Miami Ad School, the global advertising college, will open its doors in Sydney on 2 April, with two study programs: Art Direction and Copywriting.  

Sydney will join other world cities Miami, New York, San Francisco, Minneapolis, Sao Paulo, Mexico City, Madrid, Berlin, Hamburg, Istanbul, to be the 11th  city to host a Miami Ad School.

This Sunday will see the launch of a new campaign for Cottee's cordial.

Created by George Patterson Y&R Melbourne, the commercial aims to take the brand back to its roots by celebrating the simple goodness of childhood - and the fact that no matter how many kids end up in your back yard at the end of the day, there's always enough Cottee's to go around.

VIEW THE SPOT

New Zealand holidaymakers are set to petition Prime Minister John Key this summer for a day off, a national first.
 
The petition, which asks for an extra legal day in lieu, is the first documented petition against a wet New Zealand summer.  Fresh-up has picked up the petition due to local interest and will send it to John Key once it gains 50,000 signatures.
 
Thousands of New Zealanders have taken to social media and other outlets to proclaim their disappointment at the weather conditions during the holidays. Key venues such as the Wellington Waterfront were blocked off over New Years Eve, while much-anticipated festivals such as Rhythm and Vines and Coro Gold have left punters wet and upset during the holiday period. 

After turning his back on Australian viewers, iconic advertising character 'Rob the Dentist' has returned to our screens through a new campaign by ArnoldFurnace Sydney.

The character, who shot to fame through the McCarthy Watson & Spencer, Sydney campaign created by Doug Watson, Faie Davis and Patsy Peacock in 1982, will take Procter & Gamble's Oral-B into the social networking realm for the first time in Australia by fronting the brand's Facebook page.

'Rob the Dentist' last returned in 2003 to promote the Oral-B power toothbrush range. The ad featured a man in his towel with his back to the camera, while a voiceover explained that 'Rob' couldn't reveal his face as he was a dentist.

In his latest campaign, Rob will be as elusive as ever, taking care not to reveal his full identity.

Joel Cotter, Oral-B Brand Manager, said; "Rob has been responsible for some of the category's best performing and memorable campaigns. He is widely recognised and continues to intrigue Australian audiences. Rob gives Oral-B's marketing efforts a real point of difference in the category and we're excited to provide consumers with the opportunity to engage with Rob for the first time."

The Taboo Group, in partnership with Pachinko Pictures, has just released "Chuck's Lol-A-Coaster" a fully customized and interactive game for Chupa Chups (Stuart Alexander).

Taboo and Pachinko have spent the last six months working on the project and the result is a game comprised of fresh art and music where users ride the world's greatest and most frightening rollercoasters.

The game can be download free via the App Store and can be previewed here

Paul McIntyre from AdNews reports that Publicis Groupe is about to acquire the remaining 40% of Publicis Mojo (including its ZenithOptimedia media unit) for $50 million.

Mojo's largest local shareholder is Graeme Wills (far left, with deputy chairman and fellow shareholder Craig Davis). Other shareholders include Nicholas Davie and Belinda Rowe.

A radio campaign for Carlton MID beer, written by Richard Williams and Ant Phillips from  Clemenger BBDO Melbourne, has won the campaign and overall categories for round four of the 2012 Siren Awards. "Spending too much time with the wife?" is the next stage of Carlton MID's Stay a Little Longer campaign, which used humor to remind men about the need to spend time with their mates and drink beer.

Listen to Round 4 winning ads

On the back of one of its most successful years in the Queensland market, GPY&R has employed 21 new staff across the creative, digital and account management departments and transferred Sydney MD Phil McDonald to Brisbane as Y&R group managing director.

The group will also launch its specialist retail agency, Ideaworks, in Brisbane.

McDonald (left) has overseen a 2.5 year turn around at GPY&R Sydney, seeing it win a raft of new business including Emirates, Revlon, and several NSW Government pitches.

Colenso BBDO, Auckland's new cinema spot and web film for The New Zealand Book Council promotes books through the power they have to inspire and shape a person.

VIEW THE SPOT

Clemenger BBDO Wellington has appointed universally respected Brigid Alkema to creative director, working alongside ECD Philip Andrew (Duster).

Alkema began her career at Clemenger in 1999 when she was hired by Duster as one of the first young teams to join the newly merged agency.

Alkema did three years in Wellington before  heading to DDB Sydney, Clemenger BBDO Sydney and then a stint travelling the world.

Rejoining the agency in 2006 she went on to produce much of the agency's best work, turning a lot of it into Gold.

Hack Forth & Multiply is a 24 hour design challenge taking place from 12 noon Feb 1 to 12 noon Feb 2, 2012 (London time). 

