Pittsburgh thankful for shading coefficients

Gh_ppg_aquarium_2When I think “Pittsburgh,” heavy industry comes to mind, along with a historically wretched baseball team. PPG Industries, in a campaign from Garrison Hughes, fuses commerce and culture (in Pittsburgh?) to play up the company’s philanthropic prowess in the city. “What do amorphous precipitated silicas have to do with opera?” one ad asks. Oddly, I woke up this morning with the same question on my lips. PPG explains that its success in silicas allows the company to fund the arts. “How the shading coefficient of glass helps your families enjoy the aquarium” is another headline in the campaign (with art showing a penguin, which is suddenly today’s AdFreak theme). Of course it’s self-serving, but not nearly as tired as many efforts in this vein, which seem to consist of uniting the phrase “We gave, so love us!” with corporate logos. Can silicas do anything to help the Pirates? Oh right, baseball’s got that whole “substance” scandal going on. Never mind.

—Posted by David Gianatasio

Schnitzel Hammer Jewelry – Tenderizer Ring

(TrendHunter.com) This great looking ring was originally made from that never used schnitzel hammer. The Tenderizer Ring was created by Ken Goldman, an artist known for bringing innovative new product to the world of modern design.

The design has now evolved, with the men’s ring available in sterling silver.

Met launches campaign to encourage Londoners to stop terrorists

LONDON – The Metropolitan Police Service is reaching out to Londoners in a new anti-terrorism advertising campaign that asks the public to report any suspicious behaviour.

Government to bolster creative industries with 5,000 apprenticeships

LONDON – The government has unveiled plans to offer 5,000 apprenticeships to help people from all backgrounds enter the creative industries in a policy document that singles out the advertising industry for special praise.

Hicklin Slade launches green-themed Honda campaign

LONDON – Hicklin Slade & Partners has created insert and online activity for Honda’s ‘Problem playground’ campaign, which aims to showcase the car manufacturer’s environmental credentials.

Retailers come up short in email marketing study

LONDON – Almost half of retailers fail to follow best practice guidelines for email marketing according to a new study, which names Office, Lidl and H&M as the worst offenders.

Picture Loans ads go off air amid credit crunch

LONDON – Picture Loans, the company responsible for one of the three ads found most annoying by consumers last year, has stopped advertising after ‘temporarily’ closing to new business.

Do your best penguin impression this winter

Humorous environmental PSA here from the U.K. in which Britons are encouraged to do as the penguins do, and use their bodies for warmth rather than turn the heat up. Contains nudity, as well as a great David Attenborough-ish voiceover.

—Posted by Tim Nudd

Williams appointed to top News Corp Europe and Asia role

LONDON – News Corporation has appointed Mark Williams, chief operating officer of Sky Italia, to the new role of chief financial officer of Europe and Asia overseeing News International in the UK, as Stephen Daintith joins the New York exodus to take up a job at Dow Jones.

Videoclip websites give TV a run for its money

LONDON – The value of competitive videoclip websites, such as YouTube, MySpace and Clipstar, has soared in recent years, swelling to a current market of £5bn in Europe and $21bn in the US.

IDMF to launch broadband channel

LONDON – The International Direct Marketing Fair is to launch its own broadband TV channel through MarketingSuccess.tv, featuring pre-show interviews with exhibitors and speakers.

Pfizer uses Edelman for global comms push

NEW YORK: The Pfizer Foundation has launched a new grant initiative with a global communications push, supported by Edelman. According to a Pfizer communications officer, Edelman is lending assistance to the foundation’s in-house team.

Hertz begins agency hunt

PARK RIDGE, NJ: Car rental company, Hertz, has issued an RFP for an AOR, PRWeek has learned.

Sands appointed editor-in-chief of Reader’s Digest

LONDON – Sarah Sands, the former editor of the Sunday Telegraph, has been appointed editor-in-chief of the UK edition of Reader’s Digest magazine, joining the title on May 2.

AMD brings in Bite and Ketchum

SUNNYVALE, CA: Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) has chosen Bite Communications for product PR and Ketchum for corporate PR, after a competitive review.

IPC unveils fresh look for Horse & Hound

LONDON – IPC Media has given its weekly equestrian title Horse & Hound a new look following six months of research and development.

Heart agrees year-long deal with 20th Century Fox

LONDON – Global Radio’s Heart network has secured a long-running deal with 20th Century Fox to promote seven of the studio’s films this year, including the March release of ’27 Dresses’.

LoveFilm teams up with Virgin Mobile

LONDON – Online DVD rental company LoveFilm has teamed up with Virgin Mobile to attract new customers.

Cinecittadue: Doves

Cinecittadue: Doves

Shopping in love.

Advertising Agency: Saatchi & Saatchi, Rome, Italy
Creative Directors: Guido Cornara, Agostino Toscana
Art Director: Andrea Baccin
Copywriter: Antonio Giannone
Photographer: Matteo Cremonini
Published: January 2008

Ontario College of Art & Design: Geoff Craig

Ontario College of Art & Design: Geoff Craig

Learn what it takes to be one of the greats.

Advertising Agency: Huxley Quayle von Bismark, Toronto, Canada
Creative Directors: Andy Shortt, Chris Hall, Mark Tawse-Smith
Art Director: Chris Hall
Copywriters: Andy Shortt, Mark Tawse-Smith
Photographer: Philip Rostron
Published: January 2008