FROM COLLINS IN CHICAGO

Aussie expat creative Reed Collins, who is a CD at Leo Burnett Chicago, has created a series of deliciously weird and whacky spots for chocolate dipped Altoids.

TOOHEYS NEW 'TALLMEN' GOES TO AIR SUNDAY NIGHT

Tooheys New, via Saatchi & Saatchi Sydney, has just launched on their website,

Tallmen

, the second TVC execution of the 'For the Love of Beer' campaign.
Following on from last year’s 'Catapult' spot, Tallmen, which goes launches on free to air TV Sunday night, sees Tooheys New introduce more than a few inflatable friends to the neighbourhood.
Tallmen lies at the heart of a fully integrated, multi touch point campaign which will see the ad, its characters and/or themes carried across FTA and Pay TV, cinema, the net and Tooheys New sponsored events such as the Super 14s, International 7s Rugby and the AJC’s Autumn Carnival. The brand will also have a strong presence at the point of purchase in venues across the country.
Says Saatchi & Saatchi Executive Creative Director, David Nobay: “Twenty foot monster revellers, a delivery of great Tooheys New beer and Tom Jones supplying the essential groove? Who wouldn’t want to be at our street party? Tooheys New is about good times for all – not just a few lucky mates down at the end of the bar. Tallmen explodes this ideal into something a bit special.”

Agency: Saatchi & Saatchi
Executive Creative Director: David Nobay
Art Director: Pete Buckley
Copywriter: Tim Brown
Agency Producer: Scott McBurnie
Director: Tom Kuntz
Producer: Nell Jordan
Production Company: MJZ and Walkabout Films
Post Production: Guillotine and Fanatic Films
Music Title & Artist: 'Help Yourself' Tom Jones
Music Production: Nylon Studios
Group Business Director: Sasha Orr
Senior Business Manager: Sarah Quinn

NEWCASTLE LIFE'S A PEACH FOR PRESTON

With a host of international awards, including the Grand Prix at Kinsale, Gold at Clio and Silver at Cannes, Campaign Press and AWARD, and wide ranging experience across every possible category, creative heavyweight Mike Preston has taken up the creative director post at Peach Advertising, Newastle - which is owned by the STW Group.
Says Peach’s Managing Director, Lynn Poole: "Mike's big thinking, his insights and experience will benefit every job he tackles at Peach, both large and small. His fresh approach will deliver the competitive advantage our clients are looking for."
Preston has already produced work for many Peach clients including NSW CountryLink, National Heart Foundation and the Cancer Institute of NSW.
"It’s a real adventure", said Preston, "and a unique opportunity to work with such impressive clients, right here in Newcastle."
Preston began working with international clients in his hometown of London before moving to Australia in 1985. He has had various stints in Sydney since, including FCB, SSB, McCann-Erickson, George Patterson Bates and Clemenger BBDO.
Says Preston: "Ideas are what drive me. Solving the brief in a new and relevant way is the goal. I imagine I’m having a conversation with a person in the target market. Like most people they want to know 'what’s in it for me?' They also want to be entertained, intrigued, or emotionally touched. My role is also to nurture and champion the ideas created by the talented people at Peach, whichever department they work in."

KIWIS RAID PERTH'S CREATIVE COMMUNITY AGAIN

Barely eight weeks into his new job as DDB New Zealand’s Executive Creative Director, Toby Talbot is driving a whirlwind of creative change through the agency.
Four new creatives come onboard next month to add depth to the existing team, and more hirings are likely.
Joining new Art Director Emmanuel Bougneres, formerly with Publicis Mojo Auckland, who’s returning from a brief OE with Jung Von Matt in Stuttgart, is the Perth-based creative team Joe Hawkins and Brett Colliver, currently working at Gatecrasher.
Talbot describes the Australian team as ‘hungry and talented - the best combination: “There’s a tradition of young teams from Perth coming here and doing really well. Western Australia, like New Zealand, is geographically remote and seems to foster free-thinkers. Creatively, it’s a parallel universe to ours.”
“Joe and Brett have a clutch of awards and have proved themselves locally, but now they’re ready to step up. We’re delighted to be bringing them over and they’re very excited by the challenge.”
Adds Talbot: “This is not change for change sake. I’m just mixing the great talent that’s already here with fresh perspectives and different outlooks. New energy and new approaches are the lifeblood of all agencies. DDB is no different.”
In the interactive space, Greg Forsyth at Tribal DDB has secured Chris Jones as DDB’s new Senior Interactive Art Director. Moving from Saatchi & Saatchi, where he was a rising star in the interactive department, Jones was responsible for the bulk of the agency’s award-winning interactive work over the past two years, such as the Young Guns website.
Says Forsyth: “Chris is a fantastic asset. He’ll have a roving brief across every department. He did really well at Saatchi’s, but now he’s ready for a bigger canvas.”

