Hasta La Creative!

Ebola has largely disappeared from American headlines in recent months after the 2014-2015 scare, but the Ad Council and Y&R New York want to make sure it stays in viewers’ minds.

This is a very serious matter: experts have criticized The World Health Organization for its response to the African epidemic, which has killed 11,000 people to date, saying the org “does not currently possess the capacity” to contain the crisis.

The two parties recently collaborated on a campaign starring a few celebs you may know. Here’s former boy band member Lance Bass, who pokes a bit of fun at his own attempts to get media attention while emphasizing the seriousness of the Ebola story:

Next, actress Olivia Munn makes the same point from a backlot somewhere in California:

Finally, actor David Oyelowo plays on his own name in insisting that he will not be a spokesman for any particular product…for now, at least:

The campaign has its own social presence and website TrendOnThis.org, which tracks coverage of Ebola when compared to other, far more trivial matters involving, say, Paula Deen and One Direction.

The site includes information about the epidemic and videos like this one, also from The Ad Council, detailing the status of the recovery.

Unfortunately, as a couple of art directors recently proved with the help of one Kim’s derriere, Readers are still far more likely to click on reality star gossip than stories about tragedies overseas.

Y&R New York Creative Credits

Chief Creative Officer: Leslie Sims
Creative Directors: Marc Sobier, Greg Farley
Copywriter: Anthony DiMichele
Art Director: Brian Cheung
Executive Producer: Craig Jelniker
Producer: Liz Graves
Asst. Producer: Sarah Haroldson
Music Producer: Lauren King
Production Company: HeLo

Director: Alan Poul

After leaving Saatchi & Saatchi and dropping the AOR model altogether in order to work with multiple agencies at once, coconut water brand Vita Coco worked with Droga5 to create the brand’s first broadcast spot, which debuted last month.

Now, the brand is back, this time teaming up with actress Jane Lynch on an in-house spot which Lynch wrote and stars in. Lynch, who is reportedly a longtime friend of Vita Coco CEO Michael Kirban, also acted as creative director for the series, according to its press release.

The campaign, entitled “Stupid Simple,” sees Lynch demonstrating in different scenarios how much more practical Vita Coco is than carrying around a bunch of coconuts.

In “Airport” that means a suitcase full of coconuts, while in “On the Run” she shows why a coconut is not a good choice for a marathon. On trial for an unnamed crime (which she then admits to), she tries to drink from a straw to no avail in “On Trial,” while another spot reminds viewers that a coconut will not fit in a car cup holder.

In each case, a man named Eduardo provides Lynch with a box of Vita Coco to replace her clunky coconut. The approach is simple, indeed, with Lynch’s acting predictably charming but the writing in need of some help.

The message, at least, is abundantly clear: Vita Coco is simply coconut water…and that’s a good thing.

Whatever one thinks of Ms. Lynch’s qualifications as a CD, she certainly has more energy than Rihanna.

Credits:

Client: Vita Coco
Production Company: VICE
Director: Johnny Milord
Postproduction: Heresy
Editor: Justin Fong
Executive Producer, Post-production: Maureen Dowd

Leo Burnett’s “Like A Girl” spot for Procter & Gamble’s brand Always, which redefined the phrase with a feminist spin, was one of the most viewed, discussed and highly-awarded ads released last year. This March, the agency released a follow-up spot for International Women’s Day showing girls’ impressive accomplishments and calling on viewers to submit what they do “Like A Girl” on social channels. Now the agency has revealed the true sequel to “Like A Girl” with the 2:30 online spot “Unstoppable.”

Like its predecessor, “Unstoppable” deals with the loss of confidence girls feel during puberty, accompanied by a sense of limitations imposed by gender stereotypes and expectations. It begins with the question “Do we limit girls?” appearing on screen, followed by “We asked them.” Interview subjects confirm that girls do in fact feel limited. The girls say they feel pressured to be happy, traditional, to avoid challenges, while one points out that boys are always the heroes who rescue someone in stories. After sharing the statistic that 72 percent of girls feels society limits them, they instruct the girls to write the limitations they shared on boxes, which the girls then attack. Unfortunately, Leo Burnett and Always didn’t honor one girl’s wish to blow up the boxes. The ad ends by calling on viewers to “Share how you are unstoppable #LikeAGirl.” While it doesn’t have quite the same impact as its predecessor, “Unstoppable” is still a fine sequel, exploring the same themes as “Like A Girl” and taking on societal gender stereotypes. It’s unlikely to reach quite the same level of virality as “Like A Girl,” but “Unstoppable” is already well on its way to being its own phenomenon, already racking up almost 2.5 million views on YouTube since its release yesterday.

