NEW NICORETTE CAMPAIGN VIA CLEMENGER BBDO SYDNEY

Clemenger BBDO Sydney has put to air a new spot for Nicorette, following up on the successful 'Gary' commercials in 2005.
In 2007 Gary is re-introduced as our successful Nicorette quitter, and becomes the new face of Nicorette. Gary, with the help of his trusty cheer squad, have now come back to advise quitters on the best quitting solutions from Nicorette. This first campaign is for Nicorette’s 16-hour patch, where we see our hero quitter Phil is calm and in control wearing his Nicorette 16 hour patch. The Cheersquad support him through his day confirming this as does Gary at the end of his day.


Creative Director: Danny Searle
Copywriter: Annika Johansson
Art Director: Paul Sharp
Director: Steve Saussey
Production Company: Film Construction
Digital CD: Kara Grey
Digital Designer: Michael Widgery
Digital Producer: Felicity Newman

M&C SAATCHI SYDNEY'S LAST WORK FOR NRMA INSURANCE

M&C Saatchi Sydney has created its final campaign for IAG’s NRMA Insurance. The television campaign, which is on air in Brisbane, features several high profile Brisbane Broncos NRL players. NRMA Insurance has sponsored the 2006 NRL premiers the Broncos for three years.
The new brand campaign shows the Broncos players in unfamiliar territory - working with NRMA Insurance staff - and the series of faux pas they make as a result.
The series of 5 commercials seek to demonstrate the breadth of experience and depth of products NRMA has in the Queensland market and uses the theme “We’re more help to you than the Broncos are to us.”
The Broncos featured in the campaign are: Darren Lockyer, Corey Parker, Petero Civoneceiva, Sam Thaiday, Tonie Carroll, Brent Tate.

Writer: Laurie Ingram
Art Director: Gav McLeod
Director: Darren Ashton
Producer: Mike Carlton
Production company: Republic
Post Production: Frame, Set & Match

GPYR MELBOURNE TEAM TOM MARTIN AND JULIAN SCHREIBER DEFECT TO CLEMS

Top George Patterson Y&R Melbourne team Tom Martin and Julian Schreiber are the latest to be leaving the agency, joining Clemenger BBDO, Melbourne in late February. Martin (top) co-created the Cricket Australia "Warnie" promotion which won a Silver and three Bronze Pencils at AWARD in November, while Schreiber (below) won a Gold Lion at Cannes and Silver at AWARD last year for the Chupa Chups print campaign. Their former ECD, James McGrath will join Clems on Monday. This is the third creative team hired by Clems this month in the wake of new business wins Fonterra and NAB.
Schreiber started out in advertising in Sydney, until taking a couple of years off overseas. Since returning he’s worked at Y&R Melbourne and then George Patts Y&R Melbourne for over three years. Apart from the Cannes Gold Lion for Chupa Chups Outdoor, he has won Silver and Bronze AWARD Pencils for work including the Australian Defence Force, multiple MADC awards and Caxtons, as well as the 2006 Caxton Best of Show for work on the MCG.
Martin has worked at George Patts Y&R for just over six years creating work for clients such as Fosters, Triple M’s ‘The Cage’ and Cricket Australia.

CLEMS MELBOURNE CREATES TWO PART TVC FOR MERCEDES

Clemenger BBDO Melbourne has put to air a two part commercial for Mercedes Benz. The objective was to engage the audience with a 45 second TVC of compelling suspense content prior to the piece finishing on the car. This was cut separate from the second part of the commercial. The second 15sec TVC had the more traditional style of driving footage and logo.

Copywriter: Emma Hill
Art Director: Cameron Hoelter
Creative Director: Emma Hill
Media: Gary Peace
Television Producer: Roz Ruwhiu
Strategy Planner: Mike Hyde
Production Company: Exit Films
Producer: Wilf Sweetland
Director: Mark Molloy
Sound House: Good Audio Sense
Post-Production: Iloura

AWARD 'CALL FOR ENTRIES' BRIEF - IDEAS WANTED

AWARD is calling for ideas for this year's Call for Entry Brief, which is open to all agencies and students throughout Australia, New Zealand and Asia. The winner will receive two free AWARD night tickets and a free membership, including the AWARD Annual 2006.

Requirements: Viral mpeg, FPC mag & A3 Poster, (the poster will have all category information on the back, with a call to action to the website where the majority of CFE information will be accessed.) Web banner for CFE website.
Budget: Tiny - but sponsorships offered in return for production work. Not to mention fame and fortune of your idea circulating Australian, NZ and Asian agencies!
Ideas Deadline: Tuesday 20th February @ 5pm.
Email your ideas to: angelika@awardonline.com, Fax to AWARD on 02 8287 3801 or post to Angelika Wachs, AWARD, QVB 1055, NSW 1230.

THE JOB
Announce the Call for Entry to the 2007 AWARD Awards.

TO WHOM
Everyone in advertising, design, interactive, production, post-production, direct marketing.

KEY CONSUMER INSIGHT
AWARD is the most reputable regional award show judged by the region’s most respected people. To get accepted into the book, and/or win a pencil would be an incredible honour that could jump me places.

WHAT WE WANT TO SAY
AWARD recognition = success

WHY IS THIS TRUE?
If any award is in direct recognition of those people who sit in judgment, then AWARD is the best regional honor as the people choosing the work are the region’s best. To have convinced the most hardened and talented people that your work should be selected to represent the year that was, is quite an achievement.

TONE
Challenging

MANDATORIES
Print Ad:
AWARD Logo & website address
Text; AWARD 2007 Call for Entries
Front of Poster:
AWARD Logo & website address
Text; AWARD 2007 Call for Entries
Back of Poster:
Sponsor Logos
Letter from the Chairman
Categories

ADVERTISING REQUIREMENTS
Preferably an award winning campaign

DDB MELBOURNE RELAUNCHES SENSIS 1234

Sensis and DDB Melbourne have launched a new campaign to promote Sensis’ revamped 1234 phone information service. The two TV ads were directed by Paul Middleditch, who is well known for his work on the iconic 'Big Ad' and 'Not Happy Jan' spots. Middleditch was also the puppeteer and provided the voice of the sock-puppet character for the spots.
The multi faceted campaign is supported by outdoor, direct marketing and online activity.

The DDB Melbourne Team:
Writer: Jim McKeown
Art Director: Luisa Paine
Creative Director: Michael Faudet
Producer: Naomi Ingleton
Account Management: Oliver Lynch and Suzy Lewis
Planning Director: Ian Forth
Director: Paul Middleditch
Production Company: Plaza Films
Media: OMD Melbourne

RINGER TO ECD GIG AT TBWA\HONG KONG

Former FCB Melbourne ECD, Mark Ringer, who left the agency in late 2005 to head to JWT Bangkok as regional CD on Unilever, has taken the ECD role at TBWA\Hong Kong, effective March 1. Prior to coming back to Australia to join FCB in January 2002, Ringer had quite a number of year's experience in Asia. He was associate CD at M&C Saatchi, Singapore from 2000 to late 2001, and from mid 1995 to mid 1999 had various senior copywriter stints at Batey Ads and DDB in Singapore. In 1999 he had freelance gigs at O&M in London and BBDO in Germany.
Ringer started his career at Young & Rubicam, Adelaide in 1991. In 1994 he headed to DDB Sydney where he stayed for a year until heading to Asia.

