ROLLER GURU FRONTS NEW CADBURY BOOST CAMPAIGN VIA THE FURNACE

Roller-dancing champion, Demeryst Upshaw, will front a multimillion-dollar above and below-the-line campaign beginning 4 March for Cadbury Schweppes’ popular Cadbury Boost bar, via The Furnace, Melbourne.
It continues to build on the 70’s American retro vibe that first launched Cadbury Boost in 2005 and features a 30-second TVC, cinema, outdoor, print and POS advertising. The fully integrated campaign will also feature a major public relations and sampling program.
The new TVC for Boost, shot on Venice Beach, California, shows Demeryst roller-dancing along the famous strip. The Venice Beach scene will be recreated as part of a two-week media and sampling roadshow in Australia from March 19th – 28th.
The US champion will appear as part of the sampling campaign at famous Eastern Seaboard landmarks such as Melbourne’s Southbank, Sydney’s Bondi Beach and Brisbane’s Queen Street Mall, giving Australia a taste of roller-dancing and immersing consumers in the advertising creative.
The roadshow and consumer and trade media relations campaign was devised and will be executed by Red Agency, The Furnace’s public relations affiliate who joined the Euro RSCG network in December 2005.

Creative Director: Jessica Harold
Creative Team: Jessica Harold and Royce Akers
Agency Producer: John Lamble
Director: Spencer Susser (Bob Industries)
Production Company: Curious Films
Producer: Peter Grasse

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MARKETFORCE PUSH SPECIAL EFFECTS FOR SCITECH

Marketforce, Perth has created a spot for Scitech.

Creative Director: Andrew Tinning
Writer: Ric Cairns
Director: Ric Cairns
Film Company: Time line
Producer: Bob Glover
Agency Producer: Nicole Beer

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PLAZA RANKED #8 TVC COMPANY, MIDDLEDITCH #5 DIRECTOR, IN SHOTS GRAND PRIX

Sydney based Plaza Films is ranked 8th in the category of the SHOTS ‘World’s Most Awarded Production Companies’ in the annual Shots Grand Prix, while Plaza's Paul Middleditch (pictured) is ranked 5th in the category of the ‘World’s Most Awarded Directors’.
Foster’s ‘Big Ad’, via George Patts Y&R Melbourne and directed by Middleditch, was ranked 4th in the 'World’s Most Awarded Commercials' category.
‘Lynxjet’, directed by Plaza’s Nicholas Reynolds for Lowe Hunt, Sydney, was also ranked 4th in the Integrated category. The TVC picked up three Bronze Lions at last year’s Cannes, where Plaza was also ranked in the top 10 World Production Companies.
The SHOTS Grand Prix ranks the winners from 27 of the world’s leading awards ceremonies from September 2005 to August 2006, including Cannes, the Clios, D&AD, One Show and AWARD.
Using SHOTS’ exclusive scoring system, the winners are collated into 14 tables, covering the world’s most awarded commercials, print advertisements, directors, post production companies, agencies and production companies.

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DROGA5 APPOINTS ROYER AS ECD

New York based Droga5 has named former Publicis Mojo Sydney ECD Ted Royer executive creative director, reporting to agency chairman David Droga. In this role, Royer will oversee all advertising, new media, and creative content for Droga5’s clients.
Droga5 was founded by Aussie expat Droga in 2006 on the belief that this is the era of relevance marketing and creativity with a conscience. The agency’s expertise is in brand solutions and consumer communities that generate engagement by co-opting popular culture. Clients of the firm include Marc Ecko, UNICEF & The Tap Project, PBS, TracFone, and RedBull.
"We'll be doing something for Steinlager, that will be launching in the U.S. in April," says Royer. "We're building a Web site where one of the things you'll be able to do is swap lives with someone in New Zealand."
March 22 will see the launch of the Tap Project, an effort to get New Yorkers to donate $1 to UNICEF in return for the usually free activity of drinking water. Droga originated the idea for Esquire magazine's 'Genius' issue.
Next year, Droga5 hopes to expand the initiative to other cities. "We're taking the brand and approaching 50 of our favorite agencies and saying you're the agency for this city. You can do whatever you want, so long as you promote it," Royer said.
There are also plans for a television show with an online and software component. "It's a small business initiative for Microsoft," he said.
Prior to joining Droga5, Royer worked for Droga (while he was worldwide CD) in the New York office of Publicis, where he oversaw creative on the Heineken brand. He has also worked at Saatchi & Saatchi, Singapore, Ogilvy & Mather in Argentina and Publicis Mojo in Sydney, as well as on Nike at Wieden + Kennedy.
He has won over 50 major awards around the world for such clients as ESPN, Unilever, Hewlett Packard, and Heineken.

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MATCHETT TO RETURN TO ECD OF OGILVY AUSTRALIA

Bruce Matchett, currently chief creative officer of JWT India, is returning mid year to Sydney, to take up the executive CD role at Ogilvy Australia.
Matchett has been at JWT India - based in Mumbai, in charge of around 250 creatives across five cities - since September 2005. He was hired by JWT worldwide CD, Australian Craig Davis, who had been a long time admirer of Matchett, a Scot, who was the award-winning CD of Ogilvy & Mather Auckland prior to transferring to O&M Sydney a decade ago. Shortly after he arrived in Australia, JSA merged with O&M and Matchett became national CD of SO&M, even though it meant giving up entering award shows. He was at SO&M until 2004 when he stepped up to a group creative role at STW.

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VALE PHILLIP DAGG

Another indredibly sad day for the industry: one of Australia's finest and best loved TVC producers Phillip Dagg passed away yesterday, after suffering a heart attack on Friday. He was 53.
Says friend Warwick Majcher, partner at Morris & Partners, Sydney: "The Australian advertising industry yesterday lost a larger-than-life storyteller, bon vivant and passionate commercials producer. His body of work spans thirty years and four continents. Phillip was a passionate family man and leaves behind his much-loved wife, Bernadette, his daughter, Bridgette and son, Patrick."
Born and raised in the university town of Armidale on the NSW Tablelands, Dagg’s first full-time position was as tour manager for up-and-coming Australian band, Cold Chisel. He then moved to Melbourne, where he introduced another group of musicians to each other. These guys called themselves Men at Work.
But while Dagg loved music, his passion was film. So he left the music business and went to MIT, where he completed degrees in both Film and Economics. This led him to his life-long career as a successful commercials producer.
Phillip produced for a number of directors over the years, including Les Luxford, Paul Middleditch, David Gaddie, Derek Richards and Tony Davison.
In the early 80s he landed at Film de Luxford, producing for Les Luxford. His next gig was at Ross Woods, where he worked with Michael Robertson and where he discovered and produced for Paul Middleditch. When Michael Robertson formed Robertson Productions, Dagg and Middleditch were the first to join. At Robertson, Dagg also produced for Geoff Brown and produced David Gaddie's first commercials.
Of course, Middleditch is now considered Australia's #1 tvc director while Gaddie is a hot director at Partizan in the USA.

Phillip Dagg's funeral will be held at Northern Suburbs Cremetorium on Tuesday 6th March at 2.30pm.

AWARD-WINNING PHOTOGRAPHER ALISTER CLARKE DIES

The Australian ad industry will once again be in mourning, this time on hearing news of the passing of Alister Clarke, one of Australia's most popular, and most awarded photographers, who succumbed to cancer on the weekend.
Clarke, who was only in his early 40s, was named one of the world's top photographers by Archive Magazine a few years back and his work has been featured in hundreds of award-winning print campaigns for the region's top agencies over the last two decades.

EXPLOSIVE SPOT FOR McCOYS

Colenso BBDO Auckland has created a new spot for McCoy Fruit Smoothie, which went to air last week in New Zealand.