Always also announced a partnership with TED to release confidence-boosting content for girls through the Ted-Ed educational platform. They also released a video by twelve-year-old filmmaker Zuriel Oduwole exploring the brand’s 30-year commitment to puberty education, which we’ve featured below.

Carmichael Lynch launched a new spot for Subaru, directed by Biscuit Filmworks’ Noam Murro, following one man’s “Dream Weekend” with his 14-year-old dog.

The “Dream Weekend” of the title refers to the man’s canine companion, as he carefully checks off items from a list he composed of things that would make the dog happy. It’s a bittersweet spot, since the “14” cake at the beginning reveals the dog’s age and the fact that behind the man’s sweet actions is the knowledge that his canine companion is not long for this world. Sort of like a doggy bucket list. Among the gifts the man gives his dog on the road trip are a dip in the hotel pool, a pair of new shoes to chew on, 100 tennis balls, a steak dinner and a visit to an old girlfriend. It’s hard to imagine dog lovers not being at least a little moved by the sentimental spot, which gels well with Subaru’s “Love, it’s what makes a Subaru a Subaru” tagline and overall brand message. Carmichael Lynch has created its fair share of sentimental, bittersweet stories of parental love, like the recent “Making Memories,” this time around changing pace by extending the approach to a man’s love for his dog, which makes for a relatable and emotional spot.

Credits:

RKCR/Y&R launched a new ad for water brand Volvic’s flavored Touch of Fruit line and new sparkling variety, the brand’s first broadcast spot since 2013.

For the spot, entitled “Clearly More To It,” the agency teamed up with London-based animation studio Nomint to bring to life a mural by Brighton-based illustrator Jamie Cullen. He approaches a blank wall, which comes to life as the a paint he applies continually transforms. Near the end of the spot he takes a step back to admire his work, temporarily stationary, and watches as it continues to transform in front of him as the tagline appears onscreen. It’s a simple approach, but works well enough as pleasing eye candy. The spot made its debut yesterday on broadcast and Video On Demand, and will be supported by digital and in-store activations.

“We set out to make a huge splash for Volvic Touch of Fruit,” said RKCR/Y&R creative director Paul Angus. “Thanks to creative collaborations with Jamie Cullen and Eric Lerner, we’ve created a large scale street mural which not only looks cool but delivers a clear product story.”

Credits:

Creative Agency: Y&R
Creative Directors: Paul Angus/Ted Heath
Art Director: Jamie Woodington
Copywriter: Richard Fox
Account Director: Lateef Joseph-Maynard
Agency Producer: Danielle Sandler
Director/ Production Co: Eric Lerner/Nomint
Producer: Christos Lefakis/Rupert Greaves/Marilena Vatseri
Editor: Andy@ hop House
Post Production: Nomint
Sound Design: Jungle
DoP: Toby Howell
Illustrator:  Jamie Cullen
Track – ‘Cut The Kid’ by Madeon
Music Supervision – Native Music

Deutsch New York launched a new campaign for spray paint brand Krylon, “Yard Sale Hijack,” with the release of two 15-second ads.

Both spots follow the same formula, showing a yard sale purchase transformed with Krylon and instantly turned around for a handsome profit. Lara Spencer would be proud. The deadpan delivery and cutthroat business sense add a touch of humor while the spots make their point quickly and concisely. It’s a refreshing antidote to the barrage of four minute “brand films” that seem to be the new norm. Recognizing that not only is that unnecessary but counterproductive in this instance, Deutsch New York went the opposite route with its very to-the-point campaign. Hopefully this is a sign that the trend of overly-long, self-important online ads is on the decline (but probably not).

Earlier this year, General Motors sent its Chevrolet Silverado account back to Commonwealth//McCann after more than two years with Leo Burnett Detroit in what it called an effort to “streamline business and ensure consistency.”

The client’s newest campaign, launched on Sunday, is its first since the shift–and it aims to make some very specific points about aluminum.

The first spot stars real people, not actors…along with a certain ornery mammal:

“Do not attempt.”

