Sara Shelton is a New York–based commercial director known for performance-driven, true-to-life comedy. She began as an agency writer—staff writer when Johannes Leonardo opened in 2007, then three years at Droga5—while training in improv at Upright Citizens Brigade, sketch at The PIT, and comedic storytelling on New York stages. Droga5 gave her a first commercial directing assignment on Sprint with Paul Marcarelli, which led to ongoing Sprint campaign work and a permanent shift into directing. Evidenced brand work includes Xfinity, Hormel, Manhattan Mini Storage, Sugar Mutts Rescue, Country Time Lemonade, Daily Harvest, Walmart, Johnsonville, IHOP, Bank of America, P&G/Tide, The Container Store, and an International Women’s Day piece. Country Time’s “Legal-Ade” (Leo Burnett) is widely cited with six Cannes Lions including a Gold in Brand Experience & Activation, a Silver Clio, and a One Show Gold Pencil; Sugar Mutts Rescue also drew awards-circuit attention. She directed Daily Harvest’s musical parody “Fictional Things,” the cold open for Netflix’s Luenell: Town Business (EP’d by Dave Chappelle), and the 2022 Tribeca-premiering short Teddy Bear, which collected festival awards including best comedy, best director, and best actress. U.S. commercial representation is at Station Film (signed August 2024).