Directors Think Tank Manila appoints Jorel Lising as new director

Production house Directors Think Tank (DTT) Manila has appointed Jorel Lising (pictured) as its newest director, effective 27 October 2025. The appointment marks another key move in the company’s ongoing expansion under CEO and director Cris Bilbao, who took the helm earlier this year to lead a refreshed chapter for DTT in the Philippines.

After extensive discussions with Bilbao, Lising said the collaboration felt natural. “We agreed that it would be a good fit for me to join the roster of Think Tank to offer my style and perspective to the team - kinetic visual storytelling,” he told MARKETING-INTERACTIVE. 

Known for his dynamic and emotionally charged visual style, Lising brings a cross-disciplinary approach shaped by years of experimentation. “It’s a style I’ve developed through the years, inspired by the emotive frames of art house cinema, shaped by the visual and editorial style of 90s-2000s music videos, and pushed by the energy of anime that I grew up on. I think that having a background in graphic design also adds a unique dimension to my portfolio.”

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Lising’s addition comes as DTT Manila continues to strengthen its creative muscle following its relaunch under Bilbao, which she described as a chance “to bring new, regional and local-made solutions to the vibrant market of the Philippines”. The refreshed leadership aims to blend regional expertise with local sensibilities, with Lising’s distinctive lens adding a new layer to that vision.

Having built a reputation for his work with lifestyle and beverage brands, Lising said these projects allow him to explore visual freedom and creative unpredictability.

“I’ve found the most satisfaction in creating for clients who handle liquid products and beverage brands because they typically go for it in inventive and surprising ways - this allows my concept preparation to take on those same dynamic qualities,” Lising said.

Joining DTT, he added, opens a new frontier for his craft with a platform to push new techniques and pursue the visual style and language that not only challenges but also excites him.

This opens up more exposure to brands, clients, and other artists and collaborators across the region. To dream a little bigger.

Looking ahead, Lising teased an ambitious slate of upcoming work: “In the next few months, with the support of Think Tank and its network, we hope to bust out fresh work that’s inspired. Work that resonates with audiences across the region and beyond.”

DTT also operates full-service production hubs across Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia, with reach extending to markets such as the US, Japan, and India. The company recently produced a Del Monte Juices commercial in collaboration with Publicis JimenezBasic, alongside campaigns for Nature’s Wonders and Old Town Malaysia.

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