VMLY&R has promoted Allison Pierce to executive creative director. Since joining the agency in 2010, she has been a major force at VMLY&R, producing some of the company’s most innovative and awarded work. Pierce has overseen creative for the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development for the past five years and lent her creative talents to other current and former VMLY&R client brands, including Gatorade, Wendy’s, Kashi, Electrolux/Frigidaire and Cobra Puma Golf.
Most recently, she helped lead an all-female team in creating Bumble’s first-ever Super Bowl spot featuring tennis star Serena Williams.
She’s also been integral in several VMLY&R new business wins, including the recent agency of record win for Boehringer Ingelheim Equine.
Pierce will report to John Godsey, North American chief creative officer. She will continue to be based in VMLY&R’s Kansas City office.
As group creative director on Tennessee, Pierce spearheaded “The Colorblind Viewer — an experiential campaign that launched a scenic viewer equipped with high-tech lenses to make it possible for colorblind people to see fall colors for the first time. The campaign went on to win multiple Cannes Lions and a gold cube at the Art Directors Club, among others.
Multi-awarded with Cannes Lions, the One Show, Effies, ADDYs, Clios, Effies and The Webby Awards, Pierce’s expertise in advertising creative has been recognized by numerous international and local advertising award panels. Her career spans a dozen years.
The impact of Pierce’s work is equally impressive. Since she was appointed lead on the account, Tennessee has seen record-breaking tourism numbers each year, and its ROI results are reinventing travel marketing standards.
“Alli has been an integral part of our creative journey at VMLY&R.” said Debbi Vandeven, global chief creative officer. “Her leadership will continue to help us write our future. And while we can’t always predict what’s next in this business, we can always count on Alli to help invent it.”
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