It is giving designers around the world an opportunity to work on a 'live' brief from Not For Sale - the global campaign to fight human trafficking and slavery.

Participants will be required to name a Not For Sale project, create its identity and then apply that identity to specific media.

More than just a chance to create work that matters, there are also some fantastic prizes on offer.

More info and details on how to sign up

Global media agency Vizeum has entered the Australian market with the launch of Vizeum Sydney.

Nick Behr (pictured), has been appointed GM of Vizeum Sydney, from his previous role as MD of Media
Contacts Sydney.

Says Behr: "We will build and grow a dynamic and premium media agency brand in Australia with Vizeum. The Vizeum way is strategically led, with digital at its core.

Entries are now open for the 2012 Cannes Lions Awards with a closing deadline of March 9, 2012.

Entry to the Creative Effectiveness Lions is by invitation only, with a deadline of 17 February, 2012.

This year, two new categories have been added to the international competition - Mobile Lions and Branded Entertainment Lions.

Now in their 59th year, The Cannes Lions Awards continue to set the benchmark for international excellence in creative communication. The award winners will be announced at this year's Cannes International Festival of Creativity, 17 - 23 June.

Rosie Arnold, President of D&AD and Deputy Executive Creative Director at BBH London, will be at AdFest in Thailand this year to present a speaker session titled 'D&AD: 50 Years of Inspiring Creativity'.

"I have always wanted to travel to Thailand so I'm really looking forward to coming to AdFest to showcase 50 years of inspiring creativity at D&AD," says Arnold. "D&AD Black Pencils are still the hardest awards to win in advertising bar none, and winning a Black Pencil represents the pinnacle of an advertising creative's career. At Adfest 2012, creative professionals from across the Asia Pacific will have the chance to feast their eyes on five decades of Black Pencil-winning work."

Colenso BBDO, Auckland planning director James Hurman is leaving New Zealand to pursue a new role as planning partner at Ogilvy Shanghai.

Says Nick Garrett, Colenso BBDO's managing director: "It is with a mixture of great sadness and excitement that we say farewell to James. We are sad to be losing a colleague and a friend who has played an instrumental part in the agency's success.

"However we are excited for James and we know this will be a great adventure for him and his family. I'd like to thank James for his incredible contribution over the past four and a half years and we wish him well for the future."

Write yourself into the future of D&AD - enter the 2012 Awards now

The final deadline for entry (without incurring a 20% late fee) is Wednesday 1 February 2012.

Voyage through the extensive Awards Archive to showcase 49 of some of the very best shortlisted work over the last 50 years.

Friday (New York time) is the final deadline to enter the New York Festivals International Advertising Awards

ENTRY DETAILS.

This year, the International Advertising Awards streamlined its competitions and categories for efficiency and to reflect the current work being produced in the industry.  With 131 unique categories, this restructuring resulted in a 43% reduction in categories across all competitions. In addition, New York Festivals also enhanced the submission process, improving the user experience across the board and allowing entrants to simultaneously enter a single piece in multiple categories.

To celebrate 25 years as the fresh food people, Woolworth's has released a new spot using the original jingle and footage from commercials created by Leo Burnett Connaghan & May, Sydney in the late 80s.

Woolies held charity sausage sizzles at all stores today, matching gold coin donations dollar for dollar.

VIEW THE SPOT

CB Exclusive - Ogilvy Sydney has produced this 'Ned Kelly' Australia Day press ad for KFC which will appear in the papers tomorrow.

VIEW THE AD

Executive Creative Director: Brett Howlett
GCD: Michael Raso
Writer: Mietta McFarlane
Art Directors: Luke Chard, Rob Omodiagbe
Business Director: Scott Chalcraft

CB Exclusive - Clemenger BBDO Sydney and PepsiCo have launched a new brand campaign for Smith's potato chips on the eve of Australia Day 2012.

The TVC features iconic Australian actor, Stephen Curry (aka Dale 'I dug a hole' Kerrigan).

VIEW THE SPOT

To coincide with temperatures hitting 42 degrees in Perth at this time of year, RAC Roadside Assistance, via The Brand Agency, Perth has produced this special build, 3D poster on the remote Forrest Highway to remind motorists of the drawback of not being an RAC member.

VIEW THE POSTER

Official entry is now open to Australian and International light artists, designers, architects, lighting and pyrotechnic designers, students, graduates, creative industry companies and individuals to compete, create and exhibit in one of the world's most unique design and lighting trade shows.

Submit innovative and original lighting designs for competition, official selection and inclusion in Vivid Sydney 2012-Lights On! 25 May to 11 June 2012. Entries close 3 February, 2012.

