Got Ads? Got Film?

Art & Copy Comes to Toronto and HotDocs to Inspire this weekend.

I attended Shift Disturbers today, and got a see an amazing 12 minute trailer/teaser of Art & Copy. Amazing.

One of the great insights came from David Baldwin, Chairman of the Board, The One Club for Art & Copy, who stated, "the film was more or less Chapter One in the historic perspective, and we currently writing the future chapters".

Love the opening sequence of the trailer (below) and the cave art. There was a famous quote from Marshall McLuhan, "Ads are the cave art of the twentieth century", what a perfect start to the film.

The 12 minutes was a walk down memory lane seeing , George Louis, many vintage images of Bill Burnbach (my advertising hero and birthday partner) and DDB who single-handedly rewrote the rules of advertising, and then hearing legendary ad women Mary Wells Lawrence and Phyllis Robinson sahre their thoughts, was more then heart warming, it was down to earth inspirational.

Reminder, Art & Copy plays May 1st and 3rd in Toronto during HotDocs.

Here is my original BlogPost. Watch the video when you're done. Inspiring.

Originally Posted On A View From An AdGuy March 28, 2009

Got creativity?

Got manipulation?

Got art?

Is great advertising actually a rare and rebellious accomplishment more akin to—dare we ever say it—art?

Advertising has without question has made a profound effect on modern culture. This goes without question or debate. You see an average of 5,000 ads every day. Most of them suck. Handfuls are good, only a few look and feel like-and indeed really are-art.

Slow Dissolve, ECU full screen, Art & Copy The Film.

Living in Toronto places us in the center of the Canadian Advertising Universe and this in turn puts us in the center of culture and art. Hot Docs, the Canadian International Documentary Festival is North America's largest documentary festival, conference and market. Each year, the Festival presents a selection of more than 150 cutting-edge documentaries from Canada and around the globe and runs April 30th to May 10th and this year we get a look inside some of the innovative advertising campaigns of our time and the creative rebels behind them are the fascinating subjects of acclaimed filmmaker Doug Pray.

Toronto screenings at Hot Docs will be held at the Isabel Bader Theatre on May 1st at 930pm and 3rd at 4pm. Tickets are on sale now.

Mr. Pray (Scratch, Surfwise) weaves a web heartfelt and dazzling footage of TV satellites being launched and billboards being erected with some of the most remarkable ad campaigns of all time. Like the talented subjects he profiles, Pray creates a rousing synthesis of art, commerce, and human emotion.

ART & COPY reveals the stories behind and the personal odysseys of some of the most influential advertising visionaries of our time and their campaigns, including Lee Clow (Apple Computer 1984, and today’s iPod); Dan Wieden (“Just Do It”); Phyllis K. Robinson (who invented the “me generation” with Clairol); the late and great Hal Riney (Pepsi Choice of A New Generation and also helped President Reagan get elected); and George Lois (who saved MTV and launched Tommy Hilfiger overnight).

The movie was filmed and edited during a four-year period and had an unusual source for its funding — The One Club, a non-profit organization dedicated to the craft of advertising headquartered in New York.

Art & Copy provides a window into the creative process and the individuals who have changed our lives in ways we may not realize,” said Mary Warlick, CEO of The One Club. “The movie looks at advertising not as products flying off the shelf but as the work of a few American heroes who feel passionately about their craft, ideas, and the ability of ideas to change how people feel.”

Art & Copy takes us inside a powerful, yet surprisingly unknown, industry to reveal the most influential creative forces tapping the zeitgeist of our time.

Think of those commercials we can never seem to get out of our heads. Each one is the brain child of an industry typically associated with pandering and manipulation.

Beginning in the 1960s, a creative revolution revitalized the advertising industry. Bill Bernbach launched the Volkswagen Beetle, prompting viewers to "think small." Dan Wieden coined "Just Do It" and forever changed the way we motivate ourselves athletically. Phyllis Robinson empowered the "me generation" with a Clairol tagline. Hal Riney all but insured Reagan's reelection with heart-tugging TV ads. Mary Wells Lawrence reinvented the big bad apple via her "I love NY" campaign. George Lois gave Tommy Hilfiger the makeover of a lifetime, while Cliff Freeman wondered "Where's the beef?" and Jeff Goodby and Rich Silverstein asked, "Got Milk?"