Next, Howie Long is not a bear–but he does have some thoughts to share on the Silverado, especially when compared to the Ford F-150. The client and its Chief Engineer Eric Stanczak are not shy about marketing their clearly superior product as such:

Aluminum, rivets AND adhesive?! The dialogue in this spot was far more believable than any line in last week’s True Detective.

Finally, to return that that Long quote about a certain Mr. Kent, Chevy staged a stunt in which it asked some nerds to voice their opinions:

This crowd also seems to consist of real people, not actors.

Some in the auto trade industry have been critical of the “steel” campaign, with AutoBlog calling its messages “Orwellian” thanks to “negative propaganda towards the 13th element” which “assumes the average consumer knows nothing.”

That single harsh take aside, Silverado had begun to gain ground on the F-150 as of January 2015. Ford still tops the sales list, but those numbers came out well before the new models and their particularly resistant marketing strategy.

The campaign was developed by Commonwealth//McCann; these are the credits for “Cages”:

AGENCY: COMMONWEALTH//MCCANN

Creative Chairmen: Linus Karlsson
Chief Creative Officer, North America: Gary Pascoe
Executive Creative Director: Bob Guisgand
Executive Creative Director: Duffy Patten
Associate Creative Director: Vic Quattrin
Senior Copywriter: Scott Wolf
Executive Producer: Kelly Balagna
Senior Producer: Adam Davis
Account Director: Bill Wilt
Account Director: Derek Chappo
Account Executive: Amanda Collier
Director Zach Merck/MAKE
Executive Producer/MAKE Founder Dana Locatell
Supervising Producer/MAKE Partner Tim Mack
Editor: Jeff Ferruzzo/ Arcade Edit
Flame Artist: Mark Leiss/ Arsenal FX
Flame Artist: Jameson DeSantis/Asenal FX
Flame Artist: Matt Motal/ Arsenal FX
Colorist/Telecine: Shane Reed/ Apache Color
Sr. Audio Engineer: Loren Silber/ Lime

Hollywood is remaking the classic domestic discord drama National Lampoon’s Vacation, and they’ve brought most of the old crew back.*

The newest Infiniti ad, which launches this week to promote the QX60 model for “families needing versatility,” coincides with both the film’s late July release and the transfer of the account to CP+B, which launched its first work for the new client back in April.

The spot faithfully recreates the famous “road flirting” scene from the ’83 original with the help of one Christie Brinkley, who hasn’t aged a day despite spending more than a decade with The Piano Man:

Yes, that’s Rusty all grown up in the lead role.

The ad officially begins running on Thursday, and Infiniti’s Director of Marketing Communications and Media Allyson Witherspoon writes:

“We knew we might have struck an interesting cultural moment but having Christie and Ethan [Embry] involved really elevated the concept given their history with the movie franchise and it was a pleasure to work with them.”

In other Brinkley news, the model/actress thinks Joel’s new wife will make “a wonderful friend” for their daughter (she’s 33; Joel is 66).

Will the remake be any good? Christmas Vacation was not the worst holiday film of 1989.

*Apparently Chevy Chase reprises his old role in the new movie, which we will continue to ignore.