SAATCHI WORLDWIDE CREATIVE BOARD MEETS THIS WEEK IN SYDNEY

Saatchi & Saatchi's top creative directors from around the world, including worldwide CD, Australia's Bob Isherwood (left), are currently in Sydney for their bi annual worldwide creative board meeting. They will meet the press on Wednesday evening. Saatchi's worldwide number 2 CEO, Jim O'Mahony, who looks after the Saatchi world (except USA) was also in town over the last week, catching up with the Sydney office, where he was CEO three years back. He would have been happy: Saatchi Sydney had a huge business year in 2006, ending the year on top of the B&T New Business League.

AWARD SEEKS NEW COMMITTEE MEMBERS FROM SYDNEY

AWARD is calling on all current AWARD members to nominate those who are worthy contenders to sit on the AWARD Executive Committee in 2007. Nomination forms are due this Friday 2nd February.
Four positions in Sydney are available, with all overseas and interstate positions filled until 2008. AWARD encourages at least one member from the Direct Marketing industry and one from the Graphic Design industry to be appointed.
Final committee members will be revealed at the AWARD AGM on February 27th, 2007 (venue to be advised).
If you are an AWARD member and have not received an email from AWARD with the Nomination Form PDF attachment, contact: pauline@awardonline.com

FOUNDER OF THE INTERNET COMES TO BRISBANE MARCH 8

He’s known as the father of the internet, he’s the Vice President of Google Worldwide and he’s coming to Brisbane.
In a major coup for the ‘smart state’, Dr. Vinton Cerf, Google’s Internet Evangelist will be sharing his invaluable insights at a ‘once only’ keynote address at an exclusive luncheon.
Co-founder of the internet, Dr. Cerf will be discussing “The internet, infinity and beyond’ and will look at the internet and how it relates to business around the world today... where it is headed... and what opportunities this will create.
The luncheon is a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn how to make the best use of the internet in business and is expected to be attended by industry leaders from Brisbane and across Australia.
“The Internet is becoming a global infrastructure for 21st Century communication. All of the media come together in the Internet (radio, television, print publications, email, WWW, instant messaging and short messaging systems). It is the first many-to-many medium and it has promoted democratic expression in a way that has never before been possible.” Dr. Cerf said of the expansion of the internet.
“Internet is the next generation's way of communicating. One has only to look at the many social network applications that have evolved in the last five years to understand that.” said Dr. Cerf.
The event will be held at 12.00pm on Thursday 8 March 2007 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
All proceeds from the event go to The Hear & Say Centre www.hearandsaycentre.com.au

For further information and reservations:

CLICK HERE

CAN YOU TRUST A BLOKE WHO DOESN'T WATCH FOXTEL?

Saatchi & Saatchi Australia has put to air a new spot for Foxtel MySport, entitled 'Mrs'.

Client: Foxtel MySport
Copywriter: Luke Chess
Art Director: Vince Lagana
Executive Creative Director: Nobby
Agency Producer: Scott McBurnie
Director: Hamish Rothwell
Production Company: Good Oil Films
Recording Studio: Nylon Studios

WHY WATCHING NAT GEO GIVES VIEWERS A 'HEAVY HEAD'

Saatchi & Saatchi Australia has launched a new spot for Foxtel's National Geographic Channel, entitled 'Heavy Head'.

Client: Foxtel
Title: Heavy Head
Executive Creative Director: Nobby
Art Director: Pete Buckley / Chris Round
Writer: Tim Brown / Jamie Diskin
Agency Producer: Llew Griffiths
Director: Steve Rogers @Revolver

CLIO AWARDS TO HONOR ISHERWOOD WITH LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Australia's Bob Isherwood, worldwide creative director, Saatchi & Saatchi, has been selected by the international Clio Awards to receive its distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award for 2007. The seventh annual award, in recognition of outstanding and ongoing contribution by an individual who is leading the industry forward, will be presented on May 10 during the 48th annual Clio Festival in Miami’s South Beach, May 9-12, 2007.
“Bob Isherwood embodies a professional and personal tradition of creative leadership, integrity and dedication to great ideas that make a difference,” said Ami Brophy, executive director, Clio Awards. “The Clio jury members experienced this first-hand when Bob was executive chairman of the 2004 Clio Television/Film jury when he served as a true inspiration to the entire panel. Bob remains a passionate advocate for the ad industry as a whole and clearly reflects the essence of the Lifetime Achievement Award as someone at the ever-changing vanguard.”
Australian-born Isherwood gave up is first job as an apprentice auto mechanic for the ad world and now also serves as chairman of the Saatchi & Saatchi Worldwide Creative Board.
“We struggle through life for recognition,” said Isherwood. “Recognition for who we are. Recognition for our ideas. Recognition for our clients. I’m truly honored to receive this recognition from Clio, particularly when I was assured it was the ongoing Lifetime Achievement Award. Apparently former honorees have also insisted on this.”
With an advertising career spanning more than three decades, New York-based Isherwood’s work has been well documented and endorsed by the industry's most prestigious organizations. He has been recognized by the Clio Hall of Fame, named Australia's leading creative director, won Australia's first Gold Lion for Cinema at the Cannes International Advertising Festival, and is among the few people to have won a British Design and Art Directors Black Pencil for Advertising.
His previous background included six years as a creative group head for Young & Rubicam London, and 10 years with Collett Dickenson Pearce & Partners, which at that time was often regarded as the world’s most creative advertising agency. In 1982, he returned to Australia to become a founding partner of the Campaign Palace Sydney.
Isherwood joined Saatchi & Saatchi in 1986. He was appointed creative director in 1990, chairman of the Worldwide Creative Board in 1995, and worldwide creative director in 1996. Under his leadership, Saatchi & Saatchi’s global network of 143 offices in 83 countries has consistently ranked among the top creative agencies in the world, including number one creative network at the 2002 Cannes Festival.
He believes passionately in the power of ideas to change the world and, appropriately, serves as the driving force behind the Saatchi & Saatchi Award for World Changing Ideas. The Award attracts judges as distinguished as Buzz Aldrin, Edward de Bono, David Byrne, Brian Eno, Danny Hillis, Baz Luhrmann, John Maeda, Lou Reed and others.
“Bob’s vision and leadership have been instrumental in transforming Saatchi & Saatchi from an ad agency to a global ideas factory,” added Kevin Roberts, Saatchi & Saatchi worldwide CEO. “His pursuit of creative excellence is an inspiration to thousands of our people around the world. Bob is an amazing talented individual and a great friend, a rare once-in-a-lifetime personality who has really made a difference.”
Isherwood joins an impressive list of past Clio Lifetime Achievement Award honorees, including Bob Greenberg, chairman/CEO, chief creative officer, R/GA; John Hegarty, chairman/worldwide creative director, Bartle Bogle Hegarty (BBH) and executive chairman of the 2007 Clio Awards Television jury; Lee Clow, chairman/chief creative officer, TBWA\Worldwide; Neil French, former worldwide creative director at Ogilvy and WPP; David Abbott, cofounder of Abbott Mead Vickers, and Tony Kaye, a pioneering director and cinematographer.