Agency: Colenso BBDO, Auckland
Writer: Simone Louis
Art Director: Bradley Averill
Agency Producer: Jonathan Gerard
Director: Ken Lambert
Producer: James Schulz
Production Company: Film Construction
Editor: Stuart Morley
VFX: Perceptual Engineering

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COMPLIMENTS GUARANTEED FOR BMF'S NEW OPSM CAMPAIGN

BMF Sydney’s 2007 trans Tasman campaign for OPSM launched this week, led by a 30# tvc promising a new guarantee for consumers – get compliments or your money back.
The campaign is led by a 30” TVC. Warren Brown, Executive Creative Director, BMF: “As someone who wears glasses myself, I know how getting a compliment can really boost how you feel. ‘Compliments Guaranteed’ is a big idea for the brand, that we’ve delivered with great charm in the TV work, and has extended effortlessly across other communication channels”.
A targeted Direct Mail campaign, mailed out to over 600,000 takes the compliments guarantee idea through to OPSM’s existing customers, highlights new frames in store and hints at the compliments you might expect when you buy new frames.

Executive Creative Director: Warren Brown
Copywriters: Richard Morgan, Matt Lawson
Art Directors: Simon Langley, Onur Kece
GAD/Account Director: Rebecca Oxenbould
Agency Producer: Mandy Payne
Director: Miles Murphy
Production Company: Good Oil
Strategic Planner: Scott Davis


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AUSTRALIA POST: SO&M MAKES IT PART OF EVERY DAY

For the first time in over eight years Australia Post has gone to air with a brand campaign. Created by Singleton Ogilvy and Mather, Melbourne the campaign consists of seven 30 second spots. Two units shot for 16 days in 39 different locations to create these tvcs which brings us up to date with what Australia Post does today. There is a different execution for every day of the week and a media schedule that plays them that way.

Creative Director: Michael Knox.
Writer/Art Directors: Michael Knox, Nicholas Desira, Sally Richmond.
Agency Producer: Eyvonne Carfora.
Directors: Mark Bennett/Peter Bloomfield.
Production Company: Plush Films.
Executive Producer: Rob Spencer
Producer: Catherine Warner

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SNICKERS DON'T STOP

Sian Binder and Jennie Morris have created a top spot for Snickers, via BBDO Dubai, that is being talked about as a Cannes contender this year.
Writer Morris has been at the agency as a group Head for the last seven months, while art director Binder stayed for a month while they both did the ad.
Morris was previously in Sydney agencies including George Patts and various freelance stints (mostly for Host). Binder is now back in Sydney, currently freelancing at JWT.
Morris told CB Blog: "The ad was shot in Saudi Arabia, all the post was done in Amsterdam and the music is by a hip hop band out of Kuwait."

Agency - Impact BBDO Dubai
Executive Creative Director - Peter Russell
Group head / copywriter - Jennie Morris
Art Director - Sian Binder
Agency producer - Azza Aboual Magd
Director - Joeri Holshheimer
Production company - x-ray filmproductions
Executive Producer: soeren schmidt
Post Production - valkieser capital images
Post producer: niels scheide
Post supervisor: hans loosmann
3d animation: rolf van slooten
Client: Tarek Abdallah, Category Manager Masterfoods Middle East

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MORE PERTH BOYS LURED TO SAATCHI'S AUCKLAND

303 Perth's award-winning writer, Paul Coghlan (top left), is leaving the agency to join Saatchi & Saatchi, Auckland. Coghlan is teaming up with former Perth art director, Stephen de Wolf (below left), who has been freelancing in Sydney for the past six months. The pair met whilst working at Clemenger BBDO Melbourne in 2005, while Mike O’Sullivan was ECD.
Though they weren’t teamed at Clemenger, O’Sullivan says he was impressed with the work Coghlan and de Wolf produced independently and had no hesitation hiring them for Saatchi’s Auckland.
Coghlan moved to Perth at the start of last year and made an immediate impact, winning a Caxton award and a Bronze Bullet at the international Young Guns awards, where it was the only press finalist from Australia. He also won two Bronzes at AWARD last year for a radio commercial he wrote whilst at Clemenger.
The pair join another ex Perth team, the highly awarded Levi Slavin and Dave Govier, originally from Marketforce, who joined Saatchi's Auckland recently from Colenso BBDO, Auckland.

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BUNGEE JUMP AD WINS ROUND 4 OF 2007 SIREN AWARDS

A 30 second radio commercial promoting a bungee jump ride, which was recorded live, has won the single and overall categories for round four of this year’s Siren Awards.
The ad, called “F****k”, was written for the company Bungee West, by Matt Dickson (pictured) from Nova 93.7 in Perth.
Judges and previous round winners, Ant Keogh and Grant Rutherford said the ad won the category because of its simplicity and truth. “The Bungee West “F…k” ad, out of all the spots, was the funniest, most insightful and bang on strategy,” said Grant Rutherford.
Three entries were highly commended. “Stress Transferrer” for Bic Pens, written by John Mescall from agency Smart in Melbourne; “French” for J Boag and Sons, written by Glenn Dalton and George Freckleton from agency AJF Partnership and “The Fine Print Guy” for Think Mobile, written by Ben Davies from Sea FM and Gold FM on the Gold Coast.
A series of ads for Bic Pens, called “Early Finisher, Hot Chick, Inadequate, Stress Transferrer” and written by John Mescall from agency, Smart in Melbourne won the campaign category. Mr Mescall won the overall Gold Siren in 2006 for an ad for Bic Pens called “Chicken Inseminator”.
“The Bic pen ads took me straight back to high school exams, nicely playing out the characters we've all met in that high pressure, yet tedious, environment. I like the way the strategy pinpoints a single target market and then aims to entertain only that group, which gives the creatives a chance to create a specific and fresh angle on the whole thing, “ said Ant Keogh.
One other entry was highly commended in the campaign category for round four. It was “French/Teddy Bear/Roses” for J Boag and Sons, written by Glenn Dalton and George Freckleton from AJF Partnership.
The winner of the craft category was an ad for the Gold Coast International’s restaurant, called “Yamagen Iron Chef”. The ad was produced by Brett Johnson from studio, AudioOne.
Judge and previous winner of the craft category, Vaughan Jones from Hot 91 Sunshine Coast said the ad displayed a great depth of field by using layers of sound in great proportion.
“The project displayed a number of well executed production techniques including many specific and unique sound effects; a multi character scene with densely overlayed voice overs presented in various positions across the soundscape and a specific “timing” requirement to accurately depict the typical “iron chef” environment,” said Vaughan Jones.
Highly commended in the craft category for round four was an ad called “Shareholder’ for Commercial Radio Australia, produced by Rod Enright from studio, Song Zu.
The national Siren Awards are run by Commercial Radio Australia and are designed to recognise the best radio advertising in the country. The awards promote the importance of creativity as a way to make radio advertising more effective.
Round five of the Siren Awards close on Thursday, March 15. Entries are free and will be accepted for any radio ads that have aired between March 1 2006 and March 15 2007, and commercials which have been entered previously into Rounds 1-4 can be resubmitted into Round 5. Entries can be submitted at

Siren Awards

.
The annual winner from the creative categories is automatically entered into the Cannes Radio Lions in June 2007 and receives a trip for two to the world’s biggest ad festival.
The winner of the 2007 Siren Awards for creative excellence in radio advertising will be announced at a gala breakfast in Melbourne on May 4, featuring renowned Australian comedy duo and top-rating radio personalities, Hamish and Andy. The breakfast will be followed by a Masterclass, a creative seminar, featuring Cannes Radio Lions judge for this year and creator of the award-winning Australian radio brand campaign, Ralph van Dijk of Eardrum Australia, who will run several interactive sessions on how to write world-class radio ads.
Both the Sirens breakfast and Masterclass will be held at The Point Albert Park in Melbourne. Commercial Radio Australia is running the event in association with the Melbourne Advertising and Design Club (MADC). The breakfast will run from 7.30am to 9:30am and the Masterclass will follow the breakfast and includes lunch. Tickets are on sale now at $395 for the breakfast and Masterclass combined and $60 for breakfast only. An early bird discounted rate of $350 is available for those members of Commercial Radio Australia and MADC who book and pay before Thursday April 5. For a booking form and more information visit the dedicated website:

Siren Awards

.

THE JOHN WEST BEAR IS BACK

Grey Worldwide Melbourne has created a new spot for John West, which may be seen as a follow-up to the famous 'Bear' spot out of Leo Burnett London.

