Digital studio Reel FX, Dallas/Santa Monica, has added Colin McGreal as creative director. McGreal is a versatile creative director and designer with over two decades of branded content experience working with such clients as Verizon, American Express, Ford, Samsung, Wendy’s, Goodyear, Toyota and Time Warner Cable.
McGreal most recently worked as creative director on Reel FX’s Hunger Games VR Experience for Lionsgate/Samsung, which launched during NY Comic-Con. His other Reel FX VR work includes the “You vs. Sharapova” Virtual Reality experience for American Express, which launched at the 2015 US Open, and the Pacific Rim Jaeger Pilot VR Experience for out of Legendary Pictures.
“As someone who has engaged with a diverse collection of studios, Reel FX has continuously grown more attractive as I’ve watched them aggressively embrace new platforms in the entertainment and commercial world,” notes McGreal. “It is this commitment to staying ahead of the curve that has drawn me to formalize our long-standing relationship.”
McGreal, a graduate of Rhode Island School of Design, cut his professional chops by toting cans of film for a film lab in Hell’s Kitchen on a midnight shift and not quitting after getting mugged his second night on the job. Tiring of the vampire shift, he moved to designing boards at R/GA, learning a whole new facet of the industry. After directing his first spots in Saigon, McGreal worked as creative director for studios such as Charlex, Shilo, Spontaneous, Suspect and HUGE, completing spots for agencies such as McCann-Erickson, Saatchi, Digitas, Publicis, JWT and BBDO.
Oscar and Emmy-Winning Composer Kris Bowers Joins Barking Owl For Advertising, Branded Content
Music, audio post and sonic branding house Barking Owl has taken on exclusive representation of Oscar and Emmy-winning composer Kris Bowers for advertising and branded content.
Bowers’ recent film scores include The Wild Robot and Bob Marley: One Love, alongside acclaimed past works such as The Color Purple (2023), King Richard and Green Book. His contributions to television are equally impressive, with scores for hit series like Bridgerton, When They See Us, Dear White People, and his Daytime Emmy Award-winning score for The Snowy Day.
In addition to his work as a composer, Bowers is a visionary director. He recently took home the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject for his directorial work on The Last Repair Shop. The emotionally touching short film spotlights four of the people responsible for repairing the musical instruments used by students in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). The Last Repair Shop reflects the positive influence that musical instruments have on the youngsters who play them, and the adults in the LAUSD free repair service who keep them working and in tune.
Barking Owl CEO Kirkland Alexander Lynch said of Bowers, “His artistry, diversity of style and depth of storytelling bring an unparalleled edge to the work we create for global brands. His presence on our roster reflects our continued commitment to pushing the boundaries of sound and music in advertising.”
Johanna Cranitch, creative director, Barking Owl, added, “Kris first caught my attention when he released his record ‘Heroes + Misfits’ where he fused together his jazz sensibility with a deeply ingrained aptitude for melody, so beautifully.... Read More