XM Asia, a JWT Company, won Online Agency of the Year and Web Design Agency of the Year last night at the prestigious Marketing Agency of the Year Award Show.  In addition, they won a Silver for Email Marketing and a Finalist for Search Marketing. Marketing's Agency of the Year Awards show is based on in an in depth survey sent to both clients and agencies around the region.

The London International Awards has extended their entry deadline and announced their judging panels for this year's awards. The final deadline for entries is now August 17th, 2009. There are six different juries for this year's awards headed by the likes of Ogilvy's worldwide ECD Tham Khai Meng (Integrated and Television/Cinema/Digital/Web/Mobile) and DDB London ECD Jeremy Craigen (Non-Traditional, Poster, Print and Billboard).

Other jurors from our region include:

McCann Erickson Singapore scored a major coup recently when they were awarded the first ever Grand Prix at the Effies Singapore Awards 2009. The campaign for "Raffles Place Ghost" also took home a Gold award at the same show.
 
Developed for a recruitment firm, the campaign featured a viral video of two executives encountering a ghost while working late. Created on a shoestring budget of S$100,000, the campaign created a media frenzy last year as international and local media speculated on the authenticity of the clip. Since then, the campaign has gone around the world and picked up a string of awards and accolades from leading award shows including AdFest, Creative Circles Awards and The Webby Awards.

New York Festivals kicked off its first ever 2009 World Tour, with the NYF International Advertising Awards in Shanghai China on Saturday July 25th.  The day long series of events, held at Jiading SINO ADO Creative Zone culminated with a gala award presentation and screening of the 2009 New York Festivals Gold Winners in TV and Film.  CumminsNitro, Brisbane received the newly minted Boutique Agency of the Year Award, along with a Grand Trophy; Revolver Films, Sydney took home the just launched Production company of the Year Award; Big Ant International, New York was bestowed the celebrated Grand Trophy;  and legendary ad man Neil French was presented the 2009 New York Festivals Lifetime Achievement Award. 

Now in its fourth year, the Asia Interactive Awards 2009 are now open for entries. This is the original interactive and digital awards in the Asia Pacific region and the awards have in the past received sponsorship from Yahoo!, MSN, Intel, rednano.sg and other serious players in the field and entries come in from all over the region. This year, these awards are supported by the Asia Digital Marketing Association (ADMA), Designers Association Singapore, Games Academy Singapore and The Singapore Gamers' Association.

BBDO/Proximity Singapore has appointed former DDB New Zealand deputy creative director Bridget Taylor as creative director and Brad Wilson as senior art director.

Taylor is a multi-award winning creative, having won awards at D&AD, Clio, One Show, Cannes Gold and Adfest. She was previously a Deputy Creative Director at DDB New Zealand where she was instrumental in helping the agency win Campaign Brief's NZ Agency of the Year twice.

Tomorrow is the deadline for entry to this year's London International Awards. Entries submitted must be broadcast, published or released in a commercial environment with client approval between 1st July 2008 and 31st July 2009.
For Entry Kit visit www.liaawards.com. For more info or deadline extensions email info@liaawards.com

A 72 man panel of judges has selected 646 ads to go through to the final round of judging at AdStars - the Busan International Advertising Festival in Korea. This year 3,258 entries were received from 38 countries. Final judging is between August 27-29th with the grand prize in both the Product&Service and PSA categories earning US$10,000 each. You can check out AdStars HERE.

Spikes Asia has announced the Digital, Direct & Sales Promotion jury for their September awards festival. The panel comprises:
Fred Koblinger, Chief Executive Officer, PKP Proximity, Austria - Jury President
Dirk Eschenbacher, Executive Creative Director, Managing Partner, Tribal DDB Worldwide, China
Atul Nath, Managing Director, Candid Marketing, India
Alvin Lim, Creative Director, OgilvyOne worldwide, Hong Kong
Morihiko Hasebe, Senior Creative Director, Hakuhodo, Japan
Alex J Kwon, Interactive Creative Director, Cheil Worldwide, Korea
Ronald Ng, Chief Creative Officer, BBDO/Proximity, Malaysia
Victor Ng, Executive Creative Director, Euro RSCG Singapore, Singapore
Clinton Manson, Executive Creative Director Regional (Asia), Lowe Bangkok, Thailand
Hashem Bajwa, Executive Director, Strategy & Innovation, TBWA\ Worldwide, USA

Our good friend Ham, from Malaysian ad trade magazine Adoi Magazine, has received tributes to the much beloved Yasmin Ahmad from all of the world. Yasmin passed away on the weekend.

Publicis India highlight the benefit of Omax wide-angle lenses this print campaign.
Credits - Executive Creative Director: Emmanuel Upputuru. Creative Director: Anindya Banerjee. Creative Group Head/Art Director: Raylin Valles. Copywriter: Emmanuel Upputuru.

