Christopher Hutsul, a Toronto-based director known for his comedy acumen, has joined @radical.media for U.S. representation. His body of work spans such clients as IKEA, ING, Toyota, Nike, Kia, Skoda and Mitsubishi. For the latter, he directed “Electriphobia” which earned a Bronze Cyber Lion at the 2013 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Prior to coming aboard the @radical roster, Hutsul was handled in the U.S. by Park Pictures. He continues to be repped in Canada by production house Soft Citizen.
Hutsul took a circuitous route to the director’s chair. After graduating with honors from the fine arts program at Ontario College of Art and Design, Hutsul became a staff writer at The Toronto Star, Canada’s largest daily newspaper. His columns focused on technology, art and pop culture.
In 2007 he transitioned to the film production world, where he emerged as a commercial director. That same year on the strength of some early ad fare, he gained inclusion into SHOOT’s Up-and-Coming Directors series. In 2009 for his work on a film celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Nike Air Force One shoe, Hutsul earned a slot in Saatchi & Saatchi’s New Directors Showcase at Cannes.
Hutsul’s aesthetic is at once irreverent and good-hearted. He draws inspiration from the comedy of real life and infuses it with an element of playful absurdity, dating back to his commercial directing debut with a charmingly outrageous campaign for The Hargrave Pub out of agency Lowe Roche, Toronto. Hutsul draws on his experience in fine art to inform his production design and his background in writing to craft his narratives.
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