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Director Charlie Watson of Millennium Pictures shoots in Romania

 TV   CANADA    October 11, 2005 00:03 (Edited: February 17, 2023 04:19)
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Director Charlie Watson of Millennium Pictures recently completed a spot project for Rompetrol via Odyssey Communication/ Romania.
Shot entirely on location, “Addio A Cheyenne” uses a series of vignettes to illustrate how the Romanian oil and gas conglomerate draws together consumers from all walks of life.

Production Company: Millennium Pictures
Director: Charlie Watson
DP: Sebastian Wladyslaw Milaszewski
EP: Jeanne Mattiusi
Managing Director: Caroline Von Weyher
Producer: Gabi Antal – Abis Studio

Agency: Odyssey Communication/ Romania
CD(s): Valentin Suciu, Silviu Padurariu
AD: Ana Tautu
Copy: Silviu Padurariu
Editorial: Abis Studio/ Romania
Editor: Theo Penciu
Telecine: Abis Studio/ Romania
Colorist: Simona Cristea Post/Effects: Abis Studio/ Romania
VFX/Inferno Artist(s): Stefan Cios, Petruta Panait


Inside the producer's head. Tom Keramidas, VP/ Senior Producer,

 INSIDE THEIR HEADS   EUROPE    October 10, 2005 23:36 (Edited: February 17, 2023 04:19)
This week, we've put a series of questions to a few TV producers around the globe trying to get inside their heads.
Amongst them ... Tom Keramidas, VP/ Senior Producer, Leo Burnett, Chicago.


bestads: How do you choose directors?
TK: I have a database with extensive notes on every director's reel I've screened. I input information about what they tend to shoot and how I feel about the work. When a new project comes up, my database gives me a good starting list of directors.

bestads: What’s the usual process? Is there a better way?
TK: I wish there was enough time for me to keep up with all the reels that keep coming in. I depend on sales reps to keep me updated. Most are a wonderful resource.

bestads: Is there enough time in the day to watch all of the incoming reels?
TK: No. But I've started watching them on long flights, especially when the movie sucks.

bestads: Some producers call themselves creative wranglers. A bit harsh?
TK: I prefer creative partners.

bestads: The producer is always the last to leave the looooong post sessions. True or false?
TK: True. I've been burned by assuming something will be handled too often.

bestads: Caffeine management. Any tips?
TK: grande 2 pump vanilla skim latte, twice a day. No more.

bestads: Who are the main culprits for blowing out the budgets?
TK: Cost controllers who need to get their pound of flesh out of an already tight bid. Budgets that are inadequate for the job right out of the gate.

bestads: The secret of slashing a sizeable chunk of money off the budget ...
TK: Music, animation and effects are often areas that have fewer "hard costs", and can be priced very aggressively if the supplier really wants the job.

bestads: Does agency producing set you up for a career in the diplomatic corps?
TK: Absolutely. Especially international productions.

Inside the producer's head. Terry Slade-Baker, FCB NZ ... soon!

 INSIDE THEIR HEADS   AUSTRALIA    October 10, 2005 23:18 (Edited: February 17, 2023 04:19)
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This week, we've put a series of questions to a few TV producers around the globe trying to get inside their heads.
Amongst them ... Terry Slade-Baker, soon-to-be Head of TV, FCB New Zealand. BTW that's a picture of Terry's Husky.



bestads: How do you choose directors? What’s the usual process? Is there a better way?
TSB: Knowledge word of mouth a good network and the constant renewal of reels from old and new Directors,


bestads: Is there enough time in the day to watch all of the incoming reels?
TSB: No, but I guess you learn to skip through them quickly.

bestads: Some producers call themselves creative wranglers. A bit harsh?
TSB: Yes, a good producer needs to know and understand the creatives, they all focus on the idea, but with different priorities. It’s my job to know what their individual priorities are and accommodate them as much as possible.

bestads: The producer is always the last to leave the looooong post sessions. True or false?
TSB: Yes, a creative producer can be invaluable during the post process but he/she is still the person responsible for detail, and getting it right means seeing it through to the end. We do not always have the luxury of time or money to wait and “see it in the morning”

bestads: Caffeine management. Any tips?
TSB: What my Mother always said “everything in moderation”

bestads: Who are the main culprits for blowing out the budgets?
TSB: Budgets should not get blown, if overspend is required a good producer will always get approval for it from client or head of agency, and only for good reasons. If a job goes to plan the budget should to. I refer to point 3 above as understanding the idea and what the creatives want should allow a producer to budget properly.

bestads: The secret of slashing a sizeable chunk of money off the budget ...
TSB: The client has to lose something he wants.

bestads: Does agency producing set you up for a career in the diplomatic corps?
TSB: Highly likely.

