FriendsWithYou
FriendsWithYou Company Bio
Established in 2002 by Miami-based artists Samuel Borkson and Arturo Sandoval III, FriendsWithYou set forth on a mission to spread the idea of Magic, Luck, and Friendship™ around the world, and become Friends-With-You!
Designed as a resource center for all things creative, FriendsWithYou is a unique think-tank that has the ability to seamlessly incorporate their distinct artistic style and one-of-a-kind ideas into a wide range of mediums and applications. FriendsWithYou’s work spans all creative realms from fine art to large-scale experiential installations and interactive events to public playgrounds, directorial work, live performances, animation and multimedia projects, branding and licensing. All FriendsWithYou projects offer once in a lifetime experiences, as FriendsWithYou is in a category of its own as a first class multidisciplinary art collective and creative studio.
Experiential Art
Throughout the last eight years, FriendsWithYou has gained international recognition as pioneers in the field of experiential art. FriendsWithYou experiential installations are fully immersive experiences that draw audiences into a magical world where the line between imagination and reality is blurred. From Pictoplasma in Berlin to Art Basel Miami, FriendsWithYou has been invited to participate in some of the most respected art happenings around the world. FriendsWithYou Fine Art has been exhibited and/or included in the permanent collections of Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), the Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA), Haus der Kulturen der Welt Museum Berlin, and Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin among others.
Creative Agency
With their unique artistic style and astute technical abilities, FriendsWithYou’s commercial work for hire division, appropriately named FWYstudios, has been sought after to develop the image and identity of some of the world’s most prominent brands, such as Nike, MTV, Red Bull, Target, Gwen Stefani’s Harajuku Lovers, Coca-Cola, etc. Their extensive portfolio includes campaign strategy, animation & directorial services, branding, character design, illustration, print design, product design, packaging & POS, online integration, web and new media, etc. With the ability to think and produce on a level larger than life, FriendsWithYou has always over-exceeded the expectations of all of their partners and clients.
IP Development, Branding, and Merchandising
FriendsWithYou’s extensive experience in IP development, branding, and merchandising is inspiring to any creative mind. Whether for commercial clients or internal business development, FriendswithYou’s ability to create compelling and unique worlds complete with endearing characters and rich storylines is comparable to nothing in the market today. Their unprecedented creative genius to develop innovative merchandise lines - from designer toys to apparel, accessories, stationary, furniture and more – continues to further showcase their outstanding ability to create just about anything.
As leaders in developing a new approach that crosses Fine Art, Commercial Work for Hire, and Intellectual Property Brand Development, FriendsWithYou holds a prominent well-respected place in the merging worlds of art and business. In the world of FriendsWithYou lives a never-ending globe of stories and characters, where dreams become reality and all of your wishes come true.
Profiles
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Samuel Borkson
Founder/PartnerSamuel Albert Borkson (aka Sam) is the co-founder and one half of the dynamic duo that makes FriendsWithYou. With a background in fine arts, branding, storytelling and design, Sam and his partner Tury have created a unique universe of Magic, Luck, and Friendship. Their main goal is to create a movement that culturally engineers and spreads simple spirituality into the world through experiential art, entertainment, products, and all facets of the modern consumer lifestyle. Sam’s specialty is dreaming the impossible and relentlessly pushing the bounds of perception to turn these dreams into reality. Sam leads with a giant heart that inspires new friends wherever he goes and after eight years he feels they are just getting started!
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Arturo "Tury" Sandoval
Founder/PartnerArturo Sandoval III (aka Tury) is the co-founder and one half of FriendsWithYou. Tury comes from a background of fine arts and has a wealth of experience in the fields of advertising, branding, and design. His passion and dedication to perfection greatly aid the duo in every endeavor they embark on, consistently creating a result that is pure magic. Fearlessly approaching each task with a practicality that allows for the dream to materialize, Tury is attributed to being the architect in the expansive dreams of FriendsWithYou. The duo’s goal is to culturally engineer a happy movement that will one day change the world and connect all people is dreamed big and brought to life with every project. Tury leads with a shield of love and is an example of a true friend, inspiring everyone who comes in contact with the beautiful creations of FriendsWithYou.
