Succeeds Jon Flannery who will become chief creative officer at FCB Toronto
Dan Fietsam, a driving force beyond notable campaigns for Wrigley, PepsiCo, T-Mobile, Jim Beam and Anheuser-Busch, will join FCB Chicago on July 14 as EVP, executive creative director. He reports to chief creative officer Todd Tilford.
Fietsam succeeds Jon Flannery who is heading to FCB Toronto as chief creative officer. Flannery will start in his new capacity on August 11, replacing Robin Heisey who is leaving the agency.
At his prior roost, Energy BBDO, Fietsam served nearly six years as chief creative officer, helping to generate unprecedented growth at that shop. Earlier in his career, Fietsam held leadership positions at DDB, Leo Burnett, Ogilvy, Y&R and Publicis, primarily in Chicago.
Fietsam’s work has been recognized by virtually all the major award shows, and his famous “Swear Jar” spot for Bud Light even won him a primetime Emmy.
Meanwhile, Flannery’s promotion to CCO at FCB Toronto will find him working in tandem with FCB Canada president Paul Mead.
Flannery created memorable and talked-about campaigns at Leo Burnett and Element 79 in Chicago before returning to FCB (formerly known as Draftfcb) in early 2009 as SVP, creative director. He was promoted to EVP/executive creative director in January 2013. Kmart, Dow, Cox and NHL are among the brands for which Flannery has generated consumer and press attention. Brown-Forman and Del Monte are also in his purview, as is The Shelter Pet Project, a pro bono account NBC anchor Natalie Morales has championed.
Flannery said shaping and building Chicago’s 120-member creative department has been a career highlight to date and he’s ready for the challenges that lie ahead in Toronto. “The work will be at the center of everything we do in Toronto,” he said. “That drives the culture and impacts the way clients and industry brethren view an agency. It’s paramount to success.”
During his 20-year career in Chicago, Flannery has served as SVP, creative director at Leo Burnett, where he worked on Dean Witter, Kellogg’s and Philip Morris International. Following that, he spent six years at Element 79, where he led award-winning work for Gatorade.
In Toronto, Flannery will oversee the creative and production departments and will be working with brands such as Ontario Lottery and Gaming, Sun Life, Mondelez, Nestle, Ontario Tourism, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, and Purolator.
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