Venables Bell & Partners is promoting four to the newly defined role of associate partner: Lee Einhorn, associate partner, creative director, who along with his CD role will lead the social media and emerging creative platforms; Michael Davidson, associate partner, head of strategy, who continues to oversee the agency’s strategy department; Mary Johnstone, associate partner, head of talent and Gary Brown, associate partner, chief financial officer.
Einhorn joined VB&P in 2010 as a creative director, combining his digital experience with traditional agency work. Since then, he has been instrumental in leading some of the most innovative and talked-about campaigns VB&P has created, including Google Fiber’s “Why Speed Matters” and eBay’s “When it’s on your mind. It’s on eBay.” Along with Google, he also currently leads the agency’s Conoco Phillips Brands and shares CD responsibilities on the Audi business.
Davidson came to VB&P in 2013 from Goodby Silverstein & Partners and has played a critical role in winning Reebok, where his strategic oversight led to the development of the “Be More Human” brand platform. For the past year, he has overseen the day-to-day management of the department’s 15 staffers and will continue to do so as Lucy Farey Jones, founder and executive strategy director, focuses on venture partnerships and future offerings.
Johnstone will now report into chairman and founder Paul Venables. Johnstone and Venables will partner to continue the agency’s mission of doing right by its people and lead the talent team, which focuses on culture, workplace happiness and talent development. Johnstone joined VB&P in 2012 after 17 years managing talent at Publicis & Hal Riney.
Brown oversees VB&P’s client and agency financials, as well as drives the agency’s progressive value-based compensation model. Since coming to VB&P in 2013, Brown has driven complete overhaul of the enterprise management systems for the agency, as well as fostered a deeper level of financial transparency focused on greater involvement and understanding of the client teams. Before VB&P, he served as VP, finance and operations, for Evolution Bureau, leading the agency’s financial operations as it evolved from a start-up to one of the fastest growing digital agencies.
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