Client: Infiniti Motor Company Ltd.
Campaign Title: QX60
Execution Title: Vacation
Agency: CP+B
VP/Chief Creative Officer: Ralph Watson
VP/Executive Creative Director: Michael Raso
Creative Director: Brian Friedrich
Creative Director: Kevin Watkins
Sr. Art Director: Nuno Teixeira
Sr. Copywriter: Jexy Holman
VP/Director Of Video Production: Kate Hildebrant
VP/Executive Integrated Producer: Deb Drumm
Integrated Producer: Jackie Maloney
Integrated Producer: Autumn Hines
Production Company: Hungry Man
Director: Bryan Buckley
Managing Partner/Executive Producer: Kevin Byrne
Executive Producer/Director Of Sales: Dan Duffy
Executive Producer: Mino Jarjoura
Executive Producer: Nancy Hacohen
Producer: Matt Lefebvre
Production Supervisor: Steve Ruggieri
Editorial Company & City: NO6LA, Santa Monica
Editor: Chan Hatcher
Sr. Producer: Kendra Desai
Telecine Company & City: The Mill, LA
Executive Producer: Enca Kaul
Producer: Benjamin Sposato
Production Coordinator: Jackson Rogers
Creative Director: Phil Crowe
Shoot Supervisor: Phil Crowe And Simon Brown
2D Lead Artist: John Price
3D Lead Artist: Simon Brown
2D Artists: Jale Parsons, Adam Lambert, Robert Murdock, Tim Robbins, Daniel Lang And Steve Gibbons
3D Artists: Nathaniel Morgan, Ed Boldero, Kenzie Chen, Luis Sanchez,
Martin Rivera, Monique Espinoza And Steven Olson
Matte Painting: Thom Price, Itai Muller And Andy Wheater
Colorist: Adam Scott
Executive Color Producer: Thatcher Peterson
Color Producer: Antonio Hardy
Sound Design: Machine Head
Sound Design: Stephen Dewey / Kip Smedley
Exec Producer: Patty Chow Dewey
Music: JSM Music, Inc
CD/Executive Producer: Joel Simon
Arrangers: Joel Simon, Doug Katsaros, David Wolfert
VO Talent: Adam Driver
VP/Group Account Director: Kate Frazier
Account Director: Liza DeAngelis
Content Manager: Philip Scates
Director Of Product Strategy: John Frazier
Business Affairs: Chris Herrington
Publisher of “Holiday Road”: Kobalt Music Group
NATIONAL LAMPOON’S VACATION and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

Mullen Lowe Group’s Lola/Lowe & Partners, Madrid launched a Pride Month spot for ice cream brand Magnum last month entitled “Proudly Seeking Pleasure.”

Set to the track “Umbrella” by Mechanical Pride, the spot highlights a series of transgender women in the city. It ends with the message, “Pleasure Has More Than One Layer,” which promotes the Magnum Double while tying into the message of inclusivity, followed by a rainbow-tinged “Pride for pleasure seekers.” The ad, created in conjunction with Propaganda Films and Bacon CPH, is is well-crafted, with the music and images syncing up well. And while June saw a wealth of advertising in support of Pride Month, the spot’s focus on transgender individuals is distinctive and timely. Detractors may see this, and similar ads, as a brand jumping on the Pride Month bandwagon solely for exposure, but the message is fitting for the brand. After all, doesn’t everyone love ice cream?

Deutsch LA launched a campaign for Taco Bell supporting the brand’s new Bacon Club Chalupa with a surreal look at a bacon product world gone mad.

The campaign is built around a 30-second spot, entitled “Bacon Mall” which sees a young man perplexed by a vast array of inedible bacon products before arriving at Taco Bell for a Bacon Club Chalupa. Set to a new cover of “Mad World” by Halsey, the spot spreads the message, “Bacon you can’t eat is bacon you don’t need.” Among the ad’s befuddling bacon products are Bacon Couture, bacon sunglasses, Bacon One Hightops and Bacologne. Those last two are among the ten (fictional) products featured in the campaign’s social video component, five of which have been released thus far. Others include “Bacon Headphones,” “The Bacon Racing Chair,” and “The Sizzling Bacon USB Drive.” Clearly aiming for shearability via pure ridiculousness, the spots heartily endorse these mock products before ending with the “Bacon you can’t eat is bacon you don’t need line” and a nod to the new product. There’s also just enough of a kernel of truth to the bacon-crazy product schtick that some viewers may wonder for a second if a given product is real before being interrupted by the line.

Following on the heels of the agency’s “Sharing Sucks,” it appears Taco Bell and Deutsch LA are taking a break from targeting McDonald’s lately to promote new, on-breakfast items. That said, it’s unlikely we’ve seen the last of their Ronald-bashing.

Broadcast Spot Credits:

Client Credits
Chief Marketing Officer: Chris Brandt
VP, Brand Creative Director: Tracee Larocca
Director of Advertising: Aron North
Brand Experience: Alexandra Bunn
Food Consultant: Carolyn Avelino

Deutsch Credits

Creative Credits:
Chief Creative Officer, North America: Pete Favat
Executive Creative Director: Brett Craig
Group Creative Director: Guto Araki
Group Creative Director: Tom Pettus
Creative Director: Andy Pearson
Creative Director: Ken Slater
Associate Creative Director: Jeremiah Wassom
Senior Copywriter: Chris Pouy
Director of Integrated Production: Vic Palumbo
Executive Integrated Producer: Paul Roy
Integrated Producer: Jamie Gartner
Assistant Integrated Producer:  Evan Aronson
Music Director: Dave Rocco

