Director Candice Vernon has joined production house Eleanor for U.S. representation spanning commercials and branded content. She has already wrapped several jobs at Eleanor, which waited to announce her until they had a body of work together.
Via Eleanor, Vernon made history as the first Black director on a Febreze commercial. The “Small Spaces” campaign marks a major departure from Febreze’s typical blue-and-white world. The home of the “Revolving Door” commercial is a beautiful array of bold sunset hues, African prints, and African art.
Vernon said, “I asked myself, what feels right to me? What feels new? I wanted to bring an essence of not just Black Americans but the full diaspora. I wanted to make a statement that we’re not a monolith.”
Following the success of the “Small Spaces” campaign, Febreze brought Vernon back for a comedy-infused trifecta exploring the hilarious situations that call for an air freshening hero.
Febreze Brand VP Angelica Matthews said, “About two years ago, we realized the consumers that were the most loyal to Febreze were the African American consumers. And the more we learned, the more we realized the richness that we were really missing. So we said we have to go beyond just Black casting, we need to get Black directors that truly understand the culture that truly understand how to bring authentic performances out on screen. We really looked around the industry and noticed there’s actually a shortage of African American directors who have experience doing commercials. When we all saw Candice’s reel, we could all tell the passion for the craft, passion for really trying to help us from where we are to where we’re trying to go.”
Vernon brings a unique lens to storytelling, blending humor and authenticity in a way that connects deeply with audiences. Her journey from agency producer to director has given her an insider’s understanding of the creative process.
“Being a former agency producer, I know the language, I understand where the creatives are coming from, I understand the nuances of what it takes to get to the point when the board comes to me,” said Vernon.
Sophie Gold, Eleanor’s president and executive producer, said, “I’ve known Candice for over 12 years, and watching her evolution as a director has been truly inspiring. She brings a rare depth of understanding to both comedy and visual storytelling—a unique talent for capturing the humor in life’s nuances, paired with a refined eye for art direction that elevates every frame. Blending sharp performance and dialogue with strong, visually driven narratives, Candice is a remarkable addition to Eleanor, and I’m thrilled to finally have her join us.”
Able to capture and amplify the humor in small, human moments, Vernon ties that talent to her Jamaican heritage and upbringing. “I think my process for working on comedy stems from my upbringing and being from Jamaica,” said Vernon. “As a people, we find humor in almost every situation, especially dramatic or dark situations.”
Her recent campaign for Versalie, done prior to Vernon joining Eleanor, is an example of the director’s gift for capturing the all-too-relatable with comedic flair. Digestive dilemmas, misplaced frustration, brain fog–Niecy Nash-Betts’ hilarious soliloquy tackles the complex and often unspoken realities of menopause with playful humor.
In addition to Nash-Betts, Vernon has worked with such celebrity talent as Sterling K. Brown, Regina King, Yara Shahidi, Jenny Slate, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, and Paul McCartney. Prior to joining Eleanor, Vernon was most recently repped in the ad space by production company Chromista.
A world-traveler, a community builder and a comedy club regular, Vernon is a true cultural polymath. There aren’t many Black, female comedy directors. Breaking into a space dominated by a homogeneous “old guard” is no simple feat. Unafraid to shatter a glass ceiling or two along her cinematic journey, Vernon takes pride in paving the way for the next generation of Black female directors in comedy.
“I grew up with the odds stacked against me, “ said Vernon. “I had to work my way up. I want young women to know they can make a living doing exactly what they dreamt up in their heads because they saw another woman do it. I want to be an example of what’s possible.”
Vernon noted, “Advertising is the perfect blend of art and commerce, and Eleanor embodies that balance in a way that really excites me. I’m thrilled to work with Sophie, who has built something remarkable in such a short time. I look forward to
doing truly standout work together.”
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