Omri Marcus
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Omri Marcus (born 1979) is an Israeli creative strategist, screenwriter, and international speaker. He is the founder of *The Comedy Brigade* (aka Comedy for Change), a global initiative that uses humor and AI to counter online antisemitism, and the creator of *The Finger Awards*, a prize honoring comedy that drives social change.
Career
[edit]Marcus began his career as a writer for major Israeli satirical TV programs, including Eretz Nehederet, which consistently earned over 30% ratings and won multiple Israeli Academy Awards.[1]
He also created original TV formats, including the dating show *Buzz Off*, which was optioned in France, Spain, Ireland, and China.[2]
Later, he was head of development at Channel 2 (Reshet) and joined Red Arrow Entertainment Group (ProSiebenSat.1) as a senior development partner, working on formats across Europe.[3]
Innovation and AI
[edit]In response to the October 7 attacks (2023), Marcus led Gitam‑BBDO’s creative war room, creating hundreds of AI‑driven videos for global audiences. He also taught AI and creative storytelling at the Jerusalem Sam Spiegel International Film Lab, where the official Lab’s website credits him with discussing “the use of AI as an empowering creative tool.”[4]
Additionally, he conducted private workshops for U.S. political strategists on using AI in campaign messaging.[5]
The Comedy Brigade
[edit]Founded in 2024 (initially as Comedy for Change), the initiative brings together comedy writers from the U.S., U.K., and Israel to counter antisemitism online using humor and AI. The project received coverage in international media.[6][7]
International Speaking and Jury Work
[edit]In March 2019, Marcus spoke at SXSW in Austin, participating in the panel “Trump Around the World of Comedy.”[8]
He has served for over a decade as a juror for the International Emmy Awards, being listed among the 2021 first-round jurors.[9] He is also a consistent juror for the Rose d’Or Festival.[10]
Other Work
[edit]Marcus writes op‑eds and articles in international outlets such as *Tablet Magazine*, *HuffPost*, and *MediaPost*, focusing on media, technology, and Israeli society.[11]
He also served as CEO of an Israeli‑Palestinian startup and volunteers for Eye from Zion, an NGO providing free medical services.[12][13]
Honors and Education
[edit]In 2009, Marcus received an Entertainment Master Class (EMC) fellowship. He holds a BA in History and Film from Tel Aviv University.[14]
References
[edit]- ^ "Israeli Show Goes On Despite Political Pressure". The New York Times. 2006-01-02.
- ^ "Red Arrow aims for Israeli creative". C21 Media. 8 April 2010.
- ^ "Red Arrow aims for Israeli creative". C21 Media. 8 April 2010.
- ^ "Session no. 2 of the Series Lab's 3rd Edition Concludes". Sam Spiegel Film Lab. 1 Aug 2024.
- ^ "Israeli comedy post‑October 7: Humor amid war". Jerusalem Post. 2024-11-11.
- ^ "Omri Marcus – Rose d'Or Awards". Rose d’Or. 23 Jun 2021.
- ^ "Fighting Antisemitism with Punchlines". Jewish Online Review. 2024-05-31.
- ^ "Omri Marcus – SXSW 2019 Speaker Profile". SXSW. 2019.
- ^ "2023 First‑Round International Emmy Awards Jurors" (PDF). International Emmy. 2023.
- ^ "Omri Marcus – Rose d'Or Awards". Rose d’Or. 23 Jun 2021.
- ^ "Omri Marcus – Rose d'Or Awards". Rose d’Or. 23 Jun 2021.
- ^ "Omri Marcus – SXSW 2019 Speaker Profile". SXSW. 2019.
- ^ "Omri Marcus – Rose d'Or Awards". Rose d’Or. 23 Jun 2021.
- ^ "Omri Marcus – SXSW 2019 Speaker Profile". SXSW. 2019.