| 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
0 Heading into the Super Bowl, the question on my mind was “How much of 2020 is going to wind up in the 2021 Super Bowl ads?” Mercifully, it wasn’t all that much. Not that there weren’t important issues to talk about, but we leaned so heavily into messaging around the pandemic and social issues … Continue reading “Laughlin Constable’s John Maxham on Super Bowl ads”
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 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.
4+ 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 … Continue reading “DDB brings back original social media – “Miller Time””
2+ 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 … Continue reading “BOO! DDB drops first Skittles Halloween spot in 5 years”
1+ 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 … Continue reading “Rodgers, Mahomes talk agents in new State Farm work”
7+ 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 … Continue reading “DDB celebrates State Farm commitment to doing good”
2+ 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 … Continue reading “DDB, Miller Lite, Eric Andre play ‘The Cantroller’”
4+ 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 … Continue reading “Creative force Jon Flannery joins DDB Chicago”
2+ 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 … Continue reading “DDB helps State Farm get funny with celebs”
4+ 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 … Continue reading “Beer Wars: Miller Lite goes medieval on Bud Light”
4+ 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. … Continue reading “Jason Witten surprises fans in Miller Lite spot by DDB”
6+ 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 … Continue reading “DDB helps Skittles show where Sweet Heat comes from”
7+ 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 … Continue reading “Mel Routhier promoted to ECD of DDB Chicago, more”
9+ 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 … Continue reading “DDB and “I, Tonya” director help State Farm fill in blanks”
8+ 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 … Continue reading “DDB helps Dodge reveal the 2019 Ram 1500”
10+ 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 … Continue reading “DDB & State Farm continue ‘Neighborhood of Good’”
6+ 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 … Continue reading “DDB, State Farm kick off spot with Aaron Rodgers”
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.