BEAN COLOUR TO OPEN SHOP

Ben Eagleton and Andrew Clarkson, two of Sydney’s most respected, experienced and talented colourists, have left The Lab to establish a stand alone colour grading facility called Bean Colour.
This is a unique development by being the only facility in Australia dedicated purely to colouring. Using state of the art technology, in a creative and professional environment, Bean Colour will provide a specialised and distinctive colour grading service for commercials, feature films, long form, new media and music videos.
Bean Colour will be located in a central location in Surry Hills and is due to open its doors within the next two months.
While their premises are being completed and the new suites installed, Ben and Andrew are available for bookings as usual using the facilities at Cutting Edge in Chippendale. Cutting Edge has the Spirit 4K and Da Vinci 2K Plus with Tool Box, widely regarded as the best telecine in the world.
Full details on equipment and exact location will be revealed soon, but suffice to say, Bean Colour will be an exciting and impressive new facility.
For any further information, or to make a booking please contact Bean Colour on 9918 9435 or 0404 110 580 or email them on info@beancolour.com.

MARTIN TAKEN BY UFO

Director Rodd Martin has parted company with Melbourne-based production company The Guild, and teamed with producer Gordon Westman to join UFO Films, Sydney & Asia.
Westman (right) has worked in film, television and commercials for the past 10 years. He originally trained as a first assistant director and worked on feature films - “Two Hands” and “Star Wars”, before honing his production skills on “Wildside” and the acclaimed ”Love My Way”.
Says Martin (centre): ”Gordo has a vast filmmaking knowledge, is passionate, energetic and has really cool glasses”
Says Les Luxford (left), UFO’s founder, Director and Exec Producer: “Rodd is an idea driven guy which is reflected in his seven AWARD pencils and current #64 spot in Campaign Brief’s Hottest 100 Creatives Ramkings. He and Gordon make a great team and things have already started to happen both here and in Asia”.
UFO can be contacted on 02 9247 1123 or at www.ufofilm.com.au

SEARLE TO CD POST AT McCANN-ERICKSON, BRISBANE

McCann-Erickson Brisbane has appointed former SO&M Melbourne ECD Adam Searle (right) as creative director, effective May. He will replace interim CD Andrew Thompson, who will remain with the agency as a senior writer.
Thompson joined the agency from George Patts Y&R Brisbane last year as a short-term replacement for the high profile Rem Bruijn (now creative partner at Make).
Craig Coke (left), managing director of McCann Erickson Brisbane, said Searle’s appointment, Thompson’s continuing senior role and other new senior moves at the agency, not yet announced, recognised the accelerating Queensland business environment where clients are deepening their State-based infrastructures and consumer connections, as well as expanding across Australia and internationally.
As well as an extensive career in advertising, Searle is also formerly marketing director of the Ray Group – a leading Queensland resort-property developer. In this role, he was responsible for the successful Salt Village "One Perfect Day" campaign as well as the launch of New Hotham.
Prior to joining McCann Brisbane, Searle has been running his own creative consultancy working for Queensland, Sydney and Melbourne agencies, as well as clients including Reverse Corp, Ray Group, Resort Corp, UB Creative and Wizard Home Loans.
In the Nineties Searle was a senior creative at Singleton Ogilvy & Mather, Sydney eventually promoted to a creative director gig in 1998. He was appointed executive creative director of Singleton Ogilvy & Mather Melbourne in 2004 and his career includes creative leadership on brands such as KFC, Qantas, Crown Casino, NSW Lotteries, Lion Nathan Brewing, Collins Foods, George Western Foods, Telstra, Unilever, Myer, Australia Post, AAMI, Beaurepaires, Motorola, Kraft, BP, Bonland Dairies, Kodak and Mattel.
“McCann Brisbane has a terrific creative pedigree and a very strong client base. The opportunity to take on creative leadership at the agency is a very rare opportunity,” said Searle. “I am looking forward to working with Craig, Andrew, the senior team and the agency’s clients.”

