Hasta La Creative!

Hitting ‘em where it hurts, that’s what they’re doing. The writers have finally struck a coupe with their strike. With word that the actors union, SAG, would stand by the writers and not only refuse to appear or present, but also picket the event, the Hollywood Foreign Press had no choice but to let go of all hope and abandon the ship at sea. The alternative programming planned to take the place of Globes, while certainly different, still offers the opportunity for advertisers to run their ads in conjuction with some great movie awards. Word on the street is that they are planning a one hour newscast during which time the winners will be announced. How does, “The Golden Globes Telecast with Katie Couric” sound? Sorry, I think I just made the ratings even lower. But what if she wears an Oscar de la horrentous dress with tons of cleavage? Nah, no, even lower there. But wait! The news is more entertainment then entertainment itself these days, so perhaps it is a fit. Let’s get Anne Coulter to come on with her bad energy and rag on The Great Debaters…she can scream at the camera about how Oprah is pandering and award the ultimate honor to No Country For Old Men (especially since this is her favorite social class). Word just came down that they will be pushing the Steven Spielberg tribute to ‘09. Truly, it is the ulitmate show down between digital rights and the big guns and this is the perfect stage for it. ET, phone home… poor Hollywood Foreign Press trapped between Mom and Dad. Why can’t we all just get along?

As the needs of the business change so must the talent and industry evolve. This week's Ad Age article "Recognize the Power of the Cultural Consumer" outlines quite clearly the need for diverse thinking. But something often overlooked is that the need to find great talent and keep great minds engaged runs up against the self-interest of the best candidates. Many of the best leave to explore opportunities outside of the agency side, siphoned off by marketers. After all, marketers too are striving for the same innovation and connection to consumers.

NEW YORK (AdAge.com) — The ongoing writers strike is taking much of the glitz and glitter out of the TV schedule. NBC is offering some Golden Globes advertisers the option of getting cash back because the traditional broadcast has been scuttled, and could end up returning as much as $10 million to $15 million, according to people familiar with the situation.

NEW YORK (AdAge.com) — Incoming Coca-Cola CEO Muhtar Kent will be receiving quite the welcoming gift come July.

While Apple certainly isn’t going to like this campaign, Sydney’s police department felt it necessary to call attention the the apparent epidemic of teenagers dying while crossing the street, unable to hear oncoming cars because they are using an…

It’s been a long time since Lost viewers were foolish enough to think the writers had a plan for where the show was headed, or that the hidden clues really meant anything. But season four’s new promotional game, Find815.com, actually rewards those who pay attention to subtle hints and coded messages. You don’t even have to be a superfan to enjoy the “alternate reality game,” which follows former Oceanic Airlines employee Sam Thomas on his search for a girlfriend who vanished aboard the ill-fated Flight 815. There are plenty of obscure references to tease Lost lovers, such as an e-mail asking for help finding a “Black Rock,” which you might remember as the 1800s British slave ship marooned high on the Lost island. There are also cute “coincidences,” like the reference to a massive volcanic eruption in 1815 (as in, Flight 815). All in all, it’s a fun way to wile away the days until the Jan. 31 premiere of season four.

—Posted by David Griner

We all know contextual advertising has it’s ups and downs. Well, mostly downs. At least here on Adrants. We’ve had Do we really need killer values from supermarkets offered next to articles about Amish killings. We’ve had turpentine ads…

LAS VEGAS (AdAge.com) — The "Retail Power Panel" participants at the Consumer Electronics Show were all apprehensive about whether the big electronics marketers will be prepared for a rush of millions of analog TV owners who will lose their TV signals in February 2009. Best Buy CEO Brad Anderson said it was the "biggest risk" his chain now faces. Also see video exceprts from other major speakers at the Las Vegas event.

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Advertising Agency: Ogilvy Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Creative Director: Carl LeBlond
Art Director: Deborah Bosboom
Copywriters: Tim Den Heijer, Maxim Van Wijk
Photographer: Jonathan Weyland
Production Company Producer: Jaap Hoogerdijk
Other Additional Credits: Janneke Koreneef, Baba Sylla

Watch for cars when wearing headphones.

Advertising Agency: DDB Sydney, Australia
Executive Creative Director: Matt Eastwood
Art Director: Adam Rose
Copywriter: Ben O’Brien
Photography: Mat Baker
Retouching: Dennis Monk