By Carolyn Giardina
MONTREAL --Montreal-headquartered Discreet, a subsidiary of San Rafael, Calif.-based Autodesk (NASDAQ: ADSK), has been renamed Autodesk Media and Entertainment.
The Discreet name–a highly regarded brand in high-end postproduction–will continue only as part of the names of Discreet’s established advanced systems: Discreet Inferno, Discreet Flame, Discreet Flint, Discreet Fire, Discreet Smoke and Discreet Lustre. Autodesk will be the brand name for desktop software and infrastructure products, such as 3ds max, Combustion, Cleaner and Stone.
Discreet’s product marketing manager Maurice Patel acknowledged that Discreet is a widely recognized brand at the high end, and said that this is why the name will remain with the advanced products; he added that the name is lesser known at the desktop and infrastructure levels, where the branding will change to Autodesk.
A released statement from Discreet further explained, “We anticipate that this integration will enable us to develop technology faster and offer improved support, maintenance and training, ultimately better servicing our customers and sales channel. Also, there is an opportunity for Autodesk’s divisions to leverage one another’s technology.”
Management structure is not expected to change. Autodesk COO Carl Bass has been overseeing Discreet since the departure last spring of Paul Lypaczewski, then general manager of Discreet and executive VP of Autodesk; his position was never filled. Day-to-day operations are headed by Discreet’s executive team, including VP of worldwide sales, marketing and support Martin Vann and VP of product development and operations Marc Petit.
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