Humpty Dumpty

 TV   AUSTRALIA    October 10, 2005 23:13 (Edited: February 17, 2023 04:19)
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New work for the Humpty Dumpty Foundation through DDB Sydney.

A few words from Sean Ascroft, Head of TV, DDB Sydney:

Driven by Paul Francis and his unstoppable team, the Humpty Dumpty Foundation has continued to tirelessly raise funds to purchase vital life-saving and pain-reducing equipment for the Children's ward at the Royal North Shore Hospital.

If you wonder whether all the hard work is worth it, have a look at the children's ward at the Royal North Shore Hospital and all the smiling faces on the kids.

To view the spot ( & credits) click ....
HERE

AMV BBDO (UK) ... Motivating people to read more

 TV   CANADA    October 10, 2005 22:58 (Edited: February 17, 2023 04:19)
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New work for BBC RAW through AMV BBDO London

To encourage people to read more by showing how books can let you escape. We see a scene play out as someone is reading. However when they shut the book the scene changes instantly and we realise it was all in the book as we hear the line live more lives.


Agency Producer: Ella Littlewood
Art Director: Mike Nicholson/Jonathan John
Copywriter: Mike Nicholson/Jonathan John
Director: Paul Gay
Executive Creative Director: Paul Brazier
Production Company BBC Broadcast

New work for Burger King Canada through Reginald Pike

 TV   EUROPE    October 10, 2005 22:36 (Edited: February 17, 2023 04:19)
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New work for Burger King through Reginald Pike.

A couple of very amusing spots have just been completed for BK Canada through Reginald Pike, for Communication Bleu Blanc Rouge. It looks like sitting down has become an imperative for eating BK burgers.

Titles: Jackhammer, Lumberjack
Client: Burger King
Country: Canada
Agency: Communication Bleu Blanc Rouge
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Creative Director: Gaétan Namouric
Art Director: Laura Kim
Copywriter: Mélanie Delisle
Agency Producer: Normand Vaillancourt
Director: Brian Lee Hughes
Production Company: Cinélande / Reginald Pike
Producer: Sylvie Dubé
Director Of Photography: Jean-François Lord
Executive Producer: Sylvie Dubé
Transfer: Technicolor
On-Line: Buzz
Editor & Company: Graham Chrisholm & Quatre Zéro Un


Bob Giraldi, Director @ GIRALDI

 INSIDE THEIR HEADS   EUROPE    October 10, 2005 22:19 (Edited: February 17, 2023 04:19)
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We've asked a few prominent directors a round of questions for our regular section "Inside Their Heads".

Inside the head of ...
Bob Giraldi, Director @ GIRALDI


From writing and directing classic music videos “Beat It,” “Love is a Battlefield,” “Hello,” and “Say, Say, Say,” to helming landmark advertising campaigns for Pepsi-Cola (featuring Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie) and Miller Lite (featuring Rodney Dangerfield, Billy Martin, John Madden, and Bob Ueker), and the Broadway show spots for “A Chorus Line,” “Dream Girls,” “Evita,” and “Phantom of the Opera,” Bob Giraldi clearly has had a hand in shaping popular culture.


bestads: SO WHAT DREW YOU TO THE DARK SIDE...DIRECTING?
BG: It was so long ago, I’ve almost forgotten – as I remember, I was an art director in the early 70’s at Jerry Della Femina’s agency where the culture was far more relaxed, but cruder – we all created amongst the drugs, war protests, card-playing, and tardiness – I decided to direct.

bestads: DOING THE GIG...NO PROBLEM. GETTING THE GIG...HMMMM.
BG: Who says “doing the gig is no problem?” But you’re right, “getting the gig” is far more complex – phony phone calls, ghost-written treatments, executive producer hand-holding, insincere rep relationships – undeliverable promises – but, at the end of the day, the client is now the most underrated factor in who gets the gig.

bestads: THE ONLY THING BETWEEN YOU AND A GOLD LION IS...
BG: A very large ocean.

bestads: SHOOT DAYS: THE LIFE BLOOD? THE DRUG? OR ACCELERATED AGING?
BG: The shoot day is still the high. Sometimes I feel like Eli Manning getting ready to go to work and learn it all for the first time. Other times I come home feeling like Mike Tyson.

bestads: THE PACK SHOT – THE DEVIL INCARNATE?
BG: I would have an opinion if I ever stayed on set to shoot one.

bestads: WHAT’S YOUR PERSONAL SECRET TO MANAGING ALL THE “PERSONALITIES” INVOLVED IN ANY ONE SHOOT?
BG: I can’t really say if I’m successful at it, but I know one attempt that didn’t work. Years ago, when asked the same question by a national newspaper about working with Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney on the same set, I said; “there‘s only room for one star on my set – and that’s the director.” Needless to say what happened after that.

bestads: SHOOT WITH YOUR MOBILE/CELL PHONE, EDIT & POST FX ON YOUR LAP TOP, OUTPUT AS QUICKTIME, UPLOAD TO NET. BINGO. NOW IF WE JUST DISPENSE WITH THE CLIENT! WHERE’S IT ALL HEADING? AT THE END OF THE DAY...
BG: ...I’m high as a kite on the new technology and challenges – but to me, it‘ll always remain a business where if you do quality, you’ll do quantity...but will never work the other way around.

