December 2009
65 posts
How Precious.
After stumbling upon the following article on CNN.COM (yes, I check in daily - don’t laugh), I’m reminded of my very sturdy opinion on animal abuse and my complete disgust towards those that harm and abuse animals. I don’t care who you are. You disgust me. In other words, yes, that’s right Michael Vick, I even hate you. Such offenders need stricter penalties. And some...
The Beautiful Word.
Indeed.
Good work earlier this year from France and Apollo Studios.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOhmfhFuBHs
That's what she said.
A few years ago an interesting topic raised quite the debate amongst our industry. I believe it all started at an event ihavenaidea organized where none other than Neil French himself made an appearance.
A student at the time, I was beside myself when I discovered I’d be attending. Not only because Neil was speaking, but also because my nearly maxed out credit card was able to squeeze...
Thought of the day...
Like, totally awesome.
Imagine doing this with all your stuff? You’d have one pretty cool image. At first thought, mine would be overwhelmed with books and purses.
Holiday Hiatus.
I’m back. Sorry for the week long hiatus, but trust when I say it was much needed.
I did nothing but eat, drink and be merry with friends and family this past week. And now my waist line is paying the price.
No fear. I’m back on the band wagon. Back to writing every day, back to blogging, back to working out. Back to the good ol’ routine. It’s time to get the...
Catch a flick while you can.
Can’t wait to see this. Stay tuned for the debrief, which I’m sure is bound to be awesome.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_5_lzags3I
That's balls.
Taking time out to remember one of the great spots of the decade.
For me, this one never gets old.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Bb8P7dfjVw
Merry Christmas, ya'll.
Have a holly, jolly day.
Ladies who brunch.
My favourite meal of the weekend is brunch. Hands down. Its the perfect hangover cure and definitely a nice way to start a leisurely day (if I’m not working). I’m a fan of a few places around town. Mildred’s Temple. Bar One. Shanghai Cowgirl. Brassaii.
According to Toronto Life, brunch is where it’s at as well. Here’s their pick for the top 5 places to eat in the...
Getting Ziggy with it.
Create your own jingle jam! Compliments of ZiG.
Personally, I’m a fan of the beat boxer and jingle cats. Take a listen…
http://www.zigjinglejam.com/
It's Contagious.
No. The title of this entry is not the name of Kayne’s newest song. Although, it would make a catchy tune.
It’s meant more along the lines of, “wow, you really gotta see this”.
http://www.contagiousmagazine.com/resources/MostContagious2009.pdf
Here’s the most contagious ideas-in-everything of 2009, according to none other than, Contagious magazine.
I’ve...
Little Ones.
A friend passed along the link to this trailer - “Babies”. Awesome. Can not wait to see this.
Makes me wonder…do you think all babies around the World have that “new baby” smell. Or is it different from place to place?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aCZUb_dUGA
When the ball drops.
How was 2009 for you? For me, it was a year of growth. A year where I made efforts and took great strides in improving myself and as I look back, I’m happy to know that I really took time out for me. With this time of reflection comes assessment. And because of it, I think that I know what I want in life, personally and professionally. As the turn of the decade approaches, and 2010 is...
What'chyou talking about?
In a 1946 essay, “Politics and the English Language”, George Orwell offers us six timeless rules for effective communication. I’ve decided I’m going to make the implementation of this list in my life part of my new years resolutions.
I also know a few other people that should, at the very least, glance over the list.
Specifically, number 2. (crazy account guy,...
A way back, playback.
How could we forget about this great spot for Axe?
That’s right. We couldn’t.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgfzdgWgEZ4
Integrated. According to Olly.
Recently read an interesting article on SHOTS online. It was an Interview with Publicis Conseil ECD/co-chairman Oliver Altmann. Here’s my favourite question/answer.
What do you think the biggest challenges the industry are facing are?
“Adopting a more digital, integrated approach, and thinking much more globally with your ideas, instead of thinking about just one channel, one...
A Twix moment.
http://www.shots.net/video_detail_css.asp?id=44566&pnmode=rh_HPC#anch_top
New spot from Almap BDDO in Brazil.
If you ask me, it’s a nice thought - with a nice execution.
Once in a lifetime opportunity.
