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
Chicago nonprofit, 826CHI, is holding their biggest fundraising event of the year today, October 14th! “Eat Your Words” aims to raise enough money to ensure 750 local students have equitable access to a tuition-free, high-quality arts and literacy education. Every $458 raised allows one student to write their future for the 2021-2022 school year. As part of … Continue reading “Energy BBDO volunteers with 826CHI to bring kids’ words to life”
Tequila Herradura launches its first-ever global campaign, “Extraordinary Awaits,” with a rebranded image and new :30 film. In a category that has become repetitive and expected, Tequila Herradura aims to carve out its unique position. In this new campaign, the 150-year-old tequila brand highlights the extraordinary possibilities that await when you try this world class … Continue reading “Tequila Herradura rebranded in Energy BBDO campaign”
Mophonics Music and Sound, in partnership with Energy BBDO, has created a lovable original song for Claritin’s “The Outsideologist Project”—a new online program designed to get kids outside 1 more hour per week. The original composition, “Unboring Starts with U,” written and performed by in-house Mophonics composer and ACD Casey Gibson, teaches kids weird facts … Continue reading “Mophonics, Energy BBDO & ATKPLN launch Claritin spot”
Home Instead, the leading provider of in-home care for older adults, has launched a new brand identity and campaign to promote the evolving organization. Created in partnership with our friends at creative agency Energy BBDO, the changes modernize the brand and share an uplifting approach to staying happy and well at home. Home Instead delivers personalized care … Continue reading “Energy BBDO’s new brand campaign for Home Instead”
Energy BBDO launched a ‘Go Vote!’ campaign across its social media channels. The campaign was born internally from a team with a strong desire to encourage all eligible voters to register and vote on 3rd November. According to the United States Elections Project, only 58.1% of the voting-eligible population cast a ballot in 2016’s presidential … Continue reading “Energy BBDO designs ‘Go Vote!’ gifs for election”
Ocean Spray Cranberries unveiled its newest marketing campaign with Energy BBDO “Ocean Spray X Nature,” highlights the brand’s commitment to sustainable Natureprocesses and regenerative agriculture. The creative supports Ocean Spray’s mission to continue connecting farms to families for a better life and spotlights the passion and care with which Ocean Spray farmers grow their fruit. … Continue reading “Energy BBDO launches ‘Ocean Spray X Nature’”
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”
Nothing says, “May” more than the annual running of the Kentucky Derby. Originally slated to run May 2, the 146-year-old derby will now be postponed until September 5 due to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. It will be the first time the race won’t be held on the first Saturday in May since 1945. At the time … Continue reading “Energy BBDO uses drones to film Woodford Reserve”
As we’re all experiencing, finding ways to stay close and connected are more important now than ever, though it looks a lot different today. Uncle Ben’s has long stood for the importance of bringing people together through food – the meaningful moments that come from cooking and the lasting impact of enjoying mealtimes together. The brand along … Continue reading “Uncle Ben’s stays close in new work from Energy BBDO”
With social distancing the new normal, due to the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, many brands are now looking at their marketing and developing new strategies to reach their consumers. Our sister publication, REEL 360, has looked at McDonald’s and Coca-Cola. Now, a Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey film shares the new reality we are all facing … Continue reading “Jack Daniels, Energy BBDO respond to social distancing”
Editor’s Note: They are leaders. They are inspirational. They are mentors. They are visionaries. They are, quite frankly, badasses. They are our 2020 Reel Women During Women’s History Month, you will be able to meet these incredible personalities in Advertising, Entertainment, Media and Production. Get ready. As Director of Talent and Diversity, Kenzie Derma leads … Continue reading “Kenzie Derma, Dir of Talent & Diversity Energy BBDO”
Led by recently elevated co-chief creative directors Josh Gross and Pedro Pérez, Omnicom’s Energy BBDO beat out FCB Chicago and former boss, Ordóñez, to win Brown-Forman’s global creative. The review was handled by AAR Partners. According to Ad Age, the review included the liquor giant’s flagship Jack Daniel’s brand, as well as Woodford Reserve and … Continue reading “Energy BBDO wins Brown-Forman”
November is National Adoption Month – and National Adoption Day is on Nov 23. In honor of this, Energy BBDO has teamed with not-for-profit, non-religiously affiliated adoption agency, The Cradle, to help eradicate an associated stigma. While children and families are celebrated globally when it comes to being adopted, there is still a great deal … Continue reading “Energy BBDO unveils new spot for The Cradle”
Musical creative director chairs continue in Chicago. With Andrés Ordóñez choosing to take the helm at FCB Chicago, Energy BBDO has announced the promotion of Josh Gross and Pedro Pérez from Executive Creative Directors to Co-Chief Creative Officers. The announcement was made by Tonise Paul, President and CEO, Energy BBDO. “For the past five years, … Continue reading “Gross, Pérez succeed Ordóñez at Energy BBDO”
The Chicago shop came out on top of an internal review for the Winston-Salem-based athletic sportswear’s global account Champion Sportswear must really like Chicago. Last year, the brand chose Wicker Park for the location of its third retail store and now, after an internal review, the Winston-Salem-based brand has chosen Energy BBDO to lead its … Continue reading “Energy BBDO wins Champion Sportswear Global”
The new line of 120-calorie sparkling cocktails from MillerCoors, began hitting shelves this week This week MillerCoors introduces a new sparkling cocktail beverage to market called “Cape Line”—a delicious full-flavored beverage that is low in calories and has zero artificial additives. The 120-calorie cocktails, which aim to appeal to consumers who seek bold flavors with … Continue reading “MillerCoors & Energy BBDO sparkle with new drink”
Chicago agency launches new “Act Tiny, Be Mighty” campaign that provides fresh POV on farming Ocean Spray has launched a new advertising campaign, via new AOR Energy BBDO, dubbed, “Ocean Spray. Act Tiny. Be Mighty.” To tap into its roots as a farmer-owned cooperative, the Middleborough, Massachusetts-based company has built a strong brand focused on … Continue reading “Energy BBDO helps Ocean Spray celebrate farmers”
Home Instead Senior Care debuts touching new campaign advocating for seniors to live at home The first work from Home Instead Senior Care and creative partner Energy BBDO is a tender new campaign targeted at Americans 65 and older who still want to live at home. It’s also the Reel Ad of the Week. As … Continue reading “Energy BBDO helps seniors with Home Instead campaign”
Reviews are beginning to pour in for Disney / Pixar’s all-new “Incredibles 2” and the film looks to be… an incredible hit! As covered in “Reel Chicago,” the American Egg Board relaunched The Incredible Egg by re-framing the answer to the age-old question, “How do you like your eggs?” to showcase the infinite number … Continue reading “Energy BBDO gets ‘Incredible’ with American Egg Board”
The moving stories of five elderly people come to life in a powerful new 5 Gum campaign that broke yesterday. A series of digital videos by Energy BBDO for 5 Gum intends to motivate teens to live life to the fullest. Documenting a group of seniors who reveal one specific regret that has shaped … Continue reading “Energy BBDO, 5 Gum teach teens to live with no regrets”
Avocados from Mexico has selected Energy BBDO as its agency of record, according to a report published today in Adweek. The decision followed a competitive agency review that was launched in February and included 72andSunny, Doner Detroit, and Merkley + Partners as well as Energy BBDO. Two of the shops previously associated with the account … Continue reading “Energy BBDO becomes A.O.R. for Avocados from Mexico”