RUSHES CREATE A CINEMATIC 3D CITY FOR ACTION MAN

 POST PRODUCTION   CANADA    October 10, 2005 21:48 (Edited: February 17, 2023 04:19)
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RUSHES CREATE A CINEMATIC 3D CITY FOR ACTION MAN


Rushes have recently completed a fast paced, colourful commercial for Action Man, made exclusively for the cinema.

The commercial is seen from the perspective of our dare devil hero as he drives and flies through the exciting fictional streets of Landmark city. On his journey, Action Man is almost thwarted by his arch enemy and accompanying evil henchmen.

Title: ‘Debrief’
Agency: DDB London
Agency Producer: Lucy Westmore
Director Kent Shively
Post Facility: Rushes
3D: Angela Noble, Craig Travis, Nathan Walster, Stafford Lawrence, Charles Beglan
Graphic Design: Matt Lawrenc
Fire: Paul Wratten
Rushes Producer: Danny Jones


Mitsubishi - through BBDO NY

 TV   EUROPE    October 10, 2005 21:30 (Edited: February 17, 2023 04:19)
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The new Mitsubishi "King of the Hill" spot from BBDO NY shows just how intimidating a 4x4 can be.

I can't help wondering if you're allowed to mention "the police" when you're working with composer/ drummer Stewart Copeland? And what's the meaning of these dust patterns at the end of the spot .... ?

https://www.bestadsontv.com/news/upload/mitsubishi-kingofthehill05.jpg
Chief Creative Officer: David Lubars
Exec. Creative Director: Bill Bruce
Creative Director: Mark Wegwerth, Christopher Cole
Copywriter: Mark Wegwerth
Art Director: Christopher Cole
Producer: Jeff Beverly
Exec. Music Producer: Loren Parkins
Production Company: HSI
Director: Gerard de Thame
Cinematographer: Dennis Crossan
Producer: Fabian Daws
Editing House: Nomad Editing Company, Inc Santa Monica
Editor: John Murray
VFX: Sight Effects
VFX Artists: Gavin Malkovich, Jason Mortimor
Sound Design: Francois Blaignon
Music Company: Groove Addicts, Los Angeles
Composer: Stewart Copeland

New O2 spots through VCCP

 TV   CANADA    October 10, 2005 20:46 (Edited: February 17, 2023 04:19)
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O2 & VCCP Change Direction with Vaughn Arnell & Absolute

O2’s latest, ‘Treats’ and ‘I-Mode’, continue to be beautifully art-directed but this time around they take a subtle turn. The usual production team has been shaken-up in order to add a new, more approachable feel to the brand. Pagan’s Vaughn Arnell and Absolute’s David Smith (who cut the job as well as leading the VFX) form two significant elements of the shake-up.

Agency: VCCP
Creatives: Kieran & Veryan
Agency Producer: Maggie Campbell
PA: Sue Cook

Production Company: Pagan
Director: Vaughn Arnell
Prod Co Producer: Adam Saward

LAWRENCE HONOURED IN THE US

 LATEST NEWS   AUSTRALIA    October 07, 2005 00:34 (Edited: February 17, 2023 04:19)
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TVC director Ben Lawrence of Caravan Pictures, Sydney has just been honoured in the 2005 AICP awards in the US. Listed alongside other winners Martin Scorsese and David Fincher. Lawrence's "Holiday" spot for Telstra Big Pond, via BWM Sydney, was one of only three non-US ads awarded. The spot was also ranked number 2 hottest spot in the world on AdFourm. The commercial will remain in the New York, Museum of Modern Art's permanent collection, representative of the year's best ads. It's very prestigious, and tops off his silver Clio and Cannes Bronze Lion win for Red Cross, via BMF Sydney.
Lawrence has also just signed for US representation with bicoastal TRIO films.

This was a bestads featured spot. To see it again click ...
HERE

Oliver Maisey - Fastest in THE WORLD!

 TV   AUSTRALIA    October 06, 2005 08:20 (Edited: February 17, 2023 04:19)
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Oliver Maisey (ECD of FCB New Zealand) was THE FIRST to use our on-line submissions page ... minutes after it went live. He went on to say .....