Download Guidelines    Download Application Form 
For more information on Vivid Sydney

For all enquiries call 61 2 9357 5544 or email

CB Exclusive - After parting ways with Clemenger BBDO, Adelaide just over two weeks ago, creative directors Geoff Roberston and Greg Knagge (pictured l to r) have established their own business.

The new entity, called NATION, is described as a collective of strategic, creative and production people.

Says Knagge: "Our vision is to make NATION a place where employees feel like citizens and clients always feel welcome."

Plaza Films' director Samuel Bennetts has won FBI Radio's 'Best On Screen' award for his recent Bluejuice video 'Act Yr Age'.

The controversial video sees lead singer Jake Stone making out with a 70 year old grandmother in leafy Rushcutters Bay Park.

VIEW THE VIDEO

It's been 20 years since Sydney was rocked by headliners Nirvana in 1992 at the very first Big Day Out with Mercury cider as the supporting act.

And while they can't bring back Nirvana for festivalgoers in 2012, they can announce that founding partner Mercury is officially back on the festival line-up for the 20th anniversary with a limited edition pack and an experiential bar.

In a nod to its 100th anniversary, Mercury cider will be launching a vintage style commemorative 375ml can that will be available at Big Day Out Melbourne and Adelaide.

The historic Burrawang General Store Cafe in the beautiful Southern Highlands of NSW - the setting for a number of TV commercials and photographic shoots over the years -  has reopened.

It now has a new proprietor, Steve Myers - who incidentally also works part-time on ad sales for Campaign Brief and Bestads (hence the plug on the blog!)

The restaurant offesr fine food and it's fully licenced - with one of the best wine lists in the Southern Highlands. It's open for lunch Thursday to Sunday (including Australia Day), dinner Friday and Saturday, and breakfast Saturday and Sunday. Or you can come in for a coffee any of those days. The store also offers fresh local (mainly organic) produce and gourmet products and fresh bread on Saturday and Sunday.

The store is diagonally opposite the famous Burrawang Hotel, which has just been named the Best Pub in NSW by the Sydney Morning Herald.

To book a meal or a function (including weddings and seminars) - or a shoot - call Steve Myers on +612 4886 4496 or 0423 344 453.

Known for her effervescent personality and natural sparkle, Jennifer Hawkins has been announced as the new brand ambassador for 'Mount Franklin' Lightly Sparking.
 
Ever since Hawkins sparkled her way into our hearts winning Miss Universe in 2004, she has dazzled the country with her bubbly, down-to-earth attitude.

Head of Coca-Cola Amatil Brands, Belinda Brennan said Jennifer was chosen because of her natural synergies with the brand.
 
Says Brennan: "We're thrilled to have Jennifer on board and we're looking forward to working with her on a number of exciting projects this year. She encapsulates all the attributes that 'Mount Franklin' Lightly Sparkling stands for - proudly Australian, positive, and vibrant."

The sponsorship of famous athletes has become the formula for selling sporting goods the world over.

To connect with the 99% of cyclists who aren't professionals, during the 2011 Tour de France, Giant Australia via Leo Burnett, Melbourne opened their sponsorships to everyone, offering an official contract to 30 everyday riders.

VIEW THE CONCEPT

BEST TV
I enjoyed the NY Lottery spot, but it came down to two. Lurpak or Nike? I really like all the Lurpak work and this one's a goody too. Simple, insightful, good classic TV stuff and watching it makes me want to cook and eat and I'm not even hungry. Lovely writing and the gruff American singing VO feels really right, even though it's a bit odd. The chopping red cabbage bit is my favorite part.
The winner for me is Nike KobeSystem. It's a big, ridiculous idea. I love the funny self-help guru gobbledygook writing. It's a cool way to sell a shoe and doesn't really feel like an ad. And I like the famous people endorsing a basketball shoe that have nothing to do with the sport. I saw the teasers the other day and they're even better.

Yellow, via DDB New Zealand, gave 12 businesses a set of advertising online tools. Then they measured how each of them did.

From florists to arborists, locksmiths to builders, a button was pushed and data was captured. It was then linked to live billboards and a website, where you could see the progress live of all the businesses together on a dashboard.

VIEW THE CONCEPT

This direct mail piece, created by Sydney-based Kastner & Partners for client Mariner Boating Holidays, demonstrates how easy it is to go sailing.

As the card is opened, the reader ties a perfect knot.

VIEW THE CONCEPT

Y&R NZ continues its reinvention with the key appointment of Scott Henderson as creative director of Y&R Wellington, effective February 1.