Yes, we sell widgets and wackiness, but just these are the artists, they tap zeitgeists and rouse emotion that have allowed to "Think Different" and "Just Do It".

Pray's captivating tribute- like an ad itself-sells you on the undeniable art of advertising.

Thanks to Aviva Cohen a former student of mine for bring the Toronto Hot Docs presentation dates to my attention.

Video Roundtable from the Sundance Film Festival:

Doug Pray, Filmmaker of Art and Copy, Rich Silverstein of Goodby Silverstein (Got Milk), Lee Clow of TBWAChiat/Day (Think Different), Dan Wieden and David Kennedy of Wieden + Kennedy (Just Do It), and the legendary George Lois (I Want My MTV).

Also see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju0Fq_QltPw

WTF? The Future of Advertising.

This is an amazing presentation by David Armano from his blog Logic + Emotion. He is based out of Ausitn, Texas and is an active participant in the social media industry. He recently joined Dachis Corp., a social media consulting firm set up by Razorfish founder Jeffrey Dachis. He left the Chicago offices of Critical Mass where he was VP of Experience Design.

He writes his Logic+Emotion blog, which has been ranked in the top 20 media + marketing blogs according to Advertising Age.

This is a presentation he will be delivering tomorrow on the "Future of Advertising" hosted by the Minneapolis College of Art and Design.

From Logic+Emotion:

To be honest, I'm not sure if I'm qualified to talk about the future of anything least Advertising, especially since my background prior to all the "social" has been primarily in Web design. I've never even worked on an ad. But, what the hell, I gave it a shot. The above slideshow illustrates a few things I'm thinking of as it pertains where things could be going.

Short story? The Ad industry, like many is in the throes of significant change. Agencies and clients are shifting gears from high production value, "360 degree campaigns" and opting to explore new areas to see what works (and measuring along the way). Users on the Web have developed a taste for authentic communication, often produced by their peers who are very capable of doing this (blogs, reviews, forums etc.). Word of mouth (both positive and negative) spreads more rapidly than ever before and traditional online advertising (such as banners) are largely ignored and rarely clicked on.

Many organizations haven't adapted, still working with production staff that may not have the appropriate skill sets or agility to create lightweight initiatives that can turn on a dime. Many organizations still segment groups into "creative", "copy" "strategy", etc. The reality is that digital keeps forcing these disciplines to collide as seamlessly as technology can be mashed.

Organizational disciplines are evolving as well. When a product community helps influence the development of your products is that marketing, R&D or both?

Read his full thoughts at Logic+Emotions.

You can watch a live-stream David's presentation at http://mima.org/live starting around 6:00 p.m. CST, Monday, April 27, 2009.

If you are in Minneapolis, catch it live at the Fine Line Music Cafe.

You can learn more about David's presentation and the event location here: http://catfoa.blogspot.com/2009/04/david-armano-monday-april-27-2009.html .

The event is free. Please feel free to attend!

The Future of Advertising. WTF?

View more presentations from David Armano.

If They Lend You Money... A Banking Spot Like You've Never Seen.

This spot makes me feel that there is hope in the world.

Banks spots have in recent years found new ways to ask for your business but they have become cgi-megasoids or “We will do anything including bending over backwards and spitting nickels out our assets to give you great service”.

So here’s a spot from Argentina that would never run in the US and likely not here either.

A refreshing story of the way a bank can change.

Oh, did I mention inclusion of a transgender character. Bravo!!!

How The Fu@k Did They Do That? HD Celphone Camera.

YouTube HD Camera Trick Challenge

So I awoke this morning to a rather interesting viraul ad in the my in box.

Figure out how they shot this spot is the burning question.

Samsung shot this clip on the new I8910 HD phone, a new camera phone just released with an 8 megapixel camera that can actually record and output video in HD format.

The claim is that it was shot in one take, with no post production or special effects of any kind. Everything you see here was done "in-camera".

The Samsung through YouTube has now challenged to you is to figure out how we did it.

Hint: it's worth watching in HD.

Here is the spot:



But wait, are these the answers as to HOW!

Call it too much time on their hands or was it that easy.




OR...



Question: Inspiration?

My thoughts turned to Groucho and Harpo Marx. Duck Soup.