"canteen is a charity that helps and supports young people living with cancer. each year they sell bandanas to raise money. we remade this classic muppet skit, replacing 'manamanah' with 'bandanana' "



Client: Canteen
Agency: FCB New Zealand
Executive Creative Director: Oliver Maisey
Art Director: Dave Brady
Copywriter: Hayley Brunt
Agency Producer: Michelle Delaney
Director/ DOP: Daryl Ward
Producer: Matt Noonan
Prod Co: Curious Film

CURIOUS Producer’s Note: “Thank you to the agency for making the impossible happen and also to TK & Mark at Bob Industries. Without TK's help we could not have done the spot to the level we were able to, and Mark made it happen by giving us an awesome team!”

Guest comments from Mother London (for Orange "Rio")

 GUEST COMMENTS   USA    October 06, 2005 06:47 (Edited: February 17, 2023 04:19)
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Some background from the creatives, Gustavo and Augusto, Mother London

We had to come up with a story that could represent all the great things that can happen when technology is switched on.
I was still living in Brazil in 97 when that happened and I saw Renato dancing for the first time in my TV at home. It was amazing to see how such a small gesture completely changed a guy's life for better. In a way his story managed to raise all the street cleaners' self esteem in Brazil. It made their profession more respected.


I told Renato's story to my partner Augusto and we thought it would be great to make a film about that. The nicest thing about this film is that we managed to use the REAL Renato to do it. It was very important to have the real guy in the ad. First because it made all the scenes a bit more believable, especially the Carnival one.
And second because it kind of makes the film the next step on Renato's story. He became very famous in Brazil, and now is becoming famous in England as well. So in a way technology and the means of communication are still helping to spread his story.


Mates Rates - from Saatchis UK

 TV   CANADA    October 06, 2005 05:53 (Edited: February 17, 2023 04:19)
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A nice idea in combination with tasty SFX in this recent spot from Saatchis UK

Product : Mares Rates from T.mobile
Title : knickers
Agency : Saatchi&Saatchi london
Creatives : Cassandra Yap (Copywriter)
Marion Cohen (art director)
Chris Moore (Agency producer)
Director: Jason Smith
Prod. Co: Home films
Country: UK

EA Sports - Mech Warriors

 TV   EUROPE    October 06, 2005 05:46 (Edited: February 17, 2023 04:19)
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More impressive SFX. This time from motion theory









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Agency: Wieden+Kennedy
Executive Producer: Ben Grylewicz
Producer: Jennifer Fiske
Creative Director: Steve Luker
Art Director/Copy Writer: Chris Hutchinson
Art Director/Copywriter: Driscoll Reid
Account Executive: Alberto Escobedo/Jesse Long


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Impressive SFX in the lastest from Comcast

 TV   EUROPE    October 06, 2005 05:33 (Edited: February 17, 2023 04:19)
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Ad Agency: Goodby, Silverstein & Partners
Creative Director/Copywriter: Jamie Barrett Partner
Creative Director/Art Director: Mark Wenneker
Senior Agency Producer: Tanya LeSieur

Production Company: MJZ
Director: Fredrik Bond
Executive Producer: David Zander, Lisa Rich
Director of Photography: Stephen Blackman
Production Designer: Dominic Watkins

Editorial: Peepshow / Cosmos Street
Editor: Andrea MacArthur

Visual Effects: Method

Original Music and Sound Design: Stimmüng

Featured spot - Escape (one of this week's bestads)

 TV   USA    October 06, 2005 05:22 (Edited: February 17, 2023 04:19)
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A bit of background to "Escape", one of this week's featured spots ...


“Escape” from Carphone Warehouse was written by Charlies Inge, creative director of Clemmow Horby Inge, London.

With a budget of £500,000, it was shot over four days in Budapest by Stink Films and was directed by Zak and Dan, produced by Olivia Hirschberg, and photographed by Jan Velicky.

The Budapest crew was put together through Strawberry Films, who sourced some amazing locations, including a communist iron foundry and a deserted Mig air base.

It was a very challenging shoot, since only one shot in the entire 60s spot was free of post production. This meant every scene had to be visualized without the plates, 3D and 2D that would end up in the final picture. Also, the hero of the piece, our plucky little phone was obviously missing in every shot.

Post production was obviously key to this production, and all CGI, matte paintings, 2D and TK were courtesy of the Moving Picture Company, London, overseen by producer Andy Bell. Inferno operator Dan Sanders was ever-present on the set to supervise all post-heavy shots, some of which include over sixty different layers in the final reckoning.

Passion Pictures provided the 3D animation for the main character of the film, Mowbli.

The film was cut by Kate Owen at Marshall Street Editors, Soho.

The stirring soundtrack was a piece especially composed by Gordan Halaykievich back in London.

The Sweet Shop has just signed two new directors.

 PEOPLE   AUSTRALIA    October 06, 2005 05:17 (Edited: February 17, 2023 04:19)
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The Sweet Shop is delighted to announce the addition of award-winning directors Andy Lambert and Michael Wong to The Sweet Shop’s ranks.

