Aussie expat creative Reed Collins, who is a CD at Leo Burnett Chicago, has created a series of deliciously weird and whacky spots for chocolate dipped Altoids.

Tooheys New, via Saatchi & Saatchi Sydney, has just launched on their website,

Tallmen

, the second TVC execution of the 'For the Love of Beer' campaign.
Following on from last year’s 'Catapult' spot, Tallmen, which goes launches on free to air TV Sunday night, sees Tooheys New introduce more than a few inflatable friends to the neighbourhood.
Tallmen lies at the heart of a fully integrated, multi touch point campaign which will see the ad, its characters and/or themes carried across FTA and Pay TV, cinema, the net and Tooheys New sponsored events such as the Super 14s, International 7s Rugby and the AJC’s Autumn Carnival. The brand will also have a strong presence at the point of purchase in venues across the country.
Says Saatchi & Saatchi Executive Creative Director, David Nobay: “Twenty foot monster revellers, a delivery of great Tooheys New beer and Tom Jones supplying the essential groove? Who wouldn’t want to be at our street party? Tooheys New is about good times for all – not just a few lucky mates down at the end of the bar. Tallmen explodes this ideal into something a bit special."

Agency: Saatchi & Saatchi
Executive Creative Director: David Nobay
Art Director: Pete Buckley
Copywriter: Tim Brown
Agency Producer: Scott McBurnie
Director: Tom Kuntz
Producer: Nell Jordan
Production Company: MJZ and Walkabout Films
Post Production: Guillotine and Fanatic Films
Music Title & Artist: 'Help Yourself' Tom Jones
Music Production: Nylon Studios
Group Business Director: Sasha Orr
Senior Business Manager: Sarah Quinn

With a host of international awards, including the Grand Prix at Kinsale, Gold at Clio and Silver at Cannes, Campaign Press and AWARD, and wide ranging experience across every possible category, creative heavyweight Mike Preston has taken up the creative director post at Peach Advertising, Newastle - which is owned by the STW Group.
Says Peach’s Managing Director, Lynn Poole: "Mike's big thinking, his insights and experience will benefit every job he tackles at Peach, both large and small. His fresh approach will deliver the competitive advantage our clients are looking for."
Preston has already produced work for many Peach clients including NSW CountryLink, National Heart Foundation and the Cancer Institute of NSW.
"It’s a real adventure", said Preston, "and a unique opportunity to work with such impressive clients, right here in Newcastle."
Preston began working with international clients in his hometown of London before moving to Australia in 1985. He has had various stints in Sydney since, including FCB, SSB, McCann-Erickson, George Patterson Bates and Clemenger BBDO.
Says Preston: "Ideas are what drive me. Solving the brief in a new and relevant way is the goal. I imagine I’m having a conversation with a person in the target market. Like most people they want to know 'what’s in it for me?' They also want to be entertained, intrigued, or emotionally touched. My role is also to nurture and champion the ideas created by the talented people at Peach, whichever department they work in."

Barely eight weeks into his new job as DDB New Zealand’s Executive Creative Director, Toby Talbot is driving a whirlwind of creative change through the agency.
Four new creatives come onboard next month to add depth to the existing team, and more hirings are likely.
Joining new Art Director Emmanuel Bougneres, formerly with Publicis Mojo Auckland, who’s returning from a brief OE with Jung Von Matt in Stuttgart, is the Perth-based creative team Joe Hawkins and Brett Colliver, currently working at Gatecrasher.
Talbot describes the Australian team as ‘hungry and talented - the best combination: “There’s a tradition of young teams from Perth coming here and doing really well. Western Australia, like New Zealand, is geographically remote and seems to foster free-thinkers. Creatively, it’s a parallel universe to ours."
“Joe and Brett have a clutch of awards and have proved themselves locally, but now they’re ready to step up. We’re delighted to be bringing them over and they’re very excited by the challenge."
Adds Talbot: “This is not change for change sake. I’m just mixing the great talent that’s already here with fresh perspectives and different outlooks. New energy and new approaches are the lifeblood of all agencies. DDB is no different."
In the interactive space, Greg Forsyth at Tribal DDB has secured Chris Jones as DDB’s new Senior Interactive Art Director. Moving from Saatchi & Saatchi, where he was a rising star in the interactive department, Jones was responsible for the bulk of the agency’s award-winning interactive work over the past two years, such as the Young Guns website.
Says Forsyth: “Chris is a fantastic asset. He’ll have a roving brief across every department. He did really well at Saatchi’s, but now he’s ready for a bigger canvas."