MERRIFIELD TO REPLACE GANANN AS SAATCHI DIGITAL GROUP HEAD

Saatchi & Saatchi Sydney's digital creative group head Sean Ganann is joining hot New York independent shop Anomaly, and will be replaced by award-winning digital creative, Brian Merrifield (above) from Saatchi's Auckland office.
Ganann (pictured below) joined Saatchi's from the CD gig at NetX, Sydney in late 2005, fresh from working on the digital components of the multi award-winning Virgin Mobile 'Jason Donovan' campaign in conjunction with Host and The Glue Society.
Merrifield comes across the Tasman in May after nine years at the NZ office where won numerous gold, silver and bronze gongs at Cannes, The One Show, AWARD and AXIS.
Merrifield will report directly to David Nobay on everything digital for the agency.
Says Saatchi & Saatchi, David Nobay ECD: “Brian is just what we have been looking for, a digital ideas person with an outstanding portfolio.”
Adds Saatchi & Saatchi, CEO, Simone Bartley: “Brian is as much a Digital strategist as he is creative. There is no question he will add considerable weight to our digital team.”
At Anomaly, Ganann will be a part of a diverse creative leadership team that includes: Mike Byrne (content), Andrew Kibble (design) and Johnny Vulkan (innovations).
Says Ganann: “I have been in this business for over 11 years and I am ready for new challenge, but I did not want to do advertising, nor did I want to be pigeon-holed in a strictly digital business. Anomaly astounded me with their comprehensive view of communications across all platforms. Simply put, Anomaly affords me the best opportunity to do something that has never been done before."
“It has always been about talent and how best to use it. Sean is clearly one of the best at what he does. His arrival creates a powerful creative combination – where anything is possible,” Says Anomaly partner Carl Johnson.

NEW FACES JOIN AWARD COMMITTEE IN 2007

The AWARD Membership have cast their votes for the AWARD Executive Committee 2007, their choices deciding the fate of a record number of nominees standing for this year’s positions. 17 people vied for only four spots on the regional Committee.
“We are very pleased with the overwhelming support and nominations for the AWARD 2007 Committee and we welcome new members Dejan Rasic, Gavin McLeod, Buzz Pringle and Mark Stott to the 2007 Executive Committee," says Co-chair Paul Prince.
“I agree wholeheartedly with Paul – never before have we had so many diverse skills represented,” added Philip Putnam, Co-chair.
Lucy Mckee, General Manager of AWARD adds; “2007’s agenda is another very rewarding one for AWARD Membership and the future generation of members. There is a strong focus on developing programmes across the region, with CopySchool conducted in NSW, VIC, QLD and NZ plus the addition of AWARD Craft to Melbourne being just some of the examples. Consolidation of some existing facets of the organisation will be also crucial.”
The full Committee met yesterday (27th March) at the AWARD offices in Sydney to allocate the portfolios and devise the strategic development for 2007 and beyond.
AWARD Members will be soon invited to nominate their choices for the 2007 judging panels.

The 2007 Full Committee:
Paul Prince – The Sweet Shop, Auckland (Co-Chairman)
Philip Putnam – Morden Putnam, Sydney (Co-Chairman)
Buzz Pringle – Stellar Sound, Sydney
Dejan Rasic – Lowe Hunt, Sydney
Gavin McLeod – M&C Saatchi, Sydney
Mark Stott – Common, Sydney
Olly Taylor - Host, Sydney
Simon Langley – BMF, Sydney
Simon Cox – Publicis Mojo, Sydney
Shaun Branagan - Netx, Sydney
Ben O’Brien – DDB Sydney
Richard White-Smith – Euro RSCG, Sydney
Natalie Ambrosini – George Patterson Y&R, Brisbane
Annie Price – Grey Melbourne
Richard Muntz – George Patterson Y&R, Melbourne
Paul Catmur – George Patterson Y&R, Melbourne
Toby Talbot – DDB NZ, Auckland
Chris Bellears – Clemenger Tasmania, Hobart
Adam Barker – Gatecrasher, Perth
Greg Knagge – Clemenger BBDO, Adelaide
Tay Guan Hin – JWT South East Asia

Lucy Mckee – AWARD
Angelika Wachs – AWARD
Pauline Smyth - AWARD

Pic shows some of the Committee members: Mark Stott, Chris Bellears, Lucy Mckee, Philip Putnam, Angelika Wachs, Pauline Smyth, Paul Catmur, Simon Cox,
Buzz Pringle, Gavin McLeod, Olly Taylor and Paul Prince

