Known for his comedic sensibilities, nuanced performance direction, and visual storytelling, Miller brings over 20 years of experience directing campaigns for brands including BMW, Cheetos, Doritos, Salesforce, Liberty Mutual, and Xfinity. Through Aris, he has directed content for IBM and Embodied.

“We love Michael’s comedic voice, experience with dialogue, and fantastic pacing,” says Greg Bassenian, managing director and executive producer at Aris. “With his background as a director and editor, he is a multi-threat talent with a firm grip on how to shape narratives that resonate with today’s audiences. He’s also well-aligned with the scope of social media deliverables required in today’s media and advertising landscape.”
“Building on the incredible run we’ve had collaborating on a freelance basis, Aris already feels like home,” adds Miller. “What I appreciate about working with Greg is his enthusiasm and down-to-earth, genuine approach. I know I’m in good hands here and look forward to working with Aris officially and exclusively.”
Miller began his career in Los Angeles as an assistant camera operator, initially aspiring to become a director of photography. Moving to San Francisco as a freelancer led to opportunities as a content creator at agencies including Edelman SF, FCB West, Teak, and DDB, where he worked on short-form brand storytelling for clients such as Starbucks, Jansport, and Google.
He later joined Goodby Silverstein & Partners as a content creator in the agency’s Social Plus department, collaborating on social-first campaigns for Xfinity, SodaStream, and Frito-Lay. Recognised for his contributions to concept development, storytelling, and artistic direction, he transitioned into directing, leading high-profile campaigns for San Diego Zoo and BMW.
Comedy has always been central to Miller’s creative approach, drawing inspiration from 1990s comedy and iconic campaigns such as Goodby’s Got Milk? He highlights casting and timing as key to comedic storytelling.
“Casting and timing are everything when it comes to emphasising comedic moments,” says Miller. “While casting may be time-consuming, it’s one of my favourite parts of the process, connecting with the talent, getting their perspective on the character and place in the story, and seeing how they respond to a director’s curveball.”
Beyond performance direction, Miller values the collaborative nature of production. “From cinematography to editing, I came into my own as a filmmaker through hands-on experience and learning from the best,” he explains. “Through these collective experiences, I’ve become fluent in the language of crews and have a tremendous respect for the heart, soul, and expertise they bring to the magic of cinema and storytelling.”
Outside of filmmaking, Miller and his family enjoy an active lifestyle, including dirt biking, skiing, mountain climbing, hiking, farming, and building a treehouse with a zipline on their four-acre property.

Specializing in character-driven stories with a verité approach, Zoe’s work often balances an elevated cinematic style with an organic feel while incorporating unique texture through mixed media and film elements. Her commercial portfolio includes campaigns for global brands Walmart, eBay, Six Flags, Coachella, Genentech, Maison Margiela, Doordash, and more.

Zoe has collaborated with a range of personalities, such as high-profile celebrities Ashley Tisdale, John Leguizamo, Charli XCX, and Chappell Roan, as well as key opinion leaders and novice talent. This passion for crafting narratives centred on real people and cultural celebrations carries over to her work as an independent documentary filmmaker. She is also an accomplished producer of documentary features and series on Hulu, Showtime, and Netflix. For the latter, she garnered an Emmy nomination for producing CIVIL: BEN CRUMP (2022) – an intimate vérité look following the life of maverick civil rights attorney Ben Crump during the height of the Black Lives Matter movement.

“Brands today seek authentic stories that organically resonate with audiences, and Zoe has a rare talent for capturing these narratives in a way that feels authentic to both the subjects and the brand’s ethos,” says Greg Bassenian, Aris founder and executive producer. “She also embodies a new generation of digitally-native directors that both our agency and brand clients will appreciate – one who brings hands-on experience in the production and post processes, along with a keen sense of conceiving a story for screens of all sizes.”

“Authenticity, for me, means crafting stories that audiences see themselves in, creating connections that resonate deeply,” adds Zoe. “Greg and I are very aligned on how to channel that perspective in the branded space. I’m confident that Aris will be the best partner to support my creative style and storytelling approach, and together, we can deliver brands a fresh, authentic voice.”

An Indian-American raised in Washington, D.C., Malhotra’s multicultural upbringing shaped her worldview as a storyteller. While studying at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, Zoe focused on documentary storytelling, and her thesis documentary short about a mother-daughter cooking duo, ‘God Bless the Cook,’ made waves on the festival circuit. The film caught the attention of DoorDash, leading to her first directing gig for a major brand.

“That project ignited my interest in short-form branded content and the collaborative dynamic of working with diverse teams in the ad world, from agency creatives to production talent to brand-side execs,” says Zoe.

Working with high-profile brands, she has established her signature visual style of beautiful naturalism and ability to uncover impactful stories, as seen in her eBay ‘Sellers Stories’ project. The film follows immigrant Sarkis Rshdouni, a former archaeologist and vintage camera refurbisher, who preserves his passions and past as an eBay seller.

Zoe went on to deepen her imprint by working with the notable Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival to direct its first short documentary, ‘Ascending,’ a 25-minute film capturing a historic moment in global music at Coachella 2023, where six South Asian artists redefined the festival experience and global music landscape.

“I have a deep curiosity and love for the world and the stories it holds,” she concludes. “As a director, I’ve been connected to so many different people from all walks of life, finding truths in each story that could never be scripted. In the branded space, I have the opportunity to capture this essence and elevate it cinematically – creating in a way that conveys genuine emotion and lasting impact.”