| Reel Chicago – At the intersection of Chicago Advertising, Entertainment, Media and Production
Reel Chicago is a daily digital magazine that covers the news in Chicago on all aspects of advertising, film, TV, media and production. The content is original, written by industry experts and contributing Op Eds
The first Orkin campaign from AOR DDB Chicago is hilarious. The theme — The Best in Pests. When you have pests, call in a pro… the right pro. DDB Chicago uses humor to show the difference between a ‘pro’ and an Orkin Pro by bringing in professional Tennis pro Rianna Valdes to swat mosquitoes, Fishing … Continue reading “DDB Chicago releases hilarious first spots for Orkin”
DDB North America announces that Reynolds Consumer Products, including Reynolds Wrap, Reynolds Kitchens, Hefty Storage, and Hefty Waste, selected DDB Chicago as its creative agency of record after a competitive review. This is the second win for DDB Chicago this year, following the addition of the Orkin Pest Control business last month, and a result … Continue reading “Reynolds Consumer Products chooses DDB Chicago as Agency of Record”
DDB North America announced that Orkin has selected DDB Chicago as its strategic business and creative agency of record, following a competitive review. The partnership with Orkin is the latest addition to the agency’s roster of iconic household name brands, which includes Molson Coors, McDonald’s, Mars, Jiffy Lube, and State Farm, among others. This is the … Continue reading “Orkin Selects DDB Chicago as Strategic Business and Creative Partner”
DDB North America has announced the appointment of Rodrigo Jatene to Chief Creative Officer, DDB Chicago to lead creative vision, culture, and product at the region’s largest office. Jatene will partner with CEO Andrea Diquez and the Chicago leadership team, including newly appointed Chief Strategy Officer Milo Chao and Sandra Alfaro, Head of Business Leadership to create Unexpected Works for clients including Molson Coors, Mars, McDonald’s, and … Continue reading “Rodrigo Jatene joins DDB Chicago as Chief Creative Officer”
DDB North America today announced that Sandra Alfaro has joined DDB Chicago as Head of Business Leadership. Alfaro will oversee leadership and growth for the region’s largest office, reporting directly to DDB Chicago CEO Andrea Diquez. Alfaro’s appointment follows the addition of Milo Chao, who joined as Chief Strategy Officer in September. Diquez said, “We are focused on building … Continue reading “Sandra Alfaro is the latest addition to the DDB Chicago team”
DDB North America today announced the addition of a new leader at the helm of their Chicago office. Andrea Diquez joins DDB Chicago as Chief Executive Officer. DDB looks to Diquez’s inspirational leadership to ignite growth for the region’s largest office. “Andrea is bringing an incredible set of skills and experience to DDB Chicago,” says North America CEO Justin Thomas-Copeland. … Continue reading “Andrea Diquez named DDB Chicago CEO”
Award-winning leader accepts challenge to help make marquee client Capital One “even more successful.” DDB Chicago today announced that Jon Flannery has been hired as EVP, Executive Creative Director. As a creative leader, Flannery has a reputation for architecting innovative work that both grows brands and garners creative recognition. In his new role, he will … Continue reading “Creative force Jon Flannery joins DDB Chicago”
Contract rumored to be worth $4 billion over next ten years Look alive, maggots… err, Chicago. DDB Chicago has landed the lucrative United States Army as an account. According to Ad Age, the Chicago-based agency will spin off a new dedicated shop much like it did for McDonald’s with We Are Unlimited. Sources say, the … Continue reading “Ten-Hut! DDB Chicago lands The Army as an account”
Earlier this week, DDB announced the promotion of popular Mel Routhier to Executive Creative Director from her previous position of Group Creative Director. Routhier and fellow ECD Colin Selikow will both report to DDB Chicago CCO John Maxham. With her promotion to ECD, Routhier will continue overseeing the creative for State Farm, one of the … Continue reading “Mel Routhier promoted to ECD of DDB Chicago, more”
The 2021 AICP Next and Post Awards debuted virtually this week in New York during AICP week, recognizing creative excellence in new and emerging media. Chicago post-houses and agencies did take home wins during the ceremonies. Utopic The post-house had a big win last night at the AICP Post Awards. Craig Lewandowski was honored with a win … Continue reading “AICP: Utopic, DDB, Cutters, Highdive rep Chicago in Next and Post Awards”
The Andy Awards announced their winners on April 12 and Leo Burnett, DDB Chicago and FCB Chicago represented the windy city for their work on Kraft Heinz Country Time, Miller Lite and Coors Light respectively. Burnett The Chicago office took home an Idea Andy for their work on Country Time Lemonade’s Littlest Bailout. , which … Continue reading “Burnett, DDB, FCB represent Chicago at Andy Awards”
Last month, as reported in Reel Chicago, DDB Chicago promoted Melissa “Mel” Routhier to Executive Creative Director from State Farm Group Creative Director. After spending an hour talking to the former Texan, I can see why. Routhier is funny, inspiring, passionate, and engaging. Her work for State Farm — which includes the Following campaign that … Continue reading “DDB’s Mel Routhier: From Texas intern to Chicago leader”
DDB Chicago, which has a storied history of creating award-winning work for beer brands — Anheuser-Busch to be specific — is ready to break out the beer steins again as Miller Lite consolidated its brand within the network.
As many industry pundits had predicted, DDB Chicago will be global AOR for Miller Lite and Adam&Eve. DDB will handle Miller Genuine Draft. The decision follows a formal creative review among several competitors.
Cossette, the number one Toronto agency that opened a Chicago office last May after winning the McDonald’s Owner/Operators of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana (MOCNI) business, has hired award-winning Chuck Rachford as executive creative director, after 14 years at DDB.
It was DDB’s night all the way, winning big at the 2007 International Mobius Awards for Advertising held Jan. 28 in Hollywood.
The agency took home 15 awards, including two Best of Show awards, 13 First Place Mobius Awards and eight Second Place Certificates for Outstanding Creativity.
Seven First and Second prizes in non-broadcast categories went to five Chicago agencies.
Ten category winners emerged from among 36 nominees from 29 countries and entrants came from 35 countries.
A “commercial” for the Chicago International Film Festival produced by two DDB creatives will be part of the Festival’s Oct. 5 opening festivities at the Chicago Theatre.
ACDs Larry Ziegelman and Jay Manheimer produced the 60-second pro bono promo that screens before the premiere of “Stranger than Fiction” and throughout the two-week cinema extravaganza.
Call it the battle of the big agencies shooting it out for honors at the recent second annual Chicago Creative Club Awards show. Four big agencies won 29 of the 32 categories of awards, while Leo Burnett won half, with 16 prizes mostly for Altoids gum.
DDB brought home seven Bricks (the award trophy) for Anheuser-Busch/Budweiser and Young & Rubicam won six awards mainly Miller Brewing.
When DDB’s Grant Hill announced the agency’s commitment to keep its estimated $10 million-plus postproduction business in Chicago, he said the agency would not discourage companies in other production markets from opening branches in Chicago.
The first company to respond is Santa Monica’s V12 – not a post house, but a full-service production company in Santa Monica.
DDB Chicago’s commitment to work exclusively with Chicago editors and post houses for its hundreds of national commercials could infuse as much as $10 million into the business-dry industry.
Grant Hill, the agency’s broadcast chief, said the agency has already begun the shift. By April local post houses should be humming with editing jobs that previously had followed production out-of-town, mainly to Los Angeles and Toronto “for primarily creative and monetary reasons,” he said.