STW CREATES AUSTRALIA’S BIGGEST BRAND DESIGN AGENCY

STW has merged two of its specialist brand design agencies, Designworks Enterprise IG (staff of 22) and EKH Branding House (42), to form what will be Australia’s largest brand design agency.
EKH has undergone rapid change in the last two years, doubling its size and turnover, while maintaining its tradition of professional and long lasting relationships with both clients and staff. As well as corporate branding, EKH has specialist experience in FMCG packaging and a very strong service culture. Some of their clients include Sunbeam Electrical, Arnott's Biscuits, Babcock & Brown, Yates, RTA NSW and Sydney Water.
Designworks has built a leading position in brand strategy and brand innovation in Australia, using their connection to the Enterprise IG group (one of the largest brand consultancies in the world) to connect Australian brands big and small to new international markets. Significant clients include Westpac, Rio Tinto, Macquarie Goodman, Tabcorp and Price Waterhouse.
Bringing the different strengths and resources of the two agencies together will realise strategic and creative synergies which along with unmatched scale and a unique insight on Australian brands, will deliver a fresh new Australian brand design agency to the marketplace, big enough for any local or global 360 degree brand program.
Mike Connaghan, CEO of STW said, "Design has been a growing segment for STW for the last couple of years. The acquisition of Moon last year showed how serious we are about the power of Design. The merger of these two fantastic businesses is a great story for STW. Creating strategically driven, powerful Australian brand experiences, will be pivotal for the success of any brand in Australia. Together, EKH and Designworks will be in pole position to drive new brand thinking and world-class brand practise for both Australian and global brands operating in this part of the world."

BOGUSKY TO HEAD TITANIUM AND INTEGRATED LIONS JURY

Alex Bogusky, chief creative officer at the hot US agency Crispin Porter + Bogusky, is to head the 2007 Titanium and Integrated Lions jury at Cannes in June.
At the international advertising festival the Titanium and Integrated Lions jury will award Integrated Lions to the best integrated campaigns as well as looking to honour breakthrough ideas with the much sought-after Titanium Lion.
CP+B has won numerous Lions at previous Cannes festivals. It has been awarded four Cannes Grand Prix in four different categories and was named Interactive Agency of the Year in 2005 and 2006.
Terry Savage, executive chairman of the festival, said: "The advertising industry is a richer and a more exciting place thanks to Alex. Richer for his ideas and his constant pushing of the creative boundaries and more exciting thanks for his beliefs and influence on popular culture."
Says Bogusky: "It's a huge honour. The aspect of advertising that has always been the most interesting for me is the immediate perishable nature of it. The way an idea can live in a moment of time and be defined by and help define that same moment. So to be asked to help steward the Titanium and Integrated award is an awesome responsibility that I couldn't turn down even with my fears of ordering the wrong wine at dinner."

EX SONG ZU GANG MAKE NOISE

What and where is NOISE?
NOISE is a new Sydney based company specialising in music for film, TV & advertising with an unmatched breadth of creativity and experience, based in Pyrmont.
Who are NOISE?
Dan Higson - after achieving moderate success in England playing bass in 80's Jazz Pop band Matt Bianco his attention turned to advertising music. He worked in London for a few years before being noticed by Australian music and advertising legend Les Gock, who brought him out to Sydney to work as Song Zu's Executive Producer. He worked there for the last 10 years and had the pleasure of working on some of Australia's most memorable, successful and expensive ads ever!
Kyls Burtland - Kyls is best know for her ABC Station IDs which include the current ABC Theme on air, 2006/7, which won an American Gold Promax in the 2006 Awards and an Australasian Promax. She won 'Best Score' upon graduation from the AFTRS where she studied Screen Composition with Nigel Westlake, and also has a B mus in Orchestral Composition under Peter Sculthorpe. Subsequently she was nominated Emerging Talent of the Year, '03 by the Film Critics Circle, and became in house composer at Song Zu for three years where she won such TVC campaigns as Sunsilk (America-wide), Visa, Sony, Suncorp, Volvo, etc. With her seminal art-rock band, Trout Fishing in Quebec, and as a solo artists, Kyls has toured with The Beastie Boys, Primus, and The Tea Party, performed at two Big Day Outs, three Byron Bay Festivals and two Livids, and performed on three continents.
Bruce Heald - Bruce has been has been playing music since he started school. Luckily, Bruce is better at music than he was at school. Even though he didn't realise it at the time, his education at the NSW Conservatorium High School, combined with years of playing/recording since has equipped him with a relatively rare set of skills in the applied music sphere. Saved from his day job by Song Zu in 1999, he has been at the forefront of music in advertising, producing some of Australia's best known scores and was one of Song Zu's most prolific composers for over 7 years, having worked on many award winning commercials. For instance Bruce was responsible for the score to Qantas "I Still Call Australia Home" working with an orchestra of over 80 people.

Contact: Dan Higson, Producer
T: 0411 420 884
127 Pyrmont Street, Pyrmont
PO Box 470, Pyrmont, NSW 2009
W: www.noiseinternational.com

M&C SAATCHI LEAD WORLD FINALIST PACK AT CAPLES

Australian and New Zealand Agencies are leading the way at the finalist
stage of this year's John Caples Awards in New York. Down under agencies own the top three spots: M&C Saatchi Sydney (their highly fancied British Council work is shown here) has more finalists than any other individual agency in the world with 10, followed by Aim Proximity Auckland with nine and Aim Proximity
Wellington with seven.
Other Australasian agencies to do well include BMF Sydney with four, Tequila Auckland with three and Lavender Sydney, Clemenger BBDO Sydney and Lowe Hunt, Sydney with two. One finalist apiece to Draft NZ, Colenso BBDO Auckland, Clemenger BBDO Direct, Wellington and Cummins & Partners, Melbourne

