CHARLEY STADLER — PUSHING CREATIVE BOUNDARIES
The industry likes to call me a trailblazer, and I take that quite seriously. I’m all about pushing limits and redefining storytelling. With over 500 commercials for global giants like Microsoft, Heineken, IKEA, and McDonald’s, I really feel at home in most genres, from sharp comedy to gripping drama, high-energy action, his latest full AI created ad for Paulaner Sunset and with immersive 3D animation—most of them brought to life through my own post-production house, Trafo.TV. For me, it’s all about crafting bold narratives and striking visuals that stay with the audience long after the credits roll. With two very different projects under my belt — a concept-driven thriller and a high-octane action piece — I’m thrilled to be making my way back into Hollywood features.
Love and Peace: Rekindling the Spirit of Woodstock and the 1970s in full AI.
“Love and Peace” is a bold tribute to Woodstock and the optimistic rebellion of the 1970s — an era when peace, compassion, and self-expression weren’t fringe ideas, but a shared movement.
On this very day 56 years ago, Woodstock unfolded on a muddy field in Bethel, New York. It was more than a music festival — it was a cultural turning point. Amid the backdrop of the Vietnam War, civil unrest, and generational divide, hundreds of thousands gathered in an unprecedented show of unity. Woodstock became a living statement: a call for peace, a stand against violence, and a celebration of freedom in all its forms.
The original idea for this modern reimagining began over a year ago between Hollywood writer Adam Kreunter and Director Charley Stadler. Then the Creative visionaries Patrick Hoechstetter and Charley Stadler — the duo behind 2024’s record-breaking BRLO beer campaign, which drew over 1 billion views in its first week — partnered with Sunset to bring the concept to life. After 12 months of collaboration and creative sparring, the vision became reality in June 2025.Sunset’s Amazon launch campaign, anchored by this emotionally charged, AI-powered visual, marks a bold new chapter in storytelling. It’s the first campaign of its kind where historically grounded inspiration meets cutting-edge technology to deliver a message that transcends generations and cultures.
“With ‘Love and Peace, ’ we set out to do more than advertise, ” said Matthias Memminger, Founder & CEO of Dreaming Sunset Inc. “We aimed to bottle the spirit of a generation and share it with the world. Paulaner Sunset is about joy, positivity and love of life. Our campaign brings that message to life in a way that feels both timeless and deeply relevant.”
This isn’t nostalgia for the past. It’s a rallying cry for the future. Spread love today. Start now. 💛🧡❤️🩷💜
AWARD-WINNING IMPACT
With 300+ international awards under my belt, I’m always aiming to break new ground.
In 2024, my BRLO beer ad took the world by storm—amassing over 1 billion global impressions in just one week, becoming the most watched commercial in history of advertising and earning major accolades, including:
Cannes Silver Lion,
2 Silver Clios, Pencil D& AD Award, Gold Berlin Commercial Festival, 4 Golds Die Klappe, 5 Gold Nails ADC, Gold
SHOTS EMEA`s.
My ads for VKB Insurance and EGRET won the German Design Award 2024, while my campaign for Saltlets earned a Bronze at the EFFIE Awards. In April 2025, I received another Bronze at the Spotlight Festival for my impactful social ad for Blue Ribbon, raising awareness about prostate cancer. Most recently, the two characters I created together with Patrick Höchstetter—Kitty Cat & Doggy Dog—won 3 Gold the German Brand Award 2025 in Berlin including best newcomer brand.
GERMANY`S BEST NEWCOMER BRAND 2025
Just won 3 Gold awards in Berlin at the German Brand Awards including Best newcomer brand award 2025 with 2 characters I created together with Patrick Höchstetter.
The Creative Force Behind VKB’s Viral Leap
“This is an interview with me about the role of entertainment in advertising. My ad for VKB, one of the biggest insurers in Germany, catapulted the brand to an entirely new level — in awareness, engagement, and cultural relevance. We didn’t just sell insurance — we told a story that people wanted to watch, share, and talk about.”
SHOTS & INDUSTRY RECOGNITION
Over the past three years, SHOTS has featured 17 of my films, highlighting my work among the best in the industry. I co-wrote and directed their commercial for the new SHOTS TREATMENTS app and I’ve also had the honor of serving as a jury member for their prestigious London-based EMEA Awards in Direction.
Beyond that, Filestage has ranked me among the Top 50 Commercial Directors of All Time.
CREATOR: Bringing Characters to Life
In 2022, I co-created the animated duo Doggy Dog & Kitty Cat for Fox4Pets. Fast forward to 2024, and these characters took the internet by storm—going viral with 52 million views on YouTube and earning us a YouTube Award. Then, 2025 brought another milestone: we took home 3 Golds at the German Design Award. 1 for Best Newcomer Brand of the Year. From concept to global recognition, this journey has been nothing short of incredible!
Feature Film
DEAD FISH — BIG-SCREEN STORYTELLING
I co-wrote and directed the $15 million feature film Dead Fish, starring Oscar-winner Gary Oldman alongside an all-star cast, including Bobby Carlyle and Terrence Stamp. I also worked with Hollywood stars such as Sir Sean Connery, Cuba Gooding Jr., Gerry Butler, and Sharon Stone. Working with such legendary talent was an incredible experience—bringing bold storytelling, unforgettable performances, and cinematic vision to life on the big screen.
TRAFO.TV — Pushing the Boundaries of CGI
In 2024, I launched Trafo.TV, my very own CGI studio, bringing together a team of exceptional 3D artists and character animators. These artists are truly one of a kind—crafting stunning visuals and storytelling that push the limits of animation. At Trafo.TV, we don’t just create—we “transform”. Stay tuned for what’s coming next!