Hasta La Creative!

LONDON – O2’s exclusive deal with Apple to supply the iPhone in the UK is under threat, with other mobile phone operators lining up to take advantage of a renegotiation period in the company’s contract.

LONDON – Digital specialist Mi Liberty has landed an account with the mobile social networking site Moblr.

Verizon Wireless has finally pulled its pit-bull commercial following a PETA initiative that generated more than 7,000 e-mails of complaint, according to the animal-rights group. PETA opines: “Chaining dogs—who are highly social pack animals—is dangerous because it deprives them of the social interaction that they need and can make them overly aggressive. Dogs need a life, companionship and room to run.” Killer’s gonna miss his bridge game? Get real: These animals are chained because they’re vicious freaks that’ll gnaw out your windpipe and then have to be destroyed! Sorry, did I say that out loud? All of the controversial ads that were pulled in the past week deserved what they got. Verizon’s and Nike’s because they sucked, and Snickers’ because it really super sucked. Below is a lazy Friday poll, so get your paws on that keyboard and vote! Wuff!

—Posted by David Gianatasio

<a href ="http://answers.polldaddy.com/poll/828829/" >Which of these most deserved to be pulled?</a>  <br/> <span style="font-size:9px;"> (<a href ="http://www.polldaddy.com">  surveys</a>)</span>

LONDON – ITV1’s new medial drama ‘Harley Street’ bounced back from last week’s low with 3.1m viewers last night, but still lost out to Channel 4’s Big Brother in the prime time slot.

Um, I hope Extended Stay Motels has maid service, or this girl is in for a long night. Licking everything in sight doesn’t seem like the best way to ensure cleanliness. Isn’t that why they have the white-glove test? Camp Nama’s version of Motel 6 looks more appealing than this place. Via Brief Blog.

—Posted by David Kiefaber

LONDON – BBC Worldwide has appointed Helen Kellie, the director of marketing and audiences at BBC Vision, as its first director of marketing.

Steffan Postaer’s new novel, Happy Soul Industry, is available to the reading public today.

Postaer took a moment to answer a few questions about the book.

Q. What inspired the writing of this book (other than your career of choice)?

A. The concept. I think I was looking for an idea big enough to support 50,000 words. In some ways it was a lot like judging creative campaigns at work. Which idea is best? Then let’s talk about the writing…

Q. Bands sometimes claim their sophomore effort was a burden to produce. Was it easier or harder to write this, your second, novel?

A. Easier to write than the first because I new my ending (which rocks) from the get go. Having the destination set really helped me to tell the story. I kept imagining Happy Soul as a film, so that helped as well. On that note, I also wrote a screenplay for it!

Q.Has the script been optioned?

A. No, but we are advertising in Hollywood this fall (OAAA donated space to me for all my help at Obies) specifically with film producers in mind.

Q. How important is it to stretch your writing muscles in this way? Does it make your ad work better?

A. Very important. Unlike a lot of copywriter novelists, I’m not looking to switch jobs. I love writing copy. My personal writing helps me stay sharp. My blog, Godsofadvertising has been a godsend.

Joining the Skittles sheepboys and the Old Spice centaur in the pantheon of human/animal advertising characters are three new Snickers creatures: the manshark (above), the manwolf and the manigator. Each of them has “the beast of a hunger,” but instead of hunting appropriate prey like wildebeests, baby deer and scuba divers, these guys just want an extra-long Snickers bar or two. By NoS/BBDO in Poland.

—Posted by Tim Nudd

LONDON – Suzuki is on the hunt for an agency to handle its pan-European digital advertising account.

LONDON – Wayne Rooney will be shortly film a new ad for Hovis, according to reports.