Ben Eagleton and Andrew Clarkson, two of Sydney’s most respected, experienced and talented colourists, have left The Lab to establish a stand alone colour grading facility called Bean Colour.
This is a unique development by being the only facility in Australia dedicated purely to colouring. Using state of the art technology, in a creative and professional environment, Bean Colour will provide a specialised and distinctive colour grading service for commercials, feature films, long form, new media and music videos.
Bean Colour will be located in a central location in Surry Hills and is due to open its doors within the next two months.
While their premises are being completed and the new suites installed, Ben and Andrew are available for bookings as usual using the facilities at Cutting Edge in Chippendale. Cutting Edge has the Spirit 4K and Da Vinci 2K Plus with Tool Box, widely regarded as the best telecine in the world.
Full details on equipment and exact location will be revealed soon, but suffice to say, Bean Colour will be an exciting and impressive new facility.
For any further information, or to make a booking please contact Bean Colour on 9918 9435 or 0404 110 580 or email them on info@beancolour.com.

Director Rodd Martin has parted company with Melbourne-based production company The Guild, and teamed with producer Gordon Westman to join UFO Films, Sydney & Asia.
Westman (right) has worked in film, television and commercials for the past 10 years. He originally trained as a first assistant director and worked on feature films - “Two Hands" and “Star Wars", before honing his production skills on “Wildside" and the acclaimed "Love My Way".
Says Martin (centre): "Gordo has a vast filmmaking knowledge, is passionate, energetic and has really cool glasses"
Says Les Luxford (left), UFO’s founder, Director and Exec Producer: “Rodd is an idea driven guy which is reflected in his seven AWARD pencils and current #64 spot in Campaign Brief’s Hottest 100 Creatives Ramkings. He and Gordon make a great team and things have already started to happen both here and in Asia".
UFO can be contacted on 02 9247 1123 or at www.ufofilm.com.au

McCann-Erickson Brisbane has appointed former SO&M Melbourne ECD Adam Searle (right) as creative director, effective May. He will replace interim CD Andrew Thompson, who will remain with the agency as a senior writer.
Thompson joined the agency from George Patts Y&R Brisbane last year as a short-term replacement for the high profile Rem Bruijn (now creative partner at Make).
Craig Coke (left), managing director of McCann Erickson Brisbane, said Searle’s appointment, Thompson’s continuing senior role and other new senior moves at the agency, not yet announced, recognised the accelerating Queensland business environment where clients are deepening their State-based infrastructures and consumer connections, as well as expanding across Australia and internationally.
As well as an extensive career in advertising, Searle is also formerly marketing director of the Ray Group – a leading Queensland resort-property developer. In this role, he was responsible for the successful Salt Village "One Perfect Day" campaign as well as the launch of New Hotham.
Prior to joining McCann Brisbane, Searle has been running his own creative consultancy working for Queensland, Sydney and Melbourne agencies, as well as clients including Reverse Corp, Ray Group, Resort Corp, UB Creative and Wizard Home Loans.
In the Nineties Searle was a senior creative at Singleton Ogilvy & Mather, Sydney eventually promoted to a creative director gig in 1998. He was appointed executive creative director of Singleton Ogilvy & Mather Melbourne in 2004 and his career includes creative leadership on brands such as KFC, Qantas, Crown Casino, NSW Lotteries, Lion Nathan Brewing, Collins Foods, George Western Foods, Telstra, Unilever, Myer, Australia Post, AAMI, Beaurepaires, Motorola, Kraft, BP, Bonland Dairies, Kodak and Mattel.
“McCann Brisbane has a terrific creative pedigree and a very strong client base. The opportunity to take on creative leadership at the agency is a very rare opportunity," said Searle. “I am looking forward to working with Craig, Andrew, the senior team and the agency’s clients."