Chicago’s We Are Unlimited, FCB, Onion Labs and Energy BBDO are among the ad agency and post-production companies nominated for this year’s Webby Awards, the International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences announced today. The Webbys were established in 1996, when most people thought of the web as something Spider-man shot from his wrists. The … Continue reading “We Are Unlimited, Energy BBDO among Webby noms”
I like a tasty donut with my coffee (and now, thanks to Charlotte, vegan donuts). A garlic bagel with lox, cream cheese and capers as well? You betcha. But gum? Hmm. According to a quirky new campaign for Alert Gum by Chicago’s Energy BBDO, caffeine gum’s a thing now. Alert Caffeine Gum is a first-of-its-kind … Continue reading “Energy BBDO & Alert Caffeine Gum got this thing now”
Last year, a mindboggling 22,000 people lost their lives to prescription Opioid overdose last year. With President Trump declaring that the Opioid Crisis is a US Public Health emergency, the National Safety Council is taking action to address the issue head on by launching a provocative nationwide public education campaign via EnergyBBDO that literally puts … Continue reading “Energy BBDO puts faces on the Opioid crisis”
On Friday, ZTE, the Chinese multinational telecommunications equipment and systems company headquartered in Shenzhen, Guangdong, released their most innovative, revolutionary device yet to market – the dual screen ZTE Axon M. To launch the product, which is exclusive to AT&T, the brand debuted an entertaining new marketing effort from Energy BBDO that features the simple … Continue reading “Energy BBDO calls up new smart phone for ZTE”
For me, nothing beats a fried egg sandwich with whisky-maple bacon on a croissant in the morning. Yeah, I just displayed my “bougie.” More than pancakes. More than waffles. More than peanut butter French Toast. I like my eggs in egg form. Why am I going on about how I like my eggs? Because Energy … Continue reading “Energy BBDO cracks some eggs, makes an omelet”
Netflix cancels ‘Stranger Things’ bar Pop-up pop-culture bars are all the rage. In New York and LA, Tim Burton fans can do dinner and a show at “Beetlehouse.” Los Angeles is also home to the Star Wars-themed “Villainy and Scum” Cantina. And since August, Chicago has boasted the aptly named, “The Upside Down,” a Stranger … Continue reading ““Stranger Things,” Energy BBDO, Rowley Samuel”
Soooo you happen to be going to the bank and there’s a robbery. Obviously, they’re going to tell you to lie down on the floor — it is one of the tropes of any good robbery after all.
So now what do you do while you wait and possibly pee your pants?
You reach confidently into your (dry) pants and pull out a pack of Wrigley’s Orbit Gum.
At the American Advertising Federation 2016 ADDY Awards last Wednesday night, Energy BBDO was the top winner with a record-setting 93 awards topped by earning the Best in Show for a Ziploc plastic bags poster campaign.
ENERGY BBDO’S NEW SPOT in its wildly successful Wrigley gum’s “Give Extra, get Extra” campaign, is “The Story of Sarah and Juan,” a 2-minute video currently playing on You
ENERGY BBDO’S MARK TAYLOR’S abrupt departure as chief creative officer was announced by president/CEO Tonise Paul at an office meeting Friday, who cited his leaving for unexplained “personal reasons.”
DAN FIETSAM DEPARTS Energy BBDO as chief creative officer after 5 1/2 years at the end of February. His reason for leaving is to pursue other more creative interests in the advertising business.
The folks at Energy BBDO are lifting a bottle of Bud Light instead of traditional champagne to toast the winning of America’s biggest beer brand. The agency is the fourth Chicago agency to handle the account since the brand launched 32 years ago.
AFTER A SHORT STINT at McGarryBowen where he worked on the equally short-lived Bud Light account, executive creative director Mike Roe returned to Energy BBDO the start of the New Year. Roe had been with Energy BBDO for eight years, departing in February, 2012 for a top position on the Bud Light creative team. Then, last August, McGarryBowen lost the account to Translation Advertising without a review and Energy BBDO was delighted to welcome him back..
ENERGY BBDO ON FRIDAY moves out of three floors at the 410 N. Michigan Wrigley Building, after an 80 year tenancy begun by its predecessor agency, to updated new offices south across the river at 225 N. Michigan Ave.
Friday will be a work-at-home day for the agency’s 250 staffers while the physical move takes place. On Monday they will report to their home on the entire 15th floor and part of the 14th floor of the modern glass and steel high-rise.
One thing we can say with certainty about Energy BBDO/Chicago CEO Tonise Paul, she prefers to keep her agency’s internal business out of the public spotlight and away from prying eyes.
Which is no doubt why Energy BBDO’s new chief financial officer Bob Mallers joined the agency less than two weeks ago with no fanfare. Zip. Zero.
Energy BBDO is the host of this year’s Chicago Portfolio Night, when aspiring advertising creatives get a golden opportunity to have their work reviewed by 45 of Chicago’s star creative leaders who always have an eye out for rising talent, May 23 at the 410 Club in the Wrigley Building.
For the first time in nearly a decade, Chicago not-for-profit public radio station WBEZ-FM (91.5) is getting ready to launch a major advertising campaign. The campaign will be designed to heighten awareness of — and expand the audience for — the station and its broad range of news, political and cultural coverage.
WBEZ has just tapped Energy BBDO/Chicago to work on the upcoming campaign. Andrew Kasprzycki and Katie Clow represented Energy BBDO on the pitch.
Tim Pontarelli has landed. After more than a year off that he spent reflecting on life and the world of advertising and freelancing, Pontarelli is signing on at Energy BBDO/Chicago as a group creative director.
He will work on the Lay’s business that was recently moved without a review to Energy BBDO from Juniper Park/Toronto.
It will be interesting to see what he can do with a packaged goods client such as Lay’s after he made an indelible mark on the Hallmark account during his many years at Leo Burnett.
AN INTERNATIONAL FLAVOR is spicing up our ad scene with Energy BBDO’saddition of SVP/creative directors Giovanni Settesoldi and Luissandro Del Gobbo, art director and copywriter, respectively, who landed here after four years at Grey Paris as CDs, following stints at JWT Paris and BBDO Milan. Their work has garnered an awe-inspiring 60-plus national and international awards.
As we prophetically noted could happen in mid-October when Michael Jones was named the new superintendent of the Illinois Lottery, Energy BBDO/Chicago is being dumped as the ad agency of record for the state-run organization.
“We have invited every agency in Chicago to pitch for the account, and we want this to be a totally open process,” said Jones, who hopes to have a new agency in place by Jan. 1, 2012.
We noticed it from a distance. Energy BBDO/Chicago CEO Tonise Paul had a little extra spring in her step as she approached her table Wednesday at the very clubby Shaw’s Crab House, where the maitre d is well aware of Paul’s preferred booth.
There is, of course, good reason for the ever-upbeat Paul to be even more peppy than usual these days. Her agency has been on something of a roll (as the saying goes) in recent months.
It’s over for DraftFCB. As many had suspected from the moment we announced last Christmas Eve that S.C. Johnson was launching an agency review, the Racine, Wis.-based home products company is ending its relationship with DraftFCB, a remarkable marketing marriage that spanned nearly 60 years.
Early Friday morning, S.C. Johnson said it will split its advertising account, believed to be worth upwards of $1 billion in billings, between BBDO and Ogilvy & Mather, long considered the frontrunner to get the account.
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.”
Energy BBDO will have a lock on Illinois Lottery advertising and marketing for the next 10 years, with Gov. Pat Quinn having named Northstar Lottery Group as the private manger of the state’s $2 billion lottery.