Good Luck.

REMINDER: Thursday April 30th - Toronto Creative Advertising Meet-up

REMINDER!

A fun and creative evening is ahead.

This week on Thursday The Creative Directors Guild of Toronto will host an evening of chat, creative exchange and fun.

This is a chance to network with other creative minds in the Advertising Industry, and share your ideas.

The Meetup will start sharply at 7:30pm, at a great little watering hole on St.Clair Avenue West called "Scallywags".

The evening will start with a round of ice-breaker games just to get to know everyone, and meet new members. Then we will start our Advertising workshop which will consist of a series of interactive discussions, activities, and presentations to see what people have been working on.

Hope to see you all on Thursday, April 30th at Scallywags (2nd Floor Party-room) 11 St. Clair Avenue West.

For more info, go to: http://www.Creative-Guild.com

Milestone: BlogPost 100 Here's A Beer to Celebrate

Greetings...

I can't believe this is my 100th posting.

Then again, when you blog about advertising you could likely post a 100 items a day. Too celebrate, what better way then with a Heineken.

Here is a very cool website interface from our friends at Heineken for their DraughtKeg product. The site takes you on a guided tour of the product and benefits. Take time to hit the dance floor... go solo or join a "crew"... totally engaging and interactive. Yes, I spent about an hour playing and learning about the product. When you are done playing go ahead and create your own Heineken DraughtKeg 3D Robotic Dance for a limited time at http://www.heinekendraughtkeg.com.au - once done, post the link and the video comments to share your dance on their FaceBook page.

Here's to the first 100, it's been fun. Here's to the next 100.

Senece College Creative Advertising Becomes Official Educational Sponsor of Portfolio Night 7

I am proud to annouce that the Creative Advertising Program at Seneca College has joined ihaveanidea.org Portfolio Night 7 on June 11th, 2009 as "Official Educational Sponsor" for the Toronto event.

This years location is still being finalized, but reservation/tickets for the event will be available starting this Monday at the ihaveanidea website link at a cost of $40.00 (CAD).

For tickets, an initial list of reviewers and event updates follow this link. Portfolio Night 7 Toronto

More details to follow.

Social Media Influencers Predictions 2009 By Trendsspotting

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

Social Media Influencers Predictions 2009 By Trendsspotting

View more presentations from Taly Weiss.

Hey... Trends Are Reborn Everyday. The 1960s Revisited.

Growing up in the 1960s had a number of very cool moments.

I grew up in Yorkville area of Toronto, the "Hippie" capital of Canada (It was our Haight/Asbury) and spent the majority of my summers on the Jersey shore in Ocean City where "skywriting" was a daily method of selling all-you-can-eat buffets and local resturants. In Toronto it was the annual CNE - "The Ex".

So today, it seems it's back. And it's new. These new "skywriters" can fly in 5 or 6's and spell out just about anything.

A band like Phish with legions of loyal followers doesn't need advertising. But they have it anyway... very cool skywriting is so 1960s... remember trends get reborn everyday.

That Bus Board Is A Video.

Here is some additional new digital thinking.

You're not crazy if you think you see the billboard on the side of the Vancouver Transit No. 110 bus moving.

What you are actually witnessing is the very latest in transit innovation: a huge, glowing LED panel that marketing officials are banking on being as attractive to advertisers as it is to the public.

"It's like a big TV screen," said TransLink spokesman Ken Hardie of the new technology, now being showcased only along the Lougheed bus route in Burnaby.

Bus boards, billboards, transit shelter and interior posters will go digital and Vancouver and the Olympics are just the beginning.

The panel - which is already in use in Chicago and New York - was brought to Vancouver by the Lamar Advertising Co., the agency contracted by TransLink to manage outdoor marketing throughout the region's transportation corridor.

Founded in 1902, Lamar currently operates over 150 outdoor advertising companies in more than 40 states and Puerto Rico. Lamar has over 70 transit franchises that reach driving audiences across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico through billboards, digital billboards, bus shelters, benches and buses.

By the time the 2010 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in Vancouver launch next February, Lamar Transit Advertising Ltd. expects to have 46” LCD screens on every platform station of Vancouver’s existing 31 station Skytrain line and the city’s new nine station Canada Line subway line due to open later this year. Further, following a recent pilot project with digital signs on the side of one city bus, Lamar has equiped between 10 to date and 25 buses by the start of the Olympic Games – part of a plan to eventually have digital signage on 100 buses of the Vancouver Transit System. The Vancouver buses are now rolling.