CAPLES SHORTLIST
M&C Saatchi Sydney (10)
Aim Proximity Auckland (9)
Aim Proximity Wellington (7)
Draft FCB (7)
Ogilvy worldwide GmbH &Co. KG (5)
Proximity (5)
Tribal DDB Germany (5)
Arc Worldwide/Leo Bernett Advertising Sdn. Bhd. (5)
20:20 London (4)
CP Proximity (4)
BMF Sydney (4)
Arc Worldwide (4)
I DO (4)
Publicis Dialogue (3)
Proximity #ttp (3)
OgilvyOne worldwide (3)
Proximity #ttp & Net#work BBDO (3)
Rodgers Townsend (3)
Tequila\Auckland (3)
Wunderman NY (3)
The Martine Agency (2)
Draft (2)
Clemenger Proximity, Sydney (2)
EHS Brann (2)
Wunderman Germany (2)
Lavender (2)
Rapp Collins (2)
DDB (2)
Di Paola & asociados (2)
Shackelton (2)
Ogilvy worldwide Malaysia (2)
Chemistry (2)
FCB (2)
Salem (2)
Lowe Hunt Sydney (2)
OgilvyOne (2)
Craik Jones (2)
Proximity London (2)
Shackleton (2)

THE SWEET SHOP MAKE BOARDS MAGAZINE'S 'WORLD'S TOP 20 PRODUCTION COMPANIES' LIST - AGAIN

The Sweet Shop has been named in the ‘Top Twenty Production Companies in the World 2006’ by North American publication Boards magazine.
It’s the second year the company has been featured on this impressive list – and the only company with headquarters in Australasia.
Judged on a production company's body of work over the last year the magazine stated, The Sweet Shop’s reel displayed ‘equal parts good-naturedness and class’ with work in 2006 being some of its finest in its five year tenure.
This year the magazine paid homage to standout commercials including Steve Ayson’s Folgers commercial ‘Happy Mornings’, Michael Wong’s work for Vodafone Live, James Pilkington’s tongue and cheek ‘Undies’ commercial for Trumpet and Melanie Bridge’s fanciful tale for Toblerone.
2006 was a big year for the company – not simply for producing commercials but for company expansion. The company opened up its own office in New York adding two New York based directors ex Creative Director Julian Pugsley and ex Chelsea Pictures Director Kathi Prosser. The Sweet Shop also established its new division, The Rumpus Room, launching its first project, the ambitious ‘Make a Big Noise for Make Trade Fair’ competition in support of Oxfam’s Make Trade Fair cause.

AWARDS 06:

CANNES:
Nike ‘Maureen’ - Bronze Film Lion Clothing, Footwear and Accessories
MTV ‘Just like Daddy’ - Finalist Best Use of Music

D & AD:
Nike ‘Maureen’ - In annual for Best TV commercial

ONE SHOW:
Nike ‘Maureen’ - Finalist for Best TV Campaign

CLIOS:
Tip Top ‘Undies’ - Finalist Consumer Products
Nike ‘Maureen’ - Finalist Best TV – Fashion/Apparel

AWARD:
Vodafone ‘Live’ - Gold for Direction
MTV ‘Budgie Smuggler’ - Silver for Direction
MTV ‘Budgie Smuggler’ - Silver for Cinematography
Nike ‘Maureen’ - Bronze for Copywriting
Vodafone ‘Live’ - Bronze for Cinematography
MTV ‘Just like Daddy’ - Bronze for Direction
MTV ‘Budgie Smuggler’ - Bronze for Editing

MIDSUMMER AWARDS:
‘Best International Director’ - Michael Wong
MTV ‘Budgie Smuggler’ - Best Foreign Film
Tip Top ‘Undies’ - Silver, Food
MTV ‘Just like Daddy’ - Bronze, Publication and Media
Nike ‘Maureen’ - Bronze, Clothing, Shoes & Accessories

KODAK GONGS:
MTV ‘Budgie Smuggler’ - Silver, Media
MTV ‘Just like Daddy’ - Silver, Casting

SHARK AWARDS:
MTV ‘Budgie Smuggler’ - Bronze, Media and Entertainment

AXIS:
Title: Production Company of the Year
Tip Top ‘Undies’ campaign - Grand Axis Electronic
‘Undies’ - Gold TV/Cinema Consumer Products
‘Undies’ - Gold TV/Cinema Direction
‘Simplifying Summer’ - Silver TV Campaign
‘Hair Whip’ - Silver TV Consumer Products
‘Undies’ – Silver TV Craft, Editing
‘Go In The Ocean’ – Bronze TV, Consumer Products
‘Undies’ – Bronze TV Craft, Copywriting

LA SHORT FILM FESTIVAL:
Herringbone ‘Love Story’ - Best Commercial Spot

ADFEST:
Herringbone ‘Love Story’ - Best use of Music Track
Herringbone ‘Love Story’ - Best of Production Design

NEW ZEALAND JUICE TV MUSIC AWARDS:
Sarah Brown ‘Hands’ - ‘Music Video of the Year’

BOARDS MAGAZINE:
Top Twenty Production Companies in the World 2006

AUSTRALIAN CREATIVE MAGAZINE:
Production Company ‘Top Shop’ 2006

AUSTRALIA DAY PARTY PROVES A HIT ONLINE

Sam Kekovich’s latest outing for Lamb has proven to be a runaway success online.
Created by BMF, Sydney, his latest incarnation as leader of the Australia Day Party asks people to visit the unique site www.votelamb.com.au
Says Warren Brown, BMF’s Executive Creative Director: "We wanted people to have even more fun with Sam and Lamb this year, so an online element was naturally the way to go with the campaign”.
The site features the TVC, Sam’s blog, Sam’s quiz, posters and various downloads.
In just eight days, since Sam’s 3-minute roadblock address to the nation, there has been:
A total of 52,804 visits to the site at a cost of just 24c each
A return rate of 1.5 visits per user
An average viewer spending 8 minutes and 18 seconds with the site
The TVC has been downloaded 38,530 times
Sam’s quiz has been played 20,380 times.
In all, the total time people have spent interacting with Sam and Lamb online, is a massive 276,982 minutes in just eight days.
With no other online support such as Search Engine Marketing or banner ads, Brown says this shows the effective power of the TV commercial and its ability to drive consumers to engage with the brand.

Executive Creative Director: Warren Brown
Copywriter: Dennis Koutoulogenis
Art Director: Dale McGuiness
Account Management: Sarah Crane, David Flanagan, Julie Burke
Strategic Planner: Gerry Cyron
Interactive Team: Justin Hind, Chris James, Anna Kismet, Yas Nakano
Director: Trent O’Donnell, Jungleboys
Producer: Jason Burrows, Jungleboys
Sound: Barry Stewart – Sound Reservoir
Client: Meat & Livestock Australia

SHOCK AS CORAH RESIGNS FROM M&C SAATCHI

CB hears Simon Corah has resigned as CEO and partner of M&C Saatchi Australia, the agency he helped establish 11 years ago, initially working out of a hotel room in Sydney. No doubt it is a huge loss to the agency but sources say he will retain his shareholding and consult to several M&C Saatchi clients via his own management consultancy business. More details on this tomorrow.

UPDATE....

