After a trial run encompassing several projects at Plum Productions, director Gavin Bowden has formally come aboard the Santa Monica-based company. At press time, he was in pre-pro on a Wal-Mart job, a follow-up to the “Smile More” spot which aired heavily during the Winter Olympics telecast on NBC.
That initial Wal-Mart ad as well as two Toyota packages and a CBS assignment were all helmed by Bowden via Plum. The content for CBS was a seven-segment “miniseries” of interstitial commercials sponsored by Pontiac. Titled “The Courier,” the pieces aired on CBS, on the Web, and on cell phones via Verizon Wireless’ V Cast service.
Bowden’s past production house affiliations included BlueYed Pictures, which has offices in London, Tokyo and London, as well as Los Angeles-headquartered A Band Apart and prior to that Original Film. The director has been active in multiple disciplines, spanning spots (Nike, GMC, Ford, Fanta, VH-1), music videos (Rage Against the Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ben Folds, Match Box 20, Eve 6), and documentaries for a number of music performers. One such documentary was Funky Monks featuring the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Made in 1991, the hour-long Funky Monks led to Bowden getting the chance to direct music clips and he then later diversified into commercials.
Bowden joins a Plum directorial roster that includes Eric Saarinen, Jan De Bont, Dana Christaansen, Bob Rice and Jake Schreier.
PEARSON In addition to Bowden, Plum–which is under the aegis of president Chuck Sloan–has brought executive producer Beth Pearson on board. She will work in tandem with exec producer Shelby Sexton in overseeing production, bidding, working with clients, helping in the development of directors’ careers, and participating in strategic planning for Plum.
Pearson comes on staff after freelancing as a line producer. She is no stranger to Plum, having worked regularly with the company over the years.
