Rani Vaz, sr. VP, director of music for BBDO New York, has been named as the Music & Sound Jury president for the 2015 London International Awards (LIA).
The Music & Sound Jury will consist of a number of the industry’s most respected names, including; Scott Cymbala, Bob Farnsworth, Eric David Johnson, Ramesh Sathiah, Jack Sedgwick and Brian Yessian.
Vaz said, “At this exciting and evolving time in our business, music consistently has the ability to powerfully and completely transform any media it touches. As the LIA 2015 Jury President for Music & Sound, I can’t wait to join my fellow jurors and debate this years brilliant submissions from around the globe.”
During her time at BBDO NY, Vaz has produced scores, original songs and acted as music supervisor for thousands of projects. She has produced BBDO’s most memorable music for clients like GE, Guinness, Mt. Dew, FedEx, HBO, Starbucks, Visa, ExxonMobil, CVS, Pepsi and American Red Cross. She has worked in the studio with BB King, Britney Spears, Isaac Hayes, Faith Hill, Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carey, Jessica Simpson, Marlon Brando, Joe Pesci, KISS, Cheap Trick and Kermit the Frog. She has also licensed music from artists such as Beck, The Beatles, Goldfrapp, and Queens of the Stone Age. Her work has won the industry’s highest honors including two EMMY awards, Gold Lions at Cannes, LIA, New York Festivals, ADDYs, ANDYs, and Clios.
Vaz is a past winner of BBDO’s prestigious “Founder’s Award,” given only to those who consistently perform above and beyond the call of duty. In 2003, Vaz was inducted into the YWCA’s Academy of Women Achievers and, in May 2014, she chaired the 2nd Annual AMP Awards for Music and Sound.
2015 TV/Cinema/Online Film – Music & Sound Jury:
Rani Vaz (Senior Vice President, Director of Music, BBDO New York) – Jury President
Scott Cymbala (Owner/Partner/Executive Producer, MassiveMusic, Los Angeles)
Bob Farnsworth (President, Hummingbird Productions, Nashville)
Eric David Johnson (Senior Vice President/Executive Music Producer, McCann Erickson, New York)
Ramesh Sathiah (Partner/Creative Director, Song Zu, Sydney)
Jack Sedgwick (Executive Creative Director, Wave Studios, London)
Brian Yessian (Partner/Chief Creative Officer, Yessian Music, New York)
The LIA 2015 Entry System is now accepting entries through August. Judging will take place from October 1-10. The shortlists will be announced as each judging session concludes, with winners being announced November 10.
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