The AMP Awards for Music & Sound has announced its return as a live, in-person event in 2022. The unofficial “loudest show in the industry” will rock the stage when it comes back to Sony Hall in New York City on Tuesday, May 24, 2022.
An official AMP Awards call for entries, which signals the opening of the online entry portal, will be announced in the new year, as will more news and details about the competition, including naming of the AMP Awards Show chair for 2022.
“We’re so excited to be returning to a live event and being back on stage in New York for our 2022 celebration,” said Georg Bissen of MetaTechnik, national president of the Association of Music Producers, sponsors of the AMP Awards. “Like everyone else, we went virtual in 2020 and 2021, and while it’s been gratifying to recognize outstanding achievements in music and sound–especially during such a challenging time–the prospect of honoring the work with our friends and colleagues around us has everyone excited. We can’t wait to get back!”
The event will be preceded the day before by a special, invitation-only reception celebrating the winners of the AMP Awards in 2020 and 2021. On hand will be members of the AMP National Board, winners, guests, judges and sponsors.
AMP will also be announcing its inductee into the AMP Hall of Fame early next year. The honor, in recognition of a marketer’s Outstanding Achievement in the Use of Music and Sound to Define the Brand, was suspended during the virtual events. Past inductees into the AMP Hall of Fame include Apple, Volkswagen, Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Budweiser, Nike, Chevrolet and Pepsi.
The AMP Awards is billed as being the only juried, non-profit advertising contest to focus on the unique contributions made to the industry by creators and producers of music and sound. Judged by agency, label, publishing and music production professionals, the competition will present trophies in 14 unique categories. Its Best in Show honor, named for the late Droga5 music supervisor Ryan Barkan, will be selected by its Curatorial Committee from among the top category winners.
Last year’s AMP Awards show was chaired by Perry Fair, EVP/ global executive creative director and director of entertainment at McCann. Awards were presented virtually on July 22 of this year, with the Ryan Barkan Best in Show award going to Found Objects Music Productions for its work for the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation.
And even though the AMP Awards went virtual, it continued its tradition of highlighting musical performances. In 2020, multi-platinum singer, songwriter and producer Aloe Blacc performed two songs, while for 2021, the Grammy and Academy Award-winning singer/songwriter legend Melissa Etheridge performed.
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