Executive producers Joe Piccirillo and Beth Pearson have teamed to launch Yard Dog TV, a production company and “creative incubator” focused on producing advertising content. Based in Los Angeles, the company debuts with a roster of six directors–Tom De Cerchio, Mark Dektor, Ron Hamad, Vic Huber, Alexander Paul and Joe Windsor-Williams–and plans to pursue creative opportunities across the U.S. and internationally.
Piccirillo was EP/partner at Original while Pearson had most recently been freelancing. Piccirillo brought over with him from Original to Yard Dog TV directors De Cerchio, Dektor, Hamad and Windsor-Williams. Huber had most recently been with Aero Film. Paul’s last U.S. company affiliation was Recommended Media.
Piccirillo and Pearson bring a wealth of experience to their new venture. After beginning his career as a director and cinematographer, Piccirillo became an executive producer and has helped guide the careers of both established and emerging commercial directors while collaborating with many of the country’s top advertising agencies.
Pearson offers a deep background as an executive producer and top line producer, and brings invaluable knowledge of the current marketplace of emerging formats. Her credentials in automotive advertising are particularly strong, including work for Jaguar, Ford, Lexus, Toyota, Chrysler, RAM, Infiniti and Nissan. “
Yard Dog’s directors offer a diversity of experience, aesthetics and skill sets. De Cerchio is a comedy performance specialist. Dektor is a director/cameraman who works masterfully with documentary style material, real people and testimonial. Hamad is a visual storyteller with a gift for capturing natural and emotional moments. Huber is a director/cameraman with extensive credits with top automotive brands. Paul is an acclaimed international director specializing in both automotive and visual storytelling. Windsor-Williams is a photographer turned director whose imagery is noteworthy for its luxury style and superlative artistic execution in the automotive arena.
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