Please Tell Me This Isn't Real

Those who know me, know that I question just about anything... I guess it's being from Missouri (actually Pennsylvania), show me. And you will know I love the "strange", the "wacky" and of course the "weird".

But this might be totally wrong. Silk Soft-sponsored Danish toilet paper dispenser toilet dispenser is beyond wrong. Beyond wrong on so many levels.

First, it's gross. Simple... it's gross. As I look closer (I realyy don't want to) is that hair or is that in need of some "bleaching".

Second, pulling toilet paper out of someones ass pretty much guarantees it's going to have sh!t all over it.

This is likely the strangest ad vehicle I have ever seen.

Stunts. Edits. The All-New Lancer Sportback

This ad caught my attention big time for the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback

Question?

Brilliant editing.

Brilliant coordination.

Just plan fun.




Credits:

BBDO Canada

Excellent Insight... But Is It Clear.

When an insight is simple. The message is crystal clear.

Change the oil... car lasts forever.

This spot was created in Singapore for Castrol Oil and the Austrailia market.

Not sure if it's a cultural thing, but the line sounds odd. "...forty years and no one changed the oil". I get it... no one ever changed from "Castrol", but the line of copy as presented does not ring clearly?

Hmmmmm.

Enjoy.




Credits:
Agency: Ogilvy & Mather, Singapore
Creative Director: Kevin Geeves

Country: Australia

Hardsell. Is There An Agenda.

Jan Crowley a long-time colleague and friend at Seneca College sent me this information, and it seems like an interesting evening out for "adlanders" and others alike.

When Canadian comedian Rick Miller was offered a spot hosting ABC's version of the candid-camera show Just for Laughs he thought about it for a grand total of 10 minutes before accepting. It was a nice gig, great exposure and good money for easy work. On the other hand, the American network is owned by the Walt Disney Company; and Miller dislikes Disney programming and doesn't let his two young daughters watch commercial TV. So, what do you call that? Hypocrisy - or just real life?

And there is the dilemma at the centre of Hardsell, Miller's new one-man show created with director Daniel Brooks currently running in stage at Canadian Stage in Toronto.

"We pay taxes that pay for a war that we may not support. We are complicit. We drink Coke but we ignore what these corporations do... Coke tastes good. We choose to ignore things because it is so tiring to think about them," Miller, 39, said in a recent interview before heading into rehearsals.

Brooks, the son of a Toronto ad man, and Miller, the son of a Montreal office-furniture salesman, figured that these days everything is a sell.

"We are so enmeshed in this culture of the sell that is partly based on lying, it's hard to determine what is true. There is always a spin, always an angle," Miller said, pointing to the current economic crisis as proof that people in positions of power lie.

But this is not an I-told-you-so show, nor a moral judgment on its audience. No, it's a comedy, with fart jokes no less.

To create it, Miller has fashioned an alter-ego for himself, one Arnie, an older and more cynical version of the comic, a stand-up who has spent his life on the road making people laugh as he ridicules anything and everything.

This devil twin is contemptuous of "Rick Miller," that well-meaning family man who drives a Toyota Prius and gives money to the Stephen Lewis Foundation to help fight AIDS in Africa. Still, the all-knowing Arnie has nothing to show for his cynicism.

"His realization is that cynicism has a cost," Miller said.

Miller hopes that the audience will not feel judged by Arnie's uncomfortable questions but rather changed by them, emerging from the theatre in a different psychic spot than they entered. After all, every one of us lives on the same shifting moral sands that provide our contemporary world with its unstable foundation.

Tickets available at this link: CanStage Company

It Moves. It Grooves. It Redefines Engagement.

Looking for a way to send your message in a new, exciting and engaging fashion?

This is part of an incredible new wave of digital technology that is proving to be an effective interactive signage solution.

This is an amazing new concept in video imaging and messaging. The product is called Imagin8 and really can and will transform any visual presentation into an unforgettable interactive engagement/event.

It can make the old standard POS display into an interactive POS touch screen more and far more engaging and effective? And what a great way to spice up a retail or store displays.

