Hasta La Creative!

Droga5 launched a new Independence Day iteration of its “This Is Wholesome” campaign for Mondelez brand Honey Maid, entitled “4 de Julio,” which follows the agency’s September effort celebrating blended families.

The new spot celebrates the Domincan Gomez family, and explores how father Arisandy, an environmental engineer, and mother, Cindy, a realtor, teach their children, and Cindy’s mother, Alesandrina about American pride and celebrate the Fourth of July. “4 de Julio” begins with Arisandy describing some of the difficulties he faced when he first immigrated to America and became a citizen, simultaneously feeling invisible and discriminated against. He and his wife go on to describe the values they pass on to their children, coupled with footage of the family’s celebration of the holiday, complete with s’mores. The spot’s message, as delivered by Cindy is that the family is made up of “normal human beings, going through struggles just like everyone else,” every bit as American as any other family. It’s a message that should almost go without saying, but in a nation where certain conservative politicians still trade in racism and xenophobia, a very necessary one.

“Honey Maid has a history of celebrating all families and the wholesome moments that make them who they are,” said Gary Osifchin, portfolio lead, biscuits, Mondel?z International. “The Gomezes embody the resonant strength behind America’s blended and diverse culture. It is an honor to highlight their family’s experiences and traditions this Fourth of July.”

Après un travail de longue haleine plongé dans les archives d’images de la NASA, le blogger russe Dmitri Pisankodes est parvenu à compiler des images réalisées depuis la station spatiale internationale pour en produire une vidéo time-lapse de quatre minutes. Un voyage époustouflant à découvrir en vidéo.

I didn’t think it was possible, but I somehow exploited a loophole in the traditional rule structure of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity to secure a coveted spot on a jury.

Turns out there are a couple categories — effectiveness, health and innovation — where clients can join agency folks at the table. And so I jumped head first into the Innovation Lions jury, a relatively new category focusing on the convergence of data, technology and creativity.

I loved it — every minute, every pitch. The vast body of work was outstanding — the “best ever,” noted our jury president Nick Law of R/GA (I put together a video clip of more jury reactions). Moreover, the jury deliberation — always spirited and sometimes intense — easily rivaled the best of sporting events.

Continue reading at AdAge.com

North America has a population of about 500 million, and two-fifths of them are on Facebook. In Africa, with more than 1 billion people, just 120 million use the social network. That’s an opportunity Facebook can’t ignore, though the region poses challenges unlike those the company has faced in more developed markets.

To spur growth on the continent, Facebook next month is opening an office in an affluent suburb of Johannesburg. The sales office will be headed by Nunu Ntshingila, 51, chairman of WPP’s Ogilvy & Mather agency in South Africa, who will oversee Facebook’s business in the region.

The company will find that winning customers in Nigeria or Kenya is tougher than in Nebraska or Kansas. Africa has few fixed internet connections, so Facebook’s original website isn’t well known. And while mobile internet is booming, data is expensive and smartphones are rare, with most people using cheaper — and less capable — devices called feature phones that can’t run Facebook’s full mobile application.

Continue reading at AdAge.com

“It is your last night in Cannes. Make it more comfortable.”

That’s the message, printed on the pillows, that awaited Cannes Lions attendees who discovered a mattress on the event’s red carpet during the festival’s final hours.

The stunt was a well-played callback to this year’s much-buzzed-about moment when two unidentified people had sex on the red carpet of the Palais des Festivals around 4:30 a.m. last Tuesday.

Mad respect for this couple having blatant sex on the #CannesLions red carpet just now. pic.twitter.com/JVgVYIsC8z

— David Griner (@griner) June 23, 2015

While re-enacting the public sex became a frequent gag in photos from the event, one creative team decided to take it a step further.

Valery Volchetsky, group creative director for Moscow-based agency Hungry Boys, said he brainstormed the idea while talking about the sex photo with Romanian creatives Razvan Ghilencea, Anca Wirdy, Robert Capraru and Bianca Dumitra?cu. A gathering at the Gutter Bar turned into a brainstorming session as they tried to think of a way to play off the growing conversation around the sex act.

Initially thinking they’d make a spec bit of guerrilla branding for a brand like Ikea (“We even thought about PornHub, but they definitely do not need any comfort for sex”), the team instead decided to simply turn the whole thing into an attention-grabbing joke.

They created pillow cases printed with the message about making your last night in Cannes more comfortable, then brought their mattress and pillow setup to the entryway of the Palais. About 60 people gathered to photograph the stunt, Volchetsky said.

Here’s a brief video clip they created from the prank:

brightcove.createExperiences();

A year ago, Hyundai Motor Co. sponsored the 2014 FIFA World Cup with the motto “Because Ftbol.” Now, the Korean automaker is going after a different type of football fan as the automotive sponsor of the National Football League.

Hyundai and the NFL jointly announced a four-year sponsorship deal today.

“We are huge football fans at Hyundai and feel there is no better venue to reach consumers, increase consideration and tell the Hyundai brand story,” Hyundai Motor America CEO Dave Zuchowski said in the statement. “We can’t wait to show the NFL’s 188 million fans the great design, advanced technologies, dynamic performance and numerous safety features within the Hyundai lineup.”

Continue reading at AdAge.com