Energy BBDO is part of the Northstar a collaboration of GTECH, a gaming technology and operations provider and Scientific Games Corporation, which will be paid $15 million a year to run the lottery.
The three companies, which already hold contracts for machines, tickets and marketing, promised to bring in $4.8 million in profits over the next five years.
Energy BBDO took home the prized Illinois Lottery’s $105 million worth of general market advertising business, winning over competitive agencies JWT and Marc USA for an initial term of two years.
“Each agency brought innovative ideas to the table, but we found Energy BBDO to be best-suited for the Lottery’s needs,” said Sarah Cummins, the Lottery’s marketing director.
Energy BBDO, an Omnicom agency, succeeds R. J. Dale, which had the account since 2006, and was the first African American agency to handle the Lottery’s advertising since the state agency was founded in 1974.
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.
Jack Daniel’s is bringing artists straight to living rooms everywhere with “Crash the Couch,” a virtual music festival streaming August 14-15 at 8 p.m. ET in support of musicians impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Brittany Howard of the Alabama Shakes, Cold War Kids and Nathaniel Rateliff will headline. Jack Daniel’s first ever virtual music festival … Continue reading “Jack Daniel’s & BBDO launch ‘Crash the Couch’ music fest”
MiraLAX releases its new campaign, ‘Gutlightenment’, aimed at modernizing the brand and breaking through the category to reposition MiraLAX in a broader physical and emotional context. The brand defies conventions by leaning into the feelings of irritability and frustration that arise from occasional constipation, helping consumers see gut health in a whole new light. Through … Continue reading “MiraLAX unveils ‘Gutlightenment’ campaign by BBDO”
BBDO New York’s Back-to-School Essentials, created behalf of Sandy Hook Promise, led the way at the eighth annual One Screen Short Film Festival last night, winning three awards including Best-of-Show honors. Short film work from nine countries picked up awards at the The One Club for Creativity event, that celebrates global filmmakers from both the … Continue reading “BBDO’s ‘Back-to-School’ wins One Screen Short Fest”
Campaign pairs recipes with Spotify playlists to enhance the moods of preparation and dining What’s your cooking theme song? When I come home and catch a waft of Vegan goodness coming from the kitchen, it’s always my wife cooking and listening to probably, The Doors. For me, if I’m in the kitchen making my famed … Continue reading “Energy B and Kerrygold celebrate the sound of cooking”
Despite an “increase in displays of prejudice,” Hispanics are actually spending more than ever. Chicago marketing and advertising powerhouse Energy BBDO partnered with Culturati Research & Consulting, Inc. to conduct a study on whether or not the Hispanic community has been buying and shopping less as a result of anti-immigration fervor and a tense … Continue reading “BBDO studies political impact on Hispanic consumers”
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.
Energy BBDO’s 2016 Super Bowl spot, the 90-second “Bud Light Coin” for ABinBev that aired in the game’s fourth quarter, was one of the eight Best of Show winners in the 2015 Mobius Awards announced March 5, in the Integrated Campaign/Food & Beverages category.
Energy BBDO has named Mark Taylor as its new chief creative officer. He comes from Crispin Porter + Bogusky, Boulder, Colo. and brings with him an awesome array of advertising awards, including 20 Cannes Lions, along with creative invigoration and greater attention to digital campaigns.
Taylor officially comes aboard April 7. He succeeds Dan Fietsam, who left the agency earlier this month after nearly six years.
Two internationally known Chicago artists and a national TV and movie star from Chicago’s vibrant creative arts community are scheduled to speak the next few months at Energy BBDO’s regular Salon Series in its 410 Wrigley Building offices.
So far, Jani Westcott, the agency’s VP/planning who initiated and spearheads the Salon Series, estimates the agency has hosted about 20 Salon evenings since she introduced them in mid-2009.
Energy BBDO/Chicago is about to unveil a major ad campaign for the Illinois Lottery’s new “Cash Spectacular” game. The new game will award 7.6 million prizes — four times more prizes than all the cat videos on the Internet and 22 times more prizes than O’Hare Airport has flights each year, or so we’re told. Props to the person who came up with these bits of trivia.
The new Lottery game, by the time it has run its course, also will yield 25 new Illinois millionaires, unless, that is, a lucky Lottery winner already happens to be one.
Energy BBDO’s Mike Roe hit a double header writing and directing client White Sox’ new currently airing “All In” campaign. It’s the second year Energy’s group creative director was up to bat as director on the team’s commercials and “it was a blast,” Roe says.
“Directing uses a different set of muscles and it’s very rewarding, like the difference between coaching and playing. Taking it on was always a creative challenge, because you’re problem-solving all the time during the process,” he says.
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.
Advertising veteran Dan Fietsam, formerly executive creative director with FCB Chicago and Energy BBDO, has joined Laughlin Constable as its chief creative officer, effective June 1.
Fietsam will lead creative across LC offices in Chicago, Milwaukee, New York and New Jersey, with the goal of “becoming one of the most successful ndependent agencies in the country,” says LC’s CEO Mat Lignel.
TWO CHICAGO AGENCIES, Energy BBDO and Havas Worldwide, are Best of Show nominees in the 2015 International Mobius Awards, to be announced at the awards celebration March 5 in Hollywood’s McCaddenSpace Studio.Author DanielPosted on Categories REEL THINGS
Jack Marchetti, Energy BBDO’s tech lead and software programmer by day and screenwriter by night, is back on Kickstarter to raise development money for his second film, a feature.
“Compatibility” is about a Facebook tech who writes an algorithm to determine romantic compatibility that was a 2015 Nicholl Fellowship quarter finalist in 2015.
STIR POST AUDIOcrafted the signature sound for Energy BBDO’s new global 5 Gum campaign, “Life Happens in 5,” that targets Millennials and features them in each of five 15 and 20-second TV and web spots.
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 Leigh Jones seamless transition from the world of indie films to the world of advertising is demonstrated in her BoomThrift company having completed projects for two major advertisers so far this year.
Breaking the week of March 3 is a digital / social media comedy campaign for Frito-Lay’s new Funyuns onion snacks that follows a Flintstones’ vitamin spot for Energy BBDO.
FCB scored big with the appointment of award-winning Dan Fietsam as EVP/executive creative director, after nearly six years as Energy BBDO’s creative director. He joins the agency July 14, replacing Jon Flannery, who moves to FCB Toronto as its chief creative officer.
ENERGY BBDO CREATIVE RICK HAMANN left the agency, where he’d been SVP/group CD since mid-2011, to join Onion Labs, as SVP and head of the satirical publication’s in-house agency, with offices in River North.
COMIC SARAH SILVERMAN appears in a new Wrigley Orbit gum commercial from Energy BBDO that launches a new campaign that highlight’s Wrigley’s strategy to restore and grow the gum category by investing in its top brands. In the new US spot, the gum is positioned as a way to “break up with lingering food” and get that “just brushed feeling.”
DIRECTOR EDUARDO CINTRON has signed exclusively with Dictionary Films, Cutters production division, as the seventh director on its roster and the third director based in Chicago, says Dictionary’s executive producer Megan Maples.
The award-winning bilingual director, called “a digital genius” by one of his peers, since 2007 has worked as an art director and ACD at Energy BBDO, R/GA and Lapiz/Leo Burnett.
Energy BBDO’s May 7 Creative Salon is being held on a Monday this month rather than its traditional Thursday afternoon, to accommodate the magazine deadline of a very special guest.