Creative Director: Ant Shannon
Writer: Brendon Guthrie
Art Director: Tim Holmes
Producer: Sandi Gracin
Director: Mark Bennett
Prod Company: Plush

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SIMON FROST SIGNS TO REPUBLIC

Sydney director Simon Frost has signed with Republic Films.
Frost said his decision was based on Republic’s position in both the TVC and branded content markets. “There are a lot of great production companies, but perhaps not with the same vision as Republic. Its move into new media content, and its solid reputation made the decision easy”.
Simon has shot TVCs for many of the top brands including Telstra, Kia, Thredbo, Coca-Cola, LG, Westpac, Carlton United Breweries and the the Commonwealth Bank to name
but a few.
Said Principal Adam Wells, “He was born in Israel, raised in England and schooled in Scotland, so he’s right good.”

LIMITED TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR RAZZLE DAZZLE SCREENING MONDAY NIGHT

"A well observed, brilliantly performed comedy." - Steve Coogan
Darren Ashton’s (Republic Films) latest feature film Razzle Dazzle – A Journey Into Dance will be released nationwide on Thursday 15th March. In the week starting Monday 26th February, several press screenings have been scheduled for industry members.
Limited spaces are available at an industry preview at Hoyts Broadway this Monday (26/02) – contact Federica Vettor on 9967 8555 to reserve a seat if not too late.
Razzle Dazzle – A Journey Into Dance is a comedy/mockumentary about how to change the world “step-by-step”.
Starring Kerry Armstrong, Ben Miller, Nadine Garner, Denise Roberts and Tara Morice, Razzle Dazzle lifts the curtain on the world of children’s competitive dance.
Amidst parental politics, petty rivalry, creative controversy and the hysterics of pushy stage mothers, the film takes you behind the glamour and the glitter to a world where, sometimes, winning is everything.
Darren is currently presenting Razzle Dazzle at the Berlin Film Festival, where the film has been officially selected for competition.
Amongst much positive feedback, Ben Elton’s review (“A wonderful film, hilarious and touching.“) typifies the film’s reception.
Limited spaces are available at an industry preview at Hoyts Broadway this Monday (26/02) – contact Federica Vettor on 9967 8555 to reserve a seat if not too late.
Having completed the film, Darren Ashton is now keen to resume his work in commercial production. Contact Adam Wells at Republic Films.

CANNES YOUNG CREATIVE COMPETITION - MARCH 9 DEADLINE

Entries for this year’s Cannes Young Creative Competition, organised by Fairfax Media, are now open and will close at 5pm Friday March 9.
The creative brief is to execute an integrated advertising response for a corporate client in support of ‘EARTH HOUR’. Earth Hour is an initiative that the WWF-Australia and Fairfax Media invite all Sydney households and businesses to participate in by turning off their lights for one hour at 7.30pm on 31st March 2007.
As a new initiative for 2007, Fairfax Media will send a team of four to Cannes to enter in the Press and Cyber competitions. Therefore teams who enter this year will need to comprise two print (one writer and one art director) and two cyber specialists to create their response.
Further information can be obtained by contacting the Cannes Lions 2007 representative, Paddy Douneen on 02 9282 3657 or pdouneen@fairfax.com.au.

KIMBLE RENDALL AND ANDREW McPHAIL OPEN ARITHMETIC AND MOBILEPICTURES

Kimble Rendall and Andrew McPhail have opened Arithmetic and mobilepictures with offices in Redfern. Over the last five years Rendall has been directing second unit on Hollywood films working between Los Angeles and Sydney. He has specialised in action and visual effects with his latest effort being Ghost Rider which has just opened with the largest box office for the Presidents weekend in the USA. McPhail co-owned BLACK (now @radical.media) with Jeff Darling and Alan White. Prior to that he produced for Alex Proyas at MEC.
Arithmetic is a new Sydney based production and creative management company specialising in the development of both original and branded content for the digital era.
“As the lines between advertising and entertainment become blurred, new combinations of skills and services are being required to produce the most effective forms of breakthrough quality communication,” says McPhail
With its partner mobilepictures, Arithmetic has the added capability of providing the full spectrum of creative and production services across all screen content platforms including internet and mobile devices.
Their first signing is Dendy Award winning writer/director Husein who has just won the Grand Prize in the Telstra Wotnext competition for user generated content.
Contact Andrew McPhail on 0417 244861.

LIND LAUNCHES ENFANT TERRIBLE CLOTHING LABEL

Award-winning art director Mike Lind has launched a new website for his own children's clothing label, which is his new focus. It is called

Enfant Terrible

and it's a label for rascals, tykes and scallywags. "No sugar and spice t-shirts there," says Lind.
Lind has been in advertising for the past ten years: he started out at VCD, where he stayed for about five years, moved to BWM for a brief stint before he disappeared to BBDO Prague for a couple of years from 2001 to 2003. In recent years he has been on the freelance circuit in Sydney, particularly for Siimon Reynolds at Love.

Mike Lind Creative
& Enfant Terrible

3/66 Myrtle Street
Chippendale, 2008

m: 0414 338 407
t: +612 9699 6621
f: +612 9318 2362

Enfant Terrible

HYUNDAI 'TODDLER' COMMERCIAL BANNED BY ASB

The Advertising Standards Bureau pulled the Hyundai 'Toddler' spot off air this week, claiming it sent the wrong message to pre-schoolers about driving cars.
The spot was created by Kim Thorp and Howard Greive from Assignment Group NZ and directed by Tony Williams from Sydney Film Company, with post via Frame Set + Match, Sydney.
What do bloggers think of this decision?

STRAIGHT 8 FILM COMPETITION DEADLINE APRIL 2

Straight 8 have just held screenings in London of 8 of the past Straight 8 entries to announce the call for entries for the 2007 event. The entry deadline is April 2nd.
The worldwide competition is open to anyone, even first time filmmakers. All entrants are sent film: Kodak's colour ektachrome 64t. Films can be up to 3 minutes and 20 seconds long and must have an original score/soundtrack.
All editing is done in-camera and submitted by April 2nd. The first time you see your film is with the audience! Films will be selected for the official 2007 reel, which will be screened at the Cannes Lions Advertising Festival, the Cannes Film Festival, Rushes Soho Shorts, and several other events throughout the year.
The Best of Straight 8 films are online at

Straight 8

, as is the entry info. The Cannes screening is in association with the APA and Rushes and the organizer
of Straight 8 is Ed Sayers from Blink Productions in London.

DOHERTY NEW MD OF THE CAMPAIGN PALACE MELBOURNE

CEO of Y&R Brands Matt McGrath has named Steve Doherty as the new managing director of The Campaign Palace, Melbourne.
Doherty is the former general manager of George Patterson Y&R. He also established and ran the agency’s Canberra office.
“We looked at a number of candidates over the past few months, as it’s among the most high profile jobs in the country,” says McGrath, “We believe Steve is the right person to lead one of Australia’s great agencies. He has been a key player at GPY&R Melbourne, one of the most creatively awarded agencies in the world, for the past eight years. He has award winning credentials with his work on the Australian Defence Force (ADF), Black Balloons energy conservation and Cadbury Picnic’s Deliciously Ugly campaigns, a solid track record with new business, extensive experience with large clients and great people management skills.”
McGrath added that Doherty’s appointment also followed Y&R Brands strategy of promoting outstanding talent within the organization.
Doherty said he looked forward to the challenge of leading one of Australia’s icon agencies, particularly at a time when The Palace has recorded its best financial performance in decades. “Melbourne is where it all started and there’s no denying there will be enormous expectations of me. But I’ve got a head start in that I’ll be working with brilliant staff and some great clients.”
Former Campaign Palace CEO, Mark Mackay, remains on the board of the agency.
Clients of The Campaign Palace Melbourne include Target, National Foods, Hesta Super, Origin Energy, the ATO and other Federal Government projects.

