The Refinery has become a defining force in entertainment marketing, shaping how audiences connect with film and television through bold visual storytelling. At its helm, Brad Hochberg brings a deep reverence for design history paired with a sharp contemporary vision. His passion for uniting type, image, and message into work that resonates worldwide continues to inspire both collaborators and clients—and reflects the studio’s unwavering commitment to creativity that moves culture forward.

What inspired or motivated you to have a career in design?
Design, art, and photography really spoke to me. Everything else felt confusing and loud, but design was a place of peace and understanding.

Who is or was your greatest mentor?
For me, it has always been a partnership between everyone who collaborates on a project. Outside our agency, that includes clients, photographers, stylists, producers—all the partners needed to accomplish great work. Inside our agency, I learn from everyone all the time and count on them to help me grow as a creative and agency leader.

What is it about design that you are most passionate about?
I have always had admiration and respect for the visual, type, and message. To unite those elements in a perfect symphony is a triumph, and when you see it done well, it leaves you in awe. Our industry, as a collective, often leaves me in wonderment as I look at the work being produced.

The Refinery focuses on providing print, AV, and digital work for the entertainment industry. What has that been like for you? What do you like most about working in entertainment?
It is a thrill to be part of a series or film’s journey to success—to see audiences discover it and to have played a role in that is always a wonderful feeling. It has also been a joy to see the work being shared around the globe, either directly through a media buy or organically by audiences who fall in love with it.

Who have been some of your favorite people or clients you have worked with?
We have been incredibly fortunate to collaborate with the very best clients, filmmakers, and partners over the years. Many of them pursue the same elevated passion for creativity that we do. There are truly too many to name, but I am deeply thankful for their support and trust over the years. It has been a remarkable experience.

Who are some of your greatest past influences?
It has been a great cross-section of artists, designers, typographers, and photographers from day one of art school. Having a solid foundation of the past helps you grow through time as a visual storyteller.

In no particular order: Paul Rand, Saul Bass, Herb Lubalin, Alexey Brodovitch, Hermann Zapf, Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, Robert Motherwell, Alberto Giacometti, Richard Avedon, Irving Penn, Walker Evans, Garry Winogrand, and William Eggleston, to name a few.

What is your greatest professional achievement?
Being a part of so many great organizations over the years and folding all those experiences into The Refinery has been the top of the mountain. Taking the risk to try this with my business partner, Adam Waldman, in 2016 has been a transformative experience and one I will always cherish and count as my greatest professional achievement.

What advice would you give to students starting out today?
Challenge yourself to learn the history of the visual arts world and build that base. Strive to diversify your skill set: learn to paint, love typography, make pictures, and get your hands dirty. You never know when you will tap into this skill set. Beyond that, do not be afraid to connect with people whose work inspires you or draws you in; you might be surprised how receptive artists are to helping another artist grow.

What interests do you have outside of work?
I have been working on a body of personal photographic work. I find it gives me the outlet to explore concepts and solutions outside the daily collaborative environment. This exploration has fed back into my Refinery work in a positive way. I encourage all artists to pursue work that is not their primary focus as a way of self-expression.

About The Refinery

Brad Hochberg is a founding partner and creative director at The Refinery, a multi–award-winning, Los Angeles–based entertainment marketing agency. He has worked on major campaigns for studios and streamers for two decades, starting with Seiniger Advertising, then Poetic Justice, Concept Arts, and Trailer Park, before cofounding The Refinery in 2006. Brad deeply loves “the visual” and leads his team with a historical perspective paired with a modern lens. He believes the creative’s job is simple: elicit a response, draw the eye to the message, and get an audience to connect.
www.therefinerycreative.com