Andy Giles has been hired to serve as managing director of Funworks, a San Francisco ad agency that uses a blend of social science and sketch comedy to guide corporate executives to innovative creative quickly and cost-effectively.
Giles has spent more than 15 years winning and delivering key branding and advertising engagements for shops including ATTIK and MetaDesign. He has worked with brands including Intel/McAfee, Toyota, Samsung, the New York Philharmonic, along with high-growth startups such as 23andMe and Automatic. In his new role as managing director at Funworks, Giles will be responsible for overseeing client relations, finance operations and business development.
Giles began his career at ATTIK where he helped launch Toyota’s Scion brand and led campaigns for Sony, Lexus, and the NFL. He also spent time at MetaDesign and Method, leading strategic branding and digital experience initiatives for clients ranging from tech startups to global brands. Andy was a finalist for the Cannes Cyber Lions award, as well as a Webby Awards finalist, and a winner of the MI6 Integrated Campaign Gold Award.
Funworks is rapidly expanding and in his new role, Giles will be instrumental in scaling the firm to meet the needs of increased client demand. Funworks has produced high profile work for clients such as Pandora, SodaStream, Ubisoft, Credit Karma, Virgin America, Microsoft, HP and Clorox.
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