FILMGRAPHICS FIRST PRODUCTION HOUSE TO LAUNCH NEW, INTERACTIVE WEBSITE FEATURING ‘HITCHHIKE®’

Filmgraphics has become the first Australian production company to launch a new, interactive website which is designed to help lead the company into creative branded content production under new Chief Executive Officer Chris Moore, who is fresh from his producer role at the world's most innovative agency, Crispin Porter + Bogusky, Miami.
The new website at

Filmgraphics

will offer a suite of branded content opportunities under the new Hitchhike® portal and will be fully interactive and include forums for content ideas. Filmgraphics director Steve Pasvolsky has been directing the idea and construction of the site for a number of months now.
Earlier this month, Filmgraphics announced the appointment of Moore and signalled its intention to move into branded content production, including live action and animated television series, viral campaigns, mobile and web-based.
This content could take the form of drama, comedy and animated mobisodes, information services, games and interactivity. The company has already in place technical and creative ability to achieve this.
“Hitchhike® will have a dual role: it provides a forum for new work and content ideas. Filmgraphics can then help agencies develop ideas for clients, or, if we believe the idea is strong enough, we will invest our own money and resources to realise the idea in the most creative way,” Moore said.
“Hitchhike® will also develop, produce, market and distribute original mobile content and TV series.”
Hitchhike® will be divided into two key areas:
LAUNCHED - a gallery of concept clips, characters, short films and TV commercials which have already been launched as viral content.
PRIMED - a YouTube-style forum for clients and agency creatives to discover
original concepts, scripts, characters and films by writers, directors, actors and animators.
“Hitchhike® offers agency creatives access to undiscovered, innovative material which can potentially be licensed for clients,” Moore said.
The site was designed by award winning New Zealand company, RESN.
“Hitchhike® is an exciting new addition to Filmgraphics productions. It is a
platform for new emerging ideas in branded entertainment, matching up agency
creatives with new writers, directors, animators and performers,” Pasvolsky said.
“Clients and agencies will now also be able to view the commercials that
Filmgraphics have produced for them. It has been a labour of love but we wanted to make sure we had something really innovative for the market and I think we have achieved that.”
www.filmgraphics.com

M&C SAATCHI SYDNEY SNARES TOP PLANNER FROM DDB NYC

M&C Saatchi Sydney has finalised its new-look planning department with the appointment of Claudia David to the position of planning director.
David, who has been DDB director, brand strategy for DDB for four years in New York and more recently in New Zealand, will head a department that recently hired its first channel planner, Ian Czencz, and is the biggest since the agency launched.
“Claudia is one of our most exciting appointments and her brilliant experience across the world, literally, at agencies like TBWA and DDB internationally will bring a wealth of knowledge to our clients.
“We have been quietly building the department and our two other senior planner appointments made late last year, with Ian and Colin Jowell, along with our existing planners mean that we enter 2007 with a fantastic team” said M&C Saatchi executive chairman Asia Pacific Tom Dery.
German-born David will start at the agency in just over a month.

CANNES TRIP UP FOR GRABS - FINAL ROUND OF SIREN AWARDS CLOSES MARCH 15

Round 5 of the 2007 Siren Awards closes March 15.
In Round 5 all radio commercials that aired between April 1, 2006 and March 15, 2007 are eligible for entry - you can even re-submit ads that have been entered into previous Siren rounds!
This is your final chance to be in the running for the trip for two to Cannes! Entry is free and takes just 5 minutes.
Go to:

Siren Awards

2007 SIREN AWARDS SET FOR MAY 4 IN MELBOURNE

The winner of the 2007 Siren Awards for creative excellence in radio advertising will be announced at a gala breakfast in Melbourne on May 4, featuring renowned Australian comedy duo and top-rating radio personalities, Hamish and Andy. The duo will host the breakfast and also speak at the Siren Masterclass, a creative seminar directly following the breakfast.
Hamish and Andy, who began their careers on radio in Melbourne at Fox FM, now host a nationally syndicated drive time show on the Today Network. The duo will host the breakfast and also speak at the Siren Masterclass, a creative seminar directly following the breakfast.
The full-day Masterclass will also feature Dr Rebecca Huntley, a researcher and author with ten years experience in publishing, academia and politics, who recently published a book, The World According to Y: Inside the New Adult Generation. Huntley, who is also the director of research and author of the Ipsos Mackay Report, will talk about Generation Y and how to engage them.
Cannes Radio Lions judge for this year and creator of the award-winning Australian radio brand campaign, Ralph van Dijk of Eardrum Australia will also talk at the Masterclass and run several interactive sessions on how to create world-class radio ads. More high-profile speakers will be announced soon.
The chief executive officer of Commercial Radio Australia, Joan Warner said the annual Siren Awards breakfast and Masterclass provides a great opportunity to recognize the excellence in Australian radio advertising and also look at ways to further improve it.
“As an industry we have tried to be creative in our own advertising campaign - recently launching the latest series of ads which feature the world’s funniest man, John Cleese. It is important to keep looking at radio creative, recognise its strengths and also focus on ways to keep improving it,” Ms Warner said.
The winner of the 2007 Siren Awards will be chosen from the winners and highly commended of the five rounds of the Awards and will be judged by the Siren Creative Council - comprising leading creative directors from national advertising agencies. The 2007 winner will be automatically entered into the Cannes Radio Lions - to be held in June and will also win two tickets to attend the festival.
Last year’s Gold Siren Award winner was an ad for Bic Pens called “Chicken Inseminator”. The commercial, written by John Mescall, Rebecca Newman and Malcolm Chambers from Smart, Melbourne, used comedy to promote the importance of using a failsafe pen. The same commercial also won a Silver Siren for winning the overall single category.

What : The Siren Awards breakfast and Siren Masterclass will both be held at The Point, Albert Park in Melbourne. Commercial Radio Australia is running the event in association with the Melbourne Advertising and Design Club (MACD). The breakfast will run from 7.30am to 9:30am and the Masterclass will follow the breakfast, and includes lunch and networking drinks on conclusion.

When : Friday May 4, 2007

How much : Tickets are on sale now at $395 for the breakfast and Masterclass combined and $60 for breakfast only. An early bird discounted rate of $350 is available for those members of Commercial Radio Australia and MADC who book and pay before Thursday April 5.

How: For a booking form and more information
visit the website: sirenawards.com.au
or email: info@sirenawards.com.au

TOMATO'S TOMAS ROOPE SET TO JOIN THE RUMPUS ROOM

The Rumpus Room, a subsidiary of The Sweet Shop, has snared Tomas Roope from Tomato International to head up the company's UK office.
“Tomas has been with Tomato International for the last ten years and brings a wealth of experience from working with one of the best forward thinking companies in the world, we are honoured to have him join our team,” says The Rumpus Room principal Paul Prince.
“I am extremely excited about this opportunity to join a team that share my excitement of the future of emotional communication. It gives me the chance to begin to create things and spaces that have always fascinated me, and the world seems increasingly receptive to,” said Roope.

AMEX 'COLLETTE DINNIGAN' WINS MOBIUS FOR ART DIRECTION

Sydney production companies Plush Films and

Emerald City Design

scored a First Place Mobius Statue for Art Direction for the American Express 'My Life. My Card' spot featuring Collette Dinnigan, at the Mobius Awards held Friday night in Los Angeles. Over 5100 entries were received from 35 countries.

Agency: Singleton Ogilvy & Mather, Sydney
Agency Producer: Monique Pardavi
O&M NY Creative Director: Jonathon Koffler
Creative Director AUS: Boris Garelja
Art Director: Raj Rabindranath
Production company: Plush Films and Emerald City
Director/DOP: Miles Goodall
Executive Producer: Rob Spencer
Producer SA: Linda Notelovitz Goodall
Producer AUS: Catherine Warner
Executive Producer: Geoff Clow
Senior Producer: Martin Wiseman
Design Director: Caterina Vicaretti
VFX Supervisor: Grant Everett

CHAN STARS FOR VISA

Action superstar Jackie Chan Kung Foo’s his way to the 2008 Beijing Olympics in this tvc for Visa International, via Clemenger BBDO, Sydney, only to realise that all he needs is his Visa credit card.