Saatchi & Saatchi Sydney's digital creative group head Sean Ganann is joining hot New York independent shop Anomaly, and will be replaced by award-winning digital creative, Brian Merrifield (above) from Saatchi's Auckland office.
Ganann (pictured below) joined Saatchi's from the CD gig at NetX, Sydney in late 2005, fresh from working on the digital components of the multi award-winning Virgin Mobile 'Jason Donovan' campaign in conjunction with Host and The Glue Society.
Merrifield comes across the Tasman in May after nine years at the NZ office where won numerous gold, silver and bronze gongs at Cannes, The One Show, AWARD and AXIS.
Merrifield will report directly to David Nobay on everything digital for the agency.
Says Saatchi & Saatchi, David Nobay ECD: “Brian is just what we have been looking for, a digital ideas person with an outstanding portfolio."
Adds Saatchi & Saatchi, CEO, Simone Bartley: “Brian is as much a Digital strategist as he is creative. There is no question he will add considerable weight to our digital team."
At Anomaly, Ganann will be a part of a diverse creative leadership team that includes: Mike Byrne (content), Andrew Kibble (design) and Johnny Vulkan (innovations).
Says Ganann: “I have been in this business for over 11 years and I am ready for new challenge, but I did not want to do advertising, nor did I want to be pigeon-holed in a strictly digital business. Anomaly astounded me with their comprehensive view of communications across all platforms. Simply put, Anomaly affords me the best opportunity to do something that has never been done before."
“It has always been about talent and how best to use it. Sean is clearly one of the best at what he does. His arrival creates a powerful creative combination – where anything is possible," Says Anomaly partner Carl Johnson.

The AWARD Membership have cast their votes for the AWARD Executive Committee 2007, their choices deciding the fate of a record number of nominees standing for this year’s positions. 17 people vied for only four spots on the regional Committee.
“We are very pleased with the overwhelming support and nominations for the AWARD 2007 Committee and we welcome new members Dejan Rasic, Gavin McLeod, Buzz Pringle and Mark Stott to the 2007 Executive Committee," says Co-chair Paul Prince.
“I agree wholeheartedly with Paul – never before have we had so many diverse skills represented," added Philip Putnam, Co-chair.
Lucy Mckee, General Manager of AWARD adds; “2007’s agenda is another very rewarding one for AWARD Membership and the future generation of members. There is a strong focus on developing programmes across the region, with CopySchool conducted in NSW, VIC, QLD and NZ plus the addition of AWARD Craft to Melbourne being just some of the examples. Consolidation of some existing facets of the organisation will be also crucial."
The full Committee met yesterday (27th March) at the AWARD offices in Sydney to allocate the portfolios and devise the strategic development for 2007 and beyond.
AWARD Members will be soon invited to nominate their choices for the 2007 judging panels.

The 2007 Full Committee:
Paul Prince – The Sweet Shop, Auckland (Co-Chairman)
Philip Putnam – Morden Putnam, Sydney (Co-Chairman)
Buzz Pringle – Stellar Sound, Sydney
Dejan Rasic – Lowe Hunt, Sydney
Gavin McLeod – M&C Saatchi, Sydney
Mark Stott – Common, Sydney
Olly Taylor - Host, Sydney
Simon Langley – BMF, Sydney
Simon Cox – Publicis Mojo, Sydney
Shaun Branagan - Netx, Sydney
Ben O’Brien – DDB Sydney
Richard White-Smith – Euro RSCG, Sydney
Natalie Ambrosini – George Patterson Y&R, Brisbane
Annie Price – Grey Melbourne
Richard Muntz – George Patterson Y&R, Melbourne
Paul Catmur – George Patterson Y&R, Melbourne
Toby Talbot – DDB NZ, Auckland
Chris Bellears – Clemenger Tasmania, Hobart
Adam Barker – Gatecrasher, Perth
Greg Knagge – Clemenger BBDO, Adelaide
Tay Guan Hin – JWT South East Asia

Lucy Mckee – AWARD
Angelika Wachs – AWARD
Pauline Smyth - AWARD

Pic shows some of the Committee members: Mark Stott, Chris Bellears, Lucy Mckee, Philip Putnam, Angelika Wachs, Pauline Smyth, Paul Catmur, Simon Cox,
Buzz Pringle, Gavin McLeod, Olly Taylor and Paul Prince

The independent agency showcase
Julian Boulding – Founder, thenetworkone;
Rob Belgiovane – Creative Director, BWM Sydney;
Jon Kamen – Founder, @radical media USA
Sunday 17 June, 2007
12:15 - 13:00 (Debussy)