Imagin8 is a Canadian company with the North American distribution rights for the Imagin8 line of interactive products. Based in Concord, Ontario, Imagin8 maintains a staff of technical, creative, and sales professionals dedicated to serving our clients needs.

Here are few of the product descriptions. Then check out the videos below.

EyeStep

The unique interactive floor. By combining interactive surfaces (a combination of our interactive flooring and wall display) with intuitive human body motion, we create full-body interaction – the perfect tool for innovative interactive marketing.

EyeTouch

The unique interactive media platform. EyeTouch transforms any glass surface into an interactive form of creative expression. It creates on-the-spot interaction with passers-by at events. In short, it’s the ideal tool for optimizing interactive point-of-sale.

EyeBoard

Is an interactive tabletop surface. It is an innovative system that turns any ordinary board into an exciting self-activated experience (interactive board). Activated by motion detection, each flat surface can be turned into an innovative information system – the ideal sales tool!

File Under F@cking Brilliant Part III

Created entirely by Stink Digital, this new interactive campaign promotes Philips latest entrant into the television market, the CINEMA 21:9.

Since the televisions 21:9 frame lends itself so readily to film, Tribal DDB, Amsterdam commissioned Stink Digital create a piece of filmed content that could hold its own with Hollywoods best.

Directed by Adam Berg, Carousel is a 2 minute 19 second short film sponsored by Philips. The film offers an exploration into one single frozen moment of time in a robbery gone wrong in one Hard Boiled-inspired continuous tracking shot. Director Berg responded with an idea for an epic cops and robbers shootout sequence that included clowns, explosions, a decimated hospital, and plenty of broken glass and bullet casings. The story line is obviously taking a cue from Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight, featuring a swat team who has moved in to a decimated hospital, entering into a shootout with a bunch of robbers wearing sinister clown masks. Around 90 per cent of the footage and stunts were captured in camera.

This epic film is the centrepiece of the project. On its own, it clocks in at a (totally coincidental) two minutes and 19 seconds, but Berg conceived it to work as an endless loop. Visitors to the microsite therefore have the option to spin through the films single take shot repeatedly, to stop on a specific frame, or to watch it at the preordained speed. The film also contains embedded hotspots, which, when triggered, transport the viewer seamlessly from the heavily posted film to a behind-the-scenes version of the same shot.

This constant moving between two layers of reality proved one of the projects biggest and most ambitious production challenges.

Other details of the online execution play off the cinematic theme; the microsites loader doubles as a credit sequence, while rich media takeover banners drive traffic to the site by teasing viewers with an original Carousel trailer.

All aspects of the production, from the film shoot to web design and development, were conducted by Stink Digital.

cinema.phillips.com

GLAAD’s Advertising Media Program

Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) has an amazing learning resource called the Advertising Media Program that incorporates the "Commercial Closet", that is dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive representation of people and events in the media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.

Mission Statement

GLAAD is dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive representation of people and events in the media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.

"Words & Images Matter"

Do you remember the first time you saw a gay character on TV? Or the first time you read a profile of an openly gay or transgender leader in your local newspaper. GLAAD, has been the crusader for change, changing people's hearts and minds through what they see in the media. They understand that when people watch on TV or read in their newspaper it will shape how the public will view and treat the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community, and their mandate is to increase awareness and fairness that those images foster understanding and respect.

When media images of GLBT lives are fair, accurate and inclusive, then there is an increasingly welcome and accepting relationship into a society that respects difference. When those images perpetuate stereotypes, myths and misinformation about those lives, then the community becomes vulnerable to anti-gay forces working to create a world in which these individuals do not exist.

Fair, accurate and inclusive media images shatter stereotypes.

What is a "Gay" ad? What's in the Ad Library?

This website is a collection that focuses on mainstream corporate advertising and its incredible power to affect how the Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender community is perceived. They collect worldwide corporate ads with direct references to GLBT people or a GLBT theme, including political ads and those from government and health agencies, nonprofits, gay and anti-gay organizations.

Some references may not actually involve a gay person, just the idea of homosexuality or transgender. This may include cross-gender dressing, "inappropriate" gender behavior, references to male-male rape, gay sexual practice, and some same-gender physical contact/interaction.

