Publicis Seattle has hired Jason Tarantino as EVP, executive strategy director. He will work on Publicis Seattle’s T-Mobile business and report directly to EVP, managing partner Melissa Nelson.
In this new role for the agency, Tarantino will be responsible for directing strategy for the T-Mobile business, leading a team of seven strategy executives to identify and execute on the best decisions for the brand.
Tarantino’s addition to the T-Mobile team comes as Publicis Seattle is bolstering its senior leadership on the business by adding a number of new strategy executives. Most recently, Publicis Seattle welcomed Lisa Baldini as communications strategy director, who will work closely with Tarantino.
Before joining Publicis Seattle, Tarantino served as VP, planning director at RPA where he handled traditional, digital, social, and content strategy for Intuit’s QuickBooks and Apartments.com. Other agency experience includes stints at R/GA and Wieden+Kennedy, where he worked across a number of accounts, including Verizon, Levi’s, Electronic Arts and Target.
Tarantino has been honored with a number of awards including a Clio for working on Electronic Arts’ “Dante’s Inferno,” a Jay Chiat Award for Research Innovation for his work on Nike ID, and both a Cannes Silver Lion and Webby for his work with Verizon while at R/GA.
Before working in the advertising industry, Tarantino was commissioned by MIT to develop and direct an interactive theater piece that played across the Gertrude Stein Repertory Theater, MIT’s List Center for the Visual Arts and the internet using experimental technology developed by Bell Labs.
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