Following last year’s success, thenetworkone and BWM return to Cannes this year with an all-new ‘Independent agency showcase’.
Julian Boulding, Founder of thenetworkone and Rob Belgiovane, Executive Creative Director of Australia’s leading independent agency BWM, will provide brief keynotes on how the independents continue to rattle the cages of the traditional networks, and attract major multinational advertisers prepared to ‘think differently’.
This year Jon Kamen, a prominent member of the Titanium Lions jury, will also contribute a challenging and provocative perspective on the agency scene.
Kamen is Chairman and CEO of @radical.media, a unique, global, multiplatform content company. In addition to producing award-winning commercials – two Cannes Palme d’ Or awards as well as numerous D&AD and One Show pencils and Clio and Art Directors’ Club medals – the company is known for its success in feature films, including the Academy Award winning ‘The Fog of War’; television programmes including the Emmy winning series ‘10 Days that Unexpectedly Changed America’; music programming including the Grammy winning ‘Concert for George’; photography; graphic and interactive design; and the emerging field of branded content.
Then there will be the chance to hear two of the leading independent agencies at Cannes Lions 2007 present their work. Last year, the seminar featured BWM’s own work for Telstra Bigpond, and 180 Amsterdam presenting their work for Adidas, Cannes Lions Advertiser of the Year in 2006.
This year’s selection will have a strong element of branded content and other non-traditional media.
Following the seminar there will be an informal drinks reception where participants can meet and mingle with some of the leading independent agencies at Cannes 2007.

On March 22nd, Miss Bossy Boots launched herself into the dynamic world of fashion, partnering top industry stylists and hair & make-up artists with the collective talents of her 11 award winning photographers.
Conceived in 1999 by Veronica Moore and her husband, photographer Garry Moore - the agency has since been involved in numerous advertising campaigns and is now delving into the world of fashion.
Held at Miss Bossy Boots’ studio in Prahran, Melbourne - over 150 fashion and advertising clients mingled as images produced by her talent were projected on to two large screens across the studio. Collaborating with Kit Cosmetics, the ladies at the event were given a variety of coloured lip glosses to get them in the mood. Even the men got lucky with specially formulated men’s lip glosses being handed out.
Recently taking on the talents of celebrity stylist Philip Boon, Hair & Make up artist Narelle Hall and fashion photographer Christian Blanchard, Miss Bossy Boots launched the event to reveal the full extent of her photographic and production services.

CAPTIONS (from top):

Philip Boon (MissBossyBoots Stylist), Narelle Hall (MissBossyBoots Hair & Makeup) and Christian Blanchard (MissBossyBoots Photographer)

Belinda Slade and Ben Couzens (George Patterson Y&R)

Joanne Davic (Badjar) and Veronica Moore (MissBossyBoots)

Pat Baron (Freelance), Samantha Lee (MissBossyBoots) and Greg Edwards (Badjar)

Scott Hignett (See), Pat Baron (Freelance) and Garry Moore (MissBossyBoots Photographer)

Phil Van Bruchem (JWT) and Andrea Le Sueur (MissBossyBoots)

Bonds has launched a major media drive to support its new range of Hoodies and Hipster Lites.
The campaign, which signals a new strategic direction for the brand, is the first work from The Campaign Palace, Sydney following their successful retention of the Bonds account late last year.
Hoodies and Hipster Lites are supported with new TVC’s, extensive outdoor and POS.
The Campaign Palace, Sydney creative director Georgia Arnott said the Hoodies TV execution neatly captured the notion of creating your personal space: “Depending on where you are in life, you use that personal space differently. There is an energy and excitement as we see two young people running, yet we’re not sure where they’re going. It’s not until we reach the end of the ad that we see their destination was each other. And the Hoodie gives them the personal space to share an intimate moment."

Credits – Hipster Lites
Creative Director: Georgia Arnott
Art Director: Kirsty Gavin
Writer: Rupert Taylor
Producer: Meredyth Judd
Production Company: The Sweet Shop
Director: Noah Marshall
Producer: Tony Wyman

Credits – Hoodies
Creative Director: Georgia Arnott
Art Director: Madeline Smith
Writer: Jen Speirs
Producer: Meredyth Judd
Production Company: The Sweet Shop
Director: Noah Marshall
Producer: Tony Wyman

Richard Selbourne, creative director on McDonalds at DDB Sydney, is leaving the agency at the end of next week to return to the UK.
Selbourne told CB Blog: "I've thoroughly enjoyed my time at DDB, but my job spec has changed considerably since I arrived. Going forward, the opportunities for me seem to be better in the UK than they are out here, which is why I'm heading home. I can't say anything yet, but I'm hoping to be able to announce a new position within the first two weeks of April."
Says Matt Eastwood, national ECD of DDB: "Richard has been a big part of DDB during his time here. He was a great help and courageously stepped into the breach as Acting Creative Director when we were between Creative Directors before I came on board.
"He did some great work on McDonald’s, most recently contributing the brilliant new Happy Meals campaign to the mix. And he’s done great work on brands like Continental and The Daily/Sunday Telegraph. Richard will be sorely missed and we of course wish him all the very best."
Before being lured to DDB Sydney in June 2005, Selbourne was a CD of Leo Burnett London, where he worked on McDonald’s, Kellogg and Morgan Stanley.
He has also has stints at GGT and CDP. He began his career at DDB London.

