Managing Partner, Live Action
Tool of North America
1) Ad agencies start to realize that certain production companies if not all of them have the capabilities to help at an early stage in the process of creating great ideas over many platforms and bring them in on the fun. Also we will see more and more brands coming to production companies for creative ideas. They’re recognizing the incredible talent that our directors and artists and internal teams offer, and they’re making us partners earlier on in their creative processes. It’s a thrilling time in production!
3) There was so much learned in 2016. One thing that was more apparent than ever: don’t count out new technologies and innovation. Everything old is not new again. I’ve always been told to take risks in my professional life, but never before have I seen one of those risks pay off the way our investment in VR did in 2016. Hiring a head of VR and formalizing the practice has been one of the most exciting and rewarding initiatives we’ve undertaken since I joined Tool five years ago.
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