Creative Director: Danny Searle
Creative Team: Danny Searle and Paul Bennell
Agency Producer: Denise McKeon
Director: David Denneen
Producer: Anna Fawcett
Production Company: Filmgraphics
Editor: Sue Schweikert

BMF WINS HAMILTON ISLAND

BMF Sydney has won the Hamilton Island advertising account, which has been parked with Brain Surgery (the shop started by Mick Hunter and Ian Morton), since leaving long term agency The Campaign Palace last year. BMF's inaugural campaign will be for Australia’s newest luxury resort, located on Hamilton Island.
“BMF presented with an extremely strong integrated team who will undoubtedly be a fantastic asset to our business both strategically and creatively. It's exciting times ahead for Hamilton Island over the next few years. And with this decision, we're sure we have the right partner in place to help us achieve our goals,” said Michelle Kenna, Sales & Marketing Director at Hamilton island.
According to Kenna, BMF’s broad range of expertise under the one roof, including Digital and Channel planning departments, was a key factor in Hamilton Island's decision to award them the account.
Says Jeremy Nicholas, Director of Strategic Planning at BMF: “We’re excited to be involved in the launch. Hamilton Island is an iconic leisure brand with a driven and ambitious company behind it. This account represents the type of work we do at BMF; big brand ideas that inform every aspect of the business.”
Hamilton Island’s new Luxury resort opens in August coinciding with Hamilton Island Race week.

NOBBY'S DIARY: ANDY'S JUDGING IN BUENOS AIRES, DAY 4 AND 5

Saatchi & Saatchi Australia executive creative director David Nobay is in Buenos Aires, judging the Andy's, along with a star-studded panel of the best creatives in the world, including Mother´s founder, Mark Waites, DDB Chief Bob Scarpelli, Leo Burnett's Mark Tutssel and Crispin´s ECD Andrew Keller. Here is his report on the final two days...

DAY 4:
This morning we discover that the luxury suite, free gifts, gallons of fine wine and top grade cow all come with a price. In our case, the price was five grueling (hungover) hours with our noses glued to individual laptops as we collectively wade through 200 assorted websites via a broadband width that you’d be pushed to download Google on. Joking aside, it was hell. We really pushed our reserves of professionalism to hang around the often ten minutes it took to download a site that ultimately proved lame.
The afternoon was much more fun. Based on our individual scorecard entries over the week, the winning Gold, Silver and Bronze print had been laid out on the tables to view. First impression: the selection was pretty thin. Once the jury got a good look at the spread, the knives came out and the trimming began. After an hour of robust debate, the tables had more white space that print on them and Tutssel was starting to wonder if this year’s Annual would be better printed as a pamphlet. To beef up the score, we started trawling through the “almost rans,” those entries that just missed the numerical line. Thankfully, we all found lots to admire in this bunch, and by the end of the day, the print and outdoor metal looked like a true spread of the best of the year, including some really strong student entries. (Apparently, winning students have already been contacted, tagged and hired by Crispin, before the final vote was even in.)
All in all, the jury didn’t have too many spats, though there were some pretty heated exchanges over what constitutes a campaign, and the usual grumblings about eligibility and effectiveness. As always, Marie Catherine had strong, passionate opinions on much of the work on the table. (If only it was the table we were judging at the time). Dinner was spectacular with my mate Tutssel and our local legend, Saatchi Argentina Chief Pablo Del Campo.
Only a day to go… I may just get out of this in one piece.

DAY 5.
Ouch! This morning is the capstone morning to a great week. Yesterday, we spent a long day debating our GRANDY winner (and we also spent plenty of time debating what GRANDY actually stands for). After it all, we celebrated with one hell of a party hosted in a disguised rail yard. The place has been overrun by a Bohemian army of local artists, who’ve left their eclectic paw print on every inch of the place. What with sacrificial goats (well, a big BBQ), crazy installation art and a throbbing local music, the venue quickly took on the enchanted hues of a Pagan Festival, which given this week’s nocturnal events seemed entirely appropriate. Even Marie Catherine seemed at home, as she weaved through the drunken throng towards our team mascot and spiritual leader, Bobby Greenberg, as he busted out disco moves upon the stage.
All in all, it’s been a very special week that proved to be a tricky balancing act. Each day brought serious joi de vive, and equally serious debate, discussion (and, at times, combat) on the big question of the day – “where is this industry of ours heading? And are we doing enough to get it there?” It was a balancing act pulled off with great aplomb by our Chairman Mark Tutssel. He made steering a room of some of the industry’s biggest egos through daily white water look almost easy. That, combined with the backroom skills of a small army of ANDY organizers and sponsors, made for a fantastic week.
So, I sign off this diary with new friends, some new ideas and certainly some new challenges ahead. Just in time, I wager, for one more lump of red meat and a glass of Malbec.

All the best,
Nobby

TOMATO AT AWARD FUNCTION

Tomas Roope from Tomato International will deliver a talk next Thursday 22nd February at 6.30pm at The Point Hotel, Pyrmont.
AWARD Members FREE. Non members: $25 incl GST.
Roope is the joint most successful entrant into D&AD's interactive awards, with three D&AD Yellow Pencils in three different categories.
Tomato is best known for work on the movie Train-spotting, Design strategy for Federation Square in Melbourne, Sony Branding and collaborations with the band Underworld.
Roope will discuss how advertising is affected by the transitional phase of entertainment migrating from broadcast to a consumer controlled model.
Limited Tickets - Bookings Essential, even for free tickets.
The Point Hotel, 59 Harris St, Pyrmont at 6.30pm.
To book, contact Pauline at AWARD on 02 82897 3877 or email pauline@awardonline.com.

WHAT'S BOB AND THE LADS UP TO AT SAATCHI WORLDWIDE?

Saatchi & Saatchi recently held their worldwide creative board meeting in Sydney, hosted by Saatchi Australia ECD David Nobay, and presided over by Australian Bob Isherwood, the network's worldwide CD. In this very dodgy video (Lynchy took it with no lights on the roof of the Hyatt overlooking the Opera House on the wettest February day on record), Isherwood outlined to the trade press what Saatchi's is up to around the world.

NOBBY'S DIARY: ANDY'S JUDGING IN BUENOS AIRES, DAY 3

Saatchi & Saatchi Australia executive creative director David Nobay is in Buenos Aires, judging the Andy's, along with a star-studded panel of the best creatives in the world, including Mother´s founder, Mark Waites, DDB Chief Bob Scarpelli, Leo Burnett's Mark Tutssel and Crispin´s ECD Andrew Keller. Here is his report on day two...

Judging international shows would be seriously fun if it wasn’t for two gremlins: jetlag (Australia is a long way from almost everywhere) and hotel e-mail (I must be the only CD left alive who hasn’t jumped on the Blackberry revolution). Last night, thanks to something charmingly known as a brown-out, my wife’s hotmail crashed twice and along with it my diary entries. So, for the third time, let’s do this thing.
Straight off, we’ll ignore the mundane details of the day’s judging and get straight to the real reason we all came here: the ANDY All-star Karaoke Slamdown. Always a fan of the street fighter’s credo: "get the first punch in then get the fuck outta there," I lost no time hitting the stage with my newly-formed backing babes "The Nobettes" (comprised of my wife, Sarah Barclay and Aussie ANDY babe, Wendy). Together, we nailed a Wilson Picket soul classic, "Midnight Hour," by channeling that fat Irish bloke from the Commitments (not such a stretch) and seriously straining my tonsils. To be honest, given the stunned reaction of the crowd, I thought we’d clinched it and retired overconfidently to the bar for a victory round.
The man-mountain Tutssel jumped up next and quickly dismissed the racial stereotype that all Welshman can sing, followed by our Thai crooner Thirasak, who displayed true Jedi-like karaoke powers by manipulating every muscle in his face to convey the true beauty of the lyrics, while simultaneously every muscle in his larynx sprinted in the opposite direction. Lost in Translation, Thai style. The chicks went crazy.
Next up, Wieden London´s Kim Papworth, who ignored the obvious temptation to belt out Honda’s “Impossible Dream” (you’d think he’d know the words) and went for what I can only assume was a Leonard Cohen medley, but without the cheeriness. Clearly something of a musical auteur, our French judge, the diminutive pocket-rocket Marie Catherine from TBWA Paris, sauntered up next, brushed aside the compere and ignored the teleprompter altogether to deliver what some bemused spectators suggested was an impersonation of Eva Braun singing to her love in German.
At this point, I reckoned I was still in Gold position. Unfortunately, I hadn’t reckoned on the Tiger Woods of the Karaoke world strutting up next. To the untrained eye, Andrew “Goldilocks” Keller has the face of an angel and the soft, birdlike gait of a teenage girl. Don’t be deceived. Crispin clearly didn’t earn its creative rep through charitable donations and after-hours flower arranging classes. Once Keller knew the game was on, he put together a string of hits that landed with all the focused intensity of a prize-fighter wired on crack. First out of the gate was “Bohemian Rhapsody” (a karaoke bear trap in the wrong hands). It quickly showed off his eunuch/Barry White range to full effect. He followed that with a full falsetto version of every girl’s dreamboat James Blunt doing “Beautiful”. POW! By now he was cruising, with the full room right behind him, leaving my sweaty, fumbling fingers flicking through the songbook by candlelight. The onslaught continued. Keller then threw the big punch – a straight off the cuff rendition of a local classic “Don’t cry for me Argentina.” POW! By now, I had moved to Jack Daniels; a sure sign of trouble. Keller’s coup de grace? What else, a modified version of “Real Men of Genius” (Bob Scarpelli actually cried and dropped to his knees). Game over. Thanks for coming.
Not known for being gracious in defeat, I tried trash-talking Keller, but only succeeded in challenging the entire jury to a Jack Daniel drinking competition until the wee hours. At least I walked away with a little respect.
What else? Oh, yeah. One of our caravans of co-sponsors, Lance from Time Magazine, got mugged outside the hotel in clear daylight and got his freakishly large Panieri watch stolen. Fortunately, apart from a couple of scratches that was the worst of it. Big Italian wrist watch: $5,000. After-dinner story: Priceless.