Last night I had the chance to stand at the corner of Yonge & Bloor, with thousands of other Torontonians and watch as the Olympic torch relay made it’s way through the streets of Toronto. It was a pretty cool thing to see. And I have to admit, kinda emotional. I didn’t ball or anything. Just a little teary-eyed.
If the torch is coming through your city, I suggest you be part...
My travel wish list for 2010.
I know I won’t get to do the whole tour, but here’s a few places looking promising for a little vacay in 2010:
Amsterdam.
Prague
Buenos Aires
London (England, that is)
L.A
Italy
Croatia
*now all I need to do is win the lottery*
Don't be afraid of the light...errr, I mean, the...
Fear is the mortal enemy of creativity. Thanks for the wisdom, Bogusky.
Randy Krallman is my hero.
Ok, maybe not exactly my hero. But he is top of the list of directors I want to someday work with. He know’s his comedy, that’s for sure.
Here’s his recent work out of Smuggler with Goodby Silverstein & Partners for Ebay. Nicely written, and well shot.
http://www.boardsmag.com/screeningroom/tvfilm/8521
http://www.boardsmag.com/screeningroom/tvfilm/8520
Lets take a...
All you need is love.
And a piping hot Starbucks to go with it.
BBDO and Gorgeous bring us a world-wide sing along to get the point across.
http://www.shots.net/video_results_css.asp?sec=hotshot
Love.
Honda. W&K. I wish I did this.
http://www.shots.net/video_detail_css.asp?id=44555&pnmode=rh_HPC#anch_top
Ba-humbug.
I’m dissapointed to see that the digital age has taken all the fun out of Christmas.
Don’t get me wrong - I’m all for reduce, reuse, recycle, but I’m not one for receiving my Christmas card a la email. I mean, how impersonal? How thoughtful is that, really?
To this day, I still sign and mail out Christmas cards. I will admit that this year I went out of my way to buy...
A change will do you good.
I can’t lie. Until recently I’ve never been one much for change. I didn’t like it. I didn’t know how to deal with it and I hated that it pushed me outside my comfort zone. Then one day, I woke up and realized that perhaps my comfort zone needed to pushed, and that maybe I should pay a bit more attention to the “changings” going on around me.
Having trouble...
Party like you wanted to when you were 10, but...
I saw the above tagline attached to the facebook invite I received for the Boards 10th Birthday Party and loved it. Just had to share.
Happy Birthday Boards!
Here’s to 10 years of great work - keep the publications, the seminars, the workshops and the summits coming. We all know a little bit more because of you.
10 best spots of the decade.
http://adage.com/article?article_id=141049
What would you add to the list?
Personally, I think there’s a few things that should have made the list, most specifically, the Mac vs PC stuff. Any spot from that campaign, really.
This kinda all got me thinking….If I were to create a top 10 of the decade from Canada alone, Viagara, Vim, Mini, Subaru, and the Pepsi Mini Cans work would...
Couldn't have said it better myself.
Fun, fun, fun.
Enough said.
http://www.shots.net/video_detail_css.asp?id=44549&pnmode=rh_HPC#anch_top
Here comes Monday.
I’m a fan of starting off the week fresh, motivated, and on track. And I’m also a bit of a sucker for quotes. Here’s my attempt at putting the two together.
Happy Monday ya’ll.
You go, girl!
So Barbara Walters announced her picks for the 10 most fascinating people of 2009, and unlike most people, I’m all for Michelle Obama making the top of the list. What I am not all for are the following people:
Sarah Pallin. Adam Lambert. Kate, of John & Kate plus 8. Or Lady Gaga. Was this the “people I feel most embarrassed for in 2009” list?
I’m quite shocked that...
The Year in Ideas.
A fellow friend already blogged about this, but I enjoyed the read so much, I just had to re-blog. Here’s hoping a) you don’t read both our blogs and, b) you enjoy the 9th Annual Year in Ideas from the NYTimes as much as we did.
http://www.nytimes.com/projects/magazine/ideas/2009/#culture
Need a gift? No fear. Target's here.
Check out the new Target Christmas campaign from W&K Portland. Simple, but I like. To view the first of four spots, start here: http://www.boardsmag.com/screeningroom/tvfilm/8527
Directing, compliments of Harold Einstein and Station Films, NY.
December's best...
according to Creativity.
Some nice work. I especially like the range being recognized - viral, phone apps, web stuff and stunts.
http://creativity-online.com/news/creativity-top-5-december-7-2009/140925
On a separate note, but still Creativity related - totally loving this magazine cover.