Area 23 New York leads the way with the most finalists entries in The One Show 2022, followed closely by Leo Burnett Chicago. All finalists will win either Gold, Silver or Bronze Pencils or Merits, to be announced on May 19 during Creative Week 2022. Area 23 New York has 48 finalists entries, including 13 … Continue reading “Leo Burnett Chicago takes second place finalists tally for The One Show”
Editor’s Note: They are leaders. They are inspirational. They are mentors. They are visionaries. They are, quite frankly, badasses. They are our 2022 REEL WOMEN. During Women’s History Month, you will be able to meet these incredible personalities in Advertising, Entertainment, Media and Production. Women like Carolyn Bergen are making “Herstory.” A passionate, proven creative leader and writer, Carolyn is a … Continue reading “REEL WOMEN: DDB Creative Director Carolyn Bergen”
Legendary Chicago Marketing and Advertising “GOAT” and Producer Joel Goldsmith passed away earlier this week at age 84, after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Joel was a legend in advertising. Beginning his early career as an accomplished copywriter, next a Creative Director he quickly rose through the ranks of the top agencies in Chicago … Continue reading “Legendary Chicago marketing and advertising ‘GOAT’ Joel Goldsmith passes”
11 Dollar Bill, continuing to grow its leadership team, has appointed René Steinkellner as Executive Producer at its Chicago studio. Steinkellner, who served as Executive Producer at FCB, Lord+Thomas, Chicago, for 12 years, will lead post-production, business development and client relations. Steinkellner knows 11 Dollar Bill well, having worked with the studio on several recent … Continue reading “11 Dollar Bill adds René Steinkellner as Executive Producer in Chicago”
So, here we are at the end of another year. In 2021, we experienced more freedom from the pandemic during the spring and summer as cases lowered, but here we are, back in a kind of partial quarantine as the omicron variant spreads. While many businesses asked their teams to return to the office, advertising … Continue reading “The Best of Chicago Advertising in 2021”
There is a new episode on this week’s Chicago Med titled Just as a Snake Sheds its Skin airing this Wednesday at 7 PM CST on NBC 5. Here’s the official information that NBC has made available for Wednesday’s episode: Dylan’s loyalty to Med and the police department is challenged when an old family friend and veteran cop exhibits … Continue reading “Chicago Med: pics & promo Just as a Snake Sheds its Skin”
Both Adweek and Ad Age are reporting that DDB North American CCO Britt Nolan is rejoining Leo Burnett Chicago as president and CCO, almost exactly two years to the day he left. According to the reports, Nolan will oversee the creative output and manage the Chicago office while supporting the global Leo Burnett network. He … Continue reading “Britt Nolan leaves DDB, returns to Burnett”
FCB Chicago received eight One Show Gold Pencils this year. They include four Golds with FCBX, Lord + Thomas and Current Global, all in Chicago, for the City of Chicago “Boards of Change” (three in Design, one in Digital Craft), three with FCB New York, Lord + Thomas, and Myles Beeson, both in Chicago, for Michelob ULTRA “Contract for Change” in Integrated, … Continue reading “One Show: FCB Chicago wins eight Gold Pencils”
Havas Chicago has announced the appointment of Myra Nussbaum as chief creative officer – the first female CCO in Havas’ North American network. Nussbaum brings more than 15 years’ experience making work that moves at the speed of culture based in the philosophy that creating a strong, simple message has the power to break through … Continue reading “Havas Chicago appoints Myra Nussbaum first female CCO”
EQ Office announces the exciting reopening of Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower to the public on April 23 after completing an extensive redevelopment, raising the bar once again for the world-renowned experience. The revamped Skydeck Chicago—already rated a Top 10 destination by Tripadvisor.com—will provide a can’t miss, one-stop attraction to discover and see all that the city of Chicago offers from an incomparable … Continue reading “Skydeck Chicago reopens with new interactive museum”
This week’s new episode of Chicago Fire titled ‘A Couple Hundred Degrees’ is airing Wednesday at 8 PM CST on NBC 5. Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) goes head to head with a new recruit with connections. The team’s latest paramedic, Violet Lim (Hanako Greensmith) is getting some unwanted mail, and she and her new partner Sylvie Brett (Kara … Continue reading “Chicago Fire set pics for ‘A Couple Hundred Degrees’”
We all know that over time, owners start to look like their pets. And with special moments lasting longer with Creamy Purrrr-ee…this could get out of hand! Creamy Purrrr-ee is a new irresistible treat for cats and a means to create spontaneous moments of enhanced bonding with your furry friend. To highlight this, adam&eveDDB created a … Continue reading “Two new adam&eveDDB spots for Temptations”
Minority owned New York ad agency HERO Group (aka HERO Collective) filed suit against Omnicom-owned agency DDB in Illinois Northern District Court court this week, alleging DDB “exploited” HERO to win the U.S. Army contract and didn’t pay it for two years of work. Chicago-based Swanson, Martin & Bell and Beverly Hills-based Singh, Singh & … Continue reading “Minority New York agency sues DDB over Army account”
It’s hard to remember back in February 2020, when the Kansas City Chiefs bested the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV and Parasite was winning Best Picture, no one was talking about COVID, the election and Black Lives Matter. We had no idea we were only a few weeks and months away from all … Continue reading “2020 in Review: Top Chicago advertising campaigns”
What a year, huh? 2020, which felt like a decade, will undoubtedly go down in history as one of the worst years ever. And who will argue? Certainly not the staff at Reel Chicago. This year, COVID forced productions to shut down. Then start back up. Then shut back down. Then start back up. It … Continue reading “2020 in Review: Reel Chicago’s Biggest Stories”
A little boy puts the finishing touches on his snowman, before the dog playfully pulls its arm off in a moment of shock and deadpan comedy in this Greenies campaign. The resolution is giving the dog a Greenies Dental Treat, which is positioned as “something better for your dog to chew on.” The video was … Continue reading “Dog vs Snowman in Greenies campaign by adam&eveDDB”
Furthering its commitment to building iconic brands through craft and culture, Havas Chicago has named Jamie McGarry as Chief Growth Officer to help ignite a new phase of growth for the agency. McGarry will serve as a key member of Havas Chicago’s executive leadership team, contributing to the agency’s overall strategic vision, performance and growth. … Continue reading “Havas Chicago names McGarry as Chief Growth Officer”
FCB Chicago leads Chicago agencies with 31 The One Show 2020, finalists, including 28 on behalf of Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence. Working with FCBXLord+Thomas, both Chicago, the agency has 16 for the organization’s “Most Dangerous Street”, and 12 with Lord+Thomas and The Mill, both Chicago, for “The Gun Violence Handbook.” Ogilvy Chicago with 27 including work for … Continue reading “Chicago agencies nab 89 finalists in One Show”
As states begin to think about slowly reopening and relaxing social distancing guidelines due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the advertising industry, which has been hit hard, is starting to think about their own plan. Omnicom CEO John Wren sent a memo to employees yesterday outlining how Omnicom of which DDB, Agency 720, Energy BBDO, Critical Mass, FleishmanHillard, … Continue reading “Omnicom’s plan to reopen DDB and Energy BBDO”
The coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect ad agencies, causing reductions of staff, salary cuts and furloughs. DDB, Chicago is the latest agency forced to slightly restructure. The agency has reportedly laid off 30 people including global business director for Unilever, Mark Mulhern, and chief people officer, North America Britt Hayes. Last week, our sister outlet Reel … Continue reading “DDB Chi reportedly reduces staff by 30”
The World Advertising Research Center (WARC) has released the results of its second annual Creative 100, ranking the most creative agencies, networks and campaigns in the world. For the second year in a row, DDB Worldwide was ranked the #2 most creative agency network in the world. Two DDB agencies were ranked among the world’s top … Continue reading “DDB Worldwide ranked Second Most Creative Agency”
Nation’s second-largest brewer intends to diversify, accelerate, and reduce expenses by moving to The Windy City Intending to reduce expenses by $150 million, brewer Molson Coors announced last week that it will move its headquarters from Denver to Chicago, according to the Chicago Tribune. The relocation is prompted in part by an industry-wide 5% decline … Continue reading “Molson Coors moving HQ to Chicago”
So many of us (you know who you are) are more concerned with having thousands of followers than a few good friends. In an engaging new campaign from DDB, the creative agency for Miller Lite, has tapped into this thought and created a campaign that is both engaging, smart and funny as hell. “With this … Continue reading “DDB brings back original social media – “Miller Time””
The Blair Witch would be proud. Or at least laugh her wrinkly, green ass off. Some of the best and most innovative advertising to come out of Chicago, and let’s be real – strangest, is the Skittles work from DDB Chicago. Whether it’s throwing a broadway halftime show with Michael C. Hall or screening a … Continue reading “BOO! DDB drops first Skittles Halloween spot in 5 years”
Less than a week after McDonald’s announced its new U.S. lead creative agency would be Wieden + Kennedy New York, it seems that the bespoke Omnicom shop, We Are Unlimited will be folded into DDB Chicago. AgencySpy, citing anonymous sources from Business Insider, reports that We Are Unlimited will retain its name, but operate as … Continue reading “UNLTD. to be absorbed by DDB?”
A light-hearted pair of spots do an excellent job of implying that beer makes everything better DDB explores a range of the possibilities that a drinker can dream in a colorful new campaign for Blue Moon titled, Once in a Blue Moon. The effort centers on a pair of light-hearted spots that re-imagine everyday situations … Continue reading “Dreams come true in new Blue Moon campaign by DDB”
Chicago agency helps insurance company get laughs with Heimlich maneuvering, crosswalk assisting, and whale saving in ‘On The Board’ DDB created a flurry of humorous scenes to help State Farm generate laughs and spread kindness through On The Board, a new commercial highlighting the power of collective good. Tracking a pair of zealous co-workers who … Continue reading “DDB celebrates State Farm commitment to doing good”
Fast-growing independent agency O’Keefe Reinhard & Paul also adds new finance head Fast-growing independent creative agency O’Keefe Reinhard & Paul has elevated four senior employees to new expanded roles as it deepens the ranks of its leadership. Rahul Roy will take on the new role of Chief Operating Officer at OKRP where he will have … Continue reading “OKRP promotes four staff in Chicago”
Britt Nolan leaves Burnett to run DDB North America creative, as Ari Weiss is promoted to global CCO DDB Worldwide today announced that former Leo Burnett co-President and Chief Creative Officer, Britt Nolan, is moving to DDB Worldwide as the CCO of its North American network. Ari Weiss, who previously held the position has been … Continue reading “Britt Nolan named DDB North America CCO”
After you drink the beer inside, the Cantroller continues to operate your video games I’m suddenly reminded of the line Tim Robbins said in The Coen Brothers’ Hudsucker Proxy, “You know, for kids!” Okay, this “ludicrous” (DDB’s words in a press release, not ours) product innovation they’ve created for Miller Lite is definitely not for … Continue reading “DDB, Miller Lite, Eric Andre play ‘The Cantroller’”
Ken Jeong and Terry Crews share their ‘Hidden Talents’ in a new campaign about life insurance State Farm’s Hidden Talents campaign — created by DDB and featuring actors Ken Jeong and Terry Crews — launched yesterday. The campaign is inspired by the fact that that State Farm is just as much an expert on life … Continue reading “DDB helps State Farm get funny with celebs”
“This visual identity perfectly captures our heritage and legacy … and positions us for the future.” DDB CEO Wendy Clark DDB Worldwide unveiled a new visual identity in a brief, compelling, and informative video released today. The one-minute, 42-second piece references the agency’s history and branding while flashing through a whirlwind of legendary campaigns before … Continue reading “DDB’s new look is a celebration of the past”
