Hasta La Creative!

The Mill has announced a pair of promotions in its Los Angeles office: Phil Crowe will be promoted to executive creative director, while Tim Davies will be moving up to creative director and co-head of 2D.

Crowe’s visual effects work has included such high profile spots as Old Spice’s “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like,” Levi’s “Dangerous Liaisons” and P&G’s “Thank You, Mom.” Some of Davies’ recent work includes Old Spice’s “Mom Song,” Volkswagen’s “Wings” and “The All Star” for Playstation.

“Phil and Tim are invaluable members of the team, playing enormously important roles in the growth and success of the company. It’s very exciting news that we’re thrilled to share,” commented managing director Ben Hampshire.

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In light of the “no homo” press conference from Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert, this new Boost Mobile basketball spot from 180LA may strike some sensitive nerves. However, the humor is handled with enough subtlety to tiptoe around accusations of offensiveness. There’s also a really well-timed nuts joke that might make you chuckle if you are into such sectors of comedy.

In the commercial, one unlucky defender gets posterized on in a pick-up basketball game, and to make things worse, his face gets an up-close view of the sweaty dunker’s crotch. For those who aren’t basketball aficionados, there was actually a name for such a move – balls on your head – that became popular in the 1990s when young NBA players like Darius Miles would dunk on a guy. After the dunk, the player would run down the court celebrating like this (I’m not making this up). Whether Boost Mobile knows it or not, they are bringing back forgotten basketball treasure. The commercial is probably making some subconscious statement about the intersection of black, gay, and youth cultures, but as a consumer product, it’s really just funny. You see, Tyler, the Creator, it’s possible to make an effective ad without relying on stereotypes. Credits after the jump.

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