Blogging from my Twitter.
Saw this on my Twitter. And it made me smile.
“When I’m totally unqualified for a job, that’s when I do my best work.”
Not sure who said this, but I imagine, for some reason, that they wore glasses.
The King of Madison Avenue.
I’m currently reading the David Ogilvy biography, “The King of Madison Avenue”.
And while I’m not quite through, I have to say he was definitely a man full of character, passion and attitude. A quick shout out to one of, if not, the founding father of this business. My favourite concept of his? The three martini lunch, but of course.
Have you been watching?
So, besides a quick date with my TV on Thursday’s for 30Rock, I think Wednesday is fast becoming my favourite night of TV. Have you been watching Modern Family at all? Hilarious! If not, I suggest you start tomorrow. Better yet, sign in to yotube and get caught up immediately. It’s superbly written and I can’t say enough about the casting. I think being behind on the Modern...
T'is the season.
A selection of Merry Christmas greetings from agencies around the World.
Looks like the month of December is all a Droga5 (Sydney) intern has to ensure he gets hired. View below to see what I mean, and vote.
http://creativity-online.com/news/tis-the-season/140825
I wish...
I did this.
Simple. Smart. Effective. Nice work, DDB London.
http://www.shots.net/video_detail_css.asp?id=44543#anch_top
Let it snow.
Let it snow. Let it snow.
Let’s embrace the first Toronto snowfall of December ‘09.
Talk about a budget.
Beautiful production. Beautiful direction. Beautiful edit. I give it 5 stars for engagement. All this for a beer. Check out the latest work from Owens DDB Ireland - in conjunction with Knucklehead.
http://www.shots.net/video_detail_css.asp?id=44542#anch_top
"O" to the "prah"
Over the years she’s built a multi-million dollar name for herself. She’s driven, ambitious, a mentor and role model. And one of the few people I’ve admired for using their power for the good.
Other than how to be a good person, handle the spot light and hob-knob with celebrities, I’ve learned a very important lesson from Oprah - people are brands.
And talk about a...
Cheesy goodness.
I’m obsessed with cheese. Can’t get enough. Ever. And I love all kinds. Provolone. Cheddar. Feta. Bocconcini. Mozzarella. Blue. Goat. Buffalo. Soft. Hard. Stinky. Curdled. (I swear I’m part Parisian). One of my favourite places to stop in to survey, sample and stock up on this most marvelous dairy product is the cheese counter at Whole Foods. They’re mostly organic, and...
Talk about a headache.
The Tylenol US account is up for grabs and apparently there’s 5 shops in the running. Goodby, Martin Agency, DDB, TBWA and incumbent (since 2003), Deutsch are all pitching.
Wow. What a range and collection of awesome talent. Don’t even want to try and call this one. ’Luck to all. And may the best creative win.
http://adage.com/agencynews/article?article_id=140883
Books, books, and more books.
I vowed I’d make an attempt to start reading more books on politics and current affairs just as I came across this list. It’s the 2009 Books of the Year (all categories), according to the Economist. Think I’ll attempt The Idea of Justice, first. Keep ya posted on any interesting learning’s.
...
Business vs. Art
Came across an interesting article on the Harvard Business blog tonight and thought I’d share. Apparently, there’s three reasons why business leaders should act more like artists. Here they are:
1. Artists constantly collaborate. The example given was the common occurrence of an exhibition with multiple artists showing together, or the so-called “group show.” Even in...
This just in...
Top Agencies & Production Co’s of 2009.
Thanks to great work such as Whopper Sacrifice, Freakout and anything else Burger King related, CP&B takes the cake for agency of the year as awarded by Boards magazine. Kudos.
An in other related news, with traditional and digital production shops being judged on the same list, this year saw Boards awarding a tie. Congrats to both MJZ...
Word to the wise.
Another gentle reminder that in order for dreams to come true, one must take the right steps to make it happen.
At least that’s how I interpret the above quote. Have a different take? Please share.
Ballin'
It’s definitely no secret that the ad industry likes to get down. And last night was no exception. December 3rd marked the 2nd annual McCaul Ball. For those not from Toronto, the McCaul Ball is an annual Christmas soiree (fairly new in its concept) thrown by a production company and a few post-production companies that are all housed in the same building downtown on a little street called...