Account Management Credits:
Group Account Director: Walter Smith
Account Director: Sandy Song
Account Supervisor: Monica Tobin
Account Executive: Sasha Rawji

Account Planning:
Chief Strategic Officer: Colin Drummond
Group Planning Director: Lindsey Allison
Senior Account Planner Kelly Mertesdorf

Business Affairs/Traffic:
Director of Integrated Business Affairs: Abilino Guillermo
Business Affairs Manager: Nestor Gandia
Director or Broadcast Traffic: Carie Bonillo
Sr. Broadcast Traffic Manager: Sarah Freeark

Executives:
CEO, North America: Mike Sheldon
President, Los Angeles: Kim Getty

Live Action Production Company: Reset
Director: Vesa Manninen
Managing Director: Dave Morrison
Executive Producer: Jeff McDougall
Producer: Jennifer Ingalls
Line Producer: Ahnee Boyce

Editorial Company : Therapy Studios
Editor: Doobie White
Assistant Editor: Amy K. Bostrom
Executive Producer: Joe DiSanto
Head of Production: Allegra Bartlett

Post Facility: MPC
Producer: Summer McCloskey
Senior Colorist:  Mark Gethin

Post/VFX: Therapy Studios
Executive Producer: Joe DiSanto
Lead Flame Artist: Wren Waters

Licensed/Composed Music, Credits and Track Info:
Track:  “Mad World”
Covered by: Halsey
Writer: Roland Orzabal

Audio Post Company: Therapy Studios
Executive Producer: Joe DiSanto
Mixer: Jeff Fuller
Sound Design: Eddie Kim

Shoot Location: Santiago, Chile

Social Video Credits:

Client Credits:
Chief Marketing Officer: Chris Brandt
VP, Brand Creative Officer: Tracee Laroocca
Director of Advertising: Aron North
Associate Manager, Brand Experience: Alexandra Bunn

Deutsch Credits

Creative Credits:
Chief Creative Officer, North America: Pete Favat
Director of Integrated Production: Vic Palumbo
Executive Creative Director: Brett Craig
Group Creative Director: Tom Pettus
Group Creative Director: Guto Araki
Creative Director: Andy Pearson
Creative Director: Ken Slater
Art Director: Cheston Kwan
Copywriter: Josh Hill
Executive Producer: Paul Roy
Producer: Damon Vinyard
Associate Producer: Josh Goldsmith

Account Management Credits:
Group Account Director: Walter Smith
Account Director: Sandy Song
Account Supervisor: Monica Tobin
Account Executive: Kaitlin Tabor

Account Planning:
Chief Strategy Officer: Colin Drummond
Group Planning Director: Lindsey Allison
Senior Account Planner: Kelly Mertesdorf
Senior Digital Strategist: Amelia Hall

Business Affairs/Traffic:
Director of Integrated Business Affairs: Abilino Guillermo
Business Affairs Manager: Nestor Gandia

Executives:
CEO, North America: Mike Sheldon
President, Los Angeles: Kim Getty

Live Action Production Company: Brand New School, Santa Monica CA
Director: Brumby Boylston
Executive Producer: Paul Abatemarco
Head of Production: Julie Shevach
Line Producer: Brian Armstrong

Editorial Company: Brand New School, Santa Monica CA
Editor: Marc D’Andre
Assistant Editor: Austin Lewis

Post Facility: Brand New School, Santa Monica, CA
Executive Producer: Paul Abatemarco
Senior Producer: Alex More
Senior Colorist:  Loren White

Post/VFX: Brand New School, Santa Monica, CA
Executive Producer: Paul Abatemarco
Senior Producer: Alex More
Lead Flame Artist: Kevin MacDonald
Animator / Compositors: Adam Smith, Ben Bullock, Joseph Moon
Designers: Karen To, Yoon Lee

Licensed/Composed Music, Credits and Track Info:

Track: A Touch of Magic
Composed by: David Wittman
Publisher: Marc Aaron Jacobs
Company Name: NSLE Music
Elias Arts Music Library, LLC NY, NY
Asche & Spencer Minneapolis, Minnesota

Executive Producer: Matt Locher
Audio Post Company: Lime, Santa Monica, CA
Mixer: Matt Miller
Assistant Mixer: Mark Nieto