ABOUT NARWHAL
NARWHAL STORIES was founded in 2018 by Troy Pottgen, Josh Kasselman and Nathan Blackwell to create branded content that not only tells a great story, but invites audiences to join in the fun. When you work with NARWHAL, you get a blessing* of nationally award-winning writers, directors and editors who provide outstanding creative, production and post for your content projects—from social media videos and TV commercials to long-form web series and documentary-style storytelling.
*Yes, the collective noun for our magical little mascot really is a “blessing of narwhal.” May this warm your heart occasionally and win you bar bets often.
There are lots of things Troy has done for money. They have mostly been professional things. Mostly.
TROY POTTGEN
co-founder / creative director
Troy Pottgen is a pretty good husband, dad and writer/producer with two decades of experience helping brands share their stories. Troy earned an MFA in Writing at Lindenwood University, a BS in Business at Illinois, and his Copywriting portfolio at Miami Ad School. He is a two-time recipient for Copywriter of the Year, a nominee for Creative Director of the Year, and winner of Best in Show at the Phoenix ADDYs, and his work has been featured in Communication Arts, the One Show and Art Directors Club of NY. He once claimed to watch 100 movies and read 100 books a year until his wife's meticulous documentation recently proved otherwise. Through his volunteer work, Troy tries to live the words of Marian Wright Edelman: “Service is the rent we pay for being.” If you ever greet him with, “Hey TP, I love NARWHAL," he’ll buy you a coffee.
Ever wonder why that TV commercial dad just can't figure out his family's cell phone plan? Josh does.
JOSH KASSELMAN
co-founder / director
Director Josh Kasselman cut his teeth at NYU, then spent eight years in Los Angeles before discovering the majestic sunsets and cheap parking of Phoenix. He stays on his toes, alternating between narrative, documentary and commercial work. Josh likes to look for the stories that live between the lines, generally opting for authenticity, subtext, and pacing over high gloss (read as: he's the guy alone in the theater when the weepy Scandinavian movies roll through town). A Gold ADDY-winning director and one-time Arizona Filmmaker of the Year—along with his wife and co-conspirator, Stephanie Lucas—Kasselman is also a father, basketball enthusiast, recent dog parent, reformed musician and man who cries at commercials.
Multi Award-winning director, Nathan Blackwell. Photo and award courtesy of Nathan's mom.
NATHAN BLACKWELL
co-founder / director
Nathan has been running around making crazy movies since he was 11 and has never stopped. He's directed two feature films, four web series, and countless short films, which collectively have won him more than 40 filmmaking awards. Recently, Nathan took home six ADDYs for directing commercial and branded content, and he was named by the New Times as one of Phoenix's 100 Creatives. Nathan loves telling stories with comedy, heart and more imagination than he can cram in a box. Not that he ever puts stuff in boxes—he thinks outside the box! Ugh, he really hates that phrase. Let's move on from the box thing. Once Nathan watched 17 movies in 24 hours, which he swears is totally possible if you do the math.