Bicoastal creative editorial and content production house Hybrid has extended its geographical reach, opening a new location in Austin. Perry Tongate of Perry Reps will rep the company in Texas and the Southeast, including Louisiana, Virginia and Florida, and work with executive producer Gail Butler on new business development.
“Our expansion is driven by the desire to better serve clients by offering our top tier talent just a few minutes away for Austin-based clients, or just a short flight for our clients in the Southwest and Southeast regions,” said Susan Munro, editor/partner of Hybrid, who will also head up the Hybrid Austin location.
Partner/editor Michael Bartoli noted, “In addition to the talent and technology, it’s important our clients feel at home and receive the five-star treatment we’re known for. And what better way to capture both sides of that experience than to house our Austin shop in a newly renovated 100-year-old Craftsman just down the road from Franklin BBQ.”
The Southwest shop has already launched its official first project, an ad campaign for AT&T U-verse out of agency Sanders/Wingo, Austin and El Paso, highlighting the service’s many capabilities including high-speed internet and on-demand television that can be paused in one room and started again in another. Showcasing Hybrid’s storytelling abilities, the :30 spots, “Secret Meeting” and “Remix,” edited by Munro, begin with a dramatic scene in a television show and a crowded club scene, respectively, only to twist the narrative and reveal that AT&T U-verse makes everyday viewers feel like they’re part of the action of their favorite media. The two commercials were directed by Nick Spooner who was with Hello! at the time and has since joined The Sweet Shop.
Munro said that Hybrid’s talent is available to work from any of its locations as “we operate with a no-boundaries philosophy.” She added that Hybrid is “strategically aligned with Tone Visuals in Austin for color correction and visual effects, allowing for finishing under our roof or theirs. And we’ll tap into our Los Angeles artists for projects as well.”