Cultural perspectives on what constitutes homosexuality versus friendship vary greatly; the sites bias is through an American "lens", and at discretion of GLAAD, they collect some "gay vague" material -- where sexuality is unclear and may allow for gay interpretations.

The project also comprehensively tracks (but does not rate) print and internet ads in the gay media.

Which ad agencies are most profiled on CommercialCloset.org?

DDB (Needhan) is the tops -- with 85 ads total, including 43 for Mainstream viewers 37 for Gay audiences, 5 for dual audiences.

Other top agencies making the most GLBT-themed commercials include TBWAWorldwide (52), LeoBurnett (46), Y&R (42), BBDO (40), LowePartners (37), McCann Erickson (32), JWT (32), Saatchi Saatchi (28), Publicis (22), and Euro RSCG (20).

The AdRespect Score

The AdRespect Score is a numerically-based system used to rate ads on a scale of 0 (worst) to 100 (best) based on the types of representations and inclusiveness of the GLBT community. The score itself is calculated by an algorithm that relies on the themes present in each commercial to determine the points earned. The themes are assigned by the editorial staff, and are separate from likability scores generated by site visitors.

To see the rating system please visit the commercialcloset.org site.

GLAAD Media Awards Promo

Update: True Blood

A few weeks back there were many a blog and advertising websites that posted this wonderful "ambient" out of home piece promoting the television show "True Blood".

This was done in New Zealand for the television network "Prime".

My first thoughts turned to safety and weapons... but quickly upon closer view the "stakes: were fixed to the sign with screws (look closely at the screws at bottom).

As all great ambient pieces the public loved it and soon they figured a way to take a piece of action home.

No reports of vampire sittings were noted or any illegal use of the stakes appear on the local police blotters.

Credits:

Agency: DraftFCB, Auckland, New Zealand
Executive Creative Director: James Mok
Creative Directors: Chris Schofield, Billy McQueen
Art Director: Iain MacMillan
Copywriter: Antony Wilson

The Death of The Mixed Tape...

... and other great devices from the not so recent past.

How has the digital world impacted the many products anyone born before 1985 became accustomed to?

What will happen when a cassette tape and an iPod are making babies?

They give birth… check this out.

McDonald's... Racist? Read the fine print.

At first sight the new advertising campaign for McDonald's in Sweden gives you quite a shock.

It’s hard to believe one’s eyes, but there it stands, in bold print:

“We don’t hire Turks, Greeks, Poles, Indians, Ethiopians, Vietnamese, Chinese and Peruvians”.

Excuse me, are you serious?

In terms of creativity, boring and so old school... in fact 1968 called and it wants its ad back. This is like the "FREE SEX" in bold, only to reveal "now that we got your attention let's talk about your dry cleaning". Sad, this is just tired. Very tired.

But as usual, read the fine print... further down on the poster (surprise) is written:

Nor Swedes, South Koreans, or Norwegians. We hire individuals. We don’t care what your surname is. Because ambition and determination have nothing to do with your nationality. McDonald’s is one of the most integrated companies in Sweden, with as many as ninety-five nationalities working for us. Join us.

I can't understand how the campaign has sparked heated debates. Those who only read the beginning are of course shocked, whereas others are intrigued by it (and continue reading the rest of the message). Really, I was always of the opinion that Sweden was an innovative and creative capital, but this just doesn't play, not even in Stockholm.

I guess the ad fulfilled its primary objective, which was to make people talk about McDonald’s. But was that really the objective?

Just In Case You Are Ever Asked.

The Origins of the Slinky

In case you find yourself in need of winning a bar bet or simple wondered, "Where did that idea come from?"

Slinky was invented by Naval engineer Richard James.

He knocked a spring off of a shelf when he was working to develop springs that could keep ship instruments stable in choppy waters.

The spring did what a Slinky does… it stepped down to a stack of books, then to the table, and then to the floor, where it righted itself into a cylinder. James knew it would be a great toy, and tests by neighborhood kids proved him right.

And now you Know.

The Unicef Tap Project - Vegas

You don't have to be a celebrity to make a difference.

On World Water Day, March 22, 2007, hundreds of restaurants in New York City invited customers to donate just $1 for the tap water they usually enjoy for free.

All the money raised through the Tap Project helps UNICEF save lives by providing safe drinking water to children around the world.

