Carl White, co-founder of BWN, steps up to answer Five Questions.
1. What are you working on today?
Travelers Insurance, AG Edwards, Purina, Porsche, Breyers, & Taco Johns.

2. What have you found is the best tool or innovation that has come out in the last year?
Ummmm… how about: SRS circle surround plug-in – while seemingly not perfect, it does
work for easy 5.1 encode and decode – a fine piece of software.

3. The project (film, television, commercial or music video) that most impressed you in the last year? Why?

Because of recent events surrounding it, I'd have to cite the Geico
Caveman work – seeing how traditional advertising can develop so
strong a character that Networks consider producing a show around it,
well, that is beyond scope in our category. It does something
unexpected – it leads as oppose to follows. By that I mean much of
advertising has adapted to a "reality tv" concept thereby following
the stream. This character/campaign, without any intention of doing
so (my opinion, not fact), leads because it created its own
following, via traditional idea/execution within the (tv)commercial
realm, to the point where it/he (the caveman) may become a bankable
character beyond being an insurance pitchman who is encapsulated by
his sole purpose on tv. He has transcended his intended role.

4. The best or favorite project that you worked on in the past year? And why?

Probably the Porsche work for the new Cayenne (POP DVD). It required
lots of muscly engine sounds, as well as other basic sounds the car
can make that are NOT the engine – much of which needed a hefty dose
of TLC and expertise. Capturing sounds, and bringing them through
selection and manipulation to deliver a final product, is not
something we're always asked to do, so it stands out.

5. Name the top 4 artists on your iPod?

I do not own an iPod – iPods are wonderful – but not something I need/
want, as I believe they create obligation to seek, spend and catalog.
I admit – I listen to the radio – AM radio – a college station that
plays stuff that you can't FIND on iTunes. So, I'm not out of touch,
just not feeling a need to replace that radio station – Radio K –
770AM, or, RadioK.org.

The question – who do I listen to?
Well, no one regularly – the radio switches it up so much, I get
infrequent repeat plays.
So, safe to say, the latest most underground Indie Rock, but I
hesitate to classify myself as a rock thug. Example – today, ODB of
Wu Tang Clan, followed by several indie bands I can't recall of
hearing before, except for the Arctic Monkeys. Blast – now they will
call me trendy!

Recent Project
BWN Enters Twins Territory With Music And Sound For New Campaign
Advertising Agency Periscope has once again tapped the creative talents of BWN for music and sound design for the Minnesota Twins 2007 “This Is Twins Territory” campaign. The highly acclaimed campaign originally launched in 2005 to rave reviews and accolades (including an Emmy) and has contributed to the team drawing more than two million fans in each of the last two seasons.

“We were approached to continue in the same vein as last year ‘ irreverent and fun ‘ which is a direction we are always happy to work in,” laughs BWN Co-Founder/Composer Ken Brahmstedt. “At the heart of the comedy with the campaign is a near hapless air, which we supported with slightly kooky sound and music.”

The first new ad of the 2007 season entitled "Carpool" features Twins All-Star Closer Joe Nathan in the passenger seat and taking issue with Cy Young award winner Johan Santana's driving style. The second ad is the much-anticipated "Little Piranhas" commercial featuring Nick Punto and Jason Bartlett, two of the "little piranhas" as nicknamed by White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen for their ferocious play.

Another featured spot in the campaign is "Magic Show," starring Twins outfielder and amateur magician Michael Cuddyer, along with his "assistant" Juan Rincon, sawing teammate Johan Santana in half during a kids' magic show. The final ad, titled "Sideburns," stars clubhouse leader and catcher Mike Redmond along with American League MVP Justin Morneau and American League batting champion Joe Mauer as Redmond tries to find ways to live up to his teammates' popularity and success.

The spots will air throughout the baseball season.

CREDITS

Agency: Periscope
Creative Director/ Copy Writer – Charlie Callahan
Art Director/ Film Director – Quan Hoang
Agency Producer – Abby Stavig
Senior Account Executive – Andy Dosdall
Asst. Account Executive – Kate Stangl

Production Company: Drive Thru Productions,

EP: Mark Setterholm
Line Producer: Dave Belmont

Offline Editorial: Drive Thru Editorial; Mick Uzendoski

Online Editorial: Drive Thru Editorial; Bob George

Visual Effects: Drive Thru Editorial; Orie Hegre, Ben Leisen

Music & Sound Design: BWN/Minneapolis & Los Angeles