ABOUT US + MEET THE TEAM

Umbrella Street Media is an award-winning creative agency and production studio specializing in advertising, entertainment and strategic video.

We've created hundreds of ads for commercial clients, scripted and unscripted entertainment, innovative social media content, and literlally reinvented the way strategic video can impact a target demographic.

Our Method

STEPHEN LEEDS/Founder, Chief Creative

Stephen is the Founder and Chief Creative Officer at Umbrella Street. He’s an award-winning filmmaker and has been honored by the New York Film Society's New Films / New Directors series at the Museum of Modern Art. He earned a Pollie Award for his advertising work and has created hundreds of ads for TV and the web. He is also a writer, director and producer on feature motion picture and television works for various Hollywood studios. He recently co-wrote and created a scripted series about the life of famed author Ernest Hemingway for Phoenix Pictures & Image Movers. Series will star Josh Brolin, who is also executive producing along with industry icon Mike Medavoy.

  • Umbrella Street’s commercial division began when Stephen created and produced the first ever national TV ad for an iPhone app. The Dictionary.com app proceeded to sky-rocket to #2 in the Apple Store with over 40 million downloads in the first month. Since then, Stephen has created, produced and directed national campaigns for clients: Overstock.com, Ask.com, Six Flags, 1800Flowers, Turtle Wax, Shakey’s Pizzaand many others. In addition to his client work, he has created branded entertainment shorts for College Humor and directed feature films.

    Past works from Stephen include scripts for The Walt Disney Company, Sony Pictures, Warner Brothers, Fox, New Regency, Alcon Entertainment, Phoenix Pictures and many others.

    Stephen has a B.A. in literature & writing from U.C.L.A. and an M.F.A. in film from Columbia University, where his comedy short, Get That Number, won Best Picture at Columbia’s Polo Ralph Lauren / New Line Cinema Festival of New Works. Spin Magazine called it "an urban opus" and esteemed director Milos Foreman said it was "truly a wonderful film." It won Best Picture at six international film festivals and was awarded Filmmaker Magazine's Audience Choice Award. Sundance Mentor and NYU Tisch School of Dramatic Writing founder Dan Kleinman placed the film on his list of Top 10 Best Shorts of All Time.

    Expanding into new media, Stephen and Umbrella Street recently produced the popular steaming sci-fi meta comedy series for kids, Ginormo. Announced at Comic Con and featured on Good Morning America, “the irrevrently awful giant-robot throwback show for fanboys and sci-fi nerds” together with Ginormo related content garnered over 50 million total views before the end of its initial week in release. Labled “first of its kind” and a "disrupter series" in the press, Ginormo stars eight social media creators with a combined 1.5 billion monthly views.

CHARLES KRAMER / Sr. VP, Post Production

Charles Kramer, ACE is a two-time Emmy nominated television editor and producer with a longstanding record of excellence in the industry. Charles was elected to the Motion Picture Editors Guild Board of Directors and has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to fight for the cause and recognition in the craft of editing. Charles was most recently the Lead Editor on HBO's Project Greenlight: A New Generation featuring Issa Rae and Gina Prince Bythewood, The Promised Land for Youtube and Netflix's The Magic Prank Show with Justin Willman. Also recently, Charles was one of the editors on Amazon and Mr. Beast’s Beast Games, NBC's LA Fire & Rescue and Peacock's Paris in Love with Paris Hilton. Charles' scripted credits include BET's Real Husbands of Hollywood, independent features See Dick Die and The Ride, and trailers for Swingers, Lost Highway, and Kolya.

  • Charles has also edited and produced a number of pilots including Self-Care for Amazon featuring Justina Adorno and Jordan Rodriguez. He has worked on numerous unscripted shows over the years of every type including The Voice and The Sing Off for NBC, Dancing with the Stars and The Mole for ABC, Top Chef, Kathy Griffin: D-List and Below Deck for Bravo, and Big Brother for CBS. Charles started his television career at MTV and Comedy Central editing and producing shows such as The Osbournes, The Man Show, Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica, Rich Girls, The Ashlee Simpson Show, and Duets.

SAM ROGERS /  Sr. VP, Social Media

With 15 years experience in producing and managing social content for global brands as the Director of Integrated Production at VML Passport, a boutique branding agency within the WPP network, Sam led the video, photo, animation, and digital content department. Working with Fortune 500 brands like Coca-Cola, DreamWorks, Delta Airlines, Sony Pictures, McDonalds, and UberEats. Double bachelor's degrees in business marketing & fine arts film and TV, he's honed his skills in driving brand strategy and executing multi-channel marketing campaigns. Sam's background has given him a deep understanding of how to develop compelling product narratives, grounded in consumer insights and brand ethos. He effectively manages cross-functional teams and agency partners to create impactful marketing initiatives that resonate with diverse audiences. His passion for storytelling and innovation allows him to bring big ideas to life through unique solutions.

