Attracting clients on both a regional and national level, Tequila Mockingbird is led by musician Danny Levin, who opened the company back in 1994, and two former GSD&M creatives Wally Williams and Karen Jacobs.

"I moved to Austin with the intention of starting a music company knowing it was the perfect place. Then I stubbed my toe on GSD&M," jokes Williams, who previously oversaw the Southwest Airlines and Doubletree Hotels accounts at GSD&M before exiting to become a partner at Tequila Mockingbird back in 1997.

Touted as the live music capital of the world, Austin is the deal locale with the necessary depth of musical talent to grace Tequila Mockingbird with its distinct, unique sound.

"I was safe with the knowledge that Austin possessed a strong talent base of musicians," explains Williams, aware that real musicians create far better sounds than the bounds of MIDI processors. "We have some of the best musicians and work people in the country allowing us to create the type of sounds that move away from the tinny noise of synthesizers."

The shop has come a long way since opening as a one-room operation, today comprising of 13 staff, an expanded composer base including Austin rocker Bob Schnedier, regular freelance musicians and a space of 6200 square feet with three sound rooms recording music simultaneously. Even The Simpsons, the hippest cartoon on the planet received music created in-house this year, while Quentin Tarantino visited the music house to capture the necessary music for an upcoming project.

"We've been national since we opened our doors and get more far reaching clients all the time," explains Williams. "Even though we're regionally located we're focused on being nationally minded."

The simple, direct philosophy has paid off well for Tequila Mockingbird, enjoying a successful year thus far, its first quarter surpassing the profits shown by the mid-point of 2000.

A surprisingly rich list of clients includes Pizza Hut and Texaco for BBDO, Houston; Sonic for BE&P, Kansas City; Miller Lite for Square One, Dallas; Land Rover, Pennzoil, Southwest Airlines and the Houston Rockets for GSD&M, Austin; Nissan for TBWA Chiat/Day, Venice; and Miller Beer for Ogilvy & Mather, New York. In addition, the house has scored music for the movies 28 Days, American Detective, Gunshy, Little Nicky, The Lion King and Miss Congenialty.

Webfiles:
Tequila Mockingbird> http://www.tequilamockingbird.com