So now — in advance of its debut later this month — we have the second TV commercial in what can only be described as a new era in Illinois Lottery marketing.
That new era began with the appointment in January of Downtown Partners/Chicago as the new agency of record for the Lottery. DP/C replaced Energy BBDO/Chicago, which was dismissed soon after Michael Jones became the new Illinois Lottery superintendent last October.
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.
Draftfcb has laid off the largest number of employee at one time with its cut of 10% of the Chicago workforce, or 100 jobs out of the agency’s estimated 1,000 employees. The jobs were cut across the board, at all functions and levels.
The layoffs were not unexpected in the aftermath of Draftfcb losing the $1 billion SC Johnson business after 60 years, although the cuts came quickly. Less than three weeks ago, SC Johnson officially announced the account switch to Ogilvy & Mather and Energy BBDO.
AN UPDATED ILLINOIS LOTTERY holiday spot from Energy BBDO now airing builds last year’s successful musical campaign that encourages Illinoisans to “Joy Someone” by gifting them with holiday scratch-off tickets.
The 2010 campaign, again produced by local 59 Films and directed by Aaron Ruell of L.A. based Biscuit Filmworks, features humorous new lyrics to “Deck the Halls” arranged by Spank Music’s Mat Morse.
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.
THE LATEST ILLINOIS LOTTERY COMMERCIAL, this one for the Mega Millions game, via Energy BBDO, was directed by bi-coastal MJZ’s Dante Ariola and edited by Peepshow Post of New York. Illinois’ contribution to the commercial were vendors Filmworkers Club’s visual effects, Spank Music providing the score and audio mixing by CRC’s Michael Mason.
Visual effects director Rob Churchill led the Filmworkers’ team of 3D artists who created CG models of the money that were composited into the backgrounds.
SOME POSITIVE PRODUCTION NEWS. Judging by how busy casting directors are right now, late summer spot production for the city is lookin’ good.
For instance, casting director Mickie Pasal of Tenner, Paskal & Rudnicke, reports a torrent of casting calls for commercials, including those for Leo Burnett clients Secret, McDonald’s and Eggo; Budweiser, DDB and the Illinois Lottery/Energy BBDO.
Paskal is most pleased at having cast six Chicago actors for a Blue Cross-Blue Shield shoot in New York Aug.
A WINNING LOTTERY STORY for a change. The Illinois Lottery’s agency, Energy BBDO, actually assigned its new commercial to a 100% bona fide Chicago production company. Foundation Content, an Illinois corporation, staff created and produced the 3D all-graphics spot for the Hispanic market.
In other Foundation news: Heavy hitter Beth Goss was hired as senior strategist for Foundation’s L.A. office.
New York-based Station Films hit the jackpot when it came up the winner in the three-way bid among exclusively coastal companies for the Illinois Lottery’s two-spot Second Chance comedy package that will shoot in Chicago for two days in mid-June.
Energy BBDO, the agency for the Lottery’s $104 million business, also bid L.A.-based Tool of North America and Hungry Man of New York.
Chicago was the Flyover Zone in this bidding round.
The Illinois Lottery appears to be up to its old tricks of hiring a non-Chicago, big name bi-coastal company for its upcoming comedic “Second Chance” promotional package.
Just last month, the Lottery named Energy BBDO for its $19 million business and right out of the box, the client and agency are scorning local production sources.
Admittedly, New York and L.A. production companies vastly outnumber Chicago, but that doesn’t mean the city’s smaller core of talented directors, who have successfully helmed many top national ad campaigns, should be ignored.
One of the uses to which Hector Perez of Rocket Productions will put his new high-end HD camera will be minority-designated production services for Energy BBDO’s new Illinois Lottery account.
Perez and long-time associate and fellow shooter, Don Winter of Don Winter Productions, teamed up financially to purchase one of the first Panasonic Varicam 2700 P2 camera systems in the U.S.
The two companies will share the use of the $60,000 system purchased from Roscor “after we took a long time deciding which tapeless system we wanted to invest in,” says Winter.
Champion Athleticwear announces Reverse Weave Week! The week, full of giveaways and collabs, will run through October 19 to acknowledge the anniversary of their most iconic patent – the Reverse Weave – which was finalized on October 14, 1952. Reverse Weave Week was created to recognize one of the most famous fashion items that has not gotten the … Continue reading “Champion celebrates iconic franchise with Reverse Weave Week”
Pearle Vision has launched their latest installment in the award-winning Small Moments campaign, a cinematic mini-movie titled “Maya,” in which a young Indian girl goes from feeling like an outsider to a more confident young woman with the help of a Pearle Vision eye care expert. “Maya” continues Pearle Vision’s strategy to showcase the … Continue reading “‘Maya’ continues Pearle Vision’s strategy to showcase Small Moments”
As the nation emerges from pandemic shutdowns and capacity limits, local restaurants around the country are getting an eggstra boost from a popular menu mainstay — the incredible egg — and a healthy dose of hometown competition. Igniting America’s pashttp://tiktok.comsion for eating out, the American Egg Board (AEB) has partnered with celebrity chef Connie Lovely … Continue reading “American Egg Board: Issues TikTok challenge”
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”
Gentleman Jack Double-Mellowed Tennessee Whiskey has launched “Milestones,” the brand’s first spot in the global “Make it Count” campaign for the Jack Daniel’s brand family. The super-premium whiskey’s campaign encourages consumers to mark the special moments with the people who matter most. Although we often think of only honoring the big moments, like a graduation, they … Continue reading “Gentleman Jack Tennessee Whiskey celebrates Milestones”
Creative production studio The Mill announced Patrick Coleman as their new Head of Design in Chicago. With over a decade of experience with a focus in 3D motion design, Coleman’s beginnings began at OPTIMUS in 2004. He then went on to become Creative Director at Sarofsky. Since 2017, Coleman has been working closely with The Mill’s … Continue reading “The Mill announces Patrick Coleman as Head of Design”
While no fan can ride a horse during the real Derby, Old Forester fans were given the chance to “ride” a turtle during the 2021 Old Forester Kentucky Turtle Derby. In partnership with creative agency Energy BBDO, Old Forester searched for real fans to turn into custom, digital jockeys who appeared atop the turtles as … Continue reading “Old Forester’s Kentucky Turtle Derby is back”
EXTRA Gum is all about shared moments of human connection—many of which have unfortunately, become distant memory due to the COVID-19 pandemic, until now: we can finally reconnect IRL! After a hard year of not seeing one another (and frankly, not being very mindful of how your breath smells) EXTRA is there to help give you … Continue reading “EXTRA Gum offer fresh start to post-pandemic life”
Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo has announced their newest campaign, “The Price of Extinction.” Launching yesterday on Earth Day (April 22) the campaign draws attention to Earth’s most endangered species at the zoo with limited-edition zoo “passes.” This initiative provides animal lovers with the unique opportunity to pay a small price to help the species survive. … Continue reading “Earth Day: Lincoln Park Zoo’s price of extinction”
O’Keefe Reinhard & Paul has hired highly regarded production leader Elena Robinson as its Head of Production with the goal of redefining, expanding, and growing its production capabilities. Robinson takes over leadership of both the agency’s production work for clients and its independent production capability from long-time agency exec Scott Mitchell. Mitchell will refocus on … Continue reading “OKRP names Elena Robinson Head of Production”
Phillips’ not only believes that life is too short to be spent struggling with these problems, but that going should feel good. In a consumer study, nearly 40% of adults claimed to have suffered constipation at some point in their lives. Although a common problem, many don’t treat their symptoms because they feel shame around … Continue reading “Phillips’ believes you deserve a good poop”