Chicago agency teams with colorful candy to create the first-ever commercial performed as a live Broadway musical Last year, DDB Chicago and Skittles made Super Bowl noise by making none at all. If you remember, the Mars candy brand created a humungous mysterious campaign around former Friends star David Schwimmer and showed it to one … Continue reading “DDB and Skittles Broadway bound for Super Bowl”
With a growing client portfolio and a staff that includes “scientists, mathematicians, developers and engineers,” the Windy City outpost of the global company makes a dazzling Midwestern impression In the year since Framestore opened its Chicago office with a launch party at the Adler Planetarium last September, the company has more than lived up to … Continue reading “Framestore’s Chicago office, a year after the launch”
Tricia Russo named Chief Strategy Officer at DDB Chicago Susie Lyons hired as Head of Strategy at DDB New York (Chicago — 20 September 2018) Omnicom Group’s DDB North America hired industry veterans Susie Lyons and Tricia Russo to top leadership roles. The move complements substantial growth, key new business wins, and creative accolades for … Continue reading “DDB adds Lyons and Russo for top US strategy roles”
Three new spots feature real families, real couples, and real friends doing exactly what the card rewards: having fun and making memories I feel like Doc Brown just threw me into his DeLorean and took me back in time. My time. DDB Chicago, never afraid to go old school in their music choices, takes viewers … Continue reading “Capital One and DDB want you to go out and cash in”
New DDB Chicago video shows football legend Jason Witten trading in his jersey for a beer delivery uniform As a devout Philadelphia Eagles (“Iggles”) fan it really does pain me to write anything positive about THAT team in Dallas. But DDB Chicago has created a new video for client Miller Lite that tastes great. To … Continue reading “Jason Witten surprises fans in Miller Lite spot by DDB”
After a month-long competitive review, the brand moves its creative to the newly created unit fifty5Zero Pass DDB Chicago a Blue Moon. The agency announced last week that client Chicago-based MillerCoors has decided to move creative responsibilities for its Blue Moon brand to fifty5Zero, a newly created unit of DDB. According to a spokeswoman, this … Continue reading “DDB taps into Blue Moon as AOR”
The Mill Chicago announces new Managing Director and Creative Leadership The Mill has appointed three new leadership roles to its Chicago studio. Carl Phillips will serve as Managing Director, Andrew Doman as Deputy Managing Director, and Jay Bandlish as Executive Creative Director. Phillips joined The Mill in Chicago as Head of Production … Continue reading “New leadership for The Mill in Chicago”
The DDB Chicago production manager who started out shooting images on an iPhone recently took over the @NavyPierChicago and @SkydeckChicago Instagram accounts for a day Born and raised in the city of Chicago, not far from the Cabrini-Green housing complex, I chose a college in Denver close to good skiing, studied advertising in Edinburgh, … Continue reading “Promoting Chicago”
The concepts for “Exclusive the Rainbow” and “Trolling is Ugly” are worth the praise alone, but the executions are also exceptional. So far this week, DDB and its specialty units have claimed a massive haul of awards at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity. With Exclusive the Rainbow for Skittles and Trolling Is Ugly … Continue reading “DDB network claims a pride of Lions at Cannes”
International editorial company Whitehouse Post is pleased to welcome award-winning commercial editor John Dingfield to their roster. A versatile editor known for cutting comedy, visual storytelling, automotive work, and six Super Bowl campaigns, John has been a fixture in Chicago for almost two decades. With an MFA in filmmaking and directing from Columbia College, … Continue reading “Whitehouse Post Chicago signs Editor John Dingfield”
DDB Chicago helped Skittles retain its top place on the eclectic advertising mantel with a new 15-second commercial starring a pair of unkempt basement dwellers. Skittles’ Rile the Rainbow commercial offers no context for the characters who “love these Sweet Heat Skittles,” but that doesn’t matter. The spot by DDB Chicago earns an enthusiastic double … Continue reading “DDB helps Skittles show where Sweet Heat comes from”
What happens when your she shed goes to smithereens when it’s sauteed by fire … after a lightning strike? That’s the idea behind DDB Chicago’s engaging and humorous new national campaign for State Farm which broke during the season finale of NBC’s This is Us. Titled, “Here to Help _____ Go Right,” the initiative is … Continue reading “DDB and “I, Tonya” director help State Farm fill in blanks”
DDB Worldwide CEO Wendy Clark is among 180 other female advertising leaders who have launched Time’s Up / Advertising, the advertising and marketing industry answer to the entertainment industry’s Time’s Up movement, which was launched at the end of 2017. Other leaders include Alyson Warshaw, CCO of Laundry Service; Debby Reiner, CEO of Grey New … Continue reading “DDB’s CEO helps launch Times Up / Advertising”
Well, that didn’t take long. Omnicom Group Inc. President and CEO John Wren announced the appointment of Wendy Clark, who joined the agency in 2016, as President and CEO of DDB Worldwide. Clark succeeds Chuck Brymer who will assume the title of Chairman. Both roles are effective immediately. “After 12 terrific years as the head … Continue reading “Wendy Clark is the new Global President & CEO at DDB”
Barry Burdiak leaves DDB for Epsilon Barry Burdiak, a nearly 30-year veteran of DDB Chicago, has left the agency to lead data-driven Epsilon Chicago as Senior Vice President, Executive Creative Director. He’ll focus on new business efforts for new and existing clients. A mutiple Cannes Lion winner and Emmy nominee, he will report to a … Continue reading “Barry Burdiak leaves DDB for Epsilon, other recent moves”
With all due respect to the creative team at DDB Chicago, I did not and could not turn away from my beloved Eagles, and their win over the Patriots, to watch what was perhaps the most inventive spot that aired that night. Of course, I am talking about the agency’s Super Bowl Skittles Spot for … Continue reading “DDB & Skittles reveal teen’s reaction to Schwimmer stunt”
This year, the commercials were the best part of the Super Bowl for everyone who doesn’t live in Boston or Philadelphia. In keeping with the couch potato, post-game, armchair tradition, The Reel Chicago team has assembled a list of our most and least favorite spots. Because nothing says great American tradition quite like laundry detergent, … Continue reading “Reel Chicago’s most & least favorite Super Bowl spots”
Wow. I’m used to DDB Chicago making me laugh and warm my insides. I can’t say they have ever really gotten my head nodding and my foot tapping musically though. ‘Til now. The good folks at the Lake Michigan (amazing views) shop created a new video for last week’s reveal of the 2019 Ram 1500 … Continue reading “DDB helps Dodge reveal the 2019 Ram 1500”
What happens to the concept of giving back when the decorations come down and the red Starbucks cups disappear? DDB Chicago continues their strong “Neighborhood of Good” State Farm campaign with a touching reminder that the season of giving back never really ends. Directed by Anonymous Content’s Aoife McArdle, the dynamic :60-second film highlights the … Continue reading “DDB & State Farm continue ‘Neighborhood of Good’”
Viral Chicago series Easy Abby returns for season two Easy Abby, the “Lesbian RomCom Series” that scored more than 30 million views with thirteen episodes in its first season, returns Dec. 15 on Revry, “the world’s first LGBTQ+ digital streaming platform.” Created, written, and directed by Chicago filmmaker Wendy Jo Carlton, Easy Abby chronicles the … Continue reading “Easy Abby, Seed, Give a Shirt, DDB in the news”
DDB Chicago announced today that the agency had lured away 14-year Burnett veteran Colin Selikow to serve as Executive Creative Director on the Miller Lite and Mars Wrigley Confectionery accounts. Selikow rose to creative lead on both Samsung Mobile and United Healthcare. His team’s award-winning film entitled “Ostrich” recently earned seven Cannes Lions. “When I … Continue reading “Selikow leaves Burnett for DDB”
Former DDBer Kristin Barbour will have a homecoming of sorts as she has been named managing director of Camp + King’s new Chicago satellite office, created in part to serve client Energizer. An advertising veteran, Barbour has worked with some of the nation’s most prestigious brands, including McDonald’s, Mars, Kraft and Chevrolet. The San Francisco-based … Continue reading “Barbour to lead Camp + King Chicago”
A 30-SECOND CUBS SPOT, “Fly the W,” created by Chicago Cubs’ agency Schafer Carter Condon (SCC) featuring the narration of injured Cubs catcher Kyle Schwarber, was designed to get fans excited about the Cubs’ National Division Series playoffs starting Oct. 7.
And it did it ever! — the spot was a hit waaaay out of the park, beyond anyone’s expectations, by garnering an amazing two million-plus views since it was posted on Facebook a scant two weeks ago.
The flag “is the fabric that brings an entire nation together,” Schwarber says. “It says to the world, we will never lose faith … and maybe this October, if we fly it high enough, and loud enough and proud enough, well, you get the idea.”
Was SCC’s CD Ron Sone, who created the spot with CD Michael Dorich, surprised at the overwhelming reaction? “No, just at the speed it caught on,” he says. And those two million hits were only from a Facebook posting, although the spot also appears on other social media outlets.
Yeah, yeah, I know it’s not fall. Yet. But when football kicks off how can you not start thinking about either heading out to your favorite bar or sitting on your couch, cracking open a cold one and watching The Bears? Then again, if the Bears play like last season you might want to consider … Continue reading “DDB, State Farm kick off spot with Aaron Rodgers”
To say that Seed Media Arts director David Rosen resorted to childish behavior on the set of a recent shoot is incorrect. That was his plan from the beginning.
“I’m a goofball,” he explains. “If I’m playful and spontaneous, then the kids are going to be playful and spontaneous as well.”
Working on a concept by DDB Chicago for global engineering firm Emerson, Rosen directed on-camera interviews with 70 kids aged five- to-sixteen-years-old in two separate locations over four days.
It’s not the worst of times, but the best of limes as Skittles has finally listened to pleas from customers over social media who begged for the return of the popular flavor after it was replaced with green-apple.
Welcome to “Lime-ageddon!”
On Friday, McDonald’s AOR We Are Unlimited announced that former FCB Chicago SVP/ECD, Max Geraldo had been tapped to serve as Executive Creative Director. Joining him is Bruno Guimaraes, who left DigitasLBI Chicago to serve as Creative Director.
Both creatives will report to the agency’s Chief Creative Officer Toygar Bazarkaya. These are Bazarkaya’s first hires since joining the agency two months ago, and builds out the creative leadership team.
Geraldo has over 50 Cannes Lions to his credit including the Mobile Grand Prix.
Yesterday, an African American art director friend and I were looking at a spot for a brand, which will go unnamed, and we both blurted out the same reaction at the same time.
“I’m so tired of Midwest White Boy Humor!” We laughed. Laughed some more. And then talked seriously about what our reaction really meant.
I mean, I am half white, after all.
(Cannes, France — 22 June 2017) FCB took home three more Silver Lions and two Bronze on the third night of the Cannes Lions festival. There were five award ceremonies held in – Entertainment, Entertainment for Music, Design, Media and Product Design.
(Cannes, France — 19 June, 2017) Even though McCann New York’s Fearless Girl was the big winner on the first night of the Cannes Lions Festival, Chicago agencies did manage to come home with lions as well. FCB Chicago, BBDO Chicago, DigitasLBI, Leo Burnett, Ogilvy and Mather and Lapiz won lions in the categories of: Glass, Outdoor, PR, Promo & Activation and Print & Publishing. Below, see every Lion won by U.S. agencies on the night.
Both DDB Chicago and their long-time client, State Farm, believe that at the heart of any strong community are neighbors who care. Moved by this belief, the two have partnered to launch the Neighborhood of Good initiative online and on broadcast TV.
Beginning with a moving 2-minute short film called, “The Following,” the two hope to encourage viewers to take action on important causes they care about.
Three-time Emmy nominee, Don Pogany, who created some of the most memorable advertising in Chicago as Creative Director at DDB, is prepping an exciting new branded, equestrian-focused webseries called, “The Equestrians.”