BELGIOVANE TO FRONT CANNES INDY AGENCY SEMINAR AGAIN

The independent agency showcase
Julian Boulding – Founder, thenetworkone;
Rob Belgiovane – Creative Director, BWM Sydney;
Jon Kamen – Founder, @radical media USA
Sunday 17 June, 2007
12:15 - 13:00 (Debussy)

Following last year’s success, thenetworkone and BWM return to Cannes this year with an all-new ‘Independent agency showcase’.
Julian Boulding, Founder of thenetworkone and Rob Belgiovane, Executive Creative Director of Australia’s leading independent agency BWM, will provide brief keynotes on how the independents continue to rattle the cages of the traditional networks, and attract major multinational advertisers prepared to ‘think differently’.
This year Jon Kamen, a prominent member of the Titanium Lions jury, will also contribute a challenging and provocative perspective on the agency scene.
Kamen is Chairman and CEO of @radical.media, a unique, global, multiplatform content company. In addition to producing award-winning commercials – two Cannes Palme d’ Or awards as well as numerous D&AD and One Show pencils and Clio and Art Directors’ Club medals – the company is known for its success in feature films, including the Academy Award winning ‘The Fog of War’; television programmes including the Emmy winning series ‘10 Days that Unexpectedly Changed America’; music programming including the Grammy winning ‘Concert for George’; photography; graphic and interactive design; and the emerging field of branded content.
Then there will be the chance to hear two of the leading independent agencies at Cannes Lions 2007 present their work. Last year, the seminar featured BWM’s own work for Telstra Bigpond, and 180 Amsterdam presenting their work for Adidas, Cannes Lions Advertiser of the Year in 2006.
This year’s selection will have a strong element of branded content and other non-traditional media.
Following the seminar there will be an informal drinks reception where participants can meet and mingle with some of the leading independent agencies at Cannes 2007.

MISS BOSSY BOOTS PARTY

On March 22nd, Miss Bossy Boots launched herself into the dynamic world of fashion, partnering top industry stylists and hair & make-up artists with the collective talents of her 11 award winning photographers.
Conceived in 1999 by Veronica Moore and her husband, photographer Garry Moore - the agency has since been involved in numerous advertising campaigns and is now delving into the world of fashion.
Held at Miss Bossy Boots’ studio in Prahran, Melbourne - over 150 fashion and advertising clients mingled as images produced by her talent were projected on to two large screens across the studio. Collaborating with Kit Cosmetics, the ladies at the event were given a variety of coloured lip glosses to get them in the mood. Even the men got lucky with specially formulated men’s lip glosses being handed out.
Recently taking on the talents of celebrity stylist Philip Boon, Hair & Make up artist Narelle Hall and fashion photographer Christian Blanchard, Miss Bossy Boots launched the event to reveal the full extent of her photographic and production services.

CAPTIONS (from top):

Philip Boon (MissBossyBoots Stylist), Narelle Hall (MissBossyBoots Hair & Makeup) and Christian Blanchard (MissBossyBoots Photographer)

Belinda Slade and Ben Couzens (George Patterson Y&R)

Joanne Davic (Badjar) and Veronica Moore (MissBossyBoots)

Pat Baron (Freelance), Samantha Lee (MissBossyBoots) and Greg Edwards (Badjar)

Scott Hignett (See), Pat Baron (Freelance) and Garry Moore (MissBossyBoots Photographer)

Phil Van Bruchem (JWT) and Andrea Le Sueur (MissBossyBoots)

BONDS CHANGES TACK IN NEW WORK FOR HIPSTERS AND HOODIES VIA THE PALACE

Bonds has launched a major media drive to support its new range of Hoodies and Hipster Lites.
The campaign, which signals a new strategic direction for the brand, is the first work from The Campaign Palace, Sydney following their successful retention of the Bonds account late last year.
Hoodies and Hipster Lites are supported with new TVC’s, extensive outdoor and POS.
The Campaign Palace, Sydney creative director Georgia Arnott said the Hoodies TV execution neatly captured the notion of creating your personal space: “Depending on where you are in life, you use that personal space differently. There is an energy and excitement as we see two young people running, yet we’re not sure where they’re going. It’s not until we reach the end of the ad that we see their destination was each other. And the Hoodie gives them the personal space to share an intimate moment.”