Leo Burnett announces Emily Doskow as Chief Marketing Officer, leading new business and growth efforts for the agency’s U.S. operations. In this role, Emily will report to Leo Burnett North America CEO Andrew Swinand, and joins the leadership team alongside Liz Taylor, Global Chief Creative Officer, and Aki Spicer, U.S. Chief Strategy Officer, to guide the agency’s positioning and product. “Emily … Continue reading “Leo Burnett announces Emily Doskow as CMO”
Editor’s Note: “The Reel Black List” is our annual spotlight of brothers and sisters in the worlds of advertising, film, TV, music, radio and media who are making a difference through their contributions and creativity on a daily basis. During the month of February, you will be able to celebrate wonderful human beings, like Storm Smith with … Continue reading “RBL Spotlight: producer, Storm Smith”
In partnership with FCB and its experiential arm, FCBX premiered an interactive digital experience through five unexpected experiences and innovation cornerstones to celebrate how people can use Canon products and solutions to help redefine the limits they face. Attendees will be inspired to transcend limits by capturing the marvels of space, the splendor of wildlife, … Continue reading “Canon, FCBX present digital experience for CES”
If you want the chance to win over a half billion bucks, then be sure to carve out a moment in your day to pick up a Powerball ticket as the jackpot continues to roll with an estimated $550 million jackpot on deck for tonight’s drawing! We know that Illinois is full of winners and … Continue reading “$550 Million Powerball Jackpot for tonight’s drawing”
High-end editorial boutique Cutters announces the promotion of David Rubin to Editor. The announcement was made by Cutters Studios President/Managing Director Craig Duncan and Managing Editor Grant Gustafson. Rubin landed an internship with Cutters immediately upon graduating from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, leading to a position as Assistant Editor, mainly working for Gustafson. … Continue reading “Cutters promotes David Rubin to editor”
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”
The last two days of news are making the Reel Chicago team wonder if Energy BBDO has a secret farm somewhere. In the agency’s new Kerrygold butter spot the Irish dairy brand celebrates people coming together and enjoying small moments over a home-cooked meal. The campaign, which launched yesterday, is supported by a new film … Continue reading “Kerrygold embraces family moments in new Xmas spot”
Launching on November 10th, the American Egg Board’s new campaign, and our Reel Ad of the Week, is “The Gift of Eggs.” The LOL campaign from Energy BBDO pokes fun at holiday extravagances in order to celebrate what really matters during the season — family, friends, special memories together and FOOD! The campaign’s two short … Continue reading “Eggs are the holiday gift they are cracked up to be”
Pop music duo RubyGld Smoke have launched their #12ReasonsToVote campaign through their community-oriented organization Symphony of Change. “The issues that we fight today won’t get resolved if voters stay silent. We need to use our power to build a better future for us all.” -RubyGld Smoke The social campaign will run until Election Day and it … Continue reading “RubyGld Smoke launches #12ReasonsToVote”
Kaylin Goldstein has been promoted to Head of Planning for Leo Burnett Chicago. Goldstein will report to Chief Strategy Officer, Aki Spicer, who dubbed her his “strategic sword of creative bravery”—bringing the background and pedigree to help raise the bar on our brand foundations and briefs, scaling the agency’s approach to strategy and tightening its … Continue reading “Leo Burnett promotes Kaylin Goldstein, Head of Planning”
Energy BBDO teamed up with Orbit to help Americans navigate the 2020 dating scene. Dating in 2020 has become the wild wild West – people think anything goes. That’s why under Orbit Gum’s latest ‘Keep It Clean’ campaign, the brand is giving fans advice on how to clean up their dating game in its newest … Continue reading “Orbit keeps dating game clean with a Dad chat”
Guess Jack Daniel’s always wanted to do this. In a historic move, the whiskey brand is introducing its first truly global creative campaign, “Make it Count.” The campaign showcases a new way of thinking for the 154-year-old brand that celebrates the people who drink it. As a global brand that wanted to fuel its iconic … Continue reading “Jack Daniel’s makes first global campaign count”
Created for the Kentucky Derby, of which Woodford is the presenting sponsor, the campaign highlights the 200+ different flavor notes in the bourbon. Woodford Reserve is more than a spirit. It’s a spectacle. This sentiment is the driving force behind Woodford Reserve’s new campaign “Spectacle for the Senses.” Developed as the first platform launch between … Continue reading “Woodford Reserve launches ‘Spectacle for the Senses’”
Much like Taco Tuesday, WEGGSDAY embraces the popularity of marrying a day of the week with a popular food. A two-minute original music video, titled “Wednesday Is Officially WEGGSDAY!,” has been created to hilariously introduce the concept. The animated video also highlights the versatility of eggs, reminding consumers that eggs are an incredible meal solution … Continue reading “Move over Taco Tuesday… here comes WEGGSDAY!”
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”
Congratulations to our friends at Leo Burnett and mcgarrybowen. Each agency took home three Gold statues from the American Advertising Awards which were announced April 28 virtually. Oh, and the agency at 35 West Wacker also took home “Agency of the Year.” Well done. Both agencies also took home awards in the “Best of” categories. … Continue reading “Burnett wins Agency of the Year from AAA”
Attorney General Kwame Raoul today joined a coalition of 24 state attorneys general to call for key changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to ensure that funds are distributed fairly and equitably. In a letter to Congressional leadership, Raoul and the coalition express concerns that the program, while helping some small businesses and their employees, suffers … Continue reading “Attorney General Raoul calls for changes to PPP funding”
Typically, it takes around 20 minutes or so to cook up Uncle Ben’s Rice. And even more so, it usually takes around a month to prep, produce and post a :30-second spot. That said Energy BBDO and director Connor Martin of LA-based production company Society, repped by Nikki Weiss and company, have metaphorically cooked this … Continue reading “Society Director Martin goes BTS of Uncle Ben’s spot”
Chicago creatives may be social distancing and shut in due to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, but their creativity is not shut down. If anything, the Reel Chicago team has seen over the last six weeks sparks of creativity whether it’s D-Nice throwing virtual dance parties on his Instagram or Energy BBDO creating a fabulous Uncle … Continue reading “Chicago creatives create filters for social distancing”
Editor’s Note: They are leaders. They are inspirational. They are mentors. They are visionaries. They are, quite frankly, badasses. They are our 2020 Reel Women During Women’s History Month, you will be able to meet these incredible personalities in Advertising, Entertainment, Media and Production. Get ready. With over 20+ years of award-winning creative and video … Continue reading “REEL WOMEN: Snake Roth, Dir of Integrated Prod, MARC”
Jennifer Zimmerman, Global Chief Strategy officer at mcgarrybowen, today announced changes in the agency’s U.S. strategic leadership. Jamie Shuttleworth has been promoted from Chief Strategy Officer of the Chicago office to U.S. Chief Strategy Officer and will have responsibility for leading strategy across the agency’s U.S. presence, currently with offices in New York, Chicago, and … Continue reading “mcgarrybowen announces new US strategic leadership”
The Colonie continues to grow its roster of talent and services with the addition of Colorist Jennifer Gaida. The hiring of the creative and technically savvy talent marks the launch of the Chicago-based company’s new color grading division, rounding out the one-stop editing, design, and postproduction boutique’s full-roster of high-end services and talent. Gaida exited … Continue reading “Colorist Jennifer Gaida makes The Colonie a one-stop shop”