The Tap Project was born with the vision of David Droga and Droga5 of New York. The idea is to offer patrons of New York City restaurants --where tap water is served for free-- the opportunity to pay a dollar for the same water poured from a bottle bearing a special seal created by Droga5.

In short, the project asked restaurant goers to donate one dollar for a privilege we all take for granted. Proceeds will go to UNICEF's various efforts to make clean drinking water available to the 1.1 billion people who have none.

"We're asking people to consider donating a dollar for the privilege of living in a First World city," Droga says. "The payoff is that we've done something empirically good."

Thanks to every restaurant, customer, donor, and organization who contributed to the Tap Project and helped make the first year a success! The Tap Project will be in cities across the country

Here are examples of this years "Tap Project - Vegas" campaign. Fun, while offering the true nature of Vegas.



Advertising Agency: R&R Partners, Las Vegas, USA
Group Creative Director: Arnie DiGeorge
Senior Art Director: Mark Naparstek
Copywriter: Chris Hagan
Photographer: Roger Hagadone
Retouchers: Liv Ducci Playground

In addition to these ads take a moment to view the "Tap Project" video.

Fresh Work. Fun Work.

Greetings...

Looks like I am backup and running after a few days of rest to get rid of two bugs.

One that took my insides and turned them out, and a bitter virus that killed my computer.

So final, the "AdGuy" has turned "FadGuy". I bought a MacBook.

Yes, I have joined the revolution. A little late, but I have reproted for duty.

I found these ads created by Y&R Toronto for something called Cuttie Cuts a local hair salon for kids. Fun thinking and innovative reuse of the common "tear-away"
poster.


Credits:

Brand: Cuttie Cut Children's Hair Salon
Agency: Y&R Toronto
Creative Director: David Houghton
Art Director: Zachary Muir-Vavrina
Copywriter: Sussana Forieri
Photographer: Jeremy Kohm

Partie a la peche...

Sorry I have been away...

...both physically ill and then the sad painful death of my computer.

I know, I know get a Mac.

So I am... in fact this is my first post using a MacBook... and now I hear there are Hard Drive issues with the newest MacBooks.

Can we ever win.

I promise I will be back soon.

G-d knows the ad world never stops... but until my return go buy one of these:

http://www.chia.com/

Until I return fulltime.

Peace and Love

File Under F@cking Brilliant! Part II.

What do you do when your consumer base doesn't realize that you do much more and offer more… well you create a little magic. The UPS Stores just created a "cardboard" world to help it, um, get outside the box.

A new campaign from independent Southfield (Detroit), Mich.- based Doner Advertising that launched this week and features elaborate cardboard landscapes populated by cardboard people. It's a dramatic break from the more traditional work the UPS Store has used since rebranding itself from Mail Boxes Etc. in 2003. The most recent campaign touting its various services showed consumers in the store, with Stevie Wonder's "Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing" as its soundtrack and generally met sales targets, but it didn't change the perception of The UPS Store -- which offers printing, copying, office supplies and other business services -- as a shipping-only outlet.

Creative... Yes, Best... Hmmmmm.

The Audi "Boxed Car" spot was all about thinking "outside the box", and I see that as the gold standard of what might be a trend in "cardboard anime" these days. But this effort does get you thinking, "What more can the UPS store do". The message is alittle on nailing down the overall "multi" services.

There certainly isn't much work, if any, out there that looks much like the campaign's first TV spot, called "Coliseum." It features a cardboard small-business owner warring with a cardboard lion in what appears to be a cardboard replica of the Roman Coliseum.

The business owner fights off the lion with the help of the UPS Store, which arms him with documents and other supplies. At one point, he smacks the lion on the head with a rolled up presentation, and the resulting hollow sound is that of a cardboard paper-towel tube hitting a cardboard box, and when the lion roars, the sound heard is cardboard tearing, said Doner VP-Creative Director Jimmy Kollin.

On one level, creating a world full of cardboard seems an odd choice for a marketer trying to show there is more to its existence than shipping, but Doner executives said that was the point. "We wanted to use the thing that they're best known for to promote the things that people don't know we do," Mr. Kollin said. "There's really nothing we can't do in cardboard, so what was the limiter becomes limitless."

AUDI Q5 - Take Me Riding Spot