Barking Owl Bounds Into Chi-Town

Award-winning music, audio-post and sonic branding company Barking Owl has announced the opening of its new office in Chicago. The move marks a significant milestone for the company as it expands its reach into the Midwest, complementing its Los Angeles and New York operations and bringing fresh opportunities to the region. A bold step for sonic branding and audio-post production.

In a conversation with Barking Owl’s CEO, Kirkland Lynch, LBB’s April Summers learned about the motivation behind the new office. "When we think of our Chicago office, we are thinking of it as a centerpiece for the entire Midwest–that’s Chicago, Detroit, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, and Kansas City," said Kirkland. "We’ve developed a close relationship with our Midwest reps, Baer Brown, and through them, have developed great relationships with several Midwest agencies. Our recent work with High Dive on the State Farm campaign is just one of several Midwest highlights for us."

The CEO highlighted that having a physical presence in Chicago allows Barking Owl to serve clients in the region more effectively. "Since audio post-production is such a huge part of our business and much of that work is either done in-person, or our clients want the option to work with us in-person, we were simply missing out on a lot of opportunities with clients in the Midwest by not having a physical presence in Chicago."

With this expansion comes exciting new hires. Marina Killion has joined as senior engineer, and Brad Beasley steps into a new role as junior engineer.

"We pride ourselves on building teams the same way we craft our music and sound—intentionally, collaboratively, and with a deep respect for artistry and innovation," said Kirkland. "Marina is a stalwart in the Midwest territory. She brings an exceptional body of work, an intuitive understanding of storytelling through audio, and the kind of leadership that elevates everyone around her." He also noted the significance of Brad Beasley’s new role, saying, "Brad stepping into the role of junior engineer reflects our belief in mentorship and building from within."

Noting a resurgence and evolution in the audio-post and sonic branding industries, Kirkland pointed to the rise of Free Ad-Supported Television (FAST) platforms and the growing importance of sonic branding as key trends. "Advertising is entering a new golden age but it’s going to sound different. As technology becomes more omnipresent and screenless experiences grow – like voice assistants and connected devices – brands need a recognisable, emotionally resonant audio identity that works without visuals."

Barking Owl is positioning itself to embrace this shift. "We’re not just creating original music and sound design; we’re helping brands think more strategically about how sound shapes perception," Kirkland explained. "We’ve built a team that can move across traditional ad work, sonic branding, and experiential soundscaping."

Addressing the well-documented elephant in the room, the CEO also touched on the role of AI in the future of audio. "AI is a tool – a powerful one – but not a replacement," he said. "What’s been fascinating is watching the wave of ‘all AI’ commercials getting headlines, and then you read the fine print and realise: everything was AI except the music and sound."

Emphasising the need for human nuance in creating effective sonic branding, he continued: "Our approach is to embrace AI where it enhances our process, but we’ll never compromise on the craft, detail, and emotional intelligence that comes from people who live and breathe sound."

Barking Owl’s signature audio production, especially in the realm of sonic branding, also sets it apart. "We lead with emotion, story, and artistic instinct," Kirkland explained. "In an industry where things are becoming increasingly templated or tech-first, we prioritise creativity and heart." The company’s ability to integrate music, sound design, and audio mixing seamlessly, allows for a more holistic and collaborative creative process.

"We’re not just executing on briefs; we’re elevating them," he stated. "Clients can move between rooms, pivot creatively, and know that everything will still sound cohesive, fresh, and aligned with their brand."

Ultimately, Barking Owl’s growth in Chicago reflects a continued commitment to innovation, collaboration, and a deep understanding of how sound can shape brand identity. As Kirkland put it, "It’s about helping brands understand their identity through sound and building a sonic language that carries across everything from a :30 ad to an evergreen sonic logo."

With this new office Barking Owl is not just expanding geographically—it’s continuing to redefine the future of audio and sonic branding.