Boutique production company Someplace Nice has added director Adam William Wilson to its roster, representing him exclusively in Canada for commercial projects, as well as for select U.S. work. Born in Canada but based in Los Angeles, Wilson was educated in fine art, with a degree in sculpture and installation. This visual art background has since influenced his extensive career in building worlds as a production designer, which in turn now bolsters his work as a director. Wilson’s first directing project was for the non-profit BirdSafe, with the film screening at the Royal Ontario Museum in 2019 as part of an installation to raise awareness of bird safety in urban areas. In 2020, his commercial for Jaguar, entitled “Inspired By Light,” was nominated for the Fritz Spiess Award for Commercial Cinematography. His film “Flow with Life” for Arc’teryx, meanwhile, has since received the same nomination for 2021. It was featured on Directors Library, premiered on Directors Notes, and continues to screen at film festivals around the world–most recently picking up nominations for Best Creative Concept, Best Cinematography, and Best Sound Design at La Jolla IFF….
VIA, an advertising and marketing agency based in Portland, Maine, will bring Layne Harris aboard as head of creative technology, effective September 7. He will report to chief creative officer Bobby Hershfield. Additionally, he will be responsible for collaborating with creative teams to develop innovative digital ideas and explore new ways to interact with brands through technology. Harris will work with clients like Arm & Hammer, Perdue, and Chick fil-A. Harris founded the Innovation Lab at 360i, and most recently led the creative technology discipline at Big Spaceship….
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