Hamann will oversee work for Kellogg’s, following the recent appointment of Jordan Doucette to CCO Leo Burnett Chicago welcomed Rick Hamann as executive creative director for the Kellogg’s account yesterday, helping evolve the company’s iconic brands and characters for today’s consumers. The greeting was contained in an item posted to the news section of the … Continue reading “Leo Burnett Chicago welcomes Rick Hamann as ECD”
Former BBDO leader brings big global brand ideas to life through innovation FCB today announced that Andrés Ordóñez has been brought on board as Chief Creative Officer of FCB Chicago, joining President Michael Fassnacht in leading the agency. Ordóñez will also work closely with Global Chief Creative Officer Susan Credle and join FCB’s Global Creative … Continue reading “Ordóñez joins FCB Chicago as Chief Creative Officer”
Vince Cook joins as Executive Creative Director, Austin Scott as Digital Creative Director Laughlin Constable has bolstered its creative department by adding two senior leaders. The moves come eight months after Lisa Bennett took over as CCO. The agency announced that talented Vince Cook (top left) joins as Executive Creative Director, working across multiple accounts, … Continue reading “Vince Cook joins Laughlin Constable as ECD”
Energy BBDO creates new music video and original song with singer Jilian Linklater In a time where America’s population is aging rapidly, generating awareness of in-home care services has become increasingly relevant. In-home senior care industry, Home Instead Senior Care, along with AOR Energy BBDO, has taken a fresh musical approach to connecting with seniors … Continue reading “Home Instead makes memories with new music video”
“To help our clients win, we need to make sure our leadership team is the best in the business.” – Norm Bilow, Escape Pod Big moves are happening at indie agency The Escape Pod. The agency announced its new leadership team. This news includes Derek Sherman who has been appointed Executive Creative Director, Tyler Moore … Continue reading “The Escape Pod unveils new leadership team”
The American Egg Board has cooked up the biggest food discovery since the breakfast egg. Say good evening to… The Dinner Egg! A new mockumentary, created by AOR Energy BBDO, explains the discovery and origin of the new food. Supply and Demand’s Amy Nicholson, takes a Christopher Guest and Eugene Levy type of approach in … Continue reading “Egg Board introduces ‘dinner egg’ mockumentary”
More than ever, connections between human beings are so critical in order for us to move forward. Extra Gum and Energy BBDO, through a heartwarming story that truly touches the emotions, reminds us that we don’t have to be divisive and angry. No matter what color we are, how old we are, we can connect. … Continue reading “Extra Gum helps an unlikely friendship form”
The term “sucked” could have applied to the parade of mediocre, ho-hum spots that aired during Sunday’s big game. And so ends another Super Bowl season. The build up of anticipated commercials is finally (and mercifully) over until next January. If one were to say Sunday, “Well, that sucked the life out of me,” we … Continue reading “The Best and Worst of Super Bowl LIII commercials”
Chicago agency creatives are stuck inside from the below-0 temperatures, but that has not stopped them from releasing their spots for the Super Bowl which features the Patriots vs the Rams this Sunday, Feb. 3. Next up, is Energy BBDO’s fun Kristin Chenoweth spot for Avocados from Mexico. A few weeks ago, Reel Chicago debuted … Continue reading “Dogs turn the tables on people for Avocados from Mexico”
The actor pulls off some of the best four-legged humor this side of “Best in Show” in new Super Bowl teaser from Energy BBDO Energy BBDO unleashed a Super Bowl teaser video that features Kristin Chenoweth coaching a trio of canines on the proper way to sing the Avocados from Mexico jingle. The 15-second Chorus … Continue reading “Kristin Chenoweth unleashes the dogs for Avocados spot”
The integrated house adds a pair of Senior Producers who have completed projects of all sizes for dozens of top tier brands (Chicago — 3 October 2018) Dictionary Films U.S. managing director Chris Rossiter today announced the promotion of Cody McGuire to senior producer and the addition of senior producer Joe Kirkendall to the company’s … Continue reading “Dictionary promotes Cody McGuire, adds Joe Kirkendall”
The film and commercial vet will relocate from Chicago, where he was a mainstay at Filmworkers Club (New York — 24 September 2018) Senior Colorist Fred Keller is heading home; the veteran post production artist, a mainstay of the color scene in Chicago for the past dozen years, is going back to New York as … Continue reading “Click 3X adds Senior Colorist Fred Keller”
The latest in the “Small Moments” campaign from Energy BBDO breaks from promotional-driven spots in the vision category to capture genuine moments I got misty-eyed watching this new Pearle Vision spot from Energy BBDO. Brought on board through Energy’s continued partnership with Free the Bid, director Elle Ginter of Sanctuary has delivered an elegant, … Continue reading “Pearle Vision uses Billie Jean King to inspire”
“I deeply apologize to everyone that this situation has caused distress. I believe all women have the right to feel safe and be heard. I am focusing on healing with my family.” – Dan Fietsam It’s never easy to report bad news, especially in the era of #metoo. What we say and how we … Continue reading “Laughlin Constable fires CCO Fietsam after allegations”
On Diehl Road in Naperville, IL, Rhea + Kaiser (R+K) and its 55 workers are taking a different approach to the marketing/ad agency with their emphasis on omnicommunications, longevity, and work/life balance. Diane Martin reflects, “I came to Rhea + Kaiser fresh out of college with the plan of coming to this little shop. I … Continue reading “Rhea + Kaiser: Naperville agency rebels with balance”
(Naperville, IL — 10 April 2018) Rhea + Kaiser (R+K) announces the addition of three new Account Management + Planning staff, two Public Relations team members, one Creative designer, and promotes one. Grace Morgan comes to R+K as an Assistant Account Manager, Account Management + Planning. Grace provides daily client communications, timeline planning and coordinates … Continue reading “R+K welcomes six new staffers and promotes one”
The awards ceremony for the 54th Annual Chicago International Television Festival packed AMC River East in Streeterville last Thursday night. The evening began with a reception in the Wine Room at the Lucky Strike bowling alley, restaurant, and lounge, which is located on the second floor of the building where the theater resides. Executive directors, … Continue reading “Chicago Int’l TV Fest celebrates “Art of the Commercial””
The Chicago Advertising Federation announced the winners of this year’s American Advertising Awards in a video posted to YouTube yesterday. Chicago’s largest shops were represented equally in the results, but mcgarrybowen emerged with the highest honors, winning Agency of the Year as well as Best of Show for Oscar Mayer’s For The Love of Hotdogs. … Continue reading “Chicago Advertising Awards 2018 winners”
Stacie Boney is new president of Hanson Dodge Women’s History Month starts off with big news: former Energy BBDO executive Stacie Boney has been named by Milwaukee-based Hanson Dodge as its first female president. Boney succeeds Tim Dodge, who is said to be staying with the integrated marketing agency as CEO. She came to the … Continue reading “Women dominate latest wave of industry activity”
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”
ADitudes is a new regular column by individuals who work in Chicago’s advertising community. It can take the form of anything that the author wishes to share, be it inspiration, humor, rant or what have you. For our inaugural installment, a touch of wisdom for fledgeling producers from VSA Partners Executive Director of Production, Ashley … Continue reading “Order the Sancerre & Other Advice”
If you don’t have a thing for sushi, then this probably won’t appeal to you. But since I do in a BIG way, let’s talk about the awesome new installation New York-based Intersection, a digital and experiential agency, has erected for Grubhub on State Street.
