San Francisco-based Rubbrband is hiring design, creative direction, and marketing strategy roles as it builds out its AI-assisted video ad studio. Founded in 2022 by University of California, Berkeley researchers, the company operates at the intersection of generative artificial intelligence and high-end video production, turning product concepts into cinematic launch videos and marketing campaigns.
The startup was founded by CTO Abhinav Gopal, COO Darren Hsu, and CEO Jeremy Lee. Backed by Y Combinator's Winter 2023 batch alongside investors TRAC, Team Ignite Ventures, Unpopular Ventures, and Lombardstreet Ventures, the company has raised $500K in seed funding.
From Developer Infrastructure to Cinematic Video Production
Rubbrband began as a developer tool designed to simplify model training, environment setup, and GPU server provisioning for open-source machine learning workflows. As deep learning tools matured, the founders shifted focus toward creative media workflows.
In an interview on Siliconeer, Abhinav Gopal recalled how his team initially experimented with music tools at Berkeley before expanding into custom image and video generation tools across marketing, architecture, and e-commerce.
The team built pre-production software for film production environments before adapting those tools into a commercial ad studio. Speaking in a video interview with Fondo, Darren Hsu and Abhinav Gopal explained that the company works directly with technology startups to deliver cinematic marketing ads and launch videos on two-week timelines.
"We're building the AI ad studio. So, we basically take companies and we give them super cinematic marketing ads and launch videos," Abhinav Gopal said on Fondo. He added that Rubbrband uses custom tooling built for film work to provide commercial video assets at a fraction of traditional agency costs.
In another interview on BigAl Gruswitz, Abhinav Gopal demonstrated Rubbrband's pre-production platform, showing how users convert formatted screenplays into structured shot lists, consistent character meshes, and storyboard animatics prior to final video rendering.
Financial research firm GetLatka estimated Rubbrband's annual revenue reached $2.7M in 2024.
Open Creative and Video Production Roles
Rubbrband's current hiring activity focuses on design and marketing operations, with open roles offering remote flexibility across the United States.
The team is seeking a full-time Creative Director, Video Ads paying $80,000 to $120,000 per year, alongside a contract Creative Director, Video Ads (Contract) at $20 to $40 per hour. Creative directors translate brand strategy into cinematic video ads, lead concept sprints, build storyboards, scripts, and shot lists, and manage delivery alongside external production partners.
To execute final assets, the company is hiring a full-time Motion Graphics Designer, Video Ads at $80,000 to $120,000 per year and a contract Motion Graphics Designer, Video Ads (Contract) at $20 to $40 per hour. Designers craft motion graphics for video animations, animate typography and graphical elements, and convert static briefs into style frames, animatics, and final video outputs.
Rubbrband is also hiring a full-time Creative Strategist, Social Media with a salary range of $80,000 to $120,000 per year. The strategist develops campaign concepts for client pitches and produces content to grow Rubbrband's organic brand presence across social platforms.
Open Roles at Rubbrband
| Role | Location | Work Mode | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creative Strategist, Social Media | San Francisco, CA, US / Remote (US) | Remote | $80,000 – $120,000 / year |
| Creative Director, Video Ads (Contract) | San Francisco, CA, US / Remote (US) | Remote | $20 – $40 / hour |
| Motion Graphics Designer, Video Ads | San Francisco, CA, US / Remote (US) | Remote | $80,000 – $120,000 / year |
| Creative Director, Video Ads | San Francisco, CA, US / Remote | Remote | $80,000 – $120,000 / year |
| Motion Graphics Designer, Video Ads (Contract) | San Francisco, CA, US / Remote | Remote | $20 – $40 / hour |