Corah will launch a new business with M&C Saatchi as its founding client and will continue to work closely on the agency’s major clients.
“My new company will be based on the philosophy that growth is the mantra for all modern business and we’ll be working with companies to adopt and create strategies to do this,” said Corah.
“It has been an exciting, unbelievable 12 years starting M&C Saatchi from the ground up but now its time to do something for myself.”
Dery said that the fact M&C Saatchi had grown at such a pace through locally won business rather than global alignments was testament Corah’s involvement.
“Over the years we have won clients that we never dreamed possible and that, in large part, is down to Simon’s ‘never say die’ attitude,” Dery said.
“His energy and focus has been a motivating force for our business and we are thrilled that his new life will be closely linked with the agency and its clients.”
Corah will not be replaced. Rather, his responsibilities will be handled by Dery, executive regional creative director Tom McFarlane, Sydney managing director Marie Jackson and new Melbourne managing director David Brown.
“It is the end of an era for me without question – but the start of a new one that I am very excited about,” said Corah.

BIDENKO APPOINTED CHIEF JUDGE OF JOHN CAPLES AWARDS FOR ASIA PACIFIC REGION

Peter Bidenko, Creative Director Direct at Lowe Hunt, Sydney has been appointed as Chief Judge of the presitigious John Caples Awards for the Asia/Pacific region.
Bidenko said he was honoured as the Caples continues to be one of the real champions of creativity in direct marketing around the world. "It has a truly international focus with over half the judges now coming from outside the US.
"If any direct creatives would like a chance to judge this year in New York in November, give me a shout and I'll help to arrange it."
Bidenko himself is a highly awarded creative, most recently he was an integral part of the agency's multi award-winning Lynxjet campaign, winner of nine Cannes Lions and the ADMA Grand Prix in 2006.

THREE TEAMS HIRED AS CLEMS MELBOURNE CONTINUES TO STOCK UP ON CREATIVE

Following the influx of big new business wins, including Fonterra and NAB, Clemenger BBDO Melbourne has hired three highly awarded creative teams in the lead-up to the arrival of new executive creative director James McGrath on February 5. Kiwis Cameron Harris (ex Saatchi NZ) and Seymour Pope (ex Publicis Mojo Auckland) - illustrated - have just teamed up and arrived this week, to be followed by Darren Pitt and Rohan Lancaster next week.
The latter team have been at M&C Saatchi Melbourne for a decade, creators of award winning work for the likes of ANZ, TXU and Fare Evasion.
A third team should be announced in early February.

DAVID GUERRERO TO HEAD CANNES RADIO LIONS JURY

David Guerrero, Chairman & Chief Creative Officer, BBDO Guerrero Ortega, The Philippines, has been appointed as this year’s Radio Lions Jury President, the organisers of the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival announced today. Guerrero is also the first Cannes Lions jury president from South East Asia.
Guerrero founded BBDO Guerrero Ortega in 1998. Under his leadership, it has consistently been ranked as one of Asia’s leading creative agencies, and is currently 'Agency of the Year' in The Philippines according to Campaign Brief Asia, who have also named him as one of the region’s top 10 creative directors.
Guerrero won his first radio award whilst a student copywriter in London. When working in Hong Kong, where he was responsible for a worldwide campaign for Cathay Pacific Airways, David won a rare radio trophy at Hong Kong’s Media awards. After moving to Manila he contributed to the book ‘Cutting Edge Radio’ and helped establish his country’s first dedicated awards in the medium.
Guerrero has chaired juries at the Asia Pacific Adfest, the Melbourne Art Directors Club and served on last year’s Radio Lions jury. He has won awards at all the major shows, including Golds at Cannes and Clio and the Grand Prix at London International.
“David has great passion for advertising and in particular understands and appreciates the power of radio advertising. Having already judged this medium at an international level, David will bring expertise and enthusiasm to the jury”, commented Terry Savage, Executive Chairman of The Festival.
Says Guerrero: “Radio represents a massive opportunity for all of us. It may be the only category you can judge with your eyes shut. But it's certainly not easy. And as a jury we'll be looking for work that explores fresh possibilities within the medium.”

MOTHER CREATIVE JOINS PUBLICIS MOJO MELBOURNE

Multi award-winning Leon Wilson will take up the position of associate creative director at Publicis Mojo Melbourne next week.
Wilson joins Mojo from Mother London, one of the world's hottest shops, where he has held the position of Senior Copywriter since 2002. During his career he has won a spate of awards at The One Show, D&AD, BTAA, Campaign Press, EPICA, Young Guns, and Axis for his campaigns on Britart.com, The Observer, Nintendo, TV3, and Casio.
Prior to Mother London, Wilson was at Colenso BBDO in Auckland.

PROCTER TAKES CREATIVE DIRECTOR ROLE AT CUMMINS

Former Clemenger BBDO Melbourne creative James Procter has been appointed creative director of cummins&partners Melbourne.
His appointment comes as agency principal Sean Cummins concentrates on the roles of CEO and national creative director with the Brisbane office growing at a rapid rate.
Says Cummins: “James is one clever writer who was last year's surprise packet at Cannes, picking up a Lion and a couple of finalists. But unlike a lot of creative people, James has an ambition to add more skills to his repertoire. Running a creative department is the ultimate challenge.”
Procter, who has worked at cummins&partners for a year before the promotion said “I know it’s a little clichéd but I truly believe it is an exciting time to be in advertising. Clients no longer want just a TV ad and a still for print but are now looking for media blind ideas that hit their consumer in new and innovative ways. We have a great creative department capable of delivering ads that will please clients, consumers and hopefully a couple of juries.”

25th ANNIVERSARY REUNION OF THE BEVINS BUNCH FEB 2

Catherine Haffner at John Bevins is trying to locate a few people in the industry who have worked at Bevins over the last 25 years. She has tracked a bunch of them down thanks to Google, white pages and the grapevine, but there’s quite a few she can’t track.
If you've worked at Bevins at some stage (or know someone who did) they are having 25th reunion drinks at a local Balmain pub on the 2nd February for former colleagues of Bevins.
You will need to contact catherine_haffner@bevins.com.au or on (02) 9555 1045 for details of the night, she will then email you an invitation.jpeg.
RSVP is essential for practicalities re: venue.

MAURICE DOWD GETS A TASTE OF HONEY

Melbourne based tvc production company, Honey has lured director Maurice Dowd to the team. Dowd has joined us after a stint at The Pound, and before that was a senior creative and director at Clemenger Melbourne.
"We’re delighted to have him here to join directors Chris Sferrazza and Andrew Coyle, and feel we now have the complete team at Honey," says Julie Rutherford, Senior Producer. An in the New Year, Mandy Celms (ex GPY&R) will be joining us as Producer.
We’re looking forward to working with you all in the New Year!"
Contact Julie for reels and availabilities on 0418 564 098.