NZ MOVES

Toby Talbot has made his first hiring since starting as ECD of DDB New Zealand two weeks ago. He has lured the very talented French art director, Emmanuel Bougneres (pictured), back to New Zealand after six months working in Germany, latterly at Jung Von Matt.
In other NZ moves, After 15 and 14 years respectively at Saatchi & Saatchi Wellington, senior Nigel Richardson and Steve Cooper have signalled that they want to ‘strike out on their own’ in 2007. Saatchi's Wellington will be restructured, including finding a new creative director.
Full details on these stories, and other NZ creative news at: www.nzcreativecircle.blogspot.com

BIDENKO LURED BY TEQUILA

Peter Bidenko, CD Direct of Lowe Hunt Sydney, has been lured to the position of creative director of Tequila, Sydney.
Bidenko (pictured) was an integral part of Lowe Hunt's multi award-winning Lynxjet campaign, winner of nine Cannes Lions and the ADMA Grand Prix in 2006. Lynxjet was the most awarded DM campaign in the world last year, according to the WON Report.
The hiring coincides with sister shop Whybin\TBWA Sydney snaring M&C Saatchi Sydney senior suit Paul Bradbury to the position of General Manager, effective next week. Prior to M&C, Bradbury was GM of Arnold, Sydney.

YANNI TO DEPART THE PALACE

Senior writer Yanni Pounartzis is leaving The Campaign Palace, Sydney where he has been for the last two and half years.
After winning a Silver Lion for Heineken 'Long Neck' at Leo Burnett Sydney, he arrrived at the Palace at a low point and played a significant creative role in rebuilding the agency.
He was responsible for the highly successful Red Meat'We Were Meant To Eat It' campaign, the win and relaunch of '3' mobile communications and contributed to Westpac returning to the agency.
Pounartzis says he is looking forward to new creative opportunities. He can be contacted on: 0414 632 352.

LYNXJET RANKED #1 DIRECT CAMPAIGN IN THE WORLD, M&C SAATCHI SYDNEY RANKED WORLD #2, IN DIRECT WON REPORT

The Lynxjet campaign, via Lowe Hunt Sydney, has been ranked the #1 DM campaign in the world and M&C Saatchi Sydney the #2 direct agency in the world in the latest global Won Report.
M&C was also the only Australian agency to make the Top 10. CP Proximity Spain came first, followed by M&C Saatchi, with OgilvyOne Germany coming third.
Lowe Hunt Sydney was ranked 16th, while BMF came in at 29, and Rapp Collins at 34.
“It’s a fantastic result and the team should be incredibly proud, considering the huge direct agencies in contention,” said M&C Saatchi Direct creative director Dave King.
Visit www.wonreport.com for more info.

SONY TAPS SAATCHI & SAATCHI FOR SOME FOR BIG IDEAS

Saatchi & Saatchi Australia today announced it has been appointed by Sony Australia as the lead communications partner for the company’s Electronics business. The business, formerly with FNL Sydney, moved without a formal pitch. Saatchi will work across all Sony brands including BRAVIA, Walkman, Cyber-shot and Handycam and on important new technology launches.
Tim Rich, Group Manager of Corporate Marketing Communications at Sony Australia commented, “Sony has a strong brand in the Australian market, and we want to continue to develop, and deepen our engagement with consumers to retain this leadership position. Saatchi brings to the table big, connecting ideas and a clear understanding and capability for the future of communication.
“Over the years Sony Australia has seen some great success with FNL but our market is changing and we felt that we needed a creative change within the team to reflect that. I have a lot of respect for the Saatchi creative work and am looking forward to a productive relationship.”
Says Saatchi & Saatchi, CEO Simone Bartley (pictured, with ECD David Nobay): “Sony and Saatchi & Saatchi is a perfect match. Innovation and Ideas are at the core of both organisations. What has been important to us is that, like many of our recent client wins, Sony has actively embraced the full Saatchi integrated offering and it goes without saying that everyone in the agency is excited to be working on Sony and its portfolio of product brands.”
“This is a great way to kick off the year. We are planning for more growth ‘07 but remain clear that we will only take on business that is like minded.”
Saatchi & Saatchi last year topped the Australian Newspaper new business table with over $150 mil of new business billings.

NOBBY'S DIARY: ANDY'S JUDGING IN BUENOS AIRES, DAY 2

Saatchi & Saatchi Australia executive creative director David Nobay is in Buenos Aires, judging the Andy's, along with a star-studded panel of the best creatives in the world, including Mother´s founder, Mark Waites, DDB Chief Bob Scarpelli, Leo Burnett's Mark Tutssel and Crispin´s ECD Andrew Keller. Here is his report on day two...

I swapped a night of Tango lessons last night for in-room dining and a decent kip. Given the state of Mark Waites from Mother this morning, it was probably a wise decision, though the pressure is on me tonight to perform (Latin Karaoke, if you can believe it). So, I’ll make this quick.
Most of this morning was spent squeezing between 40 foot tables laden with the print entries, which I prefer judging. For starters, you can move around, which is preferable to dozing off in a small overheated room in front of 2,000 spots. We were joined by Paul Shearer, founder of Nitro and, among other claims to fame, an old college mate of mine from my Newcastle days almost twenty years go. Over lunch, he entertained the table with tales of how cool and good-looking I was on campus back then, which I quickly came to realise was his way of hiding his stunned amazement at how bloated and knackered I look twenty years later. Advertising can do that to a man!
The print standard was actually pretty good. We saw plenty of usual suspects that were already familiar from last year's shows, but also a crop of new stuff clearly destined for big things this year. While most came from the States, this is clearly an international show and I spotted great entries from every corner.
We’re a full day in, and already the jury has become easy-going and casual with each other, which makes a long day a lot shorter. The standard of judges that Mark Tutssel pulled together is seriously impressive (me aside!), which makes for an instant rapport. Generally speaking, guys with these kind of reps have little to prove and so are much more open about the work and far less bitchy. It would be nice if we could do the same locally!
We spent the afternoon in a huge, ridiculously over-lit ballroom, screening yesterday’s TV finalists. The stuff I saw was of a pretty high standard and there was a welcome lack of complete stinkers which usually finds their way into the first round of finalists at Cannes.
As for trends, I’d have to say I’m starting to get seriously jaded with the dead-pan office comedy spots, featuring anemic salary men. The formula seems to fit every category, from FedEx to fast food. Never thought I’d say it, but Ricky Gervais has a lot to answer for.
That’s it for today’s entry. Got to grab a shower and loosen up the tonsils with some warm salt water for my karaoke debut. Just hope they have the full book of Neil Diamond classics. Now, if anything deserves an award...