Credits – Hipster Lites
Creative Director: Georgia Arnott
Art Director: Kirsty Gavin
Writer: Rupert Taylor
Producer: Meredyth Judd
Production Company: The Sweet Shop
Director: Noah Marshall
Producer: Tony Wyman

Credits – Hoodies
Creative Director: Georgia Arnott
Art Director: Madeline Smith
Writer: Jen Speirs
Producer: Meredyth Judd
Production Company: The Sweet Shop
Director: Noah Marshall
Producer: Tony Wyman

SELBOURNE TO DEPART DDB

Richard Selbourne, creative director on McDonalds at DDB Sydney, is leaving the agency at the end of next week to return to the UK.
Selbourne told CB Blog: "I've thoroughly enjoyed my time at DDB, but my job spec has changed considerably since I arrived. Going forward, the opportunities for me seem to be better in the UK than they are out here, which is why I'm heading home. I can't say anything yet, but I'm hoping to be able to announce a new position within the first two weeks of April."
Says Matt Eastwood, national ECD of DDB: "Richard has been a big part of DDB during his time here. He was a great help and courageously stepped into the breach as Acting Creative Director when we were between Creative Directors before I came on board.
"He did some great work on McDonald’s, most recently contributing the brilliant new Happy Meals campaign to the mix. And he’s done great work on brands like Continental and The Daily/Sunday Telegraph. Richard will be sorely missed and we of course wish him all the very best."
Before being lured to DDB Sydney in June 2005, Selbourne was a CD of Leo Burnett London, where he worked on McDonald’s, Kellogg and Morgan Stanley.
He has also has stints at GGT and CDP. He began his career at DDB London.

NEW DIRECTION FOR ROWE AND THOMSON

Tracey Rowe and Lee Thomson - after many happy years - have left Silverscreen. Says Thomson: "We are currently filming in Argentina and will be back to find a new home after Easter.
"If you wish to contact us re: availability please email me at lee@grandlargeinc.com or to obtain a copy of Tracey’s reel please call Penny at Portfolio and Reel."

CLEMS SNARES McMULLEN AND EDWARDS FROM LEO BURNETT

Leo Burnett Sydney creatives Chris McMullen (Art Director) and Will Edwards (Copywriter) have jumped ship to join Clemenger BBDO, Sydney.
Since teaming up in December 2005 the pair have produced a raft of work during their brief tenure including Tiger Beer 'Unravel the secret', Bundy Fine Form Awards and Subaru's latest 'Tuned by STI' campaign.
Prior to Leos, Edwards was at FNL Communications working primarily on Sony and Harley Davidson whilst McMullen was at Arnold working on the highly awarded Skins for women and Levis De-constructed campaigns.
The pair will be working for creative director/group head Rocky Ranallo alongside recently appointed Digital Creative Nathan Hackstock.

GPY&R DROPS CASE AGAINST KEOGH, RUTHERFORD AND STEPHENS

As expected by several insiders a few weeks back, George Patterson Y&R is about to drop its case against former George Patts Y&R Melbourne creatives Ant Keogh and Grant Rutherford, the guys who created the "Big Ad", as well as "Boony" co creator Josh Stephens. The Patts case will continue against former Patts Melbourne ECD James McGrath (now ECD of Clems Melbourne), former MD Anthony Heraghty (now regional marketing director of Fosters) and Pacific Equity Partners. A new statement of claim will be lodged today which may include other former GPY&R executives.

DISCUSSION: WAS GOOGLE'S US$1.6 BILLION PURCHASE OF YOUTUBE WORTH IT?

Google paid a hefty price for YouTube, but after six months, advertisers still are taking a wait-and-see approach as the company tries to figure out a viable advertising model than can make money without alienating users. Meanwhile, Viacom has filed a $1 billion copyright-infringement lawsuit against Google, hinting that mainstream content producers aren't going to sit idly by and let their content be streamed for free.

QUESTION: Do you think Google's $1.65 billion purchase of YouTube was worth it?

CB CAPTURES ADFEST MOMENTS

While the two award presentations lacked previous sparkle and excitement there was plenty of good work and good times at AdFest, held over four days in Pattaya, Thailand late last week.
AdFest, the region's most popular awards festival, celebrated its 10th anniversary this year and a panel of 51 judges across nine categories viewed 5012 entries. In total around 1600 delegates attended including Campaign Brief Asia with camera in hand.
Big name judges included Dave Droga from Droga5 USA and TBWA worldwide CD John Hunt from TBWA\Hunt Lascaris, Johannesburg. Special guests included former Leo Burnett worldwide CD Michael Conrad and Donald Gunn.
Big parties were thrown by McCann-Erickson, Dentsu and BBDO. More intimate gatherings we also attended were hosted by TBWA, JWT, Adobo Manila and Matching Studio Bangkok.
Here are some great moments from AdFest.