Chris Applebaum, a highly acclaimed and respected director within the industry, has garnered widespread recognition for his impressive body of work, which includes the direction of the MTV Video of the Year award-winning music video for Rihanna's chart-topping hit single "Umbrella".
Born in the vibrant and culturally rich city of Los Angeles, Applebaum embarked on a fascinating academic journey by pursuing a degree in the esteemed field of Film at the prestigious Hampshire College, located in the charming town of Amherst, Massachusetts. It was during this time that he began to hone his skills as a director by creating music videos for a variety of emerging Indie Alternative Rock bands that were making waves in the music industry during the 1990s.
At a remarkably young age, Applebaum's exceptional talent and creativity were first recognized by MTV, which led to a life-changing opportunity. The 19-year-old college student, who was already making waves in the industry, was invited to join the esteemed On Air Promos department in New York City. This marked the beginning of an illustrious career, as Applebaum went on to become the youngest director to be welcomed into Satellite Films, a prestigious division of Propaganda, at the tender age of 22.
Noted music video director Applebaum has amassed an impressive portfolio, having directed in excess of 250 music videos, a testament to his versatility and skill behind the lens. This extensive body of work has garnered him numerous accolades, including multiple MTV Video Music Awards, a prestigious honor that recognizes excellence in the music video medium. Furthermore, his videos have consistently topped the charts, boasting an astonishing 30 Number 1 videos on MTV, a feat that speaks to his ability to craft visually striking and engaging content that resonates with audiences.
Among the many talented artists he has worked with are international pop sensations such as Rihanna, Hilary Duff, Britney Spears, Usher, Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, and Selena Gomez, each of whom has benefited from Applebaum's creative vision and technical expertise.
The year 1998 marked a significant milestone in the career of Applebaum, as his music video for Semisonic's hit single "Closing Time" made history by becoming the first video to be inducted into the prestigious Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, located in the vibrant city of Cleveland, Ohio.
This remarkable achievement was soon followed by another notable success, as Applebaum's video for Fountains of Wayne's catchy tune "Stacy's Mom" also earned a spot in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, solidifying his reputation as a talented and influential music video director.
Applebaum's iconic commercial for Carl's Jr, featuring the renowned socialite Paris Hilton, has etched its place in the annals of television history as the #1 most aired commercial ever, as certified by the esteemed ratings authority, BDS Neilsen. This groundbreaking achievement was followed by his subsequent advertising campaigns, which prominently featured the stunning models Nina Agdal and Kate Upton, generating an astonishing 1 billion media impressions within a remarkably short span of just three weeks from their initial broadcast.
It was the year 2016 when Applebaum took the bold initiative to launch his own self-funded Instagram video series, cleverly titled EATS, which garnered an unprecedented amount of media attention and witnessed an astonishing surge in popularity, boasting hundreds of thousands of views in its very first month of existence.
Currently situated in the vibrant city of Los Angeles, Applebaum finds himself in close proximity to the exact location where his grandparents, pioneers of a new life, first set foot in the United States, having made the arduous journey from Russia in the year 1921, a pivotal moment that would forever shape the course of their lives and the lives of their descendants.
