Is it Obsessive to be an Advertising Icon for Halloween?

I couldn't help myself, I was meant to be the Morton Salt Umbrella Girl.

The 15 Below Project from Taxi

By far, the most inspiring project discussed at the 'boards summit, for me, was Taxi's 15 Below Project. To celebrate the company's 15th anniversary they decided that instead of spending their budget on alcohol for a party, or swag that would probably end up in the garbage, they were going to give back to the community. The result the 15 Below Project.

Winters in Canada are harsh, and even more so to the homeless who call the streets their home, with temperatures often reaching far below freezing. With the help of designer Lida Baday, Taxi created a lightweight, waterproof, breathable, jacket lined with 15 pockets. When stuffed with newspaper (readily available on the streets) the jacket is insulated enough to withstand temperatures of 15 below c for 8 hours (see the test footage.) When not in use the jacket folds into itself in a backpack style and can be used as a pillow. The jackets are distributed through Salvation Army and Good Will Locations, where employees are taught to instruct those that receive the jacket how it works and of all of its functions. 3,000 jackets will be distributed to people living on the streets throughout Canada with plans to expand into New York City and other cold weather cities.

To top it all off, Starting November 15th, a number of jackets autographed by involved celebrities including R.E.M, Kim Katrall, Isabella Rossellini and more will be auctioned off on ebay, with all proceeds directly funding the 15 below project. Please visit the website and if you can bid on the items.

mmmm...ice cream

After you Vote on Tuesday Ben &Jerry's will give you free ice cream for a job well done....and as I side note, I went on the tour when I was in Vermont a few weeks ago, and the visual style and branding of this company has to be one of the very best - don't you think? From the cartons, to the posters, to the processing room - it's color and curves, and cow spots all over.

An Animated Overview of Detroit Institute of the Arts

These delightful spots come from Head Gear Animation/Toronto. I love the simplicity of the lines and lack of color paired with an obviously colorful and visually complex client.

Jack Daniels and Arnold Boston Support the Socialist Party

Apparently they support all parties. Thanks Arnold.

'boards Directors to Watch

As I'm taking my time to digest all that I heard, learned, and saw last week at the 'boards Summit I'll be posting about it - for a couple more days at least! The Directors to Watch Showcase was outstanding this year. Some of the work included I've even covered before not realizing the novice talent that was responsible for the content. (ie. Wanderlust from Encyclopedia Pictura) One of them was Shy the Sun, the directing team responsible for the United Airlines commercials that were all over the Olympics. This short film, Tale of How, was part of their show reel.


Another animated video that jumped out at me was, Tear Drop, from Adreas Nilsson - eye candy.

The Music of 'boards summit

I attended a great music showcase at the 'boards summit last week, featuring artists; Mother-Mother, Ben Lee, Jamie Leonhart, and Jason Collett - all of whom are also represented for the advertising industry by Last Gang/Ole, Frisbe, Mophonics, and Vapor respectively.

Mother Mother "O My Heart"


Ben Lee for Kohl's



Jason Collett "It Won't Be Long"


Jamie Leonhart "Who Says Words"

Wii Music Commercial

This spot is one of my favorite new things. It brings a huge smile to my face every time is comes on the air. Not sure if it is the gigantic music staff or the Mario Brothers remix but I just think it's great.



Not sure who did it yet, if anyone knows any credit info please let me know!

update: The ad is via Goodby Silverstein

Chanel Mobile Art Exhibit in Central Park

I just got to the city - I'm here attending the 'boards summit this week, though there is a new thing I'd rather do than work! Thanks to the glorious TV's in Taxi Cabs I was informed of the Chanel Mobile Exhibit in Central Park. Mobile because it is transported to various cities, and only in New York for 3 weeks.

The compartmental shell container is designed by acclaimed architect Zaha Hadid. The interior is a gallery dedicated to the art, design, and fashion that surrounded the life of the iconic Coco Chanel.

New Feist Video, Honey Honey

The newest video from Feist, Honey Honey, is a seafarers adventure told through puppets. The video is directed by Anthony Seck, frequent Feist collaborator, who is also responsible for videos Mushaboom and One Evening.