Recognizing that the number of female creative leaders in advertising is disproportionate to the large number of existing female talent, DDB Worldwide has launched a bold new global search in order to target and elevate the most talented and creative females in their network.
NAMES IN THE NEWS. Industry veteran Tom Fletcher, the former Fletcher Camera & Lenses executive, was named director of sales at Fujifilm’s optical devices division. In his new post, Fletcher, who has been consulting for the company for almost a year, will oversee sales and promotion of Fujifilm’s broadcast and cinema lenses in North America, reporting to division VP Gordon Tubbs and working out of a Lake Forest office.
Sonixphere created an original orchestral score highlighting the humor in La Quinta hotel chain’s new two-spot campaign, “Win@Business,” from DDB Chicago, giving the LaQuinta mnemonic a symphonic makeover.
The character-driven spots feature company guys who aim to win at business by rehearsing their plan of attack the night before in their La Quinta rooms.
Under the supervision of DDB SVP/GCDs Barry Burdiak and John Hayes and CDs Tim Green and Bart Culberson, the two 30s were directed by Brian Billow of New York-based O Positive, LLC, and edited by The Whitehouse’s Dave Cea.
NEW BOUTIQUE AGENCY HIGHDIVE is being launched by DDB Chicago award-winning creatives Mark Gross and Chad Broude, who leave the agency Wednesday. At Highdive they will focus for now on project-based assignments for online services.
The bitter rivalry between DDB vs. Burnett. Publicis vs. Omnicom. Keith vs. Leo, for the billion dollar prize, brought to us by McDonald’s, with a cast of bleary-eyed creatives caught in between, has ended.
The winner, as we all know, is Omnicom and DDB, meaning for the first time in 35 years everything on the menu is going to be served up by one yet-to-be-created agency.
This wouldn’t be the first time DDB started an agency for a single client, having successfully launched Element 79 in 2001 for Quaker Oats.
The Mill Chicago continues to expand its local staff with the addition of a creative director originally from the Mill London and a senior producer and bolster it with three promotions.
The new creative director is Jay Bandlish, originally from the Mill London and Cameron Spencer, who’s enjoyed a 15-year career as a visual effects supervisor. Since arriving in Chicago he’s worked on Energy BBDO’s first spot for LG, “World of Play,” with action movie star Jason Statham, directed by Fredrik Bond, and a State Farm/DDB “Mustangs” spot directed by Jim Jenkins.
Award-winning Liz Taylor moves from global executive creative director at Ogilvy & Mather Chicago to become FCB Chicago’s chief creative officer on Sept. 15, replacing Todd Tilford, who remains with the agency, and joins FCB global CCO Susan Credle at the top of the Interpublic-owned agency.
Taylor will partner with CEO/President Michael Fassnacht to lead the 750-person shop and work on such accounts as Fiat and Clorox, newly won this year, Radio Flyer, digital work for Humana and others.
DDB’S CHICAGO’S ECD KEVIN DREW DAVIS relocated to the agency’s San Francisco office where he will assume the position of chief creative officer at DDB San Francisco. He joined DDB in 2013 as CC of DDB Canada before being asked to assume the ECD role in Chicago in late 2014.
During his two years in Chicago, he was known for his McDonald’s work, spearheading the agency’s Cannes Lion-winning “Lovin’ the Super Bowl” Twitter campaign, which made McDonald’s the most retweeted brand ever in a single day.
Dennis Ryan’s first day as chief executive officer at Digital Kitchen will be Tuesday, May 17, marking his return to Chicago after five years in Minneapolis.
He will be in charge of DK’s three offices, in Chicago, Seattle and Los Angeles, with a total of 94 employees, and is said to be “super excited to be returning to Chicago.”
Digital Kitchen’s clients include AT&T, Microsoft, Coca-Cola and Netflix.
Out of the 21 finalists in the upcoming Chicago International Television Awards, 16 spots came from Chicago-based agencies: eight spots from Leo Burnett; three from DDB Chicago, two from Pinnacle Advertising, Schaumburg and one each from Cramer-Krasselt, Digitas and Cavalry.
One finalist each from Iris New York, BBDO/New York, TBWA/Chiat/Day, New York and Innocean Worldwide, Seoul, Korea.
The Whitehouse edited nine of the finalist spots.
DDB WON BIG with Fiat Chrysler’s Jeep Business, which was shifted from FCB Chicago and became the lead agency on the account. In January DDB also became the lead agency on FCA’s Alfa Romeo account.
HANDSOME, FIRM-JAWED PHILIP WINCHESTER (“The Player”) is the first actor to be cast in NBC-Dick Wolf’s upcoming “Chicago Law.” Look for the new series to be launched as a backdoor pilot during an episode of “Chica
DDB Chicago’s Diane Jackson’s new title of Chief Production Officer is confirmation of management’s high regard for her being “formative in strategizing for the entire network,” as president/CEO Paul Gunning put it.
DDB Chicago’s award-winning Diane Jackson was elevated to the newly-created and wider-ranging position of Chief Production Officer, from EVP/Director of Integrated Production.
She has headed an award-winning production team since rejoining the agency in 2007 and will continue to report to DDB CCO John Maxham.
Chicago isn’t known for automotive advertising, so perhaps news that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is reportedly adding FCB and DDB to its agency roster could be the start of something big.
FCB CHICAGO continues to increase its creative assets with the VP/creative director team of copywriter Kathleen Waille and art director Marisa Groenweghe rejoining the agency from nine years at DDB Chicago.
The advertising community’s involvement in Off the Street Club dates back to 1902 when Frank Thomas, president of FCB’s predecessor agency Lord & Thomas, made the first donation to a struggling, West Side club for kids and persuaded his advertising colleagues to join him.
DDB’S KEITH REINHARD, the man who wrote “You deserve a break today” for McDonald’s and went on to help create global holding company Omnicom, will receive the 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award
FORMER CHICAGOANS Colin Costello and DDB/Chicago production manager Scott Terry was nominated for Best Instagrammer by the Shorty Awards, an achievement described as being “like a Nobel Peace Prize,” but “um, better, probably,” by actor Ricky Gervais, who won for his Tweeting performance in 2012. Out of the 34 highly anticipated spots airing on Sunday’s Super Bowl XLIX, 15 of them are newcomers to the annual television spectacular that 100 million Americans are expected to watch. FIRST NEW AD BUSINESS of the year was announced by DDB Chicago, which has succeeded The Martin Agency on creative duties for the $30 million American Cancer Society account, following a recent review. How does an agency with a reputation for great television commercials prove its worth in the digital arena? If the agency is DDB-Chicago, it’s simply a matter of flaunting the digital work it’s been doing all along on social media sites like Instagram. COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION HERE is adding to the satisfying flow of entertainment projects getting underway now for the next six to eight months, with the expectation of continued additions to the current slate of business. DDB Chicago’s new chief creative officer is John Maxham, who is returning to the agency after a four-year stint with Cole + Weber, Seattle. Prior to Cole + Weber, Maxham worked at DDB for two years as group creative director on the AT&T business. He replaces CCO Ewan Paterson who left the agency last August to return to his native London. DDB’S BIG COUP to start the year was importing of Brit Tony Malcolm to fill the top creative spot on its US McDonald’s business. He comes from nearly a decade with Leo Burnett, London, which has McDonald’s business for the UK. His first day was Monday, Jan. 7. Historically, Mad Men who are transferred or recruited by a Chicago agency for top management or creative positions don’t buy houses and settle in for the long haul. A two-year span is about the length of their Michigan Avenue tenure. WHEN THE MILL officially opened its Chicago branch Monday, March 4, executive producer Jared Yeater was very pleased in two regards. The first, he had fulfilled his goal of staffing the Chicago branch with 12 staffers — The Mill employees who transferred from its London headquarters and branches in New York and Lo It’s the forgotten advertising form. It gets no respect. It’s probably going to go the way of the dinosaur before much more time has elapsed. We just have that sinking feeling. Especially as magazines of the hardcopy variety continue to be threatened with extinction (goodbye Newsweek, we really loved you!). Yes, we’re talking about the print ad. Does foreign really work in Chicago? That’s the burning question that is likely to be answered in the not too distant future as we watch how things fare for two high-profile creative leaders in Chicago. The most recent arrival to whom we refer is Derek Green, the charming 37-year-old ad man now ensconced as the new executive creative director at Cramer-Krasselt/Chicago, an agency that has churned through several top creatives in recent times. Let’s put it this way. It wasn’t a good sign. Quietly. Ever so quietly, the deed was done. Not in the dark of night, exactly. But quietly. So as not to disturb any positive thoughts gestating out there about the state of the Chicago advertising industry. Yeah. Maybe we were guilty of being too distracted by the fun and possibilities attached to the launch of the Pompous Society, a happy way to suggest there is maybe still some life in the old ad business here after all. LIQUID 9 CELEBRATES ITS LAUNCH as a new Chicago production company with separate post and music divisions, at an Open House Thursday, 6 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 20 in new space at 843 W. Randolph, announces founder/producer Chris Connor. Let the Games begin. Starting tomorrow, most of the world’s sports enthusiasts (as well as many who have no particular interest in athletics) will turn their attention to London, England, where the 2012 Summer Olympic Games will formally commence with the usually thrilling opening ceremonies. So how’s he doing? As Peter McGuinness rapidly approaches his first year anniversary on the job as CEO and president of DDB/Chicago, he at least has managed to now to bring some semblance of stability to an agency that was — for much of the past decade — in danger of imploding. The shop is not fully righted yet, to be sure. But things are better. There’s no denying Anheuser-Busch, long a lucrative, flagship account at DDB/Chicago, officially left the fold on McGuinness’s watch. But for all intents and purposes, it was already gone before his arrival. Newly formed Cavalry – the Chicago agency WPP Group recently formed to exclusively handle Coors beer brands – hired DDB SVP/group creative director Jim Larmon as its first chief creative officer. Larmon is one of the top talents that beer business veteran Marty Stock, Cavalry’s inaugural CEO, is recruiting