Tracey Rowe and Lee Thomson - after many happy years - have left Silverscreen. Says Thomson: "We are currently filming in Argentina and will be back to find a new home after Easter.
"If you wish to contact us re: availability please email me at lee@grandlargeinc.com or to obtain a copy of Tracey’s reel please call Penny at Portfolio and Reel."

Leo Burnett Sydney creatives Chris McMullen (Art Director) and Will Edwards (Copywriter) have jumped ship to join Clemenger BBDO, Sydney.
Since teaming up in December 2005 the pair have produced a raft of work during their brief tenure including Tiger Beer 'Unravel the secret', Bundy Fine Form Awards and Subaru's latest 'Tuned by STI' campaign.
Prior to Leos, Edwards was at FNL Communications working primarily on Sony and Harley Davidson whilst McMullen was at Arnold working on the highly awarded Skins for women and Levis De-constructed campaigns.
The pair will be working for creative director/group head Rocky Ranallo alongside recently appointed Digital Creative Nathan Hackstock.

As expected by several insiders a few weeks back, George Patterson Y&R is about to drop its case against former George Patts Y&R Melbourne creatives Ant Keogh and Grant Rutherford, the guys who created the "Big Ad", as well as "Boony" co creator Josh Stephens. The Patts case will continue against former Patts Melbourne ECD James McGrath (now ECD of Clems Melbourne), former MD Anthony Heraghty (now regional marketing director of Fosters) and Pacific Equity Partners. A new statement of claim will be lodged today which may include other former GPY&R executives.

Google paid a hefty price for YouTube, but after six months, advertisers still are taking a wait-and-see approach as the company tries to figure out a viable advertising model than can make money without alienating users. Meanwhile, Viacom has filed a $1 billion copyright-infringement lawsuit against Google, hinting that mainstream content producers aren't going to sit idly by and let their content be streamed for free.

QUESTION: Do you think Google's $1.65 billion purchase of YouTube was worth it?

While the two award presentations lacked previous sparkle and excitement there was plenty of good work and good times at AdFest, held over four days in Pattaya, Thailand late last week.
AdFest, the region's most popular awards festival, celebrated its 10th anniversary this year and a panel of 51 judges across nine categories viewed 5012 entries. In total around 1600 delegates attended including Campaign Brief Asia with camera in hand.
Big name judges included Dave Droga from Droga5 USA and TBWA worldwide CD John Hunt from TBWA\Hunt Lascaris, Johannesburg. Special guests included former Leo Burnett worldwide CD Michael Conrad and Donald Gunn.
Big parties were thrown by McCann-Erickson, Dentsu and BBDO. More intimate gatherings we also attended were hosted by TBWA, JWT, Adobo Manila and Matching Studio Bangkok.
Here are some great moments from AdFest.

A fireworks display made out of animated Tic Tacs was created to launch a larger pack size for the iconic product, created by Belgiovane Williams Mackay, Sydney.
Directed by Luke Savage from Flying Fish in New Zealand, the campaign is a celebration of more Tic Tacs, showing Tic Tacs bursting out of the packets and exploding into even more Tic Tacs.
“The BWM creative team chose stop-frame animation for this campaign as a tribute to the cool, iconic Tic Tac brand," said Rob Belgiovane, BWM Executive Creative Director. “The result is a testament to the patience of a creative team committed to a perfect outcome."
The commercial was all created in-camera over a three-day shoot, in a studio in Auckland.
“We wanted it to look like the kind of commercial that could have been made in the 70s, all created in camera and with an authentic feel," Savage said. “The whole creative team was of the same strong view in this regard."
The authenticity of the campaign was also achieved by using everything real – from the Tic Tacs to the mint and pieces of orange and peel, said BWM creative Jon Burden. “Painstaking hours were spent pushing Tic Tacs, mint and orange around on a piece of black felt. Luke’s collaborative nature meant we got the best out of the three-day shoot and it kept things fun."
Savage said: “The highlight for me is the quadruple explosion at the end. That was the longest shot, it took 4.5 hours. At the end each new frame was taking 10 minutes, with about 100 Tic Tacs that each had to be moved 3mm at a time. We had to go through it meticulously to make sure every Tic Tac had been moved – if we left even one out, we’d have to do it again."
Savage’s animation experience has always taken varied approaches. He has tried everything from the children’s toy Magnadoodles to a photocopier, as well as techniques like claymation and hi-res digital photography.
Agency producer Abby Hunt said finding a director who specialises in such a niche field as stop motion animation was a bit of a journey. “We spoke to a director in the US who ball-parked the production budget at US$500,000. Then a magazine called C2 landed on my desk with an article on Luke, who had just done a stop frame animation job for Wieden & Kennedy Portland. We knew from the first time we chatted to him that he was the man for the job."
Producer Anna Stuart from Flying Fish sums it up: “I hate to think how many Tic Tacs we went through. I think we all got an addiction."
The campaign is airing in Western Australia as a test market.