Intersection, which claims is reinventing the way brands connect with people in dense urban areas, engaging people where they are via relevant and impactful experiences has certainly accomplished their goal with this huge OOH for Grub Hug that features rolling sushi rolls. Rolling sushi. Mmmmmm.
(Cannes, France — 23 June 2117) It’s as if the advertising gods were sticking their collective tongues out at Publicis-Groupe’s President-CEO, Arthur Sadoun, as Burnett won the Grand Prix in Creative Effectiveness at Cannes this year.
Van Gogh Bnb, which Burnett created for The Art Institute of Chicago, displayed immense impact, increasing the museum’s attendance by 133,000 and generating $2 million in revenue, all with just a $500,000 investment.
“Creative effectiveness is about impact,” said jury president Jonathan Mildenhall, CMO of Airbnb in Adweek.
(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.
No doubt, Laurel Flatt earned the “Advertising Woman of the Year” title that the Chicago Advertising Federation bestowed upon her last week.
Since becoming president of Chicago’s McGarryBowen two years ago, she has helped the mid-sized agency get a spot on the Chicago Tribune’s “Best Places to Work” list and receive recognition as Advertising Age’s “Comeback Agency of the Year.”
Regina Spektor’s new music video “Black and White” strikes just the right balance. It’s touching. It’s wistful. And by applying monochromatic tones and soft lighting, director Daniel Ryan also gives the video a sense of nostalgia.
SCREENING AT SUNDANCE (Jan, 19-29) will be the 28-minute doc, “Trophy,” that was funded by the Chicago equity firm of CMP Invest / Impact, that invests in documentaries that are aimed at helping to bring about social change.
“Trophy,” from filmmakers Shaul Schwartz and Christina Clusiau, investigates controversial, multi-billion dollar big game industry and the complex consequences of imposing economic value on animals.
IF YOU LOVED JOHN HUGHES’ MOVIES you’ll be especially engrossed in the first book ever written about the “philosopher of adolescence,” as Roger Ebert once called him. Jason Diamond, who like Hughes was a North Shore native and suffered painful teen years, has authored “Searching For John Hughes: Or Everything I Thought I Needed to Know About Life, I Learned from Watching 80s’Movies.”
To help raise money for Off the Street Club at its Thursday, Dec. 1 annual Holiday Luncheon, one of the two big raffle prizes is Cubs tickets for four Wrigley Field dugout seats — or $10,000 in cash provided by an anonymous donor.
This year’s income goal is more than the $582,000 that the 2015 event yielded, to be raised exclusively through the luncheon at the Swissotel, 323 E. Upper Wacker Dr., starting with an 11 a.m. cocktail reception and luncheon at noon.
CHICAGO AGENCY BE FOUND ONLINE was ranked Number One in Advertising Age’sBest Places to Work 2016, topping a list of 50 ad agencies throughout the US, including 18 New York shops, all cited for great benefits, culture and perks.
A MUSIC VIDEO for Nashville country singer-songwriter Margo Price, “Hands of Time,” was directed by Ben Chappell of One at Optimus in LA and cut here by Optimus editor Mark Czajkowski.
A memorial service has been held for one of the three advertising women who were tragically killed in an Oct. 23 automobile accident and two other services will be held Oct. 29 and Nov. 13.
Ashley Sawatzke, 30, Amy Taylor, 32, and Lindsey Cohen, 35 had worked together at Energy BBDFO in account management. Sawatzke left BBDO over the summer to join Leo Burnett as an account supervisor position on the P&G Always account.
Services were held last Wednesday for Lindsey Cohen in her home city of Cleveland Heights, Ohio.
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.”
“We did ourselves proud last night,” says Tom Duff, AICE Chicago chapter president, “not only in award-winning but in putting on a great show” – the 15th annual AICE Awards at Navy Pier with an audience of 500.
Chicago had had three top winners out of the Awards’ 33 categories.
Best of Chicago was awarded to Beast’s Angelo Valencia for DigitasLBi spot for Whirlpool.
The Colonie won twice: Brian Sepanik for GrubHub / Tandem, Inc., in the Dialog / Monolog / spoken Word category and Keith Kristinat for 71 Degrees North / Chevy Trucks in the Spec Spot category.
The team at Trisect, one of three agency finalists for the bragging rights of being the Chicago Bears’ agency, won the account by displaying its creativity and salesmanship in an offbeat but obviously effective way.
Legendary longtime Avenue Edit talent Terry Kaney will be inducted into the AICE Hall of Fame at the AICE Awards May 12, in the Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier where 81 editors will be honored in 27 categories.
EDITORIAL STAR DEB SCHIMMEL is making a major change in her career. After 21 years as a top tier, award-winning editor at Optimus, she is moving to The Whitehouse as of May 1. Her recent work includes the current Marshall’s campaign, Jell-O, Famous Footage, BMO Harris, Coca-Cola and many more national advertisers.
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.
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.
THREE CHICAGO CAMERA PROS will be among the hundreds of distinguished media and entertainment notables throughout the world who will gather for the 27th annual Camerimage Film Festival, Nov. 14-21 in Bydgoszcz, Poland.
As of today, Cutters’ Another Country has opened its fifth room, Sound 5, to accommodate the expertise of post audio veteran Peter Erazmus, who joined the audio company last May alongside engineers John Binder,
TYLER JAY’S TANDEM, INC.conceptualized and produced another in the series of Grub Hub spots, the latest a video called “Winner Picks Lunch,” now airing nationally on broadcast and playing on YouTube.
ARU’s new bilingual engineer/sound designer, Ana De Irisarri, was part of the team that handled sound on a recent package of 28 Blue Cross-Blue Shield instructional viDeos — half of them in Spanish — for agency HYConnect.
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 AwardAuthor DanielPosted on Categories REEL THINGS
Since opening for business three months ago, Conspiracy, Chicago’s exclusive all-4K production-through-post facility, is in the throes of expansion, having doubled its West Loop space for starters.
An estimated 1,000 guests showed up at the Cubby Bear Thursday night to cheer the six “Battle of the Advertising Bands” that raised $50,000 (and still counting) to send kids from Off The Street Club (OTSC) to summer camp.
Off the Street Club will be sending lucky kids to summer camp thanks to funds that will be raised from the third annual multi-artist, live music Battle of the Advertising Bands Thursday night, May 28, at the Cubby Bear.
“THE GIRLFRIEND EXPERIENCE” – the small screen adaptation of director Steven Soderbergh’s 2009 movie – starting June 9 will shoot city exteriors for four days. The 13-part, half-hour Starz series centers on the life of a New York call girl (Jenny Raven) “meeting the challenges of her boyfriend, her clients and her work.”
BIG PARTY TONIGHT hosted by Corey Coken and Jamie Vanadia’s NoiseFloor to celebrate the opening night of the seventh consecutive year of CIMMfest, which, in association with city-sponsored Lake FX Summit + Expo, is our answer to SXSW.
Perhaps the Chicago Ad Federation, host of the annual Addy Awards, will be inspired to change the name of the Addys to “The Leos,” considering that three Publicis-owned agencies captured a monstrous, record-setting 80% of the awards presented March 11 at the Museum of Broadcast Communications.
The spotlight will be on the best of Chicago advertising March 11 when the Chicago Advertising Federation hosts its annual awards gala at the Museum of Broadcast Communications.
