Automotive and branded content specialist hails from TBWA\Chiat\Day
Karl Dunn, the three-year brand steward of the Nissan USA account at TBWAChiatDay, Los Angeles, has joined FCB West as sr. VP, group creative director. Dunn, who also consulted on the brand’s advertising efforts in Canada, Mexico and Brazil, is partnering with Julie Scelzo, sr. VP, group creative director at FCB West.
Dunn, who started his career in Sydney and gained global experience working in Singapore, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Amsterdam and Berlin at shops including BBH, Leo Burnett and Strawberry Frog, is based in San Francisco. Levi Strauss & Co. and Trulia are among the brands he will help steer at FCB West.
Dunn is an Australia native who has created culturally relevant content for brands including MINI, Levi’s, Heineken, McDonald’s, Discovery and Hub Network during his tenure. Eric Springer, FCB West chief creative officer, described Dunn as being “a superstar writer with new business chops and a hunger for adventure. He’s going to help us up our game and reach new heights.”
An award-winning creative, honored by Cannes Lions, D&AD, The One Show, Clios, Webby Awards and more, Dunn said he’s “passionate about branded entertainment” and writing screenplays when not making ads.
It was a combination of factors that Dunn said attracted him to his new roost. “I came to FCB for four reasons: an iconic account, a great partner, a city I adore and to join an office and network on the rise.”
Dunn’s arrival follows other key creative hires at FCB West. Steve O’Brien (sr. copywriter) and Amy Matheu (art director) joined in April and are based in the Los Angeles office. Matheu is a Texas native who studied architecture, animation and graphic design. She joined FCB from Crispin Porter + Bogusky in Miami, where she produced campaigns for Arby’s, A.1. Steak Sauce and MetLife, among others.
O’Brien began his career at Ground Zero where he created many successful campaigns for ESPN, End Hunger Network, California Department of Health and the Los Angeles Times. Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, Saatchi & Saatchi, Team One and Innocean are among the shops where he has worked and contributed to campaigns for Frito-Lay, Toyota, NBC, Flexjet and Hyundai. The Hyundai work recently captured Best Interactive Automobile Advertising at the 2014 One Show Automobile Advertising of the Year Awards.
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