Covert has bolstered its U.S. expansion by signing 104 NICKELS, the CG storytelling duo of Anthony Nitkowski and Nicholas King, for exclusive US representation.
Known for pushing the boundaries of reality through a blend of human-VFX interactivity and photorealism, 104 NICKELS has delivered viral campaigns and content for major brands such as Oakley, Max, and Under Armour, while collaborating with high-profile figures including Jake Paul, Patrick Mahomes, Dennis Rodman, Angela Sarafyan, David Guetta, and Chiara Ferragni.
Covert made its move into the American market in 2024, appointing Executive Producer Nick Litwinko to oversee operations. This partnership allows 104 NICKELS to focus on pitching, concept development, and VFX supervision while Covert’s production pipeline handles creative execution.
“I can’t think of a better partner than 104 NICKELS to help us grow in the US,” said Litwinko, who has held leadership roles at MTV Networks, Psyop, Blind, Alkemy X, and Nice Shoes. “They’re a powerhouse duo—Nicholas is a VFX genius, and Anthony is a master at storytelling and big-picture strategy. Their expertise in creating viral content is unmatched, and with Covert’s talent and resources, we’re excited to bring game-changing moments to social media for our brand clients.”
Nitkowski and King first crossed paths while developing a viral teaser campaign for Patrick Mahomes’ Oakley Signature Series sunglasses. Ditching the standard influencer unboxing approach, they introduced the “Contrail Delivery Service”—a hyper-realistic drone spacecraft that dramatically dropped Mahomes’ sunglasses into Arrowhead Stadium. The campaign became Mahomes’ top-performing organic content of all time.
Since then, the duo has continued creating viral sensations, working with brands and celebrities such as Ice Box, Dennis Rodman, Nessly, Bryan Johnson, Fedez, and Kush Papi. Their signature style blends high-tech VFX with an authentic, lo-fi aesthetic—crafting moments that appear casually shot on a phone but feature stunningly photoreal effects.
“We’ve always loved making people do a double take—content that makes you watch it two, three, even four times just to figure out how it was done,” said King. “That’s what sparks buzz and shareability. People flood the comments section asking, ‘Is this real?’ or ‘How did they pull this off?’”
Nitkowski adds that their work is more than just visual spectacle—it’s about storytelling and strategic brand messaging.
“Every project we take on starts with the message,” he explained. “How does it connect with a brand’s strategy or campaign? Every creative decision we make serves a purpose, ensuring we engage audiences on a deeper level.”
Nitkowski began his career at Nickelodeon in 2014 before moving to Day One Agency, where he developed creative strategies for brands like Chipotle, Nike, and American Express. He later worked at Game Seven, contributing to campaigns for Nike, Jordan, and Spotify, before advising top executives at brands like Coach, Puma, and Adidas Originals at Highsnobiety. He founded 104 Claremont, a creative agency that worked with clients like Tinder and Oakley, setting the stage for 104 NICKELS.
King, a VFX expert since 2009, initially ran his own post-production service while building a cult following under the alias @NICKELS. Before launching 104 NICKELS, he spent over a decade at Optix Dubai, climbing the ranks from CG Artist to Head of CG. His innovations in crowd simulation helped him earn an Emmy for his contributions to the Maya plugin Golaem.
“This partnership with Covert is something we’ve envisioned since launching 104 NICKELS,” King noted. “I’ve worked closely with Covert’s Max Murphy and Nick Litwinko before, and their VFX support on a past project was incredible. They have an army of top-tier VFX artists, and we’re thrilled to collaborate with them on a larger scale.”
Reel 360 News wishes Anthony and Nicholas good luck as they embark on this exciting new chapter.
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