VFX studio MPC has added three key senior staff members to its Los Angeles team: David Hoogenakker as head of business development; Jeff Werner as head of production; and Meghan Lang as executive producer. The company has also promoted Mike Wigart to EP of MPC Creative. Furthermore, MPC LA will relocate from Santa Monica to a bespoke space in Culver City early next year.
Hoogenakker joins from TBWA/Chiat/Day LA. He brings over 25 years of industry experience working as a sr. producer with notable advertising agencies, production companies and multi-national brand clients such as Nissan, Infiniti, Gatorade and Pepsi. As EP, Lang will focus on the studio’s color division, bringing 13 years of industry experience that are a well-rounded mix of live-action production, VFX, editorial, business development and talent management. Most recently, Lang worked closely with top directors and production execs as an EP at Furlined. Prior to that she was a principal at Stable 7/Scout, a brand and talent management firm. As head of production, Werner will draw from a well-honed expertise in production and 3D from studios such as Method, where for the past five-and-a-half years he was digital studio manager. Prior to that, he was head of 3D at Asylum and a key creative executive there for nearly 13 years.
Wigart served as MPC LA’s deputy head of production prior to being promoted to EP of MPC Creative, the company’s content production arm. He will focus on original content, live action, motion graphics and VR. Prior to joining MPC, Wigart was a producer at Method Studios.
A former bookbinding factory, MPC LA’s new Culver City facility will be home to the company’s Advertising activities and an expanded Film pre-production team. It will be remodeled as part of an open plan space by MPC’s go-to architect Bruce Bolander and reflect brand extension also seen in the MPC Advertising location in New York.
Graham Bird, MPC Advertising’s global managing director, related, “It’s the right time for MPC to change its location and expand the team in L.A. These changes will reflect the needs of our business which today sees us partnering clients on VFX and experiential projects as well as wide ranging innovative creative technologies such as VR and AR. Culver City with its new transport links [the Metro Expo line] and more central location makes complete sense.”
MPC also maintains facilities in New York, London, Vancouver, Bangalore, Montreal, Amsterdam, Mexico City and Shanghai. MPC’s credits include VFX for such features as Terminator Genisys, Godzilla and Guardians of the Galaxy, and ad campaigns for Samsung, Coca-Cola, Nike, Sony, Intel and Dell, among assorted other brands.
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