Hasta La Creative!

It seems odd that there’s never been a Halloween ad for Skittles. While the brand may not have the same kind of association with the holiday as, say, Reese’s, it still commands a good deal of exchange value for kids swapping trick or treat hauls. And yet DDB Chicago’s new Halloween spot, extending the brand’s “Experience The Rainbow” campaign, is the brand’s first foray into Halloween advertising.

As you might expect, the ad contains the level of weirdness associated with that campaign, and the brand’s advertising in general. When a boy finds himself stuck in a giant spiderweb, attempting to reach a bag of Skittles, his friend wonders what to do. Then a giant spider shows up, promising to help if he gets stuck, and thus begins a lifelong friendship…or does it?

The spot is rolling out as a 15-second broadcast spot and an extended, 45-second online video (featured above), and will run until Halloween. (more…)

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We received the sad news that last week, DDB Chicago creative director Brad Morgan lost his battle with cancer. Morgan had been with the agency for a quarter-century and helped lead creative on accounts ranging from Anheuser-Busch and McDonald’s to Frito-Lays and Mars. Here’s a note to staff from DDB Chi SVP/ECD Mark Gross, who mentions among other things mentions arguably Morgan’s most notable accomplishment at the agency, verbatim:

“Brad Morgan was a highly respected art director, who worked at ad agency DDB Chicago for over 25 years. It was an outstanding career filled with numerous highlights and accomplishments. Brad was a talented, skilled artist and a stellar art director with a keen sense of style and taste. As Creative Director, Brad became a beloved and respected leader. His positive attitude was infectious and uplifting, and his passion for advertising unequaled. He was a tireless worker, who always took pride in everything he did. No matter how tough things got, Brad worked through it with a warm smile on his face.

Brad worked on numerous accounts throughout his career. His most notable accomplishment was the invention of Chester Cheetah – an iconic character still being used today. Brad was also responsible for creating many of the most memorable and revered Super Bowl Ads for Budweiser and Bud Light.

The only thing more impressive than Brad’s list of talents was his fun, warm, genuine, caring personality. He was a true gentleman, a good friend, a caring soul and just an all around terrific guy to be around. Anyone who worked with Brad would tell you how special of person he really was.

Brad Morgan, thank you for everything you gave us and for being the terrific person that you were. You will be sorely missed.  We all raise a Jack and Coke in your honor and say God bless you – farewell dear friend.”

 

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