NEWS AT THE TOP. Creative veteran Nancy Hannon has returned to Leo Burnett as EVP/ECD to oversee creative for Kraft and Kellogg’s brands, making it a full circle back to the first agency where she worked for a decade.
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.
A NEW STAFFER for Utopic Editorial & Finishing, celebrating its fifth anniversary this month, is post producer Lauren Gray. The new position was created when executive producer Heather Mitchell’s overall duties increased.
DAVID SELBY, SCC MANAGING PARTNER / PRESIDENT is the recipient of the Chicago Ad Federation’s 2014 Silver Medal Award, which honors a distinguished member of the Chicago ad community for their creativity, contributions to advertising and the community and accomplishments.
Agency organizers of the Off the Street Club’s Holiday Luncheon Dec. 4 at the Swissotel anticipate raising $500,000 to sustain OSTC for the year ahead. With 19 agencies currently behind it, 1,000 guests, revenue from $10,000 prize raffle, a silent auction and donations – they’re confident of reaching their goal.
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.”
GAIL GILBERT’S CERISE FILMS creative editorial is expanding with the recent hiring of Jeremy Vranich, as the company’s first producer/new business development, giving the award-winning editor “more time to focus exclusively on creative projects,” she says.
A SPECIAL CELEBRITY FLAVOR has been added to Taste of Chicago festivities Thursday, July 10. By special invitation from the city, Elysabeth Alfano’s “The Dinner Party” will gather “for a evening of good food and conversation.”
The Chicago Portfolio School and Razorfish joined forces last week to establish the Windy City as one of 24 locales around the world to host the 12th annual Portfolio Night, an evening of creative reviews held in select advertising agencies from Austin, Texas, to Tokyo, Japan.
SMASHING PUMPKINS’FRONTMANBilly Corgan will become the star of a reality TV series – not about music as one would expect, but wrestling.Corgan is the creative director of Lockport-based Resistance Pro Wrestling League and
The marriage of two agencies that analysts doubted would work was called off before the wedding. Publicis Groupe and Omnicom Group terminated their $35 billion proposed merger early this morning by mutual agreement.
A battle for control ended their plans for that would have created the world’s largest advertising agency.
Out of AICP’s annual 2014 AICP Show and AICP Next Awards Shortlist of 212 nominees for excellence and expertise in commercials, only five Chicago agencies in eight categories are up for awards.
THE COLONIE won’t be exhibiting the work of new artists on its walls, as it usually does for its parties. The big attraction at its Thursday, April 24 event will be showing off 1,500-sq. ft. of expanded space, down the hall from its large editorial studio on Fairbanks Court.
THE FORMER ADDY AWARDS, recently rebranded as the more businesslike Chicago American Advertising Awards, take place Thursday, March 13 at a reception honoring the best of Chicago advertising, plus the Agency of the Year and the Client of the Year, at the Museum of Broadcast Advertising.
Since Animated Storyboards opened its seventh international branch in Chicago last May, its opening staff of five has swelled to a dozen and could further expand by the time its first anniversary rolls around.
Co-managing directors Wes Mallgren, in charge of production, and Paul Grajek, who handles Midwest marketing, transferred here from ASB New York, where the global company is headquartered.
Comma’s Larry Pecorella, national president of the Association of Music Producers, announced the 2014 AMP Awards for Music & Sound show will be held in New York next spring.
AMP is the only US industry forum recognizing excellence in music and sound for advertising and branding. “And it serves as an advocacy and standard-setter for the commercial music industry, like AICP and AICE for postproduction,” he said.
A TRIBUTE TO RONN PITTS by Columbia College Thursday evening, Oct. 17, will celebrate the unique life of a filmmaker who loved his Columbia students and was beloved in return, who was always there for them and his myriad friends and never said no to any of them.
REVIVAL OF THE ART DIRECTORS CLUB after a long absence was a smashing success, judging by the creative community that turned out for two events. Partnering here with Otis Gibson’s GERTRUDE, New York-based The Art Directors Club renewed its presence here with a turnout of 50 of city’s top creative executives at the Oct. 1 inaugural, invitation-only dinner honoring one of the city’s best, Bob Scarpelli, former chairman/CCO of DDB Worldwide.
WOMEN IN FILM HONOREES for the 2013 Focus Awards coming up Wednesday, Oct. 16 are director of photography and Michigan native Lisa Wiegand, working here on “Chicago Fire,” a veteran DP of numerous TV series and one of the very few female DPs of TV series;
The Oct. 10-24 Chicago International Film Festival pays homage to Chicagoans this year, honoring producer/director George Tillman, Jr. with a Black Perspectives Tribute, and inviting Jennifer Hudson, star of Tillman’s new movie, to join the festivities Friday, Oct. 11.
SHAMELESS SELF PROMOTION. As many of you may know, I’ve been working on a feature, the dramatic music biopic about Mahalia Jackson, the world’s greatest gospel singer and Civil Rights Champion, whose music and money amplified the vision of Dr.
Storyboard artist Jerry Neumann’s name is more or less out there. After he drew the storyboards for DDB’s State Farm campaign, agency creative directors Barry Burdiak and John Hayes decided to honor the artist. They gave the name of “Jerry Neumann” to the hapless guy who crashed his car after he cancelled his car insurance and hopes his State Farm agent will reinstate his policy.
AFTER THREE YEARS with Shirley Hamilton Talent as a TV and film agent, Sanaa Sayyed joined Claire Simon Casting as a casting assistant – where she first worked as an intern practically off the plane from Houston.
Casting was always her first love, she says, and right now there’s no place busier than Simon, which is casting for TV series “Chicago Fire,” “Chicago PD,” “Betrayal,” “Crisis” and sci-fi feature “Jupiter Ascending.”
BUY YOUR AICE TICKETS NOW as the national Awards Show is reaching space capacity, advises Optimus’ Tom Duff, AICE Chicago chapter. The show will be held Thursday, May 16, throughout the entire Museum of Broadcast Communications: cocktail reception on the third floor, awards presentations on the fourth floor, and after-party on the second floor.
Organized by Digitas’ technology executive Van Eiseman and his team as a first-time Chicago advertising-wide event, “The Battle for Hope: The Chicago Advertising Agency Battle of the Bands” to benefit the Off the Street Club was a winner in every respect.
The Chicago Ad Federation boasted it had 350 submissions for the recent ADDY Awards from local agencies and those entries were carefully considered by 25 top creatives from national pedigreed agencies.
As a result of all this vetting, and no doubt based on the sheer volume of entries from Leo Burnett, it should have been no surprise that the Publicis giant had a colossal haul of 62 awards, including six out of the seven ADDY Bests.
It’s that time of year. The time when so many advertising professionals — creatives in particular — start salivating at the thought of all the awards they will collect for a year’s worth of work presumably done well. Exceptionally well done.
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
International companies continue to find Chicago’s ad center a healthy market for expansion. The latest such expansion is global Animated Storyboards Ltd. (ASB), which is scheduled to open a Loop facility in mid-May.
The Chicago branch – ASB’s sixth international location — will be lead by the dual management team of lead audio engineer Paul Grajek and lead editor/compositor Wes Mallgren, both moving here from ASB New York.
Please pay attention. WBEZ-FM (91.5), Chicago’s classy public radio station, is just doing what it needs to do. And that is draw as much attention as possible to itself.
Every brand runs the risk of irrelevance — a fate to be avoided at all cost, of course — if it doesn’t constantly remind the public why attention needs to be paid.
