DigitasLBi, Clay Matthews Present ‘Draft Day 101? for GMC

Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews stars in a new series of ads for GMC created by DigitasLBi.

The campaign, entitled “Draft Day 101” sees Matthews giving tips to players in the 2014 NFL Draft, which ran from Thursday, May 8th through Saturday, May 10th. Matthews’ words of wisdom range from picking the right shoes to staying positive to proper handshake technique and calming nerves. For day one of the draft, Matthews not only shared the videos from his personal Twitter handle, but also took over @ThisisGMC to live Tweet the draft. DigitasLBi and GMC created seven videos, all of which are embedded in the playlist above. Hopefully the NFL’s 2014 draft picks were paying attention (and nobody wore sandals). Credits after the jump. continued…

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360i Celebrates ‘The Unsung Bacon’ for Oscar Mayer

360i and Oscar Mayer have a new campaign championing unsung bacons — turkey bacon, always in the shadow of its porcine relative; and Michael Bacon, whose popularity also pales in comparison to a certain member of his family.

The goal of the campaign, which lives at the landing site www.unsungbacon.com is simple: Oscar Mayer wants to help Michael Bacon gain more Twitter followers than his famous brother. So far, it’s quite the uphill battle. As of press time, Michael trails 1,361 to 430,943. Michael, in case you didn’t know, is an Emmy award winning composer and a member of The Bacon Brothers. The landing site will host videos, photos and facts about the campaign. It’s a clever idea which may get people to reconsider an item they’d otherwise ignore. 360i’s spot, with production company Mssng Peces is pretty funny and well worth a view, noting similarities between the two unsung bacons. Stick around for credits after the jump. continued…

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Cheil Worldwide’s ‘Another Me’ True Story for Samsung Proves a Success

L.A. resident Samantha Futerman and Parisian Anais Bordier are identical twins separated at birth who found each other through a chance encounter on social media.

Last month, Cheil debuted a campaign for Samsung telling the twins’ true story, promoting the Gear 2, Gear Fit and Galaxy in a 1:30 teaser and 3:00 documentary. The teaser utilizes a split-screen to tell Sam and Anais’ stories separately, before they inevitably reunite on one screen at the spots’ conclusion. As part of the campaign, Cheil and Samsung also created an app that allows users to view two different mobile teasers, one from Anais’ perspective, the other from Samantha’s. By syncing with someone else’s phone, users could then view the full teaser on both devices side-by-side. People could also create their own split-screen movies to “celebrate togetherness.” The idea behind the campaign was that like Sam and Anais the Gear and the Galaxy are “always in sync, natural extensions of one another.” Cheil’s telling of Sam and Anais’ story resonated, with the spot chalking up 1.5 million views in its first 10 days and a 96% approval rating on YouTube. Cheil also decided to submit the project to the Cannes Advertising Festival. You can view the original teaser above, and stick around for the case study and 3:00 documentary, along with credits, after the jump. continued…

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Bissell Names Olson Agency of Record

Top-selling floor-care appliance brand Bissell has named Minneapolis-based independent agency Olson its agency of record, shifting creative, media, strategy, digital, PR, social and analytics to Olson. Those duties were previously held jointly by creative agency Cramer-Krasselt and media agency PHD.

“It was important for us to find an agency that could handle all of the aspects of an integrated campaign, and Olson’s ability to provide an integrated solution with strong analytics helped them stand out,” explained Theresa Junkunc, director of marketing communications for BISSELL.

The win is the latest in a run of new business for Olson since September 2013, in which they’ve AOR duties for brands such as Sharp Electronics, Supercuts, Wet n Wild Beauty, Commerce Bank, Aurora Healthcare and the McDonald’s Twin Cities Co-Op.

“We’re thrilled by this opportunity to help a category leader reach new heights through innovation and integration,” said Olson chief executive officer John Partilla. “We can’t wait to get started.”

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Spotting Advertising Talent In The Wild A Lot Tougher Than It Looks

Creative people in advertising are not normal. Things like meetings and time sheets are real crimps in their machinery. So, imagine how hard it can be for a non-conformist artist or writer to package himself in a way that appeals to corporate America’s jester service.

