Based in LA, with roots in Hong Kong and Hawaii, Nicholas is one of the most acclaimed Asian American advertising directors in the world. Renowned for a unique ability to find beauty in the everyday, he has crafted international campaigns for brands like Google, Samsung, vivo, HSBC, Toyota, Nestlé and Timberland. His signature visual language — a fusion of polished grit and emotive spontaneity — has attracted global agencies as BBDO, Ogilvy, Dentsu, Publicis and VML, creating campaigns awarded by the Cannes Lions, Clios, LIA, GEMA, Tellys, 1.4, Kinsale Sharks, AdFest, Shots APAC and more.
In the music world, Nicholas has directed videos for artists including Nick Jonas, Blink-182, Sara Bareilles, Jackson Wang, J Hus, Jess Glynne and Monsta X. He has been nominated for a UKMVA and, notably, is the first American ever to receive an MTV VMA nomination for Best K-Pop.
A noted thought leader in minority representation, Nicholas has published articles on diversity, culture and artificial intelligence. His work and viewpoints have been featured in leading publications as Vogue, The LA Times, Rolling Stone, Variety, Billboard, Complex, Forbes, Campaign Brief and The Telegraph, amplifying his voice in both the entertainment and cultural landscapes.
When not orchestrating chaos on set, Nicholas can be found carving the canyons in his race car, traveling the world hunting crazy street food, or talking fashion and anime with fellow ‘heads.
AWARDS
AdFest 2025 - Toyota Olympics "Start Your Impossible" - WINNER Bronze - Cinematography
Shots APAC Awards 2024 - Toyota Olympics "Start Your Impossible" - Finalist - Direction 61s to 3 Minutes
Shots APAC Awards 2024 - Toyota Olympics "Start Your Impossible" - Finalist - Cinematography Above 2 Minutes
Kancil Awards 2024 - Toyota Olympics "Start Your Impossible" - WINNER Merit Award - Direction
Kancil Awards 2024 - Toyota Olympics "Start Your Impossible" - WINNER Merit Award - Cinematography
Kancil Awards 2024 - Toyota Olympics "Start Your Impossible" - WINNER Merit Award - Editing
Kancil Awards 2024 - HSBC "Legacy Lives On" - WINNER Merit Award - Direction
Kancil Awards 2024 - HSBC "Legacy Lives On" - WINNER Bronze - Cinematography
Kancil Awards 2024 - HSBC "Legacy Lives On" - WINNER Merit Award - Editing
Berlin Music Video Awards 2025 - J Hus & CB "Cream" - Nominated - Best Animation (in competition)
Hollywood Music Video Awards 2025 - J Hus & CB "Cream" - Nominated - Best Animation
London International Awards 2024 - J Hus & CB "Cream" - WINNER Bronze - AnimationUKMVA 2024 - J Hus & CB "Cream" - Nominated - Best Hip Hop / Grime / Rap Video UK
Kinsale Sharks 2024 - J Hus & CB "Cream" - Finalist - Animation
1.4 Awards 2024 - J Hus & CB "Cream" - Finalist - Animation
Shots Select 2024 - J Hus & CB "Cream" - WINNER
Telly Awards 2023 - MTV "Drinking Alone With the Moon" - WINNER Gold - Directing
GEMA (Promax) North America 2023 - MTV "Drinking Alone With the Moon" - WINNER Silver - Directing
CLIO Awards 2022 - MTV "Drinking Alone With the Moon" - WINNER Bronze - TV Social Campaign
CLIO Awards 2022 - MTV "Drinking Alone With the Moon" - Finalist - TV Doc
GEMA (Promax) Global 2022 - Disney/Marvel "Spidey and His Amazing Friends" - WINNER Silver - Global Excellence Short Subject
Cannes Lions Young Directors Award 2021 - Snakehips & Jess Glynne "Lie For You" - Finalist - Animation
1.4 Awards 2021 - Snakehips & Jess Glynne "Lie For You" - WINNER Silver - Animation
Shots Select 2020 - Snakehips & Jess Glynne "Lie For You" - WINNER
MTV VMA 2020 - Monsta X "Someone's Someone" - Nominated - Best K-Pop Video
MMA Smarties Indonesia 2020 - Nestlé "Anti Manifesto" - WINNER Gold - Direct Response / Conversion Category
MMA Smarties APAC 2020 - Nestlé "Anti Manifesto" - WINNER Silver - Cross Media Category
MMA Smarties Indonesia 2020 - Nestlé "Anti Manifesto" - WINNER Bronze - Cross Media Category
Citra Pariwara Awards 2019 - Nestlé "Anti Manifesto" - WINNER Silver - Best Digital Campaign
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NME