Feist - Mushaboom

Feist- One Evening

LaCapelle and Liddell Encourage You to Declare Yourself

In this DeclareYourself campaign photographers David LaChapelle and Mark Liddell (Jessica Alba) snap gruesome versions of silenced celebrities in order to promote voter registration.

Top Animated TV Show Intros

Boston Globe's Mathew Gilbert had a great post this week featuring the top sitcom intros. The list includes everything from The Sapranos to The Dick Van Dyke Show. When I didn't see The Simpsons there I started to think about what other animated intros would be nice to see together (ok there are some Muppets involved too)...so here goes...

The Smurfs


The Flintstones


Inspector Gadget


The Jetsons


Fraggle Rock


The Muppet Show


Bewitched


I Dream of Jeannie


What are your favorites? Please share!

Sony Bravia Dominos

Another beautiful spot from Sony Bravia, this one set in India showcasing every color in the rainbow and amazing choreography from New Zealand director Nic Finlayso.

Must Drink More Milk

This campaign from BC Dairy Foundation is so much fun. It is a collection of commercials that range from claymation to stop motion with found objects, like playing cards, puppets, trophies, Legos, and Russian dolls. You can watch all of the films at Must Drink More Milk, and see my fovorites below.

McDonald's Recycles Paper and Advertising

These new outdoor ads come from TBWA Paris. McDonald's uses recycled ads to reiterate the McDonald's recycles message. You know I love vintage advertising!
I found these on Best Ads on TV.

Alan Aldridge Man with the Kaliedoscope Eyes

Illustrator Alan Aldridge has a new show at the London Design Museum that opened on Friday. Aldridge is known for his psychedelic work with The Who, The Beatles, Elton John, Andy Warhol, Penguin Books and more - which made him an icon of the 1960's and 70s.

Clyde Petersen Animation

This new animated video for Deerhoof is being featured on the front page of YouTube today. I love the naive and raw style of animation made with paper cut outs. I decided I had to find more work from director-animator Clyde Peterson and was so excited by what I found. The work that I was able to find is a mix of live action and animation interspersed with whimsical theatrical elements and shot on imperfect film, maybe a super 8 camera?

I love the handmade signature that canvases the projects, can't wait to see more from Peterson in the future, enjoy.

Deerhoof "Chandelier Searchlight"



Thao Nguyen "Bag of Hammers" Clyde Peterson with Forrest Baum



Jeff Hanson "If I Only Knew"



Laura Veirs "Cast a Hook in Me"



Thao "Swimming Pools"

Baz Luhrmann Directs an Epic Journey for Austrailia Tourism

Baz Luhrmann, one of my all time favorite directors, has completed a new commercial campaign for Australian Tourism. The two spots, Billabong, and Boab, cinematically illustrate the call to "Walkabout" Australia from within everyday life.

Billabong


Boab


Luhrmann's first commercial effort was the high glamor, beautifully art directed, branded short film for Chanel.

Robert Francis - Little Girl

I'm so grateful to be working with a client that collaborated with singer songwriter Robert Francis, otherwise I might have never known about him. Francis is an LA artist whose first album, One by One is creating buzz among the music industry insiders.

Check out the video for the heartbroken single, Little Girl.

Cotton Leaves a Lonely Dry Cleaner

This Cotton commercial is a few years old but it has been airing a lot lately. How great is the music? It fits so well with the timeless vintage icon of the neighborhood dry cleaner.



The original music was created by The Lodge. It can be downloaded here.

LifelongFriendshipSociety Experiments for MaxMara

I found this little clip at Motionographer. I love the mix media, the use of stop motion, the matting and the double exposures. Though it was probably done in post, the effects feel very handmade and experimental as if a lot of it could have been created in camera.

I also love the bright and airy look, as you might have been able to tell from some other items I'm drawn too, like the Current/Elliot lookbook.

Liking the work of LifelongFriendshipSociety in generl too - nice stuff, graphic but diverse - check 'em out.

Ben Dawkin's Cloud Boy

More sweet and cinematic work from Stink director Ben Dawkins. The texture and color of the rain cloud paired with the yellow slicker is just perfect. The spot is via Dublin agency Chemistry for EasiSingles.



You can watch the video in higher-res on the Stink website.

Vespa Stunts!

The Vespa lover I am I don't know how I missed this viral effort from Dentsu and Crush. I love the mix of animation and live action - and the baby crying - cherry on top!