GLOBAL NEW MEDIA COMPETITION FOR UNDER 30 YEAR OLD CREATIVES

Make a Big Noise for Make Trade Fair, a global, non-traditional media competition and campaign for Oxfam International, has launched worldwide.
The competition calls for anyone in the world under the age of 30 to dream up a non-traditional campaign idea for Oxfam’s Make Trade Fair cause. The winning entrant will then have their idea brought to life and distributed across new media channels globally in 2007.
The competition and campaign was conceived by The Rumpus Room, a new creative division of New Zealand-based production company The Sweet Shop. “We’re really looking for the kind of idea that can spark a phenomenon”, said The Sweet Shop’s Managing Director, Paul Prince. “That’s what it’s about: bringing a great idea to life for a worthy and relevant cause in the biggest way we can”.
In partnership with YoungGuns, Make a Big Noise for Make Trade Fair will be judged by over 60 of the world’s leading creative heavyweights in advertising, communication and new media. This elite jury - with members from South America, South Africa, the UK and Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand and North America – will bring a truly international perspective to determining the winner.
“YoungGuns is delighted to be involved”, said YoungGuns founder, Kristian Barnes. “This is a great opportunity for creatives everywhere to push boundaries in developing a brilliant idea, using non-traditional media for a righteous cause”.
Oxfam International is excited by the launch of Make a Big Noise for Make Trade Fair to the world. “By embracing the changing communications landscape and championing the creativity of young people all over the globe, we hope to create something that will generate large scale awareness, bring about change and inspire a new generation to take ownership of the cause to Make Trade Fair”, said Bernice Romero, Advocacy and Campaigns Director of Oxfam International.
The Rumpus Room is a new division of The Sweet Shop’s that aims to harness the changing face of global communication; Make a Big Noise for Make Trade Fair is one example of this.
As Jacqui Kenny, Creative Director of The Rumpus Room explains: “The winning campaign for this competition should attract attention, invite participation and engage young people through new media everywhere”.
To learn more or to enquire about adding your support to the competition and campaign, visit the competition site at : www.makeabignoise.org

NOBBY'S DIARY: ANDY'S JUDGING IN BUENOS AIRES, DAY 1

Saatchi & Saatchi Australia executive creative director David Nobay is in Buenos Aires, judging the Andy's, along with a star-studded panel of the best creatives in the world, including Mother´s founder, Mark Waites, DDB Chief Bob Scarpelli, Leo Burnett's Mark Tutssel and Crispin´s ECD Andrew Keller. Here is his first daily report...

So, like a good trooper, I fly thousands of miles, pass through four separate airports and 20 odd hours later stagger into the sumptuous arms of The Four Seasons Hotel in Buenos Aires. And all for a little head. Not just any head mind you: the most coveted little head stateside (and given the international jury, I suspect soon to join our worldwide shopping list, too). I´m talking the ANDY - a kind of decapitated Oscar, that comes in three colours this year: bronze, silver and now gold. Better still, if you do snag a gold, it's now accompanied by its own ring, Super Bowl style. I kinda like that. A gong you can wear. (Maybe a Gold Lion medallion's up next, to wear dangling across your chest as you swagger down the Croisette).
Gongs aside, I love this crazy town. As always on these arduous business trips, I'm accompanied by Lady Saatchi, my wife Nikoll. This is our third time in Buenos Aires, and surely not our last. You have to admire any country that lists "Are you now, or have you ever been a Vegetarian?" on the Immigration Form.
Dutifully, I respect local custom and ignore the clouds of jetlag by joining Bob Greenberg, Head of R/GA, for some late night cow and a few bottles of Vino Tinto. Bob´s a revelation! Apart from running the top digital creative hotshop in the world, looking like Woody Allen meets Harpo Marx and sounding like the comedian Stephen Wright, he boasts a CV (ex boxer/biker/film producer) that even rivals Frenchy´s "Matador/Rock Manager path to adland´s door.
Next morning, I question the wisdom of that third bottle as Mark Tutssel, Leo Burnett’s WW Creative Chief and the ANDY´s Chairman kicks off breakfast with introductions to the jury and gives our day´s briefing. He´s assembled quite a cast: Mother´s founder, Mark Waites, DDB Chief, Bob Scarpelli, Crispin´s ECD, Andrew Keller and our regional star from Thailand, Thirasak Tanapatanakul, to name but a few. As with Cannes, we´re sectioned off immediately into smaller teams to start thinning out the thousands of entries.
I join my old mate Tuts and Andrew Keller in a small room with a big screen, comforted by the knowledge that this is the second cull (the first happening a couple of weeks ago back in the States). Alas, within minutes of our first reel, it’s painfully clear that their scalpel didn’t cut too deep: most of what we’re presented with is garbage that, as with all major shows, begs the question "who enters this stuff and surely there are more entertaining ways of throwing away thousands of dollars?"
Still, mustn’t grumble. Those limp entries are, I assume, paying for my rather impressive room eight floors up. Thankfully, we’re spared the dreaded automotive category and we get down to three hrs of fast food ads, followed by Best Original Soundtrack for dessert.
Here’s a strange thing: while most of the food ads were conceptually lame, the sight of hours of drooling pizzas and overloaded buns has left me and the boys salivating. I guess ads do work. (Which, given my present profession, can’t be a bad thing).
Andrew, Tuts and I soon set a cracking pace, synchronizing our responses until we become a single, united, throbbing muscle (no, not that one!) over our respective keypads. Such is our collective chemistry that we finish a good hour ahead of the slower teams next door and are immediately rewarded with a hefty slab of their unfinished categories to vote. (NOTE TO SELF: don’t show off tomorrow.)
That night, as most of the Jury head off for a sophisticated evening of Tango and cocktails, I sneak out a side door in search of the nearest McDonalds and Dominoes. If nothing else, the ads today were effective!

EURO RSCG SYDNEY LAUNCHES 'DESTINATION LIFE' FOR VOLVO

'Destination Life' is a new integrated advertising campaign for Volvo via agency Euro RSCG Worldwide, Sydney, which celebrates the contemporary lifestyles of Volvo drivers. Using humour, quirky visuals and animation with stunning car photography, the campaign aligns certain thoughts and attitudes to specific Volvo models. The first TV commercial for the XC90 launched last night.
According to Euro RSCG, Sydney ECD Rowan Dean, the aim is to allow people to experience the emotional thrill of driving a Volvo in an entertaining and intriguing way.

Creative Director: Rowan Dean
Copywriter: Anthony Pitt
Art Director: Luke Thomson
Producer: Wendy Gillies
Production: Frame Set + Match

NEW YORK FESTIVALS APPOINTS REP FOR AUSTRALIA AND NZ

June Laffey has been appointed the official and exclusive marketing representative for the International Awards Group (IAG) and its four advertising brands, The New York Festivals, The Global Awards, Midas Awards and AME Awards. Based in Sydney as a freelance writer, she has more than 20 years experience in the advertising industry. Says Laffey: "Currently the International Awards Group is the 3rd largest awards company in the world, with 19,200 entries in 2006 alone. The 2007 New York Festivals International Advertising Competition awards gala has been moved to the second week in June. Right between Clio and Cannes! The deadline to enter the 2007 New York Festivals Advertising Competition is February 19. To enter online or download entry forms, visit newyorkfestivals.com.
Jimmy Smyth (pictured) has assumed the role of chief executive officer of IAG, and with a real understanding and passion for advertising and programming, he is set to elevate the stature and value of winning any of the IAG competitions, says Michael Demetriades, IAG's executive director: “Jimmy was the person that resurrected the Clio Awards in 1992 after the competition's fall from grace in 1991 and enabled advertising people from all over the world to once again proudly display that trophy in their offices. Without Jimmy, Clio would not exist today. Well, he is back from an early retirement and we are delighted to have him with us. Anyone that knows Jimmy from his days as an editor or at Clio knows he is a quality guy with a deep respect for creativity and advertising and will not be surprised when he makes our competitions the most respected in the world. If you have any doubts, just ask Neil French.
"Next, Jimmy will improve the quality of the jury members and the jury selection process. You will also see a marked improvement in the marketing and showcasing of the award winning work and its creators, because it's not just about winning, it's about telling the world who has won,” said Demetriades.
For further information about any of these competitions in Australia or New Zealand, June Laffey can be contacted on 0410 246 519 or email jlaffey@internationalawardsgroup.com.