for Coors’ new agency. Some 40 full time employees are being hired, mostly from WPP agencies Y&R and JWT, branding firm VML, digital talent from digital agency Landor and others. It’s hard to believe, but the McDonald’s “I’m Loving It” ad campaign will celebrate its 10th anniversary next year. Whatever its fate from here on out, “I’m Lovin’ It” already is the longest-running ad campaign and tagline in the history of the fast-food behemoth. Hard to believe, indeed. Fourteen commercials produced by Chicago agencies and one production company are on the AICP Shortlist of 230 spots that are competing for a final slot on the prestigious annual AICP Show Reel and NEXT Awards. When the curators meet to make their final decision, the number of spots will shrink from the Shortlist’s 10 entrants in each of 23 categories, to from one-to-three spots per category. And then there were two. Late Friday afternoon — very late — Illinois Lottery private manager Northstar Lottery Group posted the two finalists still in the running for the Lottery’s advertising account. Those lucky two are: DDB/Chicago and Downtown Partners/Chicago. The winner will replace Energy BBDO/Chicago, which was dumped soon after Michael Jones returned for a second stint as Lottery superintendent in mid-October of last year. Fuhgeddaboudit! The past is past. They are looking forward. That’s the word from the two executives now guiding DDB/Chicago. And believe us when we say DDB has desperately needed some real guiding for quite a long while. Those two DDB leaders, if you hadn’t guessed by now, are chief creative officer Ewan Paterson and CEO and president Peter McGuinness. It has been said one can tell much about a man’s character from the way he handles defeat. If this is so — and we most assuredly believe it to be — then the image that DDB/Chicago executive creative director Mark Gross plastered in the upper left hand corner of his Facebook page speaks volumes. DDB/Chicago is adding a new function to its lineup of services: Project management. This week the agency said it has brought on board Sagar Shah, an alum of Crispin Porter + Bogusky, to head up this new department. According to a DDB spokeswoman, Shah will be “in service of (the) agency’s thought leadership and creative product, while creating efficiencies along the way.” It looks as if this busy summer of 2011 will be remembered as a time when some of the Chicago advertising industry’s most iconic client/agency relationships finally splintered and broke apart. First came the collapse of the nearly 60-year marriage between DraftFCB and S.C. Johnson. Though it has been threatening to happen for a couple of years, it also now appears that DDB/Chicago and Anheuser-Busch’s top-selling Bud Light could be headed for divorce court too. THE VOICE OF THE LEMON in McDonald’s new summer Frozen Strawberry Lemonade inspired spot from Tribal DDB might sound familiar to The Sopranos fans. It belongs to Steve Schirripa, a.k.a. Bobby “Bacala” Baccalieri, who moved from mobster to mouthpiece of the talking animated Lemon. The Lemon boasts how delicious a lemon can be, when pureed, sweetened and sucked with a straw, a la the new McDonald’s drink, proving that lemons are best made into lemonade. Four chicago editors were among the 52 finalists in 15 categories (not including the 8 regional “Bests”) vying for top honors in AICE’s Tenth Anniversary competition, honoring creative excellence in editorial and design. They are: In the comedy category, John Dingfield, Beast Chicago for Careerbuilders “Casual Friday.” Dialogue, Mathew Wood, The Whitehouse, for McDonald’s, “Joe & Frank,” for DDB. Public service: Grant Gustafson, Cutters, Ad Council “Barriers” for DDB. Applicants for the Energy BBDO postproduction assistant job now have until midnight Sunday night to submit their qualifications – but not by the cover-letter-resume old school way, however. BBDO’s ad posted on Craigslist April 18 originally gave applicants three days – until April 21 – “to display a wide variety of their talents in a 30-60-second video detailing their own story about Chicago.” SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST LEWIS LAZARE was abruptly fired Friday from his 11 year post as ad/marketing and local broadcasting columnist – a serious blow to the adbiz here, despite mixed feelings about the writer himself. He was one of four writers, also with lengthy tenure, who were axed, presumably as part of a money-saving staff cutback. DDB chief creative officer Ewan Paterson reached out to his native London for his first creative hires since joining DDB Chicago from serving as ECD and managing partner at CHI & Partners, London. Digital/integrated writer Alistair Robertson and art director Alex Braxton are the newcomers from AMV BBDO, London, which they helped diversify from a TV-centric agency to one with digital and integrated chops. Some years ago, spot editor Yamus (real name Jim Mudra) was working on a PSA spot. The footage involved many children and atmospheres, related his friend and colleague Red Car editor Bob Carr. After reviewing the footage, Yamus called the copywriter and said he’d found a single 30-second take that was perfect. “You don’t need an editor,” he said. “The magic was captured in this one take.” Called “the consummate craftsman,” Yamus will be inducted into the AICE’s Hall of Fame during the 9th annual AICE Awards Show, May 20 at the Field Museum. It’s an understatement to say that it was Chicago’s night at the 2010 Hugo International Awards for Television Excellence. DDB, Draftfcb and Leo Burnett didn’t just win big — they swamped the awards: a staggering total of 23 top Hugos and gold and silver plaques out of out of 29 commercial awards — plus eight Certificates of Merit. Either other local agencies don’t enter television competitions, or apparently not this one, or the Big 3 simply turn on the juice and submit in quantity. Or perhaps that ? Never mind. A NEW CHIEF CREATIVE FOR DDB after a two year search appears to be Ewan Paterson, 42, ECD at London’s Cemmow Horby Inge & Partners. He will join the agency in June at a time when the agency accounts are sliding (State Farm gave nearly half of its creative business to DraftFCB and Wrigley moved Extra gum to Energy BBDO). Paterson started his ad career in 1990 at Y&R, spent a decade at BMP DDB, to Bartle Bogle Hegarty in 2004 as CD on British Airways and a year later recruited by CHI. Campaign MAGAZINE ranked him the No. BRUCE MONTGOMERY, a co-founder of the two-year old, ever-growing Chicago Convergence, has stepped up as president. He is CEO of Wi-Fi Technologies and executive producer and host of long-running cable show, “Technology Access Television,” on CAN-TV Ch. 21, and a member of the Mayor’s Council on Technology, among others. Montgomery succeeds fellow Convergence founder John Patterson, Pixel Brothers’ development director, who moved to L.A. ZIG/CHICAGO MAY ZAG with the loss of creative director Kevin Lynch come early February, when he leaves the Chicago branch of Toronto-based Zig. Two years ago Zig acquired hot creative boutique agency Hadrian’s Wall, of which Lynch was co-founder. Lynch’s stated reason for leaving, he told the Sun-Times, was simply because he wanted a change. He said he is considering all career options in advertising and beyond. Producing their first music video for a national record label was “a labor of love” for two DDB music and interactive experts, Rowley Samuel and Gabe McDonough. Shot around Chicago last July, their video for New York-based Downtown Records’ R&B artist Kevin Michael singing “Ain’t Got You” has just landed on YouTube and other online music sites. McDonough, a musician with record label and record promotion experience, is DDB’s senior producer of music and integration. AFTER A REMARKABLE 28 YEARS, DEBBIE BECK retired Friday from the Chicago Film Office without fanfare. She had joined in June, 1980 a scant three months after the office was officially created by Mayor Jane Byrne as an adjunct of the police department and was headed by a police sergeant, Sam Babich. Beck shared an office with police officers Babich, Jim Cunningham and Tom Flanagan in cramped space on the eighth floor of City Hall. Nolo Digital Film partners Mike Matusek, Boris Seagraves and Joe Flanagan are celebrating the first anniversary this month of Chicago’s first and only DI-dedicated boutique. With a record year of high demand under their belts, it’s clear that “digital intermediate” is finally on the map as producers and creatives embrace the term and its new wave of color correction techniques. “We saw the future and it was about options and accommodating all formats,” says Matusek. “Kate,” one of 78 “reporters” vying for five finalist positions, is the highest rated candidate in the competition, and the only “reporter” who actually has been reporting on presidential candidates ever since Sen. Obama announced his candidacy way back when in January. Unlike “Kate,” creator Lundin is no novice to the political scene. She has been produced political commercials for many winning candidates for 15 years. Paul Tilley, DDB Chicago’s managing director for creative, 40, committed suicide Friday evening after leaping from a window in the Fairmont Hotel, next door to DDB’s office in the Aon Center. Mr. Tilley, an 11-year veteran of the agency, had the mission of trying to boost the agency’s growth. In the fall of 2006, he had replaced Mark Folino a few months after Folino left DDB after six months to rejoin Weiden & Kennedy, Portland, Ore. Mr. Tilley joined DDB in 1997 as an associate creative director after a lengthy stint at JWT. AS SUNDANCE EXCITEMENT ENDS, South by Southwest Film Festival takes center stage, March 7-15, 2008 in Austin, Texas where the work of three of Chicago’s best indie filmmakers and a newcomer will premiere. They are: Steven James and Peter Gilbert’s “At the Death House Door,” Joe Swanberg’s “Nights and Weekends” and ? at last ? Steve Conrad and Steven A. ACTOR MATT DILLON will portray Leonard Chess, the legendary founder of the South Side Chicago blues label Chess Records, in Sony/BMG Film’s “Cadillac Records.” Written and directed by Darnell Martin (“Prison Song”), filming of the 1950’s story is set to begin in January in New Jersey and Chicago. Jeffrey Wright also stars. Chess, who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, scoured the South, checking out the various blues scenes and selling records from the back of his Cadillac. “THE DARK KNIGHT” the latest “Batman” installment will forever be known as “one of the biggest features we’ve ever had in terms of scope, spending and job creation,” says CFO’s Rich Moskal. How big? Out of $150 million budget, it’s expected to pump $45 million into the local economy and hire 390 crew persons, 250 day players and 6,000 extras. This week “Knight” shoots exteriors and helicopter shots, goes to London for two weeks, then returns to stay through early September. A “commercial” for the Chicago International Film Festival produced by two DDB creatives will be part of the Festival’s Oct. 5 opening festivities at the Chicago Theatre. ACDs Larry Ziegelman and Jay Manheimer produced the 60-second promo to screen before the premiere of “Stranger than Fiction.” An audience of 2,000 