Despite the difficulty, it’s a popular pursuit for people not wanting to work in insurance or on an oil rig. People like John Boone, a co-founder of BooneOakley in Charlotte, NC.

On Thursday, Boone wrote an interesting note on his Facebook page about his path to success.

Today I’m thankful for Tom Cordner, who gave me a chance early in my advertising career. I started my career in Atlanta and loved every minute of it. But I’d always dreamed of working in LA. At the time, my portfolio was really …what’s the word? …bad. But somehow, Tom saw through the bad and saw the potential for something better. I can tell you from experience, it’s incredibly difficult to do. Most creative directors typically want to bring in proven talent. Talent that’s done amazing, buzz-generating, award-winning work. It’s similar to an NBA team wanting to hire a marquis player who’s won championships. But I was a no-name player in the D-league.?

I can tell you from experience that the best in the business often can’t see past the glare of last season’s Lions. Which is a real shame, because original ideas come in all shapes and sizes, not just in neat portfolio school-like packages.

I am grateful for Boone’s story and pleased that his talent was discovered by someone who could give him the chance to perform on a large stage. Had Tom Cordner failed to recognize Boone’s talent, we would not now be looking at this quality NBA advertising:

BOBCATS – Fan Appreciation from BooneOakley on Vimeo.

Where did you find your break in this business, and how has it impacted the arc of your ad career? Inquiring ad minds want to know…

Previously on AdPulp: Agency Sites That Merely Showcase Credentials Are Done

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Arnold NY Gets Sensitive for Unilever’s Simple

Arnold New York has a new campaign for Unilever’s brand Simple, the leading “perfume and color-free” skin care brand in the UK for over 40 years which launched in the US back in 2012.

Evolving from the idea that all skin can be sensitive, especially with the impact of cold, heat, wind, and city pollution, the campaign takes an approach to match its product’s name. Arnold dramatizes the idea by projecting images of possible triggers for sensitive skin (UV rays, stress, pollution, etc.) directly onto skin. It’s a straightforward but visually interesting approach that attempts to demonstrate that “the best way to fight the harshness is through the kindness of Simple.” Whether it can help Arnold build the brand into a powerhouse this side of the Atlantic remains to be seen. Credits after the jump. continued…

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McCann Creates ‘Fair Play Machines’ for Coca-Cola, Milan Rivals

McCann Worldgroup Milan created “Fair Play Machines” for Coca-Cola, bringing together rival fans at the San Siro Stadium in Milan.

Internazionale di Milano and A.C. Milan have a fierce rivalry dating back decades, which often leaves neighbors, friends, and even family enemies when the two teams meet. So, as part of Coca-Cola’s ongoing “#ShareTheGood” campaign, in the moments leading up to kickoff at an important Internazionale di Milano versus A.C. Milan match at a very divided San Siro Stadium in Milan, McCann Worldgroup installed two vending machines in the stadium, one on each side of arena. The catch: fans couldn’t get a Coke for themselves, only for fans of the rival team. Pressing a button on one of the machines, connected to the other via video and audio, sent a Coke down a chute and delivered it to a rival fan. In under an hour, both machines were emptied, bringing rival fans closer together and supporting fair play.

“Coca-Cola reminds us that even in the face of seeming differences, happiness can be found through simple moments of human connection,” explains Claudia Navarro, director, integrated marketing communications, central & southern Europe. Check out the video above to see the campaign in action, and stick around for credits after the jump. continued…

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Wexley School for Girls Issues ‘Reverse RFI’

Seattle full-service agency Wexley School for Girls is turning the RFI and RFP process on its head, or, in their words, “reversing the traditional RFI and RFP process in which brands look for agencies to handle their advertising via a complex and costly rigmarole of vetting, chemistry checks and basically pitting agencies against one another to compete for an account.” Today the agency has issued the first-ever Reverse Request for Information or RRFI, calling on brands to become the agency’s next client, tapping New York search consultancy Madam to help in the process.

