Creative studio Vagrants is continuing its strategic expansion with the appointment of Paul Muhlbach as executive producer of partnerships. Operating out of the studio’s Los Angeles hub, Muhlbach will spearhead national business development initiatives, forging vital relationships with major brands and creative agencies while playing a pivotal role in expanding the company’s bicoastal operational footprint.
The high-profile appointment arrives as Vagrants accelerates its ongoing evolution into a full-service creative powerhouse. In recent months, the studio has rolled out comprehensive, integrated campaigns for prominent names such as CarGurus and the City of Boston, showcasing its capacity to pilot complex projects seamlessly from initial conceptualization through to final post-production. By housing creative development, physical production, and post-production under one cohesive roof, Vagrants is strategically positioning itself to shoulder a larger footprint in modern brand storytelling. Alongside its robust and established commercial production business, the studio is increasingly diving into the development of original concepts and entertainment-driven projects tailored for today’s dynamic media landscape.
Dustin Devlin, the founder and chief creative officer of Vagrants, emphasized that Muhlbach’s unique skill set aligns directly with the studio’s overarching philosophy and client-centric approach to modern advertising and entertainment.
"Our clients are looking for a creative partner who’s in it with them from the first conversation," said Dustin Devlin, founder and chief creative officer of Vagrants. "That’s exactly what Paul does best. He gets in early, helps brands and agency partners find direction, and makes sure we never lose it on the way to the screen."
Muhlbach steps into his new role at Vagrants bringing more than a decade of specialized industry experience spanning high-end production, branded content strategy, and creative partnerships. Over the course of his distinguished career, he has built a reputation for navigating the complex intersections of agency oversight, brand ambitions, and director-driven execution.
Prior to joining Vagrants, Muhlbach spent five instrumental years as a brand partner executive producer at Stept Studios. During his tenure there, he played a central role in building and scaling the company’s brand-direct business during a period of substantial commercial growth and organizational expansion. His extensive professional background also features impactful stints at several other notable creative shops and agencies, including SixTwentySix, Stink Studios, Crispin Porter Bogusky, and, most recently, Bully Pulpit International. Throughout his career, Muhlbach has collaborated with an impressive roster of globally recognized brands and industry leaders, including major tech and lifestyle giants such as Amazon, The North Face, Salomon, and Riot Games.
In his new capacity at Vagrants, Muhlbach will focus heavily on strengthening relationships with brands and creative agencies on a nationwide scale. Beyond business development, his responsibilities will include cultivating and expanding Vagrants’ diverse network of directors and creative collaborators. Furthermore, he will actively identify strategic opportunities for the studio to engage much earlier in the creative development process, ensuring that Vagrants can offer comprehensive guidance and visionary direction from the very inception of a project.