CANNES LIONS LAUNCHES STUDENT DELEGATE PACKAGE IN 2007

Beginning this year, full time advertising students will be able to enhance their education by attending the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival, the organisers of the event announced today, with Alfred University in New York the first to take up the offer.
The student delegate programme, aimed at those in full time education studying marketing, communication and advertising, will enable business colleges and universities to send their students to Cannes for the week taking advantage of the many opportunities the Festival has to offer. Registered students will be able to attend the most comprehensive seminar and workshop programme available to the industry, experience first hand all the different facets of the business, see and be inspired by the best creative work in the world.
Festival CEO, Phil Thomas, says “Attending the Festival is a fantastic learning experience for everybody, so it is only right to extend this unique opportunity to the next generation. We very much look forward to welcoming the first group of students from Alfred University next year and would like to encourage other advertising educational institutions to also include attending the annual event as part of their curriculum.”
"The opportunity to learn from the best and gain the real world knowledge and skills critical for the rapid changes impacting the future gives students attending the festival a significant competitive advantage in the global marketplace," commented Bill Ward, Assistant Professor of Marketing, International Marketing & Advertising Program Leader of Alfred University.
A special registration fee will allow students to attend most of the Festival activities during the week. Professors accompanying groups of students will attend free of charge. The student delegate package will run separately to the already well established Roger Hatchuel Lions Academy. Student registrations are now open online at www.canneslions.com

ELLIS AND GAZE FOR DUNLOP

Whybin TBWA, Melbourne has put to air a series of spots for Dunlop Sports featuring Dunlop's sponsored Athletes, Liz Ellis and Andrew Gaze to sell their own shoes (Ellis Netball and Gaze Basketball).

CD: Scott Whybin
Copywriter:Paul Hastings
Art Director: Peter Kirwan
Agency Producer: Joanne Alach
Production Co.:EXIT Films
Director: Adrian Bosich
Producer: Bianca Martino
Suits: Kate Silver, Jodi Murray
Marketing Director: Andrew Savage.

SLAMMING SAM FOR LAMB: KEKOVICH ADDRESSES THE NATION VIA BMF SPOT

BMF Sydney has put to air a satirical three-minute TV spot tackling unAustralianism just in time for Australia Day. This year Sam Kekovich’s address to the nation see him encourage all Australians to gather round a Lamb BBQ for an Australia Day Party.
Aiming to spark a political following and no doubt criticism, Sam will again urge Aussies to eat Lamb on Australia Day and highlight all that has been unAustralian in the year that was.

Executive Creative Director: Warren Brown
Copywriter: Dennis Koutoulogenis
Art Director: Dale McGuinness
Agency Producer: Louise Hodgeson
Account Management: Sarah Crane, David Flanagan, Julie Burke
Director: Trent O’Donnell, Jungleboys
Producer: Jason Burrows, Jungleboys
Sound: Barry Stewart – Sound Resevoir
Client: Meat & Livestock Australia

CHE BRISBANE LAUNCHES FEEL GOOD CAMPAIGN FOR BANK OF QUEENSLAND

CHE, Brisbane has launched a new corporate campaign for Bank of Queensland.
Title: 'Wanted'
Creative Director: Sandy Peacock
Agency Creatives: Mike Rolfe and Phil Nobay
Agency Producer: Debbie Cross
Editor: Jeremy Luc
On-Line Editor/Compositor: Steve Tedman
Colourist: Larry Englemann
Sound Engineer: Stuart Welch
Post Production Producer: Jody Calvert
Production Co. Two Little Indians
Director: Tori Garrett
Producer: Simone Mackie

PALACE PUSH SUMMER FRUITS

The latest Summer Fruits TVC, via The Campaign Palace Sydney, takes a humorous approach to seasonal fruit. It was directed by Jonathan Nyquist and produced by Rona Lewis via Filmgraphics Productions.
The spot features a guy as he sits alone, his eyes brimming with tears. He opens his fist and we see a stone from a peach. A tear runs down his face…
“I like to influence the way the viewer feels, this script was great that once the gag was revealed it immediately reverses the emotion to an unsuspected humour,” says Nyquist.

Agency: Campaign Palace
Creative Director: Russel Smyth
Senior Art Director: Michael Malherbe
Agency Producer: Shamus Uren
Director: Jonathan Nyquist
Production Company: Filmgraphics Productions
Producer: Rona Lewis
DOP: Danny Pope
Editor: Sue Schweikert
Post Production: Cutting Edge

HAYDN EVANS - BUSINESS AS USUAL AT SILVERSCREEN SYDNEY

Silverscreen Sydney managing director Haydn Evans (pictured - centre - with Droga 5 USA's Ben Nott and Dave Droga at Cannes last year) assures the CB Blog that it is business as usual at the Sydney operation:

It is a sad day for the whole industry and especially for those of us in Sydney to see Silverscreen NZ wrap its last day. Silverscreen New Zealand was one of the foundation stones of the industry and Geoff Dixon has helped scores of people onto the starting blocks towards successful careers in the industry.
It is a bit strange for us at Silverscreen Sydney who all worked closely with the New Zealand office on projects over the ditch as we used that office as a base when shooting there and worked with the amazing people that made it great. The dynamic of the Silverscreen Australia will obviously be different now but Silverscreen Australia has pretty much operated autonomously - it will just be a bit more so from now on. Silverscreen Sydney also benefits from being 100% focused on its advertising production business plus being small enough to adapt to creative and budget needs more easily.
Directors Eden Diebel, Tracey Rowe, Michael Spiccia, David Gaddie, Alex Sutherland and Keir McFarlane are all either in production or pitching new work at the moment and there is no reason for that to change. Silverscreen Sydney is one of the most awarded companies in the region in recent years and by remaining nimble enough to adapt it will remain a successful creative business.
Silverscreen Sydney will continue to represent NZ directors Nathan Price, Alex Sutherland, Robert Sarkies + internationals Martin Aamund and Thor.
On a positive note I expect to be able to release some exciting positive news to you later this week which will be a nice change!

Haydn Evans
Managing Director
Silverscreen
Sydney

ROGER TOMPKINS ON THE DEMISE OF SILVERSCREEN (NZ): SAD BUT NOT SURPRISING

So after thirty-three years Silverscreen Productions (NZ) has announced its voluntary liquidation - sad but not surprising.
Silverscreen started as a one-director company with the hugely talented Geoff Dixon working out of his living room. It eventually grew into an amorphus group of companies with fingers in many pies: production, design, post-production, Internet, TV and feature films: all many steps away from its core business…
What is the core business of a tvc production company? I thought it was to offer the services of a talented and experienced director to the advertising industry in order to make iconic commercials that capture the audience’s attention for their clients’ brands.
However, the current trend with production companies is to spruik the fact that they are the biggest, the best, have the greatest flashest offices, are the most awarded, sponsor the best lunches/parties etc ….
Production companies seem to have forgotten that they work in the world’s second oldest profession and that it doesn’t take flash offices and hundreds of staff to run a successful production company - it takes talented, experienced directors supported by producers who can bring good work in, on budget.
The current trend is to offer a huge roster of mostly mediocre directors, one for every mediocre script!
Even if there were that much talent around, the investment in promoting planeloads of directors and the cost of on-the-job training is huge. Problem is, clients have slashed budgets and margins, while expectations have stayed where they’ve always been: high. It is simply not possible for these two trends to continue side by side.
In Silverscreen’s case, it has not only hung on for dear life in this unsustainable environment, it has added more volatile and unpredictable businesses to the mix with its forays into special effects post-production and feature films.
Its demise, as I said at the beginning, is sad but not surprising. But there are many players that owe it a huge debt of gratitude, myself included. The list is long of those that have benefited from their association with Silverscreen, however brief: LeeTamahori, Richard Gibson, Matt Murphy, Mat Palmer and Messer’s Prince, Noonan, Long, Whyman and Douglas to name but a few…
….. and if I were one of the many poor souls owning a production company, big or small and worried that the next call is going to be the bloody bank again I’d be looking very very carefully at the bottom line (I know I did…in the end!!)
Happy New Year.

