A newbie to the ad game, Diaz brings a strong long-form and documentary background to MacKenzie Cutler.

"It may seem strange that we hired [Diaz] without any ad experience," says Ian MacKenzie, co-founder and editor of MacKenzie Cutler, "but he's got a great sensibility ... he's an amazing person, very articulate, and is smart about movies, advertising and editing."

Reluctant to narrowly define his editing style, Diaz says his work is concept driven. "So much of editing is about interpreting other people's visions that start before you get involved in the process," he says. "I believe the approach to editing changes with whatever the project is. The editor's job has always been about adapting to different needs and visions."

Prior to moving to MacKenzie, Diaz worked on three feature films, most notably Chris Smith's American Movie. It was while he was working on his third feature project - tentatively titled The Kid Stays in the Picture, a doc-drama about Robert Evans - that he decided he wanted to move from film editing to spot editing.

Diaz's move to MacKenzie Cutler has ostensibly been in the works for several years. MacKenzie and Diaz met through mutual friends about eight years ago. During that time MacKenzie kept track of what Diaz was doing.

Similarly, Diaz says, "Over the years different production companies have approached me to do commercial work, but I've always had it in mind that if I was going to do any spot work I would do it with MacKenzie."

"We waited for him with an empty office for about 6-8 months until he finished [The Kid]," adds MacKenzie.

His first project at MacKenzie Cutler is for BBH, New York for Noggin TV. The project involves three 3-minute films and three 30-second spots.

"It's a great project for him to get started on," says MacKenzie stating it requires him to draw on his film editing experience.

But for Diaz, he doesn't feel any one project will help facilitate his move from feature work to spots. "Just being at MacKenzie is the transition," he says.

And MacKenzie is confident his work will stand the test. "We just feel like our clientele will be a really good fit for his sense of comedy and dialog. We think he's going to be a big star," he says.

Next on Diaz's plate is an ESPN campaign for Wieden + Kennedy, New York.