The Team
A Co-Founder and Managing Director of WithFeeling, Chris Atkins is an all-around creative, experienced senior music producer and award-winning multi-media specialist with twenty years of experience. Chris has a background in music strategy, consultancy, music production and talent management for leading brands, including BBC World Service and Expo 2020 Dubai.
In his role at Expo 2020 Dubai, Chris led the creation of the Official Theme Song “This is Our Time” while also producing Expo 2020’s sonic branding and identity. Chris led the design and production of the audio strategy that delighted visitors for six months through the soundscapes across all public spaces and was responsible for the audio and media production for many bespoke events, conferences as well as exhibitions spaces. In his multimedia production role, Chris also led a team of Animators and Designers who created thousands of pieces of content displayed on the 500 screens every day for six months.
In his career, Chris has worked across multiple aspects of music and sound production, including sound design and Foley recording on thousands of commercials and films in different languages, with many winning regional and international awards.
Chris was recently awarded the UAE Golden Visa for his creative work spanning over 17 years in Dubai, during which he has developed a keen interest on the sounds of the region and built an extensive network of talents in the music and cultural industries.
As the Chief Music Officer of WithFeeling, Joe brings a global reputation and a rare ability to draw from many different influences in order to compose within any style. From orchestral, action-packed scores to authentic Arabic pieces or the latest commercial hit sounds, Joe’s expertise enables him to adapt to any genre and create the perfect music to complement any brief.
Having spent over a decade working in the Middle East as one of Dubai’s most in-demand composers, Joe’s understanding of world music styles has been finely tuned – as has his ability to work to the strictest deadlines, fulfil the most pressing requests, and do it all with a renowned positive and professional attitude that sees agencies return to him time and time again.
Previous global brands that have benefitted from Joe’s musical mastery include McDonald’s, Nivea, Sony, Cadillac, Microsoft and many more. He has been responsible for creating original soundtracks for some of the UAE’s biggest and most elaborate landmarks and events, including Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Dubai Parks and Resorts, UAE National Day ceremonies, and the world’s only seven-star hotel, The Burj Al Arab.
Currently based in London, Joe is also the composer behind the official Expo 2020 Dubai theme song This is our Time, where he worked closely with Chris and the Expo team to create an anthem that befitted the theme, values, and aspirations of this first mega-event in the region.
WithFeeling, Dubai, Head of Sonic Branding
Keith is an award-winning sonic branding professional from Ireland and a valued full-time member of the WithFeeling family. With years of experience in crafting unique sonic identities, Keith has worked with some of the world’s most renowned brands, bringing a wealth of expertise to our team.
Keith’s diverse portfolio spans collaborations with leading companies across the U.S., Europe, and Australia, where he has applied his deep knowledge of commercial audio post-production and sonic branding to deliver impactful audio experiences. His ability to translate a brand’s core values into compelling and memorable sound is a skill honed through years of dedication and creative insight.
Guided by the philosophy that “Sonic Branding is an extension of a brand’s core foundation,” Keith is passionate about helping brands connect with their audiences on a deeper level. His approach is both innovative and holistic, ensuring that every sonic identity not only resonates but also reinforces the brand’s essence.
At WithFeeling, Keith plays a key role in driving our mission to create extraordinary audio branding solutions that stand out in a crowded marketplace. His unique perspective and creative vision continue to elevate our work, making him an invaluable part of our team.
Meet Chona Gatchalian, our fantastic Head of Production at WithFeeling. She’s got a special touch when it comes to finding just the right voices for brands, and she’s skilled at working with many languages.
What She Does: Chona books voices and musicians, talks to different clients, and makes sure everything goes smoothly in production. With 10 years of experience in audio post-production, she’s brilliant at making digital content. She works closely with artists and technical folk to make exciting projects come alive.
Who She Works With: Some big names trust Chona with their work, including Emirates, Pepsi, ALDAR, Atlantis, Emaar, Axiom, HSBC, Nissan, MBC, MBRL, Expo202, Riyadhexpo2030, and more.
Her Skills: She’s good with things like monday.com, Project Coordination, Database Administration, Customer Experience, and Zoho CRM. She’s especially good at finding just the right voices for brands.
A Bit About Her: Chona’s not just talented at work; she’s also run marathons in different countries and is a great Filipino cook. She’s got a lot of energy and adds a special flavour to our team.
Why She’s Important to Us and Our Clients: Chona’s a key part of what makes WithFeeling great. Her talents and hard work make our productions better, and our clients love what she can do. She makes sure everything sounds just right, and her attention to detail makes her one of our most important team members.
In simple terms, Chona Gatchalian is vital to our team. Her skills, personality, and dedication make her stand out, and we’re proud to have her at WithFeeling. Her role is important to us, our clients, and everyone who enjoys what we create.
WithFeeling, Dubai | Senior Producer
Teri Cruz has a background in production, audio, and client servicing.
With over a decade of experience in Dubai’s creative and production industry, she has held roles such as Senior Producer and Production Manager, where she managed client relations, project coordination, procurement, and team scheduling. Her earlier career spans marketing, publishing, and customer service, giving her a well-rounded foundation in communication and operations.
Teri takes pride in her interpersonal communication skills, forward-thinking approach, and dedication. Outside of her professional work, she has a deep interest in art and music and enjoys collecting toys.
WithFeeling, Head of Creative | Sonic Branding, Music Composition, Sound Design
As a young man, John had to give up a career in helicopter maintenance before more people died. Advertising seemed the next logical move, so off he scurried to the ad world and became a copywriter. The move worked out a bit better for him, as he racked up over a hundred awards around the world (admittedly in an industry which adores patting itself on the back), wrote a best-selling book about his equally nefarious colleagues and even wrote a dodgy jingle which became a number one hit. He also received a letter of thanks from the late Nelson Mandela (whoever that is) for a TV commercial he made. But then things took a turn for the worse. He met sound engineer Chris Atkins at BKP in Dubai. And now, probably because of something he did in a past life, he finds himself working with Chris at WithFeeling.
He has to admit, it’s quite good there.
Basil Kisswani is a highly skilled and experienced audio professional, bringing over 14 years of expertise to his role as Audio Manager at WithFeeling. Since joining the team in October 2023, Basil has been instrumental in advancing the company’s audio capabilities and expanding its footprint in Saudi Arabia. With a deep passion for sound and storytelling, Basil’s work seamlessly bridges creativity and technical precision.
Basil has played a critical role in audio integration projects across museums, exhibitions, and cultural spaces throughout the Middle East, ensuring immersive and engaging auditory experiences.
Before joining WithFeeling, Basil honed his craft as a Senior Sound Engineer at Media Group, where he spent eight years delivering world-class audio solutions for diverse projects across the UAE. In Saudi Arabia, he contributed to key projects, including installations in Medina and a series of museums in Riyadh, where his technical expertise and attention to detail enhanced visitor experiences.
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OUR WF COMPOSERS
We at WithFeeling are thrilled to collaborate with you to produce the ideal sound for your upcoming project because we firmly believe that music is a crucial element of any successful brand. To find out more about our offerings and how we can assist you in creating fantastic music for your brand, contact us right away.
THE STAFF ECHOES
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