A Fresh Face in Hell has signed director Taylor Twist, an ad veteran with a track record in athletic brands, most notably Nike, Dick’s Sporting Good and Puma. With creative turns at Wieden+Kennedy, Anomaly, and JWT, Twist made a name for himself as a sports advertising aficionado. Pivoting among football, baseball, basketball and tennis, Twist has worked with and directed numerous athletic superstars including David Beckham, Mookie Betts, Jalen Ramsey, Kawhi Leonard and Usain Bolt.
Fresh Face owner/managing director Jason Botkin said of the new signing. “Sports advertising for me is all about capturing details and moments. Taylor takes this to another level by digging into those moments to find fresh insights that feel authentic to sports fans and athletes. His deep understanding of sports is evident in the nuances of his casting, art direction, wardrobe and performances. His passion has also served him well in working with some of the top athletes in the world.”
Twist was schooled in advertising at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY. Upon graduating, Twist was invited to enroll in the prestigious WK12 program at Wieden+Kennedy in Portland, Ore. Upon completion Twist was hired as a creative at Wieden+Kennedy where he worked as an art director and writer on the Nike account. Twist then went to Anomaly as a sr. creative on Dick’s Sporting Goods and later as a creative director on Puma at JWT NY. In 2018 Twist launched his own hybrid agency called The Front Office, where he focused on directing, creative directing and graphic design for sports, fashion and cannabis brands.
On his signing Twist said, “I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be A Fresh Face in Hell. To have the support and mentorship of someone as accomplished and experienced as Jason Botkin. To have fellowship with the wildly creative roster he’s put together. I’m just hyped to be on the squad.”
Twist is represented by Kevin Batten and Crystal Bedford at PopArts on the West Coast, Chiara Chung at CCCo. in the Midwest, and Philip Fox Mills and Dani Ostrowski of MilkToast Co. on the East Coast.
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