The City of Chicago reigned supreme in 2019.
Advertising agencies blended social justice with clever branding. Content creators reinforced Chicago’s reputation for inclusivity. Film studios entertained the nation while helping the local neighborhoods. And a handful of friends said goodbye.
Below is a list of Reel Chicago’s top articles for 2019, separated by category and ranked according to the number of clicks on the thumbs-up button located next to each headline.
In addition to the individual stories, please check out our annual month-long features about Black History Month and women in the creative industries — the Black List and Reel Women. Both continued to earn some of the most popular ratings among our readers.
ADVERTISING
The Colonie gets happy with Advocate campaign
Dreams come true in new Blue Moon campaign by DDB
Kraft puts gender pay gap into nut bags
DDB celebrates State Farm commitment to doing good
Heat’s Hookup Stations spark Lolla dialogue
McDonald’s teams up with DJ Shawn Wasabi
Utopic elicits love for McDonald’s in two new spots
Banner unveils new video for Google’s Chicago lobby
Hidden Valley’s campaign of love from mcgarrybowen
Insperity’s solution for seeing employees as numbers
Leo B and Capri Sun help kids celebrate independence
McDonald’s shared fries on national FF Day
Copywriter gives self-promotion the ‘Shaft’
FILM
Chicago Film Scene growing in Lincoln Park
Betrayal: When the Government Took Over the Teamsters
Cow Lamp acquires ‘Quarter Life Crisis’
‘Bleed American’ captures youth in the Midwest
Chicago-made ‘Musician’ wins big at Vero Beach
Cooney’s ‘Runner’ leaps to distribution on Omeleto
Illinois manufacturer produces ‘Aliveness’ docuseries
Panavision helps DP create the look of ‘Late Night’
Haroula Rose’s ‘Once Upon A River’ premieres May 10
Danzig launches Cinepocalypse with sold-out show
‘No Small Matter’ back by popular demand
TELEVISION
Beyond the red carpet of ‘Work in Progress’
Cinespace signs production deal for Netflix’ ‘Mixtape’
Chicago actors join cast of Jordan Peele’s ‘Candyman’
‘Empire’ star Jussie Smollett beaten by MAGA supporters
‘American Soul’ energizes the spirit of Don Cornelius
Cinespace goes to the dogs for a day
2019 Battle of the Advertising Bands
Wright’s ‘Story of the Movie Palace’ at Music Box
2019 Best of the Midwest Awards
Tom Joyner retires with world’s largest day party
Werner Herzog to lead Master Class at Facets
The Bluesmobile returns to Joliet Prison
Cinespace President Alex Pissios honored by SOS Illinois
Hawley and Amoaku help film industry move forward
MK Films acquires ‘lightning-fast’ high-speed robot
BREAKING NEWS
The future of the Illinois film industry looks brighter
Camera Ambassador, 2112 launch partnership
Bob Carr to be inducted into AICP Hall of Fame
Cinespace signs production deal for Amazon’s ‘Utopia’
Wayne Kubacki retires from Essanay Studios
Taking off with Bottle Rocket Media
Interview with former IFO Director Christine Dudley
Behind the scenes with media pioneer Jeff McCarter
Cascio’s ‘A Tribute to Valor’ honors Pearl Harbor vets
Mark Androw’s post-AICP agenda