adfolk attended the 15th annual AICP Show at the Museum of Modern Art last week to applaud the 82-minute reel of the best commercials of 2005. Unlike in years past, no Chicago agency, a la perennial winners Leo Burnett and DDB, was among the top honorees, ironically, as Chicago is North America’s second largest advertising market. DDB/Chicago is the first agency in the country, to its knowledge, to recognize the growth of media beyond traditional advertising by designating a director of branded production. He is David Rolfe, whom DDB production head Grant Hill calls a pioneer in branded production. Award-winning Rolfe comes from the hot Miami agency of Crispin, Porter + Bogusky, known for their brilliant Ikea and Mini Cooper campaigns. Ten months into launching their advertising art studio, StudioSatellite partners Alex Page, a longtime DDB staffer and Clay Skougard, a Hollywood studio retoucher are in the black, with business moving along at a rapid clip. StudioSatellite focuses on retouching and also offers design, Flash animation and illustration, with a move into 3D. “We wanted to operate differently from other studios,” Page said, a former partner with Skougard in Beat Studios. “They talk about combining artistry with the latest technology. We think that goes without saying. It was no contest Wednesday night as Leo Burnett pulverized its nearest competition to take home 14 individual and two Best of Show awards at the 3rd Annual Chicago Creative Club awards at the Auditorium Theatre. DDB Chicago was a distant second with half of Burnett’s prizes. Leo Burnett scored two Best of Show prizes, Altoids, television and McDonald’s, print. DDB/Anheuser-Busch won a Best for radio. Leo Burnett/Altoids mopped up television awards: 30-second Single, 30-second Campaign, Cinematography, Direction and Editing, plus Music for Pontiac. Carpe Diem’s Ken Flisak was at Cinegear trade show in L.A. when he got the call late Thursday night from DDB/Shanghai to produce a Gatorade spot to be shot six days later. The commercial’s star was the Houston Rockets’ Yao Ming, all 7’6, 335 lbs. of him (his shoe size is 18.5, and his jersey is a size 4X), who was available for only that one day. Moviola of Shanghai was the production company and David Tzu, a company principal directed. While Flask’s business kept him in L.A. Top agency creatives from around the U.S. will judge the the Chicago Creative Club/Chicago Ad Federation’s third annual competition honoring the area’s best advertising and design work. The awards ceremony will be held Sept. 29 at the Auditorium Theatre. Entry deadline is July 29. “The CCC’s mission is to honor and uphold the highest standards for creativity in Chicago, for all outsiders to envy,” said Marlena Peleo-Lazar, McDonald’s top creative, a CCC founding member and CAF board member. DDB has focused an enlightened eye on Chicago as it seeks new local graphics design talent?at least for one of its clients, and hopefully for others as its recent quest yielded a mother lode of inspiration. To see what’s out there, DDB asked six large and smaller local post houses to come up with a fresh approach to a Dell plasma TV screen, as part of the computer company’s electronics and accessories spring campaign. After two rounds and a total of 60 submissions, Daily Planet emerged on top. Backyard Productions is never one to stand still, always finding a new way to serve emerging trends?like its newly-formed Seed, a content company led by former DDB award-winning group creative director John Immesoete. Immesoete is Seed partner/creative director and also a director for Backyard. Seed will concentrate on “entertainment opportunities such as TV shows and Web-based films,” said Backyard partner/principal Roy Skillicorn. Since signing with Backyard in December, Immesoete directed the “Lady” Bud Light Super Bowl spot in collaboration with DDB. Early the other morning Emoto Music’s executive producer Paul Schultz got a harried call from Cramer/Krasselt clients. They needed to tweak a sound track Emoto had produced. Could the change be made, ah, in time for a 4 p.m. client meeting? Sure, said Schultz, although the clients were in Chicago and the track would be revised in Emoto’s Santa Monica studios. By 11 a.m., the clients were comfortably seated in Emoto’s one-of-a-kind studios in front of a giant, 5×7-ft. The Chicago Advertising Federation will bestow its prestigious Silver Medal Award upon Bob Scarpelli for his 27 years of dedication to the Chicago advertising community. Scarpelli, DDB Chicago chairman and DDB U.S. chief creative officer, will receive the award a June 1 dinner at the Cadillac Club at Soldier Field where at least 250 guests are expected. Joe Pytka departed from his signature grunge look to deck himself out in a tux, his long blondish-gray flowing around his shoulders, to accept a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Hugos at Park West March 11. Pytka, the Pittsburgh director who made good in Hollywood and the undisputed master of 30-second storytelling, has directed 5,000 commercials, many of them for long-time clients DDB and Leo Burnett, which were represented by top creatives Bob Scarpelli and Cheryl Berman, respectively. Lapiz Integrated Hispanic Marketing topped the seven Chicago winners who were among the 68 U.S. winners of top prize Golden Statuette winners in the recent 2003 Mobius Advertising Awards. Lapiz took a total of eight awards — five Golden Statuettes and three Second Place certificates. Cramer-Krasselt, Another Country and Leo Burnett each brought home two and Campbell Mithun one for TV. Grant-Jacoby won a Golden Statuette for mixed media and The Monogram Group for direct mail. Cramer-Krasselt also was one of six U.S. The Lions roar; but not for Chicago. Out of the 81 Lions presented at the International Advertising Festival in Cannes, only DDB made Chicago proud. DDB brought home a Bronze lion for its Bud “Wedding” campaign. The Grand Prix went to Ikea’s “Lamp” spot, directed by MJZ’s Spike Jonze for Miami agency Crispin Porter & Bogusky. The other contenders were London’s heavily favored Honda “Cog” spot and “Ear Tennis,” an X-box commercial from Bartle Bogle Hegarty, London. All told, the U.S. scored 26 trophies, including six Golds. FOUR CHICAGO AGENCIES — DDB Chicago, Leo Burnett, DigitasLBI, and Havas Worldwide — are among the 66 category winners of the 8th Annual Shorty Awards for content on Snapchat, YouTube, Instagram and every other conceivable social platform. DDB Chicago’s SVP/executive producer Will St. Clair will join FCB Chicago on Monday, April 11 as its Director of Integrated Production, a new position created within the agency’s production capabilities. St. Clair’s new position was announced Friday by FCB’s Chief Creative Officer Todd Tilford in a memo sent to agency staffers. “The agency’s continuous evolution and growth is due in part to bringing in innovative, talented people who can add new dimensions to what we do,” he said. DDB Chicago’s new EVP/group creative director, David Banta, moves to the Windy City from Boston to head all creative work on the agency’s estimated $265 million Capital One account, now in its 10th year with the agency. DDB Chicago client Emerson Electronics, a $17 billion global technology and engineering giant, was more apt to advertise in obscure trade journals than on television. But that changed recently when DDB launched commercials and international branding campaign for the St. Louis-based conglomerate. Central to the campaign are three 30s shot in South Africa, which stood in for other remote parts of the world where Emerson engineers can help clients tranform raw environment into viable resources. Bob Scarpelli, DDB Chicago chairman/DDB U.S. chief creative officer (third from left) receives congratulations on receiving the AAF Silver Medal Award from Dick Rogers, DDB president North America, Keith Reinhard, chairman of DDB Worldwide, and Ken Kaess, president/CEO of DDB Worldwide. Veteran Writer/Director, Greg Popp, has joined SEED Media Arts, bringing his outstanding comedic storytelling to their rapidly expanding roster. Popp’s seasoned experience and award-winning work is no doubt a very exciting addition to the SEED family. His recognizable portfolio includes well known work created for Head and Shoulders, Burger King and Anheuser-Busch, as well as … Continue reading “Director Greg Popp joins the roster at SEED Media Arts” Since Jeep has been with AOR Highdive, we have gone to the edge metaphorically and creatively. However this time, the agency, teaming with director Stewart Hendler and Cutters’ editor Tim LoDolce, literally takes viewers there. Using the tagline, “Made for what you’re made of,” the trio takes us through various 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee drivers’ … Continue reading “Native Content’s Stewart Hendler directs Highdive’s latest Jeep spot” The General Insurance is on a journey to tackle and acknowledge the misperceptions that were driven largely by how consumers viewed its previous advertising by launching its new Turns Out 3.0 campaign across a multitude of platforms. This is the third installment of campaigns under its Brand Refresh umbrella. Turns Out 3.0 invites everyone to … Continue reading “Highdive and The General launch new campaign with Shaquille O’Neal” Chicago is not a McDonald’s town anymore. It hasn’t been for a while since the golden arches moved their main account to Wieden + Kennedy, New York. But all of that has changed as there is a new King in town. Today, Restaurant Brands International named our friends at OKRP as its creative AOR for … Continue reading “OKRP becomes BKRP” Advertising agency veteran Tom Browning has become the new President of Jones Lundin Beals + Partners (JLB + Partners), an agency search, selection and compensation consulting firm. Browning will be working towards an ownership position and will report directly to David Beals, who has owned and led the firm since 2000. Beals will remain as … Continue reading “Tom Browning named President of JLB + Partners” 9Rooftops recently welcomed Derrick Rivers as VP + Creative Director. Rivers brings over 15 years of experience across several service accounts and categories, in both the general and multicultural segments. Rivers has already proven to be a valuable addition to the agency, working to bring creative solutions to life for several 9Rooftops clients. As a commercial artist … Continue reading “9Rooftops welcomes Derrick Rivers as VP + Creative Director” During the Super Bowl, commercial breaks are notoriously swamped with beer advertisements. A certain, other beer brand seemingly controls the ad space – so much so that Coors is legally locked out from playing on TV screens nationwide during the Big Game. However, AB has announced it is sitting out Super Bowl LV this year. … Continue reading “Coors Light, Seltzer Big Game ad runs in dreams” In a holiday season when nothing feels typical, Coors Light is introducing a festive tradition just for grownups – because, let’s be honest, adults deserve to enjoy the holiday season, too. Meet Beerman, a perfectly imperfect drinking buddy designed to keep your beers cold and your spirits up. In fact, Beerman is the holiday hero … Continue reading “Snowman transforms