“We believe it’s as important for the agency to choose its next clients as carefully and rigorously as a client chooses its next agency,” reads the RRFI. “We are looking for a client that is respectful, fun to be around and one that enjoys partnering with their agency not dictating to them… We see ourselves as an asset not a vendor. And we see clients as partners not clients,” the Wexley’s RRFI goes on. Applicants are asked to define their brand and where they want to take it in 2-3 years, what brands they admire, their marketing budget, their true “risk tolerance” for creativity, their proudest moment, a definition of their ideal relationship with an advertising agency, and “Would you rather ride 1 horse-sized duck or 100 duck-sized horses?” — you know, all the tough questions. continued…

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JWT Brazil Creates ‘The Bible of Barbecue’ for Tramontina

JWT Brazil created an interactive cookbook entitled The Bible of Barbecue for leading Brazilian cookware line Tramontina.

Pages of the book can actually be utilized to create authentic Brazilian barbecue. One page, for example, breaks apart into charcoal to start the fire, while another can be used to sharpen your knife. There’s also a cutting board, salt to season the meat, an apron, tin foil, and even a serving dish. It’s a fun idea, which JWT describes as “a sensory fusion of tactile experience, visual design, and most importantly a tribute to the brilliant flavors that result from expert cooking.”

The Bible of Barbecue has been shared with master barbecue chefs in Brazil, and a version will soon be available in select bookstores. Check out the case study video above to learn more, and stick around for credits after the jump. continued…

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JWT’s Intelligift Guarantees You Won’t Give Mom the Wrong Gift

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It’s quite normal to see agencies go all out for April Fool’s Day, the holidays and, yea, actual business-related stuff like the Super Bowl. But it’s rare for an agency to get as elaborate as JWT has with its Mother’s Day stunt.

The agency is out with Intelligift, a service that uses “nationally representative” focus groups to evaluate and determine whether or not the gift you have selected for your mother will be received positively or put you in the dog house for the next 12 months.

People can enter their gift idea on the Intelligift website and have it pre-tested by a focus group of real-life moms from all over the country. Using quantitative surveys, Intelligift evaluates each gift against five metrics: Likeability, Persuasion, Impact, Thoughtfulness and Originality.

Of course you have to enter your email address so perhaps the whole thing is just an elaborate new business prospecting tool:)

Because Why Not, Agency Transforms Adobe Logo Into Clock

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In the category of “creativity for creative sake” which, of course, is not a bad thing — after all, creatives do need to remove themselves from pesky clients once in a while and stretch their creative juices — EVB “remixed” the adobe logo and turned it into a clock.

Because why? Because when an idea is born, the clock starts ticking. That’s why.

Lance Reddick Introduces Cree LED Bulbs for Baldwin&

Lance Reddick, who you should know as Lieutenant Daniels on The Wire, takes center stage in Raleigh-based agency Baldwin&‘s new campaign for Cree LED Bulbs, entitled “The Room of Enlightenment.”

The digital campaign features Daniels Reddick in a series of loquacious spots extolling the virtues of LED bulbs, which compare favorably to the incandescent ham fryers you grew up with. Relying on solid copywriting and Reddick’s excellent delivery, the spots are memorable without any frills or fancy production touches. The campaign comes on the heels of a recent incandescent bulb ban, with stores still trying to sell their remaining stock of the soon-to-be relics. One spot, “Gray Market” (featured above) pontificates that there will soon be an illicit market for incandescent bulbs where you may find yourself  “trading jugs of grandpa’s porch juice for bulbs out of a rusty hatchback from a guy with a tattoo on his forehead who goes by the name of Rattlesnake.” In other, clever spots, Reddick uses a competitor’s oddly-shaped bulb as a ping-pong paddle, and talks metaphorical money goats. Stick around for a couple more spots, along with campaign credits, after the jump. continued…

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Twist Image President Explains Sale to WPP

Last week brought news that Toronto-based digital agency Twist Image had become the latest acquisition for WPP.

Unlike most comparable deals, however, this one now brings a bit of commentary from the agency founder himself. This morning, Twist president Mitch Joel took the time to answer some questions you might have about the why, the how and the “are you a sellout?” aspects of the deal on the agency’s blog. He even managed to work in a Metallica reference.

