International creative audio network Squeak E. Clean Studios has brought Justin Hori on board as creative director out of the Chicago office, marking his return to the company. A talented composer, Hori has developed a knack for crafting poignant, contemporary audio stylings for branded content, crafting original music for award-winning projects with such clients as Apple, Reebok, Adidas, Volkswagen and Budweiser, among others.
His earlier tour of duty at Squeak E. Clean saw him serve as creative director for five years, creating tracks like the famous “Da Diddy Da” for Apple’s 2018 iPad campaign, and the anthem for Adidas’ 2016 “Your Future is not Mine,” which earned him a Silver at the Clio Music Awards and the coveted Cannes Gold Lion for “Best Use of Original Music.” Other notable wins for the spot included D&AD Pencils, The One Show Awards, and additional Clio and AICP Award wins.
Squeak E. Clean Studios co-executive creative director Sam Spiegel described Hori as “a tremendous talent” and “a great person to work with.”
Hori said he’s enthused over the prospects of collaborating creatively with Spiegel and the team again, sharing, “Squeak E. Clean Studios has such an artist-driven culture and that helps keep a fresh approach to my work, both within and outside of advertising.”
Hori was steeped in the Chicago music scene early on, starting as a DJ at 13 in hip-hop and underground electronica before taking his first part-time job slinging records at the legendary Gramaphone Records. After studying music theory and composition at Columbia College–gathering an extensive education and client base for future projects–he cut his teeth with stints at Comtrack and Comma Music, eventually moving to open their Los Angeles office. He returns to Squeak E. Clean Studios after expanding Human Worldwide into the Chicago market.
Hori is currently scoring the upcoming dark comedy Big Gold Brick, his first independently-scored feature film, which stars Andy Garcia, Lucy Hale, Megan Fox and Oscar Isaac. The reunion also sets the stage for future collaborations outside of adland for Hori with Spiegel, whose first full-length album in 10 years, “Random Shit From the Internet Era,” will be out on April 5 via Spectrophonic Sound.