Roger Tompkins
Cranbrook

NOTE: Silverscreen Sydney has not been affected by the voluntary liquidation of Silverscreen (NZ).

EBERHARDT JOINS LEO BURNETT

German art director Nils Eberhardt is joining Leo Burnett, Sydney in February after having spent four months freelancing in Sydney agencies. Before that, he worked for four years at Jung von Matt, Hamburg on MINI and Nintendo international, being awarded at D&AD, Clio, One Show and the London international advertising awards.

KIWI INDUSTRY IN SHOCK AS SILVERSCREEN NZ GOES INTO VOLUNTARY LIQUIDATION

After 33 years at the top, NZ's biggest and most famous tvc production company, Silverscreen, co owned by legendary director, Geoff Dixon, has gone into voluntary liquidation. According to a source, this does not affect Silverscreen in Sydney or post production shop Oktobor in Auckland.

This from the Dominion Post...

Silverscreen Productions (NZ), one of the country's largest television advertisement production companies, is in voluntary liquidation.
Liquidator Meltzer Mason Heath say it is not yet clear how much the company owes but up to 13 New Zealand-based staff may be affected by the decision.
Industry sources told The Press there were concerns that hundreds of film contractors could also feel the effects of the liquidation.
Silverscreen Productions (NZ) director Geoff Dixon made a brief announcement about going into liquidation yesterday.
"The reasons for this decision have been because of reduced production budgets apparent throughout the industry, coupled with reduced margins that the company has recently had to endure and the unlikelihood of improvement in the near future," he said.
The company has been producing television advertisements in New Zealand since 1974. It is owned by Dixon and Wellington-based John Fokerd.
The company is responsible for large numbers of the advertisements screened on New Zealand television and has a strong international presence, working for big names such as Telecom, Toyota, L and P, and Jenny Craig.
It has claimed several industry awards including the production company of the year at the 2005 Axis awards.
The New Zealand Film and Video Technicians Guild president, Alun Bollinger, said he was saddened but not surprised by the news.
"The whole commercial scene has been changing over recent years because there are so many different platforms for advertising. The commercial dollars are getting spread out a bit more.
"I suspect there's a lot of smaller production houses around that can contract when there's no work, but Silverscreen can't because it's a big player. I suspect it has a bigger budget."
Those owed money by the company would be most seriously affected, but there would still be work around, Bollinger said. "If the work's not going to Silverscreen but the job's there, it will go somewhere. It probably won't affect the industry as a whole."

NEWS LIMITED AWARD SCHOOL 2007 LAUNCHES JANUARY 19

The application brief for this year’s News Limited AWARD School will be available to download from www.awardschoolonline.com on 19th January, 2007
This year's curriculum has been revitalized to reflect the changing needs of the industry, with an even greater lean towards core skills and idea generation in the first semester; a three week break in the middle and a stronger focus on the implementation of ideas in the second half. Double lectures covering idea generation and strategy will give students the skills to recognize good ideas.

School Heads 2007
NSW: Ben O’Brien and Justine Armour
VIC: Annie Price and Richard Muntz
WA: Adam Barker and Andrew Tinning
SA: Greg Knagge
QLD: Natalie Ambrosini
TAS: Chris Bellears

The application brief will consist of questions that will require students to write some ads. Applicants will have two weeks to complete their application.
All work must be submitted hand drawn this year, computer generated work will not be accepted. The names of successful applicants will be posted on the AWARD School website mid February.

Diary dates
- NSW information day Thursday 18th January at 6pm
The Garvan Institute, 384 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst
- VIC information day Thursday 18th January at 6pm
Victorian College of the Arts, Federation Hall at 234 St Kilda Road, Southbank

Course commences
NSW Wednesday 14th March 2007 - Books due Thursday 5th July 2007
Interstate Thursday 29th March 2007 - Books due Thursday 19th July 2007

Eligibility Criteria
Anyone can apply. For details go to www.awardschoolonline.com
Email pauline@awardonline.com or call Pauline on +61 2 82973877

Entries Deadline
2nd February 2007 - no extensions!

BOB SCARPELLI NAMED CANNES LIONS 2007 FILM & PRESS JURY PRESIDENT

The organisers of the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival have announced that Bob Scarpelli, Chairman & Chief Creative Officer, DDB Worldwide will chair both the Film and Press 2007 Cannes Lions juries.
In his 30-year career at DDB, Scapelli and his teams have created some of the most iconic, talked-about and awarded creative work in the world. He is such a passionate believer in “Talk Valueâ” that he trademarked the term and made it part of the fabric of the agency. Inspiring ideas and creative business solutions that transcend advertising to become part of popular culture are at the heart of Bob’s vision for his clients and for the agency.
“Bob is passionate about creativity. He’s a natural born leader and an enthusiastic teacher who will bring inspiration, excitement, talent and experience to these two juries,” said Australia's Terry Savage, Executive Chairman of the Festival.
“It is an honor for DDB and for me to lead one of the most prestigious juries in our industry. I hope and expect that the work we select will be as inspiring as the Festival and the winners have been in the past to me and to our Agency,” says Scarpelli.
Scarpelli started his DDB career in 1977 as a copywriter and moved up the creative ranks of the Chicago office to serve as Chairman and Chief Creative Officer. In 2000 he became DDB U.S. Chief Creative Officer and in 2005, he took on the role of Worldwide Chief Creative Officer. A year later he was elevated to the additional role of Chairman of DDB Worldwide and relocated to the Agency’s global headquarters in New York.
Under his leadership, DDB has won every advertising award available, including more Lions and Cannes Grand Prix (8) at the International Advertising Festival than any other agency network. Recent Cannes wins include the Film Grand Prix in 2000 for the Budweiser “Whassup” campaign and the 2005, 2006 Radio Grand Prix for “Real Men of Genius”. In addition, DDB has been named the most awarded network in the world by Creativity and The Gunn Report.
He was a member of the Cannes Lions Film jury in 1997 and has served as jury president and juror at many other international creative award shows.
In 2004, he received the Silver Medal Award, the Chicago Advertising Federation’s highest honor, for his contributions to the industry and the community.

