Gary Gershaw is an Emmy Award winning creative director-senior writer/producer of television promos.
Gary knows how to market a show/channel, from image/branding campaigns to special shoots/stunts (which he often directs), sales presentations, upfronts, sizzles, BTS featurettes, interstitials, generics, sweepstakes spots, episodics and more. For over 20 years, he’s been the go-to, hands-on creative with big ideas for eventful launches, season premieres/finales, etc.
Whether for network, cable, syndication, international, digital, or social, his work has a distinct personality, with clever word play and fun visual juxtapositions. He’s promoted numerous programs, including “Family Guy,” “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” “ER,” “That 70’s Show,” to name a few. Recently, a promo Gary produced for “General Hospital” won the Emmy for Outstanding Promotional Announcement - Episodic.
Gary was a senior writer/producer at FOX Broadcasting for 5 years, specializing in comedy promos. He wrote/directed promo-mercials with comedians Chris Rock, Cedric the Entertainer, Bernie Mac, and the Wayans Brothers (see SHOOTS). Versed in drama, reality, and movies, as well, he also spent stints at Hallmark Channel, Disney Channel, Fox Family Channel, and The WB Television Network, in addition to freelancing for ABC, CBS, FX, CNN, NFL Network, A&E, History Channel, Freeform, The CW, TBS, 20th Television, Warner Bros. etc.
He’s also worked in feature film advertising, writing trailer copy for such movies as “Step Up 2,” “What Happens in Vegas,” “The Simpsons Movie,” “Surf’s Up,” “Underdog,” “Get Smart,” among others.
Plus, Gary created and directed the television pilot “The Elevator Bank,” a game show that takes place on an elevator (see PILOTS). The show was hosted by Mark DeCarlo (“Taste of America,” “Studs,” etc.) and represented by the William Morris Endeavor talent agency.
In addition, Gary created and directed the web series “Makeover Mission: Homeless Edition,” a makeover show parody which eGuiders called “politically incorrect fun!” It was their “Comedy Pick of the Week,” and also Sling.com’s “Editors’ Pick of the Day.” He reconceived the show as an inspirational reality TV series, known as “Second Chance Makeover” (see PILOTS), and the format was distributed domestically by Big Media, and internationally by Red Arrow International (formerly SevenOne International).
Gary started as an actor, with a guest-starring role on “Cheers,” and other featured television and movie appearances, too (“St. Elsewhere,” “For the Boys,” etc.). Eventually, he moved behind the scenes, working on staff for film director Mark Rydell. He went on to become a copywriter at a boutique advertising/marketing firm, and then a freelance writer/producer on EPK featurettes (“The Ice Storm,” “D3: The Mighty Ducks,” etc.) and ultimately promos.
Originally from the Boston area, Gary studied Cinema and Theatre at Ithaca College in New York, and interned with MGM studios, working on “CHiPs” and “The Goodbye Girl” TV pilot, before graduating Cum Laude.
Gary lives in Los Angeles where he continues to produce on-air promos and longer form content under his Classified Creative banner.