Creative Director: Adam Hunt
Creative Team: Jon Burden and Jake Rusznyak
Producer: Abby Hunt
Executive Creative Director: Rob Belgiovane
Production Company: Flying Fish NZ
Director: Luke Savage
Producers: James Moore and Anna Stewart
Editor: Jodie Gallacher @ Winning Post

Continuing their acquisition and expansion strategy across the Asia Pacific region, the Omnilab Media Group, the Region's largest, privately owned, vertically integrated content development and media service business, today announced it had acquired financially troubled Oktobor, New Zealand’s leading visual effects company. The purchase of Oktobor will be fully backed by the resources of Omnilab Media Group to maintain and grow its status as one of the top 20 VFX companies in the world.
Christopher Mapp (pictured), Managing Director of Omnilab said, “The acquisition of Oktobor is an important strategic investment by the Omnilab Media Group and furthers our long term commitment to growth in New Zealand and across Asia Pacific. We already have a strong presence in the New Zealand market through AAV and DubSat New Zealand and we will be looking to bring Oktobor together with these Omnilab brands to provide significant extra value to our clients and give Oktobor tremendous new capabilities in asset management and delivery."
Oktobor founder Geoff Dixon, one of New Zealand’s most highly regarded commercials directors said, “I feel very proud with the creative achievements that Oktobor has enjoyed. I am positive that as part of such an exciting new family, these creative achievements will continue. I would like to convey my gratitude to the staff and all our clients that have supported us thus far helping make Oktobor the great company that it is. We are all looking forward to a very bright future."
Oktobor’s General Manager Patrick McAteer described the acquisition by Omnilab as a ‘fantastic and very positive move for the staff and the New Zealand market, providing the backing to enable Oktobor to reach a new level of creative service that will maintain our presence as a high end visual effects company, both locally and globally. We’re excited about the opportunities being part of the Omnilab Media Group creates to extend our work with current clients and attract new business opportunities.’
The New Zealand market responded positively to the news with Marty Collins, Head of TV for Clemenger BBDO commenting, ‘this is the best news in what has already been a turbulent year. We are of course delighted that Oktobor will continue to operate in NZ, providing the same outstanding level of expertise and creativity they have sustained since inception. NZ needs a strong competitive post production environment that meets world class standards."
Jen Story, Head of TV for Colenso BBDO said ‘We've enjoyed doing some great work with Oktobor in the past and it now sounds like we can look forward to a positive future with the clever creative people that make Oktobor what it is."
Ian Gibbons, managing Director of Exile Films said ‘Great news about the Omnilab Media Group acquiring Oktobor, in my opinion it couldn’t be a better marriage. Not only is it encouraging knowing we still have a competitive top end market in post production in Auckland, but we will certainly be looking forward to the advancements in technology. I am looking forward to our continuing working relationship with the great team at Oktobor."
Christopher Mapp concluded: “I am very impressed with the strength of the Oktobor brand, its creative reputation and the commitment and passion of its entire staff. We are delighted that Oktobor is now a key part of the Omnilab Media Group and look forward to growing Oktobor’s capability in the advertising, entertainment and corporate markets. We will be working closely with Geoff Dixon and Patrick McAteer to help realize the further growth potential for the company."

