Ad Age's 2023 A-List Awards here.

Buy your ticket for the Ad Age A-List & Creativity Awards Gala here.