into Beerman for Coors Light” 2020 has been filled with cancellations, but one thing that people are actually happy to have cancelled? Their work holiday parties. Miller Lite agrees: Cancelled work holiday parties means more time to drink Miller Lite with their real friends, or as they call it, Miller Time. The brand is memorializing people’s cringiest moments in an … Continue reading “Farewell, Work Holiday Parties — ‘Tis Miller Time” Two by Four, an advertising & design agency headquartered in Chicago, announced the promotion of Annie Tsikretsis to Vice President. As Vice President, Tsikretsis will take on additional business management responsibilities while continuing her role as Director of Production. “Annie has been a vital part of Two by Four’s success since she joined the agency,” … Continue reading “Annie Tsikretsis promoted to VP at Two by Four” Continuing their tradition of growing exceptional editorial talent, Whitehouse Post proudly promotes Luke Sloma to Editor A 2010 graduate of Bowling Green State University in Ohio, Sloma boarded a Megabus bound for Chicago and hasn’t looked back. Over the past decade, Sloma cut his teeth at various Chicago post houses working his way from intern to vault and spent 2 years … Continue reading “Luke Sloma promoted to editor at Whitehouse Post” For the month of June, SKITTLES has given up its signature rainbow by removing the iconic colorful branding to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and highlight that during Pride, only #OneRainbow matters. For the first time in the U.S., the brand is releasing limited-edition SKITTLES Pride Packs. The packs feature a colorless design with colorless candies … Continue reading “SKITTLES celebrates Pride Month with Pride Packs” Editor’s Note: To remind people to check in on friends and family during social distancing and self-quarantining, Budweiser re-visited its iconic 20-year-old ‘Wassup’ campaign. Using the original cast with re-recorded audio, the spot successfully led viewers to believe that the original cast was hollering at each other during quarantine. Taking the concept two steps further, … Continue reading “Watch the original Wassup! audition video” Football is back, thank god. As a Bears’ fan, I’m not thrilled that the Cheeseheads beat the them 10 – 3 last night during the NFL opener. But at least one Chicago team won last night and that would be DDB Chicago with their goofy new State Farm work that features rival QB’s Aaron Rodgers … Continue reading “Rodgers, Mahomes talk agents in new State Farm work” Former DDB Chicago Senior Vice President brings top-notch comedy and celebrity experience to LA- and Chicago-based production house Greg Popp has joined Backyard Production’s roster, bringing his seasoned comedy and performance skills to a smart, enthusiastic team. Popp and Backyard CMO Roy Skillicorn have had a strong personal and professional relationship for more than twenty-five … Continue reading “Director Greg Popp swings into Backyard” Award-winning freelance Copywriter Shelton Scott creates bad, bold and bald” self-promotion social campaign Since I broke into advertising in the early 90’s, the ongoing conversation has always been about breaking through clutter. Every brand asked for it then. Now, they demand it or you’re quickly booted. The idea of getting noticed and making noise becomes … Continue reading “Copywriter gives self-promotion the ‘Shaft’” Wieden+Kennedy And Droga5 each win eight Gold Pencils, W+K named 2019 Agency of the Year, “Dream Crazy” for Nike wins Best of Show Wieden+Kennedy Portland and Droga5 New York were top winners before a full house at Cipriani Wall Street in New York on the second night of The One Club for Creativity’s 46th annual … Continue reading “The One Show 2019 announces top global winners” Design driven production company adds a versatile duo that wields cutting-edge platform and major brand experience Continuing its growth and its investments into excellence, design-driven production company Sarofsky is adding the dynamic directing team The Barkers to its roster. The news was announced by company Principal and Executive Creative Director Erin Sarofsky, and Executive Producer … Continue reading “Sarofsky expands roster by adding The Barkers” OKRP’s creative phenom talks about family, work, evolving attitudes towards women, and tropical drinks Emily Walton is an Associate Creative Director (Art Director) at O’Keefe Reinhard & Paul where she helps lead the Chili’s business. Having visited over 40 countries, Emily looks to her experiences abroad to inspire her work, which has also made its … Continue reading “Reel Women: Emily Walton, advertising pro” New creative from agency DDB and a lawsuit take the battle to a whole new level Marsellus Wallace would be proud. The #corntroversy between Bud Light and Miller Lite, which began on the Super Bowl, has now turned into a Super Brawl. MillerCoors has taken the brewing battle with Bud Light to the next level … Continue reading “Beer Wars: Miller Lite goes medieval on Bud Light” Miller Lite is calling foul on Bud Light for claims about sweeteners mentioned in Super Bowl spots After jousting with Game of Thrones’ episode The Mountain in its Bud Knight Super Bowl ad, Bud Light now finds itself in a tussle with competitor Miller Lite. As part of its Super Bowl strategy, Bud Light placed … Continue reading “Lite versus Light: corn syrup dispute bubbles over” The former Kraft Heinz Senior Vice President inherits a portfolio of brands from the nation’s second-largest brewer MillerCoors has named Kraft Heinz executive Michelle St. Jacques as its new chief marketing officer, the first woman to ever hold the role. St. Jacques was most recently senior vice president and global head of brands and capabilities … Continue reading “MillerCoors taps Michelle St. Jacques as new CMO” Skittles Commercial: The Broadway Musical created by DDB Chicago has found its star in Michael C. Hall Skittles, which made a lot of Super Bowl noise last year with Friends star David Schwimmer, this year the candy brand has opted to go to broadway for Skittle Commercial: The Broadway Musical. And who better to “kill … Continue reading “Michael C. Hall goes to Broadway with Skittles” The shop created exclusively for the restaurant may soon begin exploring additional opportunities Many of us have been there – it’s called the talk. “I think we should see other people.” According to AgencySpy, that conversation happened between McDonald’s and AOR We Are Unlimited. However, it seems like it was planned. The agency which was … Continue reading “We Are Unlimited no longer a “dedicated” McD’s agency” Chicago excels at beer, insurance, sea creatures, pickup trucks, romance, and sweet-smelling toilet bowls Outside the realm of direct advertising, the technique for measuring the success of a commercial can be somewhat fuzzy. Using a digital yardstick that combines Google analytics, social media engagement, and our thumbs-up button, we’ve determined the most widely acclaimed spots … Continue reading “The year’s biggest posts about commercials” The fast food giant has reportedly ordered a new piece of work from beyond the dedicated agency We Are Unlimited That didn’t take long. When Reel Chicago first reported in 2017 that McDonald’s was consolidating its account at newly formed Omnicom agency, We Are Unlimited, I wondered how long would it take the brand to … Continue reading “TBWA\Chiat\Day scores McDonald’s McCafé project” Expanding its roster with high-end clients and growing its team with industry vets, the shop expects to nearly double revenue in 2018 (Chicago — 24 September 2018) SocialDeviant — the Chicago-based, full-service creative agency for modern brands — continues to add quality staff as it attracts a slew of new business this year. Recent clients … Continue reading “SocialDeviant adds key talent during new biz roll” With their Best in Show win for “Fearless Girl” for State Street Advisors, McCann will direct a $5,000 grant to an educational institution of their choosing (New York, 12 June 2018) The AICP Next Awards debuted tonight at The Tishman Auditorium. The AICP Next Awards is one of the tent pole events of AICP … Continue reading “AICP Next premieres at Tishman Auditorium” For your viewing pleasure, here’s a collection of spots and trailers that are currently holding Reel Chicago’s attention. Blue Bunny Agency: FCB Chicago “Bye Bye britches!” FCB’s latest for Blue Bunny ice cream (a recent account win that we reported on last year) features the tagline, “Give into the bunny” and boasts just the … Continue reading “Latest eye catching new work — 4.16.18” One at Optimus, the production arm of the post house Optimus, announced earlier this month that Mary Ann Holecek has taken the reins as Executive Producer/Managing Director. For the past eight years, Holecek has freelanced at a variety of Chicago agencies including Energy BBDO, FCB, Rhea and Kaiser, SPM Marketing, The Escape Pod, Upshot and … Continue reading “The Reel Deal with Optimus’ Mary Ann Holecek” The Escape Pod promotes Celia Jones to Chief Executive Officer Celia Jones has been promoted to Chief Executive Officer at The Escape Pod. Jones, who joined the Chicago-based independent agency as Brand Director in June 2016, will concentrate on growth, integrated capabilities, new revenue, and recruitment. She will report to Norm Bilow, Co-founder and Managing … Continue reading “Escape Pod, Cutters, Periscope: hires and promotions” I’ve been meaning to write about this for the last couple of weeks since I saw it, but finally got around to it. Have you seen the new Sam Jackson spot for Capital One and Spotify? If you haven’t, it’s just a fun little piece where Sam puts the moves to Al Green’s classic song, “Let’s Stay Together.” As Jackson croons, Capital One announces that with the Quicksilver Card clients can receive 1.5 percent cashback on every purchase and 50 percent back on Spotify Premium. Artist Jason Wyatt Frederick created a visual symphony for the cover of the Chicago Reader’s annual Pitchfork preview issue last week. Using a lineup supplied by the publication, he combined dozens of musicians with notable Chicago personalities and landmarks into a “Where’s Waldo” style rock and roll poster. “The Reader’s been a great supporter of local artists and musicians,” says Frederick, who has been illustrating the Pitchfork issue since 2011. “I’m so happy to get this gig.” The 2017 North American Effies, touting the most effective marketers in the country, were announced Thursday, June 1, at a gala in New York. While the Grand Effie was awarded to Burger King’s, “The McWhopper Proposal” campaign from Y&R New Zealand with contributing agencies DAVID The Agency, ABPR, Code & Theory and Turner Duckworth, several Chicago agencies did not go home empty handed. EnergyBBDO brought home seven Effies for its Extra Gum brands, which was also deemed the second most effective marketer by the awards. Mix Kitchen composer and vocalist Lauren Duski advanced to the top 11 finalists of NBC’s The Voice last Tuesday night. We Are Unlimited, McDonald’s months-old agency of record, finally has its Crew Chief. The agency announced the appointment of Toygar Bazarkaya as its Chief Creative Officer. The international