Veteran agency and creative producer Kimberly Abels has come aboard the staff of Charlotte-based production company Wondersmith as sr. producer.
For more than five years, Abels has held the position of broadcast producer for Trone Brand Energy, where she has managed productions for the North Carolina Education Lottery and numerous national and regional accounts. Through this role, Kimberly has worked with Wondersmith founder/EP Joe Murray and creative director Thom Blackburn time and again, including several collaborations on the NC Lottery and Greenies, as well as the award-winning campaign for North State Communications.
Prior to joining Trone, Abels was senior producer for bicoastal production company Thornberg and Forester in New York for two years, and that position followed previous stints as a producer for eyeball and J. Walter Thompson Worldwide, also in NYC.
“Since we’ve worked very closely with Kimberly over the past five years, we know that we are adding an all-star in terms of production and client management,” said Murray. “Her experience has been earned on the agency side, but also inside very high profile design and production companies, both in New York and in North Carolina. Her skillset aligns with our trajectory perfectly.”
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