M&C Saatchi has made some significant changes in its creative offering in the Sydney office with a number of key promotions.
The first promotion is Ben Welsh (pictured), who becomes executive creative director after eight years at the agency.
In addition, the agency now has three creative directors: Michael Andrews, Oliver Devaris and Graham Johnson.
All three will continue to have responsibility for individual clients, with Devaris and Johnson continuing their high profile work for LA clients including San Diego Zoo as well as the Sydney agencies biggest clients.
Said Tom McFarlane, regional creative director: “These are exceptional creatives who have a great history together. I’ve been working with Ben for 12 years, Oli and Graham have been together at M&C Saatchi for more than six years, Michael and Ben have worked her together for more than five years.
“The beauty of these guys is that they are grown ups and can deal with big clients as well as create great work. They are responsible for the overall output from the creative department and their influence, talent and guidance for all teams is invaluable."

Kindred, Sydney has created the latest TV campaign for Rexona to air during Dancing
with the Stars, with a series of spots featuring costumed hand puppets dancing with deodorant cans.
The Rexona Women cans dance together without missing a beat, reflecting the deodorant’s core benefit, ‘works in sync with your body.’
Directed by Filmgraphics' Phil Meatchem, the campaign includes the major 30-second spot and two 10-second cut downs.

Agency: Kindred
Creative director: Kieren Flanagan
Copywriter: Andy Healy
Producer: David Steindl
Production House: Filmgraphics Productions
Director: Phil Meatchem
Producer: Jo Jordan
Editor: Sue Schweikert
Post Production: Frame, Set & Match
Sound: Sound Reservoir

After just over a year at Naked Communications, Sydney, Chris Round has left to take a more flexible approach and concentrate on consulting and project work, a number of which he has started already.
Round, who as Head of Ideas played a large part in their AdNews Agency of the year award, says it’s been vital to get a different perspective on where the industry is moving: “It’s been great to work with the pioneers of media neutrality and it validated my beliefs of how brands should communicate. I can now apply what I’ve learnt into creative execution."
The Cannes DM Grand Prix (Jim Beam) winning creative, formerly of Y&R and M&C Saatchi, also says his photography has also taken a back seat in recent years. “Hopefully a degree of flexibility will allow me to further develop the technique I created a few years back," said Round.
Round is available for project/consulting work and his work can be viewed at

Oblong Creative

He can be contacted on round@oblongcreative.com or 0410 663 535.

Marketforce and creative director Andrew Tinning (pictured) had a big night at the Oasis/ Campaign Brief awards in Perth, attended by a record 800+ crowd. Five out of the seven major awards - best print single, best print campaign, best tv single, best tv campaign and best out of home plus client of the year in Lottery West and the big one: Campaign Brief WA Agency of the Year.
This is the third year in a row a Marketforce client has won client of the year (Rad Saftey WA last year and Brownes the year before).
Les Corner from the West Australian was named Adpersdon of the Year, while Gatecrasher and The Brand Agency won Best Radio single and campaign respectively

The Issue
Climate change is the most significant threat to life on Earth. One way to slow the current rate of global warming is to get each individual to make small adjustments to the way they live. To achieve individual change we need to demonstrate how simple and easy the changes are.

The solution
An event that gets full community involvement in a simple action that will make a difference. WWF-Australia and Fairfax invite all Sydney households and businesses to turn off their lights for one hour at 7.30pm on 31st March 2007 – this is Earth Hour.

Earth Hour has the full support of the Premier of NSW, the Lord Mayor of the City of Sydney, and all city and emergency services.

The Objectives
- Get as many individuals, households and businesses as possible to turn off their lights as a symbolic statement about the greatest contributor to climate change (coal-fired electricity)
- Educate the community on the threat of global warming and what each individual can do to make a difference in their day-to-day activities to reduce their emissions
- Get corporate participants to communicate Earth Hour through internal and external channels and commit to turn off their lights on the night
- Provide precedent for an annual event and seek involvement from other cities across Australia and around the world
- Measure the change in Sydney’s greenhouse gas emissions, aiming for a 5% reduction in the year following Earth Hour.

The Message
Commercial Sector
If Australia’s commercial sector turned off lights when buildings weren’t in use and combined this action with other cost effective technology they could reduce lighting emissions by 70%, this would save 2-4 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. Earth Hour aims to show these companies how easy and cost efficient these changes can be through case studies of companies that have already achieved massive reductions in their emissions. Earth Hour is working with 3CBDs, a City of Sydney initiative which aims to reduce the climate change impact of office buildings.

