Howard Audio’s very own Adam Howard has been named South Africa’s top music Composer and Supervisor by the Loeries. We caught up with the man of the hour to congratulate him not only on a career milestone, but a dream come true. He also shares some lekker behind the scenes moments from recent projects close to his heart.

*Hooollllld on. At the time of this interview, the Creative Circle ‘Ad of the Year’ results had not yet been announced, but we HAD TO add this: Adam was awarded a first for Chicken Licken EasyBucks ‘Everybody’s Talking About It’ in the Integrated category and a second in the Digital Category. Congratulations Adam! Sneak over here to see the work and winners

Q: What does it feel like being ranked as South Africa’s number one Composer and Music Supervisor?

Adam: You know, since I first set off in the industry it has been a dream of mine to be on those ranking lists. To top two of them is just incredible for me. Of course, I know awards aren’t everything, but it actually does make me very proud. Especially if I think of where I came from and my journey to now. It feels surreal.
I remember way back in 2005, I arrived on the ad scene as a 29-year-old composer. I vividly remember Paul Warner phoning me up and saying ‘Dude you just won a silver Loerie mate! A silver Loerie bru!’ I thought wow, if I can do it, it can’t be that hard to win a Loerie! Well, it took me about another 7 years to win my next craft certificate… 😳😩

Q: What did it take to get to number one?

Adam: The people I work with. When I look back, I remember how I used to dream of working alongside all the people I currently do. If I look at who I’ve collaborated with recently I can’t believe how lucky I am. 
I got to work with director Karien Cherry from Giant Films on two projects in the last year and she is ranked the number one film director.
Then there’s the legend, director Ian Gabriel, also from Giant, a company that is ranked 2^nd place in the Production Company category and home to Cindy Gabriel and Emma Lundy, who ranked 2^nd and 3^rd in the Producer category.
I collaborated with the man himself, Greg Gray from Romance Films not too long ago. Romance is ranked the number one production company.
Then there’s the phenomenal Alan Irvin, who ranked fourth in the director category. Alan is from They Films and the company ranked 6^th.
I have also been so fortunate to continuously work with Joe Public, ranked the number one agency of the year.
And the brands are just as important. I got to work on Chicken Licken last year and they were awarded Brand of the Year.

I honestly have to pinch myself, how lucky am I?!

Q: Working with all these top people, would you say they have anything in common?

Adam: I would say from my own experience it’s the way they all value collaboration. They are all open to hearing ideas because they feed off others’ creativity. That’s the common thread between all these top directors, producers, creatives and even brands, they love collaborating and trying new things. They’re all from the same tree. It’s beautiful.