“I’ve spent 30 years mastering the rules so we can break them effectively. If you are ready to move beyond 'standard' and unlock what your brand is actually capable of.”
Bryan Dafoe
Co-Founder & Managing Director
Bryan Dafoe’s career serves as a blueprint for high-level executive leadership within the volatile entertainment landscape. As Managing Director of M23 Media Agency, he leverages over three decades of operational intelligence to drive business stability and growth. His tenure extends far beyond participation in the industry; it is defined by the rigorous management of it. Navigating the sector’s complex evolution from traditional models to the digital frontier, Bryan has honed a sharp executive foresight. He steers the agency with a focus on fiscal health and strategic positioning, utilizing the steady hand required to turn industry disruption into competitive advantage.
In his role as Managing Director, Bryan views management as the architecture of success. He has transitioned from simple oversight to orchestrating complex business units, establishing a philosophy that true leadership is about constructing the frameworks where efficiency meets innovation. He acts as the operational anchor, implementing the systems and workflows that allow the agency to scale without fracturing. Within this structured environment, he deploys out-of-the-box visual strategies not merely as artistic choices, but as calculated business levers—core assets designed to secure market differentiation and maximize impact in a crowded economy.
Today, Bryan’s mission is centered on organizational development and strategic partnership. He is dedicated to scaling the potential of emerging brands and artists who possess raw talent but lack the executive roadmap to capitalize on it. By fusing operational discipline with daring market strategies, Bryan bridges the gap between creative vision and commercial reality. He provides the executive stewardship necessary to transform fleeting opportunities into sustainable, long-term legacies.
Quick Fire QnA…
Q: What is the biggest mistake you see creatives make?
A: Treating structure as the enemy. The most brilliant ideas often die because they lack a backbone. The job is to provide the executive framework that allows creativity to survive and thrive without collapsing under its own weight. Structure isn't a cage; it's a launchpad. By handling the operational complexities, we liberate the talent to focus entirely on innovation. It’s about building a sustainable ecosystem where the business supports the art, rather than the art constantly fighting for survival.
Q: As Managing Director, how do you support the agency’s business units?
A: By defining the 'North Star.' I equip our business units with the market intelligence, connection and foresight they need to stay ahead of the curve. Supporting the agency isn't just about keeping the lights on; it's about anticipating industry shifts and pivoting our internal resources to meet them. I ensure every unit is armed with a strategy that is proactive, not reactive. This creates a culture where calculated risks are encouraged because the foundation is solid. I provide the structural confidence that allows our units to push boundaries, ensuring that when we move, we move as a cohesive, dominant force.
Q: Why are you so focused on "visual strategies"?
A: Because in today's market, you don't read the story first—you see it. Visuals aren't just decoration; they are a strategic weapon. If you aren't disrupting the visual status quo, you aren't being heard. The goal is to translate potential into an immediate visual language that commands attention rather than asking for it. Using unique imagery to stop the scroll, forcing the audience to engage with the narrative before they’ve read a single word.
Q: Who is the ideal partner for M23 Media?
A: The visionary who is tired of hitting a ceiling. We work best with talent and brands that have the raw potential but need a roadmap to bridge the gap between who they are and who they are destined to become. This requires a willingness to trust a veteran perspective and take calculated risks. If you are ready to move from 'aspiring' to 'established,' M23 provides the strategic engine—and the out-of-the-box thinking—necessary to turn that potential into a market-leading reality.