CHRIS APPLEBAUM

Hilary Duff "Fly"

Chris Applebaum of Believe Media was born and raised in Los Angeles.  He studied film at Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachussetts where he started directing music videos for bands in the burgeoning independent rock scene.  After seeing one of Applebaum’s early videos, MTV offered the 19-year-old college student the opportunity to join their production team in New York City.

At age 21, Applebaum became the youngest director to sign with Satellite Films; a division of the legendary Propaganda where he directed over 100 videos and garnered  multiple MVPA and MTV video award nominations.  In 1998 Applebaum directed Semisonic’s video for “Closing Time” which was the first video to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland and was heralded by MTV as a “Breakthrough” video.  His video for Fountains of Wayne “Stacy’s Mom” was his second video to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  Applebaum has had twenty-one  #1 videos on MTV.  He has helped break artists like Hillary Duff, Kelly Osborne, the Fountains of Wayne and continue the successful careers of artists such as Britney Spears, Jessica Simpson, Kid Rock, and Jewel.  In 2007, Applebaum won MTV’s video of the year award for Rihanna’s “Umbrella.”

Signing with Believe Media in 2008, Applebaum has been directing television commercials for brands such as Old Spice, Carl’s Jr. (with Paris Hilton,) Covergirl, Hugo Boss, and John Frieda.