HOT TICKET. A capacity crowd is expected at Joy Art’s Dec. 15 Christmas party at the 410 Club. “We’ve planned a fun evening for the holidays,” says Joy Art marketing director Roger Corbin. The party kicks off a series of monthly parties to reacquaint agencies to the musical talents of Joy Art composer/ producer Butch Stewart. Uncle Butchie’s Live House band performs with guest artists?plus food, cash, giveaways and a raffle. Fun starts at 5:30 p.m.
Future parties will be held in or near an agency’s building, says Corbin, “so your agency can come down and party with us.” Eventually they will settle on “our place, where everyone knows where to come.” Joy Art is in its 26th year of business. While it has diversified, such as forming the Copia Records division, “We can’t forget our base commercial business,” he says.
“BUSINESS HAS BEEN GREAT” says sound designer Pat Yacona of the first year of business as Earhole (formerly Wiebe Music) Latest job: A package called “Spot the Enemy” for the U.S. Army/ Leo Burnett, a 90 and 30 and a 30 called “Fight Back.” Virtual music composed by Eric Sproul and Eric Lambert. Sound design by Yacona, who recorded Foley footsteps and brush movement in the woods near his Barrington home for the spots.
ARMY ACCOUNT MARCHING ON? The U.S. Army is reviewing its $180 million account, pitting incumbent Leo Burnett with New York’s BBDO, Grey, McCann, O&M and Y&R. The Army account has been a great boon to Chicago post and music houses and its loss will be sorely felt if the Army advertising base moves to Manhattan.
DIRECTOR SIGNED. Former Burnett SVP/ CD Jeff Labbe landed at @radical.media, his first formal production company affiliation.
THE HALLMARK SEASON. David Kaplan and Mindy Verson’s. Audio Producers Group produced Hallmark/Burnett radio commercials promoting James Taylor’s first ever Christmas album. Earlier: APG produced tracks for ten Hallmark TV greeting card spots, including recording all local voiceover talent, sound design and final mix. Spots air next year. Burnett executive producer was Bob Harley.
TRADING SPACES. Creative Kevin James departed DDB for FCB; Corinne Siretella left JWT also for FCB? CRC hired engineer Bill Fisher, formerly Leo Burnett’s in- house engineer? Del Hall Video hired Smoke editor Jason Poole, from Vazda Studios in Birmingham, Alabama, where he had spent 6.5 years, working his way up from assistant to graphics on commercials.
DOWNSIZED. Creative hotshot Kash Sree who joined Leo Burnett from Wieden+ Kennedy, Portland, more than two years ago, is gone, a victim of the latest round of agency downsizing.
BBC SERIES HERE. Product Productions provided camera car and lighting for a BBC series on soul music, called “Soul Deep.” The British crew shot in Chicago and Detroit and is heading to other cities.
NEW AGENCY HERE. Doug Voegtle is the creative director of the new Chicago office of Madison-based ad/PR agency Glowac + Harris + Madison. He previously worked for BBDO, Cramer- Krasselt and Frankel.
