Bella has expanded its creative bench with the signing of Ambient Press, the directing partnership of Jake Wegesin and Frankie Principe. The duo is now represented by Bella for commercials, branded content, and original entertainment across the United States.
Ambient Press marks the first animation-based directing team to join Bella — a strategic move that aligns with the company’s push toward elevated, design-forward storytelling.
A Global Duo with a Singular Mission
Based in the southwest of France, Wegesin brings a distinctive, stop-motion-inspired craft to animation, blending tactile technique with humor and emotional clarity. His short films — including The Ultimate Space Race (a Vimeo Staff Pick), Beyond, Next Flight Home, and Kanon — helped establish Ambient Press as a rising creative force. Wegesin’s commercial work spans Universal Pictures, the Edmonton Oilers, and the MLS, following years as a freelance 3D artist for top shops like We Are Royale, Strange & Wonderful, Valve, and TheNewBlank.
Principe, originally from New York and now based in Auckland, complements Wegesin’s style with deep expertise in character design, composition, color, and storyboarding. A graduate of the School of Visual Arts’ traditional animation program, his motion design work has supported projects for Psyop, The Mill, Hornet, Imaginary Forces, Method, Block & Tackle, and more. He has served as Senior Motion Designer for Assembly since 2018.
Together, they operate Ambient Press with a single mission: using the art of animation to entertain, educate, and inspire.
Why Bella – and Why Now
“With Ambient Press growing — and now with Frankie and I truly collaborating — we’re ready to broaden our reach,” Wegesin said. “Everything we do revolves around story and emotion. Bella shares that same focus on building unique worlds and characters.”
Principe echoed the sentiment: “We want to make sure we’re using the right ideas to tell the right stories for the right clients. This partnership gives us the perfect opportunity to do that.”
Bella Managing Partner David Perry, who has collaborated with Wegesin for more than 12 years through parent company Fivestone Studios, says the signing is a natural fit.
“Jake and Frankie are exceptional storytellers,” Perry said. “Their worldliness, originality, and hybrid animation approach align with where Bella is heading. Brands are investing more heavily in branded entertainment, and Ambient Press brings the boldness and artistry to match that momentum.”
Bella’s U.S. representation includes Hapa (East Coast), Mo Butler Reps (Midwest), Blush Creative + Lisa G. & Co. (West Coast), and Jack Reed (South).
Reel 360 News wishes Ambient Press the best of luck with Bella.
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