Henderson has worked in the Wellington market for the last decade, originally at Clemenger BBDO and for the last three years as associate CD at Saatchi & Saatchi, Wellington.

In this time he has consistently won both local and international awards for creativity, advertising craft and effectiveness, and been a significant contributor to new business success.

Says Josh Moore, ECD of Y&R NZ: "Wellington has a small tight creative community and it's very hard to prise great people out of other agencies, so we are very happy to have recruited not only one of the capital's best creatives, but also a great CD.

CB Exclusive - DDB Group Melbourne has bolstered its creative department with four new hires.

 
Most notably Eamonn Dixon (left) from Leo Burnett Melbourne. His work has been recognised at some of the world's best award shows, including Spikes, Adfest and One Show. He capped off 2011 with two Silver Awards at YoungGuns and the coveted Gold Siren for Australian Radio Campaign of the Year.
 
Says DDB Melbourne ECD Grant Rutherford:  "Eamonn is quite the stuff. He's bloody clever, a nice bloke and loves monkeys as much as I like dolphins. He's one piece of the creative jigsaw puzzle we've been eager to find."

Multi Channel Network (MCN) today announced the launch of an integrated campaign, for Garnier Men Mineral Deodorants in an exclusive tie-up with the Comedy Channel's Balls of Steel Australia.

Garnier has signed as the principal sponsor of the hit series - the Comedy Channel's highest-rating program.

The 10-week campaign, targeting males aged 16-39, will launch on January 29th. Game show legend, John Burgess, joins the Balls of Steel Australia cast in its second series and will also be the new face of Garnier Men Mineral Deodorant.

VIEW 'BALLS OF STEEL' PROMO

On behalf of their client Sony Pictures Releasing, media agency UM has teamed with sister company Ensemble to produce a series of large interactive 3D chalk drawings to promote the January 26 cinema release of "Underworld Awakening" in 3D.  

The fourth installment of the highly successful Underworld movie franchise has just opened to Number 1 at the US box office and Sony Pictures aims to create the same success in Australia with unique and original marketing activity like these chalk drawings.  
 
The chalk drawing using a 3D effect attracts fans by creating the illusion that they are 'entering the Underworld'.  Fans can have their photos taken interacting within the artwork, which are printed instantly as a take-away, as well as being uploaded to their own or Sony Pictures' Facebook page prompting social sharing. The interactions are targeted to high pedestrian traffic areas including Melbourne's Federation Square, Sydney's Pitt Street Mall and Parramatta Mall.
 
Client: Sony Pictures Releasing
Project: Underworld Awakening
Agencies: UM and Ensemble
Artists: Anton Pulvirenti and Rudy Kistler
 
 

Fifty-six of the advertising industry's most acclaimed professionals from around the world have been selected to judge the 37th annual One Show, One Show Design and One Show Interactive Awards.

Included, are Leslie Ali from The Jamboree Sydney and Andy Fackrell from DDB NZ.

Produced by The One Club, the renowned international creative awards competitions will be held during Creative Week May 7-13, 2012, in New York City.

 

Betstar, the family owned online betting company run by well-known bookmakers Alan and Michael Eskander, has appointed Whybin\TBWA Melbourne as their creative agency of record.

The appointment comes after a pitch at the end of last year.

Betstar has been in the market for 5 years and is looking to grow the member base and increase brand awareness. Mediacom are the media agency partner for Betstar.

On Friday, January 20, 2012, David Droga, founder and creative chairman at Droga5  was honored by the American Australian Association & G'Day USA.

Each year the AAA as part of Australia Week celebrates 2 prominent Australians. Previous G'Day honorees include Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett and James Gorman.

The award ceremony took place before a crowd of more than 800 people at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City.

Hosted by Jamie Durie, an Australian television personality, the evening featured performances from the Qantas Choir, Jack Vidgen and Guy Sebastian.

Other guests included The Australian Deputy Prime Minister, Wayne Swan and ambassador to the United States Kim Beazley. Droga was introduced by Bob Isherwood, former worldwide creative director of Saatchi & Saatchi and now an adjunct professor at Vanderbilt University.

Update - As reported exclusively last week by CB, ING Direct has officially announced the three agencies who will manage the bank's creative, digital and media buying accounts.

Droga5 has been appointed as creative agency; Soap will develop and manage its digital marketing and UM will oversee its media buying strategy.

ING Direct's executive director customer, Brett Morgan said: "We're very happy to kick off 2012 with our new agencies, who will partner with us to deliver on ING Direct's innovative and customer focused position in the market. We look forward to a long and rewarding relationship with all agencies and are keen to get started."