The Sweet Shop will represent English director Andy Lambert in the States, Australasia and Europe, excluding London. The Sweet Shop will represent Michael Wong globally.

Andy Lambert will continue to be represented by Blink in London and Michael Wong by Bistro Films in Prague.

WIEDEN+KENNEDY/AMSTERDAM MAKES DESIGNS ON TOP NIKE CREATIVE

 PEOPLE   CANADA    October 06, 2005 04:37 (Edited: February 17, 2023 04:19)
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Design and brand visionary Andy Walker leaves central role at Nike Portland to join W+K/Amsterdam

Wieden+Kennedy/Amsterdam announced the hiring of Nike’s Andy Walker to the creative team. Walker leaves his leadership position of Art Director, Advanced Concepts Group, Global Brand Design at Nike HQ in Portland to become Creative Director at W+K/Amsterdam, working across all clients under the leadership of Executive Creative Directors Al Moseley and John Norman.

“This is a major coup for Wieden+Kennedy/Amsterdam and we’re delighted to welcome Andy on board”, said John Norman. “Andy’s creative reputation at Nike is already legendary. He’s been central to developing a present and future vision for the global Nike brand. We’re stoked that he’s joining us.”

Al Moseley continued, “With a background in design rather than advertising, he’s got a fresh perspective on where the ad industry is going, both creatively and conceptually. He’s going to have a major impact on the work we produce. Not just for Nike but all our clients are going to benefit from his appointment.”

Design award-winning Andy Walker, originally from the UK, has spent the last five years at Nike Portland where he set visual direction of Nike brand communications to consumers worldwide. Projects have included design strategy and execution on high profile global initiatives such as World Cup ’06, 2004 Olympics, designing the Nike corporate jet, and conception of the Nike iD retail Space in New York, a first of its kind customization studio for footwear.

“I started out in fashion, moved into sport, then brand design”, said Andy Walker, “so moving into advertising seemed like the logical next step for me. I’ve shied away from it for a while but the bug caught up with me. Once I seriously thought about it, Wieden+Kennedy was a natural fit, in terms of creative excellence, ambition, and caliber of clients. My background is design not advertising, so I’m bringing a fresh approach to the Amsterdam team, extending the offering.”

Self-Serve News - from bestads

 FROM BESTADSONTV   USA    October 05, 2005 01:39 (Edited: February 17, 2023 04:19)
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Got some news? or gossip? ... or a viewpoint?

Shifting agencies? Done some good work? Feel like boasting?

Log in & post it!

It'll sure save us some time!




Interesting way to seed a viral ....

 TV   AUSTRALIA    October 05, 2005 01:12 (Edited: February 17, 2023 04:19)
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This is probably interesting to any ad region, except that they'd be saying "who the hell is Jason Donovan", so here it is. (beamo).

Jason Donovan Makes Ad Debut In Virgin Mobile’s
“Enjoy Our Rates Responsibly “ Campaign


Virgin Mobile Australia last week unveiled its new ad campaign, featuring infamous Australian Actor / Singer / Musician Jason Donovan, providing the reveal to a viral tease that kicked-off covertly on the internet in August.

The new campaign, a first for Jason Donovan, seeks to continue the well-established Virgin to Virgin theme which highlights the low text and call rates available to Virgin Mobile customers.

The new campaign was initially leaked online to an unsuspecting public on August 22nd with a carefully seeded faux photo. The photo appeared to be a “paparazzi” shot of Jason getting into his blue Range Rover with a for sale sign in the rear window & his mobile number 0403 527 663 (0403 JASOND) clearly visible. The Range Rover also appeared For Sale on various websites.

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Interest in the photo escalated quickly, fuelled by various web forums, blogs and fansites. The story was rapidly picked up by the mainstream media with coverage in the Sydney Morning Herald, on NOVA radio, The Sun Herald, The Sunday Telegraph and various regional radio stations.

In w/c September 12th, Virgin Mobile placed announcement style press and radio ads (featuring Mr Branson himself) confirming that Jason Donovan was indeed a Virgin Mobile customer. The ads urged other customers to refrain from contacting Donovan and to use the rates responsibly.

By Sunday 18th September over 5000 calls and texts had been made to 0403 JASOND and a number of prank videos of people filming Jason being subjected to these nuisance calls were circulating the internet.

The core campaign was unveiled on Sunday 18th September in a series of voyeuristic TV commercials where viewers see Jason Donovan in a variety of compromising situations, being bombarded with calls and texts of adoration (& abuse) from his so called “fans”. The official style announcement ads and corporate voice-over explain that this footage has been sourced by Virgin Mobile from the internet and is an example of the terrible harassment that Jason is being put through. It urges the public to please not call or text the number published on the screen, 0403 JASOND, and to please use the low Virgin to Virgin 5¢ Text and 5¢/min* call rates responsibly.