Alexis Sabo/ Executive Producer

Alexis is a filmmaker creating story-driven, emotionally grounded work for modern audiences. She has produced digital and branded content that’s generated over 20 million organic views across social platforms, blending cinematic storytelling with a strong understanding of audience engagement. She produces content in the form of Films, Music Videos, Commercials, and Digital Media, working for brands like Nordstrom, Employees Only, CBRE, and many more. Her films have been nominated for awards, and screened at festivals like NFFTY & Popcorn Frights. With experience developing pitches, directing talent, and leading production from concept to delivery, Alexis brings a clean, elevated visual style and a strategic, audience-focused approach to every project. She’s passionate about working on women centered stories told from diverse perspectives.

JAMES KOHN/ Executive Producer

James has been working at Umbrella Street since its inception in 2009. As Head of Production, James has been the steady hand guiding the chaos, the problem-solver when things go sideways, and the guy who always knows where to find a last-minute drone operator at 3 AM. With 15 years of experience overseeing global advertising campaigns, James has wrangled productions for brands like Ask.com, Six Flags, Turtle Wax, College Humor, Shakey’s Pizza, Ortho Mattress, Dictionary.com, and Kreation Cafe— and countless others. From high-profile commercial shoots to scripted digital series and award-winning films, James has done it all, fixing more than a crisis or two along the way. He runs big teams with the precision of a military strategist but somehow keeps it all fun, proving that high stakes don’t have to mean high stress.

  • James and Umbrella Street founder Stephen Leeds go way back—to their UCLA days, where they first bonded over filmmaking, long hours, and the shared thrill of pulling off the impossible. At Umbrella Street, James brings that same tenacity, humor, and “we’re gonna make this happen no matter what” energy to every project. Whether he’s managing a sprawling commercial shoot or problem-solving an unexpected hiccup on set, one thing’s for sure—if James is on board, you’re in very good hands.

    Every August, James takes his production superpowers to the Nevada desert, orchestrating massive builds and logistics at Burning Man, where he goes by the moniker, “Snocone” - maybe because he stays cool when everything around him is on fire (because running large-scale creative chaos is basically his natural habitat).

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ADAM KUCERA / Sr. Business Advisor

Adam brings a unique blend of strategic thinking, leadership acumen, and relationship-building skills to his role as CRO, guiding Umbrella Street through a transformative growth and success phase. This experience is grounded in a deep understanding of business principles, sales and marketing strategy, and a passion for achieving impactful results. He has a proven track record of building award-winning teams across various disciplines, fostering career development, and driving exceptional efficiency and high performance. He is a sneakerhead, husband, and proud parent of two flourishing young adults. His personal journey includes two Division I football national championships, complemented by multiple publishing credits and extensive professional speaking experience.

DELPHINE ROBERTSON / Executive Music Director

Delphine joined the team at Umbrella Street after a decade in-house at Tom Hanks’ production company, Playtone. She has music supervised and coordinated several notable premium cable TV series projects, including HBO’s Big Love, The Pacific, John Adams, Game Change, Electric City and The Comeback. She has also worked on many high profile feature film projects, including Charlie Wilson’s War, What Happens in Vegas, Starter for Ten, The Book of Eli, and My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Delphine was raised in a world where music wasn’t just a passion—it was the family business. Immersed in the industry from an early age, she developed an instinctive understanding of the power of sound in storytelling. With a lifetime of firsthand exposure to legendary artists, groundbreaking records, and the behind-the-scenes workings of the music world, she brings a depth of knowledge and appreciation that goes beyond the typical music supervisor. Her unique perspective allows her to curate, license, and integrate music in a way that elevates every project, ensuring each music cue resonates on both an artistic and emotional level.

PAUL FRANCIS / Executive Producer, Creative VP

After earning his MFA in film from Columbia University, Paul has been dazzling the industry with his storytelling prowess, snagging accolades like the prestigious Disney Writers Fellowship. His trophy shelf also boasts A Gotham Directing Award, testament to his exceptional contributions to the art form. Paul's creative journey has seen him develop projects for luminaries such as director Abel Ferrara and multi-Pulitzer Prize-winning author Colson Whitehead. His work spans a diverse range of genres and formats, showcasing his versatility and innovative approach to storytelling. Around the halls of Umbrella Street, Paul is affectionately known as "The Professor” having taught cinema and writing at several colleges and universities. His encyclopedic knowledge of film and filmmakers is nothing short of legendary, making him the go-to guru for all things cinematic— and bringing improtant insights to all our work.

  • Every year, cinephiles eagerly await Paul's end-of-year list of the top 10 movies—a curated selection that's as insightful as it is anticipated. His recommendations have become a staple among film enthusiasts, offering a blend of critical analysis and genuine passion for the art form.

    Splitting his time between the bustling streets of New York and the sun-soaked avenues of L.A. Paul develops commercial and entertainment projects for Umbrella Street on both coasts. His bicoastal lifestyle ensures he's always at the epicenter of creativity, bringing fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to the table.

MARK WAGNER / Sr. VP, Biz Dev 

Mark brings a dynamic blend of strategic vision, business acumen, and relationship-building expertise to Umbrella Street. He began his career in live television production, working on major events like the Academy Awards, before transitioning to Deloitte & Touche, where he specialized in international tax and strategic consulting. He later held executive roles in the health and wellness space, driving innovation, market expansion, and business optimization for Fortune 500 companies and consulting engagements. A former Division 1 tennis player, Mark remains passionate about the sport and is excited to support our upcoming  Junior World Open Tennis Championship series.