Some key quotes on why he–or rather, they–sold:
“Truthfully, business was great…we decided that it was time to make a bigger bet.”
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Spike Lee, Ad Folks Help Top NFL Prospect Surprise Mom with Pink Cadillac

With Mother’s Day around the corner, the folks at Cadillac have unveiled this timely effort that might just warm your cockles and put your old flowers-and-card gift for moms to shame in the process. The automaker, armed with director Spike Lee and his SpikeDDB unit, Lawson Clarke (aka @Malecopywriter) and art director Khari Streeter (from Hill Holliday and Rogue, respectively) as well as Grenadier’s Mark St. Amant, have turned the spotlight on Teddy Bridgewater, University of Louisville QB who’s now a top NFL draft prospect. You see, folks, as a wee lad–when he was nine-years-old, to be exact–Bridgewater made a promise to his mom that one day, he would buy her a pink Cadillac (and yes, the Springsteen tune is rolling along in our heads). Well, as you can see in the 7-minute Lee-directed doc above called  “A #Promise2Rose” (ideal for lunchtime viewing), consider mission accomplished.

According to ABC News, the pink Cadillac has even more significant meaning than just a promise from son to mother fulfilled, though, as  Bridgewater’s mother also raised her son while battling, and eventually beating, breast cancer. Yes, folks, it is getting hella dusty in here.

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‘Lego Intern’ Gets Hired by Energy BBDO

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Remember the Northwestern student who created a Lego version of herself and used it as a resume to apply for summer internships ad agencies? Well the student, Leah Bowman, has been hired by Energy BBDO and will start work in late June.

She writes on her imgur gallery, “A few weeks ago I was “that LEGO intern girl” but now I’m officially a BBDO Account Management Intern!”

Well congratulations, Leah!

DNA Expands ‘One Goal’ for Group Health

Independent full-service agency DNA has expanded their “One Goal” campaign for Group Health Cooperative with a series of new broadcast spots.

Deciding that healthcare advertising all looked and sounded the same, DNA took a slightly different approach with “One Goal,” emphasizing their ability to help people continue to live their lives over any specific claims as to quality of care and coverage. In the 30-second “The Wait” (featured above), for example, a couple with an already healthy-sized family waits for the results of a pregnancy test.

“It’s really a tough time to be a healthcare marketer,” explained Dan Gross, executive creative director, DNA. “The clutter in healthcare advertising is at much higher levels now due to the health insurance exchanges. This has led to consumer confusion and, in some cases, they are completely tuning out. A longstanding issue for Group Health has been the misperception that they provide limited services and specialties, so we wanted to communicate the breadth of what Group Health actually offers, and to do it in a way that avoids the warm and fuzzy clichés in this category.”

In addition to television and radio, the campaign also features outdoor/transit and a new digital landing environment at http://onegoal.ghc.org.

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AMV BBDO Tackles Sports, Relationships for Currys & PC World

AMV BBDO’s new campaign for Currys & PC World, entitled “Football? What Football?”  — their first work for the brand — manages to be World Cup-themed without ever mentioning the words “World Cup” (although at one point they come pretty close). The new broadcast spots for the UK’s largest specialist electrical retailing and services company each feature a hopelessly transparent man attempting to (not so) slyly suggest to his significant other that they should buy a new television, positing the purchase as selfless, and certainly having nothing to do with the impending 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The approach is clever, examining the types of subtle and not-so-subtle manipulations partners in relationships make surrounding expensive purchases. In my favorite of the spots, “Pride and Sensibility,” a man tells his wife, over dinner, that him and his friends watched that “Pride and Sensibility” program and it really looked great on his buddy’s widescreen TV. He’s not nearly so slick as he thinks he is, and his significant other’s incredulous facial expressions really bring the spot together as he almost mentions the World Cup and claims the new TV is for “that castle program” she likes so much.