GRAHAM KELLY LURED TO TBWA\TEQUILA SINGAPORE

TBWA\Tequila Singapore has lured former BBH Japan ECD Graham Kelly to the position of integrated creative chief.
It a big coup for the agency as he is the one of the few creatives to have achieved international recognition across all media.
In 1991, Kelly moved to Singapore, joining O&M Direct as a copywriter. Four years later, he moved “above-the-line” with O&M. Approximately three years he had progressed to Senior Writer.
He then advanced to Creative Director, joining Leo Burnett Singapore in 1998.
One year later in 1999 he joined TBWA Singapore, as Executive Creative Director.
Eager to expand his knowledge of “New Media” (as it was called back then), Kelly joined Ogilvy Interactive in July 2000 as Regional Creative Director, Asia Pacific. In this role he oversaw the build up of the regional network, which ultimately grew to encompass Hong Kong, Tokyo, Beijing, Jakarta, Shanghai, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
In August 2003, Kelly joined Saatchi & Saatchi Singapore. His role was to strengthen the agency’s through-the-line abilities, and expand the agency’s creative offering into direct marketing and interactive.
In October 2006 he joined BBH. His brief was similar: to strengthen the agency’s creative offering across all media. Since joining, Graham has been instrumental in winning the agency’s latest client: New City Corporation, which has entrusted the agency to launch a new online mortgage service. This campaign encompasses viral films, rich media banners, ambient media, EDM (Electronic Direct Marketing) and mobile.
Kelly’s print and TV work has been awarded at shows such as: Asia-Pacific Adfest, Media Awards, The One Show, Clio, Cannes, D&AD and Communication Arts. He has won a cross-section of all the major DM awards: Caples, Echos and the Asian Direct Marketing awards (where he has won Best of Show twice).
And his interactive work has been awarded at shows such as the One Show Interactive, Cannes Cyberlions, Clio Interactive and Communication Arts.
As such, he is the one of the few creatives to have achieved international recognition across all media.

GREENWOOD SET TO DEPART CLEMENGER BBDO, MELBOURNE

Tony Greenwood, who was appointed a group creative director at Clemenger BBDO Melbourne only five months back, has decided to leave to start a new, as yet unnamed venture with other partners. He says he is still consulting to Clems on various ongoing projects and will remain on and off at the agency until the arrival of incoming ECD James McGrath in early February. Greenwood, who made his creative rep at Clems in the 90s (co creator of the Legendary Milkman campaign) was lured back to the agency in July last year by former Clems Melbourne chairman Ron Mather. But once McGrath accepted the ECD role, Mather soon left and many in the industry expected that Greenwood would follow, echoes of the situation following the merger of Y&R and Patts in mid 2005. Greenwood was then the CD of Y&R Melbourne, McGrath CD of Patts Melbourne. The latter was appointed ECD of the merged entity, and soon after Greenwood left.
In last year's shakeup, Clems hired Greenwood to be one of three group creative directors in a complete restructure of the agency. The agency's CD at that time, Emma Hill, also became a group CD, and the agency was in hire mode for the other Group CD position, which eventually did not happen once James McGrath was signed to the ECD role from George Patterson Y&R, Melbourne.
The CD position at Clems Melbourne has been in a state of flux in recent years, compared to the stability of the eighties and nineties. Hill had been in the role for two and a half years since the departure of her predecessor Mike O'Sullivan, who came in from the ECD gig at Colenso BBDO Auckland. He only lasted only nine months in the gig before taking up his present ECD role at Saatchi & Saatchi NZ. Before O'Sullivan, the role was filled by Ant Shannon for five years and before that, David Blackley ran the show for nearly two decades. For many industry watchers, the nineties was when the agency ruled the roost creatively in Melbourne (Clems was CB Agency of the Year in 1996 and 1999), but there are great expectations for a creative revival this year once McGrath makes his mark.

COUNTDOWN TO CANNES: REGISTRATION OPENS JAN 11

The 2007 delegate registration systems open tomorrow (Thursday 11 January) at www.canneslions.com.
A full week registration gives you access to 40 exceptional seminars, 20 educative workshops, the brand new Content Showcase, all film screenings, the shortlist exhibitions, 4 awards ceremonies, 2 galas, and presents the finest networking opportunities the advertising industry has to offer.
Packages available:
full registration
full registration plus companion
3-and 4-day registration
4-day and full week packages for young creatives
a new full week package for students
Register on Thursday, 11 January
The Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival is the only annual advertising festival for the world's greatest talent in the creative, production, media and marketing communities.
All entry systems open on Thursday 1 February.

COUNTDOWN TO S-LAMB-ING SAM'S AUSTRALIA DAY ADDRESS

If you think Sam Kekovich is bold, his annual Australia Day Address this year is bolder than ever.
BMF Sydney has created a satirical three-minute TV advertising feature tackling unAustralianism just in time for Australia Day. This year Sam’s address to the nation will see him encourage all Australians to gather round a Lamb BBQ for an Australia Day Party.
On Sunday, 14 January, at approximately 8.32pm the extended rant will air across all free-to-air commercial networks in capital cities, SBS nationally and selected pay TV channels.
Sam’s prolonged tirade will be followed by a series of 15 sec TV commercials and 90 sec radio commercials in the week commencing 15 January. Aiming to spark a political following and no doubt criticism, Sam will again urge Aussies to eat Lamb on Australia Day and highlight all that has been unAustralian in the year that was.
Sam has proved to be a recipe for success for Australia. The number of Lamb serves in January 2006 has increased by 16% per week (3.7 million serves per week) since January 2004.
“Sam’s deadpan humour strikes a memorable chord with everyone”, explains BMF Executive Creative Director Warren Brown. “He gets away with saying things we’ve all thought, but never expressed, which is why the ads continue to get Australians talking.”
Perpetrators who have caught Sam’s eye will be named and shamed in one of the most controversial Australia Day tirades yet. Those destined for a serve include:
- the unexpected early retirement of one of our greatest Olympic swimmers
- our bling encrusted youth and their low-riding jeans
- the koala-suit wearing, alfalfa-munching tree-huggers
- and the pollies certainly won’t be spared the chop
Don’t miss Sam’s must-see address to the nation and tune in on Sunday, 14 January from 8.32pm-8.37pm on SBS nationally and between 8.55pm and 9.05pm on all free-to-air commercial networks in capital cities and on selected pay TV channels including FOX8, ESPN, The Comedy Channel, Fox Sports 1, Arena TV, Lifestyle Channel.
Follow Sam and his Lamb escapades in the lead up to Australia Day on www.votelamb.com.au which will go live across Australia on Sunday, 14 January.

Executive Creative Director: Warren Brown
Copywriter: Dennis Koutoulogenis
Art Director: Dale McGuinness
Agency Producer: Louise Hodgeson
Account Management: Sarah Crane, David Flanagan, Julie Burke
Director: Trent O’Donnell, Jungleboys
Producer: Jason Burrows, Jungleboys
Sound: Barry Stewart – Sound Resevoir
Client: Meat & Livestock Australia