After only one week of television advertising 0403JASOND has received over 70,000 texts and calls. The campaign continues until early December.

The campaign, again developed by ad agency HOST and creative partners The Glue Society, has spun the traditional TV ad to viral approach on its head. By leading with a non-branded, celebrity viral element, the campaign achieved early media and customer recognition, spurring on the campaign’s talkability. Viral and web activity was engineered by digital agency NetX.

Click here to view the spot:
VIEW

Inside the head of Director Theodore Melfi

 INSIDE THEIR HEADS   EUROPE    October 04, 2005 23:23 (Edited: February 17, 2023 04:19)
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As part of our regular section "inside their heads", we put a few questions to Theodore Melfi – Director @ Area 51 Films (and take a look at his spec spot "the attempt" below)

1. So what drew you to the dark side ... directing?

My father always said, “If you want to be something then you better be good fucking at it. Cause life don’t treat failures kindly”. And since I was not a good plumber, I chose the next most logical career.

2. Doing the gig ... no problem. Getting the gig ... hmmm.

Shooting is icing – I shoot literally all the time – anything I can get my hands on that is not porn… whether it be a music video, short or feature… Getting the job is the job. It’s all about the treatment for me. Any monkey can show up with a camera and shoot a board – but can you conceptualize and strategize on paper… Like all creatives must do. Can you present? Can you create on paper? We all know the job is damn near over before one frame of film runs through the gate.

3. The only thing between you and a gold lion is ... (most scripts? The client? The process ...?)

Nothing. Send the boards… See you in France.

4. Shoot days: The lifeblood? The drug? Or accelerated aging?
Shoot days are like Prom night… So much preparation… So much effort… Then the drinking and the afterparty… then poof… It’s all over and you’ve got a few phone numbers, several best friends and a tough case of gonorrhea.

5. The Pack Shot ... The devil incarnate?

What’s a pack shot? Is that a porn term?

6. What’s your personal secret to managing all of the “personalities” involved in any one project?

Calm. Peace. Patience. Every leader needs to create an atmosphere of safety. We are going to get the job done. It is going to turn out famously. Every problem is its own solution. Every unforeseen circumstance brings us one step closer to discovering genius.

7. Shoot with your mobile/ cell phone, edit & post FX on your lap top, output as quicktime, upload to net. Bingo. Now if we just dispense with the client! Where’s it all heading? At the end of the day ...

At the end of the day nothing ever changes. Just like your mother. “Oh, this year I’m gonna loose 15 pounds”. Sure you are. And this year hi-def is going to replace film… Sure it is. And this year client direct will eliminate the agency… Sure it will.

Here’s my theory…

People like to say shit. And they say shit all the time. Some say shit because they truly believe shit will happen. But most say shit just to be saying shit. And since all shit rolls downhill… Well… That’s a lot of people getting full of shit.

Good thing we have comedy.


And some recent work from Theodore:
Spots Title: “The Attempt”

Click here to view the spot:
VIEW

 
Commentary from Craig Lederman, Brian Morgan, and Ted (the director).

It can be a common theme in this business: frustrated creative folks banding together to shoot something on the edge...

Writer Craig Lederman and Art Director Brian Morgan approached director Theodore Melfi with an idea about a young man trying to commit suicide... Utilizing the fumes of the new Toyota Hybrid Prius. "The Attempt" is an utter failure, thanks to the super low emissions of the environmental friendly Prius.

Melfi directed the spot through his production company Area 51 Films (Santa Monica). Executive Producers Phyllis Koenig and Preston Lee supported the project on the heels of another commercial - the old piggy back approach.

With the help of friends in the production world, the spot was edited (Frank Effron @ Cut and Run), transferred (PJ @ Company 3), mixed (Mark Meyuhas @ Lime) and then emailed to ten million people and... Here we are.

DDB Singapore rolls out new work for Air Force

 TV   SINGAPORE    October 04, 2005 22:59 (Edited: February 17, 2023 04:19)
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DDB Singapore Executive Creative Director, Neil Johnson:

"Based on a fresh creative platform Like Nothing on Earth' the TVC is based on the premise that an Air Force is a blend of its people and its technology. The technology is ready. Only a select few have it in them to propel it. And how these world class people are created is told through visual metaphors. It is this combination of people and technology that results in a Force that can respond like nothing on earth".