Households
We want each individual to understand that electricity consumption is a direct contributor to global warming and that small actions by every individual can make a big difference. When households sign up to take part in Earth Hour they will receive a pack with all the information and tools they need to cut their emissions (and their energy bill).
If all Australian households simply turned off unused lighting and appliances on standby at the power point it would reduce Australia’s emissions by at least 5 million tonnes per annum.

The Facts
- 69% of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions come from energy production (CSIRO)
- October 2006 was by far the hottest October on record for NSW with the state wide average maximum temperature more than 3.2ºC above the historical average of 24.4ºC (records since 1950). Australian Government- Bureau of Meteorology
- By 2100, up to 15,000 Australians could die every year from heat-related illnesses and the dengue transmission zone could reach as far south as Brisbane and Sydney if we continue to allow [greenhouse gas] emissions to increase. (Australian Medical Association).

CREDITS

Leo Burnett: Management
Nigel Marsh – Chairman
Tim Castree – Managing Director

Leo Burnett: Planning
Todd Sampson – National Planning Director

Leo Burnett: Creatives
Mark Collis – National Creative Director
Michael Spirkovski – Creative Group Head
Grant McAloon - Senior Copywriter

Leo Burnett: Account Service
Hazel Livingstone - Group Business Director
Jodi McLeod – Business Manager
Sam McGown – Business Manager

Leo Burnett: Production
Paddy Morahan – Creative Services Director

Leo Burnett: Traffic
Michelle Palmer – Traffic Manager

Leo Burnett: TV
Adrian Shapiro - Agency Producer

Cherub Pictures
Justin Kurzel – Director
Pip Smart – Producer
Maggie Lake – Production Manager
Stella Drivas – Production Assistant
Anna Howard – DOP
Paul Shakeshaft – Camera Assistant
Claire Atkins – Clapper Loader
Paul Booth – Gaffer
Jack Whiddon – Props Buyer

Leo Burnett: Earth Hour Brand
Michael Spirkovski – Creative Group Head
Grant McAloon – Senior Copywriter

IKEA Australia East has appointed Sydney agency Host to handle its advertising business following a global IKEA directive to review all long-term supplier contracts. The pitch included incumbent agency BMF, which has held the IKEA account since April 2001, Love and The Campaign Palace.
IKEA Communications Manager Julie Barber said, “During the pitch process, we found a new advertising partner in Host who we believe is perfectly aligned to our current needs and desired position in the market.
“We were extremely impressed with Host’s understanding of the IKEA concept and business values and their ability to provide creative solutions to budget. We also liked the flexibility of their set-up and their humble, simple but passionate approach, and felt they were a very good culture fit for our company.
“While we have enjoyed a good and long relationship with BMF, and the agency was in our final shortlist, we are also excited about moving forwards with a fresh approach for our business plans for the next few years," Barber said.
“We are at a very important stage in our company’s development in Australia with several new full-size stores planned in the Eastern States in the near future; and with Host we feel we have the right partner to provide outstanding creativity and cost-effective marketing support to help us achieve our goals."
Host’s first campaign for IKEA stores, with creative via The Glue Society, will hit the market in July/August.

Melbourne based Dewey Horton is set to merge with Don Morris' start-up Yabber, based in Sydney. The merged identity will be called Big Red (already the name of the holding company of Dewey Horton) with offices in Melbourne and Sydney, and is tipped for a July 1 start. The directors will be Ted Horton (pictured), Chris Dewey, Don Morris and Jamie Drurie. Morris worked with Horton back in their Mojo days, and Dewey Horton also did the launch campaign for Soul Telephone - Yabber's only client. Morris, on the other hand, has strong contacts with Geoff Dixon of Qantas, the key maker and shaker of Dewey Horton's JetStar account.

The One Centre, Sydney has been working with UK based multi-disciplinary studio, Universal Everything, to develop a digital artwork as part of an innovative experiential branding program for client Audi for the launch of the new Audi TT. It can be viewed online at

TT Movement

Other artists commissioned by The One Centre to contribute to the ‘TT Movement’ include Japan’s Takagi Masakatsu, tape artist Buff Diss, musician Sameer Sengupta and Melbourne based collective Eness.

Agency: The One Centre
Creative Directors: Phil Shearer and Simon Hong
Digital Artwork Design & Production:
Universal Everything - Matt Pyke & Karsten Schmidt
The One Centre – Simon Hong & Michael Boston
Sound Design: Sameer Sengupta
Agency Producer: Chris Goffin