McDONALD'S FROM A CHILD'S POINT OF VIEW

Leo Burnett Sydney has launched a campaign for McDonald's new Pasta Zoo Happy Meals, created by Kate Burt and Pete Majarich.
The spot, directed by Josh Baker of Sydney Film Company, tells the story of
a trip to McDonald's from the point of view of an imaginative child.
Featuring UFOs, ground munching dinosaurs and robotic arms, the hefty
post-production work was carried out by FUEL:

Creative Director: Mark Collis
Copywriter: Kate Burt
Art Director: Pete Majarich
Production: Simon O'Connor
Director: Josh Baker
Production Company: Sydney Film Company

IT PAYS TO BE LOCAL - UNLESS YOU'RE AN ADELAIDE AD AGENCY

Iconic South Australian beer brand, West End Draught, will launch the next instalment of its “It pays to be local” campaign this Sunday 11 February. Created for Lion Nathan via BMF Sydney, the 45 second TVC continues to focus on the pride South Australian’s have for their lifestyle and their local beer and, in particular, how keen they are to keep it all to themselves.
“The last TVC, which launched in 2005, was one of the most loved TVCs ever created for West End Draught, so of course we’re very excited to release the next instalment,” said Andrew Coates, Marketing Manager for West End Draught.
The TVC focuses on highlighting the great South Australian lifestyle through a comparison to, and light-hearted send-up of, the ‘grim’ Victorian experience.
Warren Brown, Executive Creative Director, BMF said: “Putting the boot into a neighbouring state seems perfectly okay when you understand how special West End Draught is to South Australians. South Australians presenting their state in a less than favourable light to keep the Vics away from their beer has created a highly unusual and entertaining ad for West End Draught.”
West End Draught is South Australia’s Number 1 beer with close to one in every three beers sold being a West End Draught.

Creative Director: Warren Brown
Art Director: Grant Booker
Copy Writer: Benn Sutton
Account Management: Lisa Ramsey, Karen Martin
Director: Tony Rogers
Production Company: Renegade
Media Planning and Buying: Optimedia
Client: Lion Nathan

SCOT WATERHOUSE IN LOVE

On the back of a range of major account wins in the last six months, Love Communications, Sydney has hired creative heavyweight Scot ‘Skip’ Waterhouse as its Associate Creative Director, working in tandem with Love's Creative Director, Siimon Reynolds. Jeff Mimery has also been appointed as Love’s Senior Designer.
Waterhouse joins Love after 10 years at Saatchi & Saatchi Sydney, where he played a key role over the years, including contributing to Saatchi winning CB Agency of the Year three years in a row.
He commenced his advertising career in London in 1985, where he appeared in the D&AD Annual and gained recognition as one of advertising’s ‘Best Newcomers’ by the British Creative Circle.
In the early 90’s, Waterhouse was lured to Australian shores to the role of Creative Group Head at DDB Sydney, where he played a key role in winning numerous blue chip accounts like Hyundai.
At Saatchi, he was group creative director of two of the agencies largest accounts, Lexus and Westpac. His work on Lexus saw the brand climb from relative obscurity to the third most popular luxury car in Australia.
Commenting on Waterhouse's appointment, Siimon Reynolds said: 'With all the recent growth at the agency we needed to find a creative heavy weight to support major campaign development within the team, including our senior copywriter, Marrianne Little.”
Says Little: “Scot is both a great writer and art director, so he will add value to our entire creative output. I am excited about the new blood in our creative department. It’s a great balance of youth and experience, which I think always gets the best overall results.”
Love has also appointed Jeff Mimery as Senior Designer. He started his career with IngGroup and then freelanced as Art Director for the Australian Will Registry. Jeff then went on to work with CSM & Morph where he was promoted to Senior Designer. Mimery completed AWARD School and graduated as a top 20 student.

OAK COMES TO THE RESCUE

Dairy Farmers’ flavoured milk brand, Oak is releasing its first TVC since 2003 with a quirky twist on the shake that helped to enhance its creaminess.
BMF Sydney has taken the ‘Deliciously Creamy’ Oak attribute, and with the team at Dairy Farmers, created a TVC called ‘Rescuer’ which turns a potentially pretentious dramatic scene into an unexpected gag.
“Shaking your Oak to make the drink creamier is a great truth to work with. The drama of the situation surrounding the shaking of the milk makes it very funny and communicates the idea in a memorable way,” said Warren Brown, executive creative director of BMF.
‘Rescuer’ will launch as 30” and 15” TVC’s in Queensland on the 11th of February and NSW on the 18th of February.
Oak is one of the eight core brands produced by Dairy Farmers, Australia’s leading branded dairy business.

Executive Creative Director: Warren Brown
Art Director: Onur Kece
Copywriter: Matthew Lawson
GAD/Account Director: Julie Burke/Laura Smail
Agency Producer: Mandy Payne
Director: Mat Humphrey
Production Company: The Guild
Strategic Planner: Scott Davies

SHANE GIBSON TO JOIN BMF AS ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR

After more than seven years abroad, Shane Gibson is returning to Australia to join BMF as Associate Creative Director, effective March 20.
On the move, Gibson said: “I’m very excited to be coming home, particularly to BMF. I have long admired Warren’s work and more recently that of the agency. In addition to the creative offering, I was particularly attracted to their independence and with that the agency culture. In every way, it just felt like a good fit. Their recent growth and the B&T Agency of the Year title were further confirmation of BMF being the right choice.”
Says BMF Executive Creative Director, Warren Brown: “I’m thrilled to have Shane join BMF. He brings with him a ton of experience at the highest level and his ‘head space’ fits perfectly with the direction the agency is taking. Shane will be a brilliant addition to the team and he’ll be given plenty of opportunity to continue his outstanding career. He’ll be partnered at BMF with highly awarded writer Dennis Koutoulogenis”.
Gibson most recently held the posts of deputy creative director at M&C Saatchi London and creative director of M&C Saatchi Singapore. As head of art to CD Matt Eastwood, he helped found M&C Saatchi's Melbourne office in the late 90s.
Along with numerous creative accolades, Gibson has contributed to many Agency of the Year titles including those from AdNews, B&T, Campaign Brief, Advertising Age Asian Agency of the Year, Advertising Age Global Agency of the Year, and M&M Agency of the Year. In 2004, the Gunn Report noted his creative work for British Airways as the second most awarded media campaign in the world.

'IT'S TIME' TO 'ROCK ON' PAUL

One of the best spots created while Paul Jones was ECD at DDB Sydney in the late 80s and early 90s was the McDonald's 'James Dean' commercial, written by Ade Casey (who is still with DDB Sydney) and directed by the master, David Denneen. The spot won ATV Commercial of the Year
Twenty years earlier, in 1972, when at McCann-Erickson Sydney, Jones and Casey (together with art director Rob Dames, music guru Pat Aulton and director Ric Kabriel from Fontana) also created 'It's Time', the most famous Australian political ad of all time, that helped propel the ALP into power.
Ade Casey and Rob Dames, her then husband, appear in the spot as two of the singers.
Enjoy.

A reminder that for all his old colleagues and mates, a 'Celebration of Paul's Life' (including a short film specially made for the occasion which will include some of his most famous ads) will be held tomorrow (Friday 9th Feb) 1pm at The Wine Banq in Sydney.
MCs: Kim Terekes and Peter Cherry (who is flying back from New York).

Cost: $100 per head at the door
When: This Friday 9th February
Time: 1pm onwards
Venue: The Wine Banq
Address: Cnr Martin Place + Elizabeth Street, City.
Wear: Black (like the man himself used to do)

RSVP: pauljones@winebanq.com.au
Call Kim Terekes for any other enquiries: 0411 113 355.