Creative Director: Neil Johnson/ Terrence Tan
Account Mgt: Alan Lim/ Jimmy Yar/ Chris Chua
Writer: Christopher Lim, Alex Kuo
Art Director: Joel Chin, Terrence Tan
Director: Peter Cherry
Production House: Fluid Productions
Post-Production House : Infinite Frameworks
Media : Starcom Media

Cook & Goldman to Publicis & Hal Riney

 PEOPLE   EUROPE    October 04, 2005 22:19 (Edited: February 17, 2023 04:19)

Publicis & Hal Riney Continues to Strengthen Integrated Capability
with the Addition of Two Award-Winning Creatives
Ken Cook and Dominic Goldman to Further Heighten
Creative Focus on Integration and Interactivity

San Francisco, CA – October 3, 2005 – Publicis & Hal Riney today announced the appointments of two award-winning, senior creatives. Former head of the Microsoft team and all integration efforts at MRM Partners of McCann Worldgroup, Ken Cook joins the agency as Senior Vice President, Worldwide Creative Director–Brand Integration. Dominic Goldman joins from Goodby, Silverstein and Partners as VP Creative Director Interactive. Both are new positions created to provide clients with a heightened level of focus on integration and interactivity, enhancing their ability to compete in today’s evolving marketing environment. The hiring of Cook and Goldman closely follows the addition of brand integration specialists Jim Consolantis and Jamie King and further enhances the agency’s integrated capabilities.

“Both Ken and Dominic are award-winning creatives who make a habit of staying two steps ahead of industry trends,” said Jae Goodman, Co-Executive Creative Director. “Their addition to the team shows our commitment to putting integration and interactivity at the center of the creative process. We will continue to add talent that pushes our entire team to deliver a creative product that meets our clients’ very aggressive business goals by reaching customers in new and powerful ways. Ken and Dom will help us create consistent, effective messaging across all media – from traditional to the most cutting-edge.”

Cook, an 18-year industry veteran, has been continually recognized for his accomplishments across various disciplines, including marketing and communications design, packaging and corporate identity. He will report to Senior Vice President, Worldwide Creative Director, James Consolantis, and will be responsible for various disciplines as well as outside agencies and suppliers to achieve seamless integration for all Publicis & Hal Riney clients. Cook’s experience developing new brands and marketing ideas that are extendable through the line will be an invaluable addition to the team.

Goldman will report to Executive Creative Directors, Jae Goodman and Jon Soto, and will leverage more than 10 years of international experience to drive client marketing and branding strategies centered around interactivity. His belief that interactive should be equally deserving of big ideas as any other component will help revamp the creative process, and he will be responsible for driving that thinking throughout the organization, as well as connecting with other Publicis agencies.

“Advertising today isn’t about taking existing ideas and tweaking them for new media; this is a fundamental shift in the creative process,” said Jon Soto. “Ken and Dominic will be involved at every level of the process—from strategy through execution—to make sure we're always pushing ourselves and our clients to use new media in effective ways and to rethink core ideas when necessary.”

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Ken Cook
Prior to joining Riney, Cook was Executive Vice President and Executive Creative Director of MRM on the Microsoft business, where he was integral in building the team that grew and supported that account. He was responsible for the technology giant’s customer relationship management and direct and interactive efforts as well as ensuring complete integration with other agencies. When Cook founded his own design, branding and design firm, Brandtank, he leveraged research and a strategic planning focus, more typical of an agency model, and combined it with new media and the latest technology to produce strategy-based, innovative and award-winning solutions for clients. Previously, Cook was Senior Vice President, Brand Design Group Head at McCann, where he spearheaded a brand redesign for the Oakland A’s and created the first “Brand in Advertising” tools designed to guide the Microsoft work globally. He’s also served as Vice President, Creative Director of Brand and Advertising at Bank of America, founded and managed his own design firm, and held various creative positions at Siegel & Gale and Bright & Associates of TBWA/Chiat/Day.

Cook’s work has been honored by national and international design, advertising and communications competitions such as Communication Arts, the LA Art Directors Club, One Show, The New York Art Directors Club, Society of Publication Designers and the San Francisco Show. His work has also been featured in many books and industry publications such as The Annual of the Type Directors Club, American Corporate Identity, Graphic Design USA (annual of the AIGA), The AIGA Book Show Annual, Graphis and a number of print regional design annuals. Cook’s work resides in the permanent collections of the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., and the communications archives at Columbia University, New York City.
https://www.bestadsontv.com/news/upload/dom.jpg
Dominic Goldman
Goldman joins Riney from Goodby, Silverstein and Partners where he was Group Creative Director for a broad spectrum of businesses, including Adobe, Hewlett-Packard, Subway, Milk and Specialized. Prior to his time at Goodby, Goldman held several positions at Ogilvy & Mather’s Singapore office, culminating in Creative Director and head of the interactive group. Although he delivered exceptional work for Nokia, Volvo, Levis, The Economist, DHL, SPCA, Guinness and HOG, Goldman is best known for his part in elevating OgilvyOne to the number one creative position in the worldwide network.

To date, Goldman has achieved recognition for his work at numerous international awards shows, including The Clios, One Show, New York Festivals, Cannes, D&AD and Communication Arts. He has also served as a judge for many international award shows, including The One Show and The Clios.