sensation brings over 600 awards, including more than 20 Cannes Lions, to the fledgling agency. BORDEN® CHEESE TARGETS BUSY MOMS in an integrated campaign — including Martha Stewart’s Facebook Live show, the first for a cheese brand — from VSA Partners for marketing collective Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), headquartered in Kansas City. PARTICIPANT MEDIA’S $25 MILLION FEATURE, “Captive State,” will lead off movie production in Chicago in 2017, having opened an office, production, wardrobe and construction mill space at Cinespace. The sci-fi epic was co-written and will be directed by Rupert Wyatt (“Rise of the Planet of the Apes” and EP of “The Exorcist” series).” NORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE hired a new marketing officer: veteran Chicago adman Mark Modesto, who joined from his role as CEO of Ryan Partnership. He will oversee marketing relations for the hospital’s network of seven affiliated Chicago area hospitals. “With Mark’s considerable experience,” said President / CEO Dean Harrison, “he will be able to elevate the Northwestern medical brand experience for the patients and communities we are privileged to serve.” For VSA Partners’ client, Blue Point Brewing Company of Patchogue, N.Y., The Colonie’s Bob Ackerman and his team edited a comedic 1:30 media spot — “Patchogue’s Got It All” — an offbeat approach to introduce the premium craft beer. TOP ECHELON CHANGES in the leadership team at Leo Burnett’s Arc have put Chris Cancilla into the US CCO seat. Karuna Rawal was promoted to Arc US president and Chief Strategy Officer of Arc Worldwide, while Bob Raidt was upped from global president to global CEO. Cancilla will oversee 150 employees in Arc’s US office and has the responsibility for driving the agency’s creative culture. He reports to Britt Nolan, Leo Burnett new US CCO. Chicago agencies and post houses overwhelmed last week’s International Television Awards, scoring 10 out of 12 top awards for excellence in TV commercials. The awards were held Wednesday, April 20, at the AMC River North theatres before a full house. The Whitehouse post scored four awards and Leo Burnett earned three. As you undoubtedly know, “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice,” one of 2016’s most anticipated films – produced for a stunning $410 million — opens globally at theaters today. Chicago is no stranger to the DC Universe, having first doubled as Gotham, in 2005’s “Batman Begins” and 2008’s “The Dark Knight,” and then morphing into Metropolis in 2013’s “Man of Steel.” The Chicago AAF Addys are taking heat from Adweek columnist Kat Gordon for mistaking 2016 for 1955 by having put together an all-male, all white jury to chose the winners for the upcoming, March 16 Awards Reception. Award-winning Cutters commercial editor / partner Kathryn Hempel, who edited the internationally acclaimed video, “Like a Girl” for P&G’s Always/Leo Burnett, is one of four by Women in Film Chicago Focus Award honorees, Thursday, Jan. “ANYTHING’S POSSIBLE” is the Illinois Lottery slogan, except perhaps for the actual possibility of Northstar, hiring an Illinois production company for its Illinois Lottery commercials. Last week definitely was not a good week for Chicago advertising, with major accounts moving to New York agencies and leaving the Chicago ad market bereft of $420 million in billings. Kellogg’s is moving its U.S. Special K brand from Leo Burnett, to JWT New York. Bud Light is leaving Energy BBDO for Wieden + Kennedy New York. PRODUCER BOB TEITEL is scheduled to be back in his home town this August on the feature dramady, “Southside with You,” the story of Michelle Robinson and Barack Obama’s first date on a summer afternoon in 1989. PARTICLE’S LA BRANCH has hired Eddie Alonso to head the post audio company’s West Coast expansion via a new position that encompasses engineering, mixing, sound design and composition. MICHAEL MOORE AND MICHAEL SHANNON light up our celeb scene over the next few weeks while they’re in Chicago. Tonight, Moore will present the 25th anniversary screening of his first doc, “Roger & Me,” at the 50th Chicago International Film Festival, at the AMC River East theatre at 7 p.m. DigitasLBi named two for top executive positions. Jason Kodish was promoted to global chief data scientist. Jennifer Striegel was hired as the new SVP/Brand Strategy for the Chicago and San Francisco offices, headquartered in Chicago. DAN WAYMACK, DICTIONARY FILM’S NEW DIRECTOR/DP filmed the entire Colorado town of Crested Butte, population, 1,500, for Bud Light/Energy BBDO’s “Up for Whatever” campaign, in which they painted the main route through the town bright “Bud Light Blue.” DON’T EXPECT THE DGA to fill the executive director’s position in the Chicago office anytime soon – if at all. The LA-based DGA has told ReelChicago that “no hiring decisions have been made” to fill the vacancy left two months ago when Dan Moore retired after 28 years.
Former Chicagoans in LA team to shoot a horror short
DDB’s Terry gets Shorty Awards Best Instagrammer nom
Six Super Bowl spots from Chicago add to Sunday’s fun
DDB gets ‘actionable advice’ from brands expert/author
Cancer Society is DDB’s first new ad business of 2015
DDB’s McGarry makes Instagram site a winner
LA production houses shooting spots in Chicago
John Maxham returns to DDB as CEO from Seattle agency
Brit Tony Malcolm is top creative on DDB/McDonald’s
Gunning new DDB CEO as McGuinness returns to NY
The Mill Chicago takes off with 12 staffers, lots of jobs
Savoring the details in DDB’s Milky Way print ad
Can C/K, DDB’s foreign creative approach work?
DDB quietly absorbs Element 79; Williams to depart
New-to-Chicago Liquid 9 hosts Sept. 20 Open House
DDB/McDonald’s spot in Olympics opening ceremonies
Good grades to McGuinness for positive DDB changes
DDB’s Jim Larmon joins new Cavalry as inaugural CCO
Storytelling roars back in new DDB McDonald’s spots
Chicago spot talent shows up on AICP Shortlist
DDB and Downtown Partners lucky two lottery finalists
DDB leaders set on turning agency’s fortunes around
DDB missed chance to keep Bud Light before the ax fell
Sgar Shah heads DDB’s new project management service
Can DDB pull off miracle to save Bud Light business
Tribal DDB puts a new twist on a McDonald’s spot
Four Chicago editors compete for top AICE awards
Apply for Energy BBDO job by submitting Chicago video
Loss of media columnist Lewis Lazare diminishes Chicago adbiz importance
DDB imports London creatives to local office
Chicago’s late, great editor Yamus recognized
Chicago rules at Hugo TV spot awards
DDB to welcome new creative chief
New Chicago Convergence president
Zig/Chicago losing its zip without Kevin Lynch
DDB producers’ music video goes viral
There at the beginning of the Chicago Film Office, Debbie Beck retires after an impressive 28 years
They’re number one: Chicago’s first and only DI boutique blows out first year birthday candle
“Citizen Kate” gets off the campaign trail to tell her story Tuesday on Ch. 11’s “Chicago Tonight”
DDB’s top creative Paul Tilley jumps to his death
Three of Chicago’s best indie producers and a newcomer have entries in SXSW Film Festival
Story of Chicago’s lengendary Chess Records to film here, starring Matt Dillon and Jeffrey Wright
“The Dark Knight” lights up Chicago for 3 months as possibly the biggest feature ever to shoot here
DDB creatives’ well-themed promo evoking foreign films to herald opening night at CIFF
MIA: Chicago work on AICP’s 2005 best spot reel
DDB first to hire a director of branded production
Ten-month old Studio Satellite a mesh of Chicago advertising and Hollywood retouching worlds
No surprises here: Burnett mops up competition
in Chicago Creative Club awards with 14 prizes
Carpe Diem produces major Gatorade spot with Yao Ming in Chicago to air in China
Chicago Creative Club sets July 29 entry deadline
Daily Planet wins DDB’s design competition among 6 post houses and wins a national Dell commercial
Former DDB GCD Immesoete does double-duty at Backyard’s new Seed content company
Emoto Music’s videoconferencing makes recording a session in Chicago or L.A. like being there
CAF recognizes DDB’s Bob Scarpelli for 27 years of community dedication
Hugos feature DDB, Burnett winners, lifetime career awards to Pytka, Marin
Chicago companies top competition to win six Mobius prizes, four for TV
A sole Cannes Lion for Chicago
Four local agencies win 7 social media Shorty Awards
FCB hires St. Clair in new integrated production role
EVP/GCD Banta heads Capital One creative team
Machete’s Bernstein edits Emerson Electronics spots, part of huge international ad campaign
TOP BRASS HONOR SILVER WINNER.
Director Greg Popp joins the roster at SEED Media Arts
Native Content’s Stewart Hendler directs Highdive’s latest Jeep spot
Highdive and The General launch new campaign with Shaquille O’Neal
OKRP becomes BKRP
Tom Browning named President of JLB + Partners
9Rooftops welcomes Derrick Rivers as VP + Creative Director
Coors Light, Seltzer Big Game ad runs in dreams
Snowman transforms into Beerman for Coors Light
Farewell, Work Holiday Parties — ‘Tis Miller Time
Annie Tsikretsis promoted to VP at Two by Four
Luke Sloma promoted to editor at Whitehouse Post
SKITTLES celebrates Pride Month with Pride Packs
Watch the original Wassup! audition video
Rodgers, Mahomes talk agents in new State Farm work
Director Greg Popp swings into Backyard
Copywriter gives self-promotion the ‘Shaft’
The One Show 2019 announces top global winners
Sarofsky expands roster by adding The Barkers
Reel Women: Emily Walton, advertising pro
Beer Wars: Miller Lite goes medieval on Bud Light
Lite versus Light: corn syrup dispute bubbles over
MillerCoors taps Michelle St. Jacques as new CMO
Michael C. Hall goes to Broadway with Skittles
We Are Unlimited no longer a “dedicated” McD’s agency
The year’s biggest posts about commercials
TBWA\Chiat\Day scores McDonald’s McCafé project
SocialDeviant adds key talent during new biz roll
AICP Next premieres at Tishman Auditorium
Latest eye catching new work — 4.16.18
The Reel Deal with Optimus’ Mary Ann Holecek
Escape Pod, Cutters, Periscope: hires and promotions
Sam Jackson sings, Bears go red, Kirk leaves Sun-Times
The art that complements the Pitchfork Music Festival
EnergyBBDO, Leo Burnett score big at 2017 Effies
Mix Kitchen’s Duski among top 11 on “The Voice”
McDonald’s AOR hires Toygar Bazarkaya as CCO
Martha Stewart part of new VSA/Borden® Cheese campaign
$25mm studio sci-fi feature opens offices at Cinespace
Northwestern Healthcare names Modesto marketing head
The Colonie’s Ackerman edits comic beer spot
Burnett agency Arc gets top tier leadership overhaul
The Whitehouse and Burnett the big TV Awards winners
“Batman vs. Superman?” Ad execs weigh in on the victor
Backlash erupts over Chi ADDYS all white male jury
Cutters’ Hemple one of WIFC’s 4 Focus Award honorees
New Lottery spot goes to another non-state company
Major agency losses as 2 big brands move to New York
Movie about the Obama’s first date set to film here
Agency audio pro expands Particle’s LA services
Docmaker Michael Moore has 2 dates here this week
DigitasLBi names two to top new leadership positions
Dictionary’s new director helmed Bud Light spot
No replacement planned for DGA exec director’s post