The other spots follow a similar formula, finding humor in a man suggesting to his wife that her gardening programs would look great on a new television, and a father attempting to justify the purchase as a way to better enjoy upcoming penguin documentaries to his daughter while a disbelieving mother looks on. It’s the kind of approach that works because of its relatability, with humor that is at once universal and distinctly British coming from true to life scenarios. The broadcast campaign launched on the first, along with accompanying 30 second ads appearing on sports radio. Stick around for credits and the other two spots after the jump. continued…

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Digitas LBi Applies BuzzFeed’s Content Formula To Client Problems

Agencies active in the content game are making progress. They’ve moved away from the “every company is a media company” fallacy to a better place.

One thing we know for sure, every company is NOT a media company, especially not every advertising agency nor the marketers they support. Yet, the need for compelling brand-building media remains as strong as ever.

What is a global leader in digital marketing to do? If you’re Digitas LBi, you partner with with BuzzFeed and Epic Digital to develop new digital branded content. Why reinvent the wheel when you can simply buy new wheels and have them installed on your vehicle?

quality

Epic Digital is an arm of Epic Magazine, which was co-founded by Josh Bearman and Joshua Davis (one of the most interesting people working online today).

According to Adweek, part of the deal includes marketing-side staffers from BuzzFeed will “grab a desk” in digital agency’s New York office. Teams from both companies will work together on strategies for brands.

Adam Shlachter, head of media activation North America Digitas LBi, said, “Buzzfeed has a formula for connecting with people, the things they want to read, the things they want to share, the things they want to talk about. We think we can combine that formally with how we think about the media to help brands tell really powerful stories.”

A formula to help tell really powerful stories? If the formula is to staff your team with outstanding writers, I can see where this is a winning idea. Other formulas like when to post, and how often are distractions.

Brands can’t tell their own stories. They need highly skilled modern-day storytellers to perform the hard work. An interesting twist here is that Digitas LBi has many solid copywriters on staff, but copywriters are trained to sell with short, smart language. Weaving long-form narratives (sponsored by a brand) is a different skill—one most often found in journalists.

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Activision Enlists Kevin Spacey for ‘Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare’ Reveal Trailer

Ant Farm and Activision have released the official reveal trailer for Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, the upcoming title in the best-selling series, featuring the voice (and digital likeness) of Kevin Spacey.

Audio from the spot was leaked several days ago, which some hypothesized was from a House of Cards viral campaign. With the audio already making the rounds, Activision posted the reveal trailer late last night, Adweek reports. The 2:46 trailer features Spacey’s character pontificating about the futility of attempting to spread democracy. What people really want, he insists, is someone to protect them and give them boundaries. You know, someone like him. The spot ends with the “Power Change Everything” tagline, and November 4th release date.

Advanced Warfare is a bit of a departure for the Call of Duty series, with the story centering around an ill-intentioned private military corporation. As a tie-in, 72andSunny and Activision teamed up with Vice to produce a chilling short documentary on the rise of private military contractors and whether the events of Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare could actually happen. It makes for a few minutes of interesting (and pretty damn scary) viewing, and one of the more intriguing pieces of branded content we’ve seen. We’ve included it after the jump, along with limited credits for the reveal trailer.

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W+K NY Sparks World Cup Convo for ESPN

Wieden + Kennedy New York’s latest World Cup spot is a welcome departure from their previous World Cup work, foregoing focusing directly on the on-field action in lieu of the conversations and connections among fans sparked by the World Cup, leading into the “Every Four Years” tagline.

The new 30-second spot, called “Global Issues,” follows a linear conversation between soccer fans from diverse backgrounds. “Global Issues” stars real soccer enthusiasts — including a German butcher, an Italian barber, and a cab driver from the Ivory Coast, who support a vast array of teams, but all reside in the U.S. It’s a clever direction, executed well thanks largely to the precision editing, from editorial company Final Cut, necessary to pull off such an approach, and illustrates the excitement leading up to the World Cup well.

Wieden + Kennedy New York also debuted eight of its 32 original World Cup posters for ESPN, designed by Brazilian artist and graphic designer Cristiano Siqueira. Each features a likeness of key players and stories from the featured country competing in the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Stick around after the jump for a look at several of these posters, as well as campaign credits. continued…

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