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Maureen Esposito
Chief Operating OfficerA seasoned corporate executive, Maureen brings energy, creativity, and a one of kind out of the box thought process to everything she does. Maureen has excelled in the field of Operations, Logistics, Special Events, Human Resources, Contract Negotiation and the management of daily office operations. As Chief Operations Officer for FriendsWithYou, Maureen works in all fields of fine art, commercial work, licensing, brand development, and special projects. Maureen’s “strictly business” approach to the Magic Luck & Friendship world of FriendsWithYou has proven to be a triumphant balance on all fronts. Maureen’s commitment to build the brand of FriendsWithYou is deeply driven by her respect and belief in the passion of those she is surrounded with daily in the FriendsWithYou team. Maureen joined the FriendsWithYou family in February of 2009.
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Xavier Burt
Business DevelopmentA South Florida native with a degree in Marketing & Business Management, Xavier posses an enthusiasts and contagious love for FriendsWithYou. His title as the Ambassador of Friendship is a most suitable fit for this smiley guy whose everyday role is to represent the artists and company of FriendsWithYou to their immense fan base, as well as the hundreds of agencies, licensees, and clients he deals with on a weekly basis. Currently, Xavier not only covers the gamut of Business Development but often is asked to consult and produce on many of the countless projects and new business he brings into FriendsWithYou. Xavier joined the FriendsWithYou family in October of 2008.
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Adrian Sonni
Art DirectorA nationally renowned artist and graphic designer in his native Argentina, Sonni has worked as a graphic designer, animator, video/web designer and art director for some of Buenos Aires’ most reputable production and communication companies. Sonni’s list of design credits for these companies reads like a “who’s who” of household-name brands - his work in art direction for commercial advertisements, web design, client logotypes, animation and video graphics include projects for such major brands as MasterCard, Nestle, Coca Cola, Chase Bank, Nike, MTV, Sony, Miranda (popular music band), Cartoon Network, Target, Got Milk, Visa and Microsoft Zune, to list just a few. Sonni joined the FriendsWithYou family in October of 2009.
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Edwin Beauchamp
Junior DesignerDescribing Edwin as one of Miami’s most brilliant young minds is not an overstatement. Edwin is a Miami native with a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design from Miami International University of Art and Design. Starting as our first creative intern, Edwin is a home-brewed talent whose hard work and astute technical abilities have landed him a full-time position as one of our most valuable creatives. His dedication and ability to apply his talents to various projects never ceases to amaze us. From intern to full-time employee, the FriendsWithYou family has been lucky to have him onboard and looks forward to his growth. Edwin joined the FriendsWithYou family in June of 2008.
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Nathaly Charria
Production & Retail CoordinatorReferred to as the FriendsWithYou’s Chancellor of Information, Nathaly holds a wealth of knowledge to all things FriendsWithYou. Starting in the position of Assistant Project Coordinator, Nathaly has successfully advanced her career with rapid results in the departments of business, merchandising, licensing, and creative production. With her involvement and knowledge in all of these areas she has proven to be a major supporting role in the current success of FriendsWithYou and an even stronger asset for the future. Nathaly joined the FriendsWithYou family in December of 2008.
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Evelyn Montiel
Finance & Operations CoordinatorWith several years of experience in finance and operations, Evelyn has been the driving force behind the scenes of FriendsWithYou to ensure the seamless day-to-day logistics of managing the daily needs within the business office, creative projects, and fine art realm of FriendsWithYou’s several corporations. With a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and past experience at world-renowned art galleries and museums in the Miami Dade area, her contacts and experience have made the transitions in business that FriendsWithYou is currently embarking on a successful one. Evelyn joined the FriendsWithYou family in April of 2009.