Bikini Bandits

 LATEST NEWS   USA    October 04, 2005 21:12 (Edited: February 17, 2023 04:19)
https://www.bestadsontv.com/news/upload/bikini0[1].jpg
Just in from PETER GRASSE / CURIOUS FILM.

“The Bikini Bandits and the Curse of the Pirates Booty”
Plunders This Year’s Raindance Film Festival



Alternative Ad Agency GYRO Worldwide is poised to create sheer havoc at the Raindance Film Festival in London this week when it debuts its trailer for “The Bikini Bandits and the Curse of the Pirates Booty”, The full film, which clocks in at 100 minutes long, is slated for a summer 2006 release and the early buzz says it’s worth the wait.

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Half-animated and half live-action, the soon-to-be international cult classic was shot on location in Philadelphia, Hollywood, and New Zealand as a co-production of F-Hollywood Productions, & Curious Film. Curious producers Matt Noonan and Mei-Ling Wong are currently working with F- Hollywood and GYRO Worldwide to complete the film for its 2006 release. Of particular interest:

• A whole slew of rockers have attached themselves to the project, including Maynard James Keenan (Tool), G Love, Pete Shelley and Steve Diggle (The Buzzcocks), Mitch Harris (Napalm Death), Cheetah Chrome (Dead Boys), Captain Sensible (The Damned), Turbonegro, The Donnas, Ivan Meadows (Runninghouse) and Theo Kogan (Lunachicks).

• Get ready for some fresh faces: the film features all new girls who have been featured in Penthouse, Maxim, Stuff and FHM. Other girls have been featured in the Hip Hop Honeys video, adult film stars Belladonna and Tera Patrick make an appearance and, last but not least Valentina Vaughn (nominated Penthouse Pet of the Year). Yowza!

• Curious director Miki Magasiva directed parts of the film in New Zealand using locations and costumes from Xena: Warrior Princess along with Adrien Brody’s stunt double from “King Kong.” Principal photography was shot in Philadelphia with additional scenes at Maynard’s house in Hollywood, CA.

• The film is a unique technical collaboration, which uses 2-D flash characters and 3-D rendered backgrounds and effects to create a new look that has never been seen in the world of animation.

• The theme song for the movie was written and recorded by Curious house-band, Runninghouse, whose bassist Ivan Meadows is an associate producer at Curious Film and also appears in the movie as himself.


See the commercial at:
http://www.curiousfilm.com/user/bbonline.mov

For more information on the entire Bikini Bandits empire, visit http://www.bikinibandits.com and catch up on the madness and mayhem of the ever-growing Bikini Bandits series: “The Bikini Bandits Experience” (with Corey Feldman, Maynard James Keenan, Dee Dee Ramone, Jello Biafra, Schooly D, Gary The Retard and Hank The Angry Dwarf) along with “Bikini Bandits: Briefs, Shorts and Panties”.

Inside their heads - Tim Hearn and Graham Cappi, TBWA/London

 INSIDE THEIR HEADS   USA    October 04, 2005 08:04 (Edited: February 17, 2023 04:19)
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We've asked a few of last week's featured creatives a few questions ... to try to get inside their heads:

Tim Hearn and Graham Cappi, creatives at TBWA/London

Q: You've got a great idea. Who's the most difficult to slip it past?
A: The one who doesn't understand what a great idea is...

Q: It's all about the work. That's why partying is off the agenda.
A: Yes. Because otherwise, it's all about partying and work is off the agenda. And you're out of a job.

Q: 10% inspiration. What's the other 85%? (mathematics is certainly of the agenda)
A: 80% malt, hops, barley and pure spring water. 5% luck. (If you're only prepared to give 100%, forgo the luck.)

Q: Publicity. Who needs it?
A: Certainly not Tim Hearn and Graham Cappi, creatives at TBWA/London.

Q: If all copywriters are working on their novels, what are art directors working on?
A: Children's novels.

Guest Comments for the featured spot "Dutch Coarse"

 GUEST COMMENTS   USA    October 04, 2005 07:55 (Edited: February 17, 2023 04:19)
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Guest comments from The Two Pauls, creators of our featured spot "Dutch Coarse"

We are the Two Pauls (Paul Best and Paul Fraser) and we are founder members of a creative collective that doesn't have a name yet. It's been going for two months and 'Dutch Coarse' is the first work to go live. We work with other people to get good work out there, instead of disappearing into the bottom drawer as the client changes his mind yet again.

To take the line "Work like you don't need the money" the collective will only produce work we think has a good idea, even if it costs us. We are currently in the Dutch media for developing protest flags to put in dogshits (a major problem in Amsterdam) with lines like "My owner is an asshole".

So that's shit and swearing. Expect something about sex from us next month.

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