Ryan Staake is a New York–based director and designer known for effects-led, design-forward commercials and music films. A RISD Graphic Design graduate and former Apple Human Interface Designer with five patents, he built tour visuals for Major Lazer before founding Brooklyn studio Pomp&Clout. In July 2026 he signed with Greenpoint Pictures; his first roster project was Apple’s Appreciation music film closing the WWDC 26 keynote, featuring Erick the Architect. Evidenced brand work includes Xbox, Humane, Samsung, Twitch, TikTok, Twitter, Adidas, Puma, Casper, Meow Mix, Volkswagen, Pepsi, Lays, Oculus, and Yili. Trade coverage frames him as a pioneer of effects-led storytelling, including generative-AI product-background replacement that won a global-brand treatment, deepfake technique on Charli XCX and Troye Sivan’s 1999, and motion-capture avatars on Ed Sheeran’s Cross Me. Young Thug’s meta Wyclef Jean video brought a Webby, MTV VMA recognition, a D&AD Pencil, Creative Circle Gold, and 1.4 Show Silver. He treats music as a core directing tool for tone and audience memory, and now works from the Hudson Valley while remaining active in New York commercial production.