BBH Acquires Domani

BBH beefed up its digital operation with the acquisition of 14-year-old Brooklyn digital agency Domani, which will operate as a separate unit under its own name, Adweek reports. Also as a result of the deal, Domani founder and president Jonathan Hills will join BBH’s senior leadership team as digital chief, working closely with head of integrated production and technology Carey Head.

During its 14-year history, Domani has worked with clients including Coca-Cola, Sony, VH1, Random House and Estee Lauder. The agency had a second office in Chicago, but shuttered the operation back in July of 2011. Domani worked with BBH New York last November, providing digital design and development for the agency’s “Greatness Awaits” campaign for Sony’s PS4.

Seth Alpert, managing director at investment bankers AdMedia Partners, told Adweek “the challenges agencies face as audiences continue to migrate to digital and social, requiring traditional shops to ramp up digital capabilities faster than ever” as the impetus behind the acquisition. He added that “while the digital world continues to change rapidly, it’s the independents that are likely to be better in keeping up than larger traditional agencies, giving shops like Domani an edge in what it brings to BBH.”

BBH NY Shows Gamers How to Do a Proper Victory Dance for PS4

BBH New York enlisted dancers from the New York City Ballet for a series of ads depicting victory celebrations for PS4, an extension of the “Greatness Awaits” campaign.

Each of the six spots begins with a group of dancers performing classic ballet moves in scenery/dress meant to evoke certain styles of games (sports, space, war, etc.) before a musical change signifies a shift in style and they perform a more modern victory dance. At the end of each 30-second spot, viewers are invited to contribute to the linked social initiative, calling on gamers to submit their own victory dance on Instagram for a chance at winning a PS4. At this point, any gaming advertising that tries something different is a welcome departure, and the social initiative has the potential to lead to some fun engagement with fans. We do wish, however, that they had managed a take of “Dunk” (stick around for it after the jump) where she actually makes the shot. (more…)

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BBH NY Promotes EP to Head of Content Production

Today the New York offices of BBH enhanced production capabilities by promoting Kate Morrison, former Executive Producer, to Head of Content Production.

Over the past decade, Morrison has held production roles at various agencies including 180, BSSP and twofifteenmccann; her promotion arrives after spending seven months spent in the EP position and working on the PlayStation “Perfect Day” spot that won a Gold Lion at Cannes. In the newly created role, she will help lead and manage the production of all of the agency’s content.

CCO John Patroulis writes:

“Kate Morrison has made a massive mark on the work at BBH New York…like every producer here, [she] puts the quality of the work first and foremost.”

The promotion is the latest move in BBH New York’s recent expansion: earlier in the year the office hired Carey Head of Barton F. Graf 9000 as Head of Integrated Production and Technology and Art Director Marcos Kotlhar of Brazil’s AlmapBBDO to strengthen its content production offering.

Morrison will report directly to Head.

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Barton F. Graf 9000, Psyop Charm with ‘Clash of Clans’ Anthem Ad

Gerry Graf’s Barton F. Graf 9000 NY has worked with production company Psyop, fresh off their game-developing debut with the Susan Sarandon-narrated Nightmare: Malaria, to develop this charming spot for the Supercell-developed strategy game Clash of Clans.

The one-minute anthem ad places the viewer in the middle of the action, on the same level as the melee taking place. To bring the game to life in the spot, Psyop “embraced the bright, stylized and saturated look of the game,” explained Psyop Director Fletcher Moules. “We wanted to fully conceptualize what the world would look like if we were running alongside the horde of barbarians, what would it feel like to be covered in their saliva.”

The impressively animated ad really does a good job transporting the viewer into the world of Clash of the Clans, thankfully without any saliva. One noteworthy moment occurs when two giants chuckle as they are hit with cannonballs. It was one of Psyop’s favorite segments to animate, as well. “It added the heart and the warmth that was only achieved when we removed ourselves a little from the ruckus to enjoy it from their perspective,” said Moules.

It would appear that Supercell’s audience is enthusiastic about Clash of Clans as well. The video was released on December 23rd, and garnered 14 million views in its first week. Credits after the jump. continued…

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