Methods & Madness Marks Breakout 2025 With Standout Commercial Work Across Genres and Brands

Dec. 12, 2025

2025 proved to be a landmark year for Methods & Madness, the full-service production studio known for championing visionary artists who push creative boundaries, founded by directors/partners Casey Lock and Ross Zuchowski. With a diverse slate of projects spanning long-form documentary storytelling, mockumentary-style comedy, and music-driven advertising, the studio showcased its range, agility, and creative problem-solving across some of its most ambitious assignments to date.

Ross Zuchowski, director and partner at Methods & Madness, said:

“This year was an important year in the growth of Methods & Madness. Despite many challenges, both within the industry and with the economy overall, we were able to do some amazing work for clients who recognize the creative value we bring. We’re looking for more of that in 2026.”

 

Branded Content Continues To Surge:

Among the company’s most notable achievements was its long-form branded content film for Samsung (via Edelman), spotlighting Renata Koch Alvarenga, a young leader fighting for climate justice in Brazil. Directed by Casey & Ross, the founding duo behind Methods & Madness, the piece blends cinematic documentary storytelling with an intimate, community-rooted perspective — anchoring Renata’s voice at the center of the narrative.

Ross Zuchowski, director and partner at Methods & Madness said:

“Brands today want to be on multiple platforms, and I think this is a good execution of that, which is a very particular sort of deliverable for Samsung. I hope they continue to explore and push this. And I hope other brands continue to do that as well. I think in the age of content, certain brands of a certain size tend to want to show up in multiple areas so that their name becomes evocative wherever you are. For us, the secret to the success of this project was finding local partners that could help us dig in and do a lot of the pre-work and pre-interview work — having conversations with young leaders focusing on meaningful areas, and visiting locations deeply rooted in their story. That helps us lean not on a tourism approach but on an approach that feels authentic to their story.”

 

Comedy Spots Remakably Effective:

On the comedic end of the spectrum, Methods & Madness delivered a mockumentary-style gem for Yumbo Meats via agency Havas, Chicago. The spot, “Meat for Real Meatheads,” directed by Brandt Lewis (via a production partnership with Sanctuary Content, Los Angeles), channels the playful, talking-to-camera tone of The Office and Parks & Recreation. Featuring a woman reminiscing about her lifelong love of meat — including childhood “meat parties,” instead of tea parties — the ad stitches together nostalgic vignettes with quick-witted comedic pacing.

Zuchowski said:

“This is a fun comedic piece that feels very traveled. One of the challenges was: how do you produce in one day a spot that feels as smart as this piece does? Even after producing it, I watch and think, ‘wow, we did all that in a day.’ Dressing and redressing multiple locations across different ‘eras,’ leveraging a Hi8 camera to bring a little nostalgia into it — there were some unique production solves that ultimately created a beautiful blend of office-style humor and a fun narrative take.”

 

Broadway Style Musical Production:

Rounding out the studio’s 2025 highlights is “Woke Up Sick,” a music-video-inspired spot from director Chris Woods for Blue Cross Blue Shield and Chicago agency, Merge. Driven by dance choreography and an upbeat sense of rhythm, the work injects levity into the healthcare category — territory not often associated with musical fun.

Zuchowski said:

“I think this ad reflects a way of breathing life into the healthcare space in a way that you don’t often get to have fun with. Musical is a great genre for that. Chris does a great job bringing these characters to life in a way that’s fun and light without feeling slapstick. There’s a balance of performance and pace that keeps you intrigued—even in a health insurance commercial. In this case, you’re having fun watching it, and I think that’s super cool.”

 

With momentum building, Methods & Madness is already deep into new collaborations. The studio is looking forward to unveiling upcoming work for the ASPCA alongside several other major clients as it enters 2026 with continued creative ambition.