Jungle hires Dan Neale, re-launches music offering

Soho-based facility Jungle has appointed Dan Neale as creative director of its re-launched music offering, which is to be branded Native.

At Native, Neale has been charged with expanding Jungle’s music services into new areas such as music supervision and sync for TV advertising and broadcasting. He will also look to grow the company’s composer roster and will be responsible for forging creative partnerships and building relationships with new talent.

Native will be an integral part of Jungle, which will be able to offer clients immediate and expert support with licensing, music searches, composition and re-rerecords as well as having its own production music library. Native will also work directly with its own client base and is already working on some high profile projects.

Neale has extensive experience working in music for advertising and broadcast. Prior to joining Jungle, he was head of music at RKCR/Y&R where he oversaw all aspects of music for the advertising agency – from creative searches and music supervision of large scale projects to liaising with composers and dealing with licensing and brand partnerships. In his time there he was responsible for commissioning Elbow to compose the BBC London 2012 theme; launching the agencies record label; and he worked on several high profile campaigns for brands including Virgin Atlantic, M&S, Kopparberg, Danone and Lloyds. Neale also co-founded the Music+Sound Awards, the first and only awards programme to recognise and celebrate the indispensable role and outstanding contribution music and sound design play in the world of visual media.

Commenting on the appointment, Graham Ebbs, managing director, Jungle said: "Dan’s reputation is second to none and his appointment highlights Jungle’s dedication to working with the best talent in sound design and music."

Neale added: "Jungle has a brilliant reputation as one of the most trusted and professional sound houses in London. I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with them and aim to make Native a leader in its field.”

Native will be based at Jungle’s newly refurbished offices, which will be completed at the end of September. The £500,000 investment saw its two Wardour street offices knocked together to create one building with a shared entrance. The 1st floor has been completely refurbished with a new reception and Dolby cinema studio. Jungle has built three new audio studios taking its total number to 10. A café and bar has also been created for clients and staff to work and socialise.

www.thejunglegroup.co.uk