Contract Advertising, Mumbai demonstrate the pitfalls of not being with Tata Indicom in this campaign of three spots directed by Rajesh Krishnan of Soda Films.
Credits - Chief Creative Officer: Ravi Deshpande. Executive Creative Director: Raghu Bhat. Copywriter: Raghu Bhat, Kaushik Roy. Art Director: Raghu Bhat. Director: Rajesh Krishnan.
View the Rally spot.
View the Cricket spot.
View the Restaurant spot.

By far and away the funniest and best Ad-Blog in cyber space is AdScam, written by the self-confessed hard drinkin, hard cursin, womanising George Parker. I'm sure most people are already aware of it, but for those that aren't Parker's hilarious daily blog sends up this unique industry we work in, particularly highlighting the efforts of Big Dumb Agencies (or BDA's as Parker calls them). Because, no matter how bad you think it is, it's actually a great deal worse according to Parker.

He regularly takes aim at BDA's as can be seen by last week's "OGILVY IN SERIOUS SHIT... BIG LAYOFFS ON THE WAY!" and "GOT A HEADACHE? TAKE ONE "AGENCY OF THE FUTURE" AND GO KNOCK DOWN SOME SILOS!" . He also calls a spade a shovel like the time he had a go at GodJobs (Steve Jobs) for getting all upset about Microsoft ads that had a go at Apple - "IS GODJOBS LETTING THE "LAPTOP HUNTERS" GET UP HIS ARSE?". A common thread to his blog is an zealous facination of Kate Moss. Who can blame him.

Anyway, Parker's blog is well worth catching up with. Over the weekend he reminded us that last week was the 10th anniversary of David Ogilvy's death. He wrote this dedication for BrandRepublic in the UK and repeated on his blog:

NEW YORK - David Ogilvy died on July 22 1999 but the business he influenced so much began dying years before that.

I met David Ogilvy twice. The first time was in the early sixties, I'd won a Royal Society of Arts Bursary and to the absolute, jaw-dropping astonishment of the awarding jury, instead of electing to spend six months in Florence gazing at the petrified works of the long dead, I chose to spend six months in New York attempting to join the ranks of the original "Mad Men".

Over the past few days Campaign Brief Asia has received two print campaigns highlighting the obvious - that you need to be wary of, umm, gas. DDB Shanghai shows us how to defend ourselves against it and McCann Erickson Mumbai shows us how to prevent it. I'm sure both are necessary weapons in the daily fight against gas, but I'm not sure which of the products I'd like to be caught with in my pockets...
Credits - Client: TianTian Pocket-Sized Air Freshener. Agency: DDB Group Shanghai. Executive Creative Director: Michael Dee. Creative Director: Jody Xiong. Art Directors: Jody Xiong, Jacky Xiao. Copywriter: Jason Jin.
Credits - Client: Gas Aid. Agency: McCann Erickson Mumbai. Executive Creative Director: Prasoon Joshi. Copywriter: Ashish Chakravarthy, Shivangini Parihar. Art Director: Denzil Machado, Rashmi Yadav, Swamianand Tirth. Illustrator: Siddhi Yadav. Photographer: Kedar Malegaonkar. Digital Retouching: Milind Aglave, Prahlad Sawant. Production: Robert Joseph, Sunil Chalke

BBDO Bangkok continues their 'Cheap Poster' campaign for cut-price retail client HomePro. See their previous campaign here.
Credits - Chief Creative Officer: Suthisak Sucharittanonta. Executive Creative Director: Weerachon Weeraworawit. Copywriter: Weerachon Weeraworawit. Art Directors: Kajnarong Inpornvichitr, Raj Deepak Das.

UPDATED STORY: Yasmin Ahmad passed away last night at 11.25pm in Damansara Specialist Hospital in Kuala Lumpur. She was just 51 years of age. She died from massive bleeding in the brain following a stroke on Thursday. The world is a much poorer place for her loss.

TRIBUTES pour in from all over the ad world

Read Harmandar Singh's (from ADOI Magazine) touching dedication to Yasmin HERE.

Read more on ADOI.
Read more HERE.

Yasmin Ahmad suffers a stroke (July 23, 7pm)
Leo Burnett Malaysia ECD and acclaimed film director Yasmin Ahmad suffered a stroke earlier today. Campaign Brief's thoughts, prayers and good will go out to her and her husband, Tan Yew Leong, and all her family and close friends who must be extremely worried about this tragic and shocking news. Yasmin is reported to be in a critical condition. If you are reading this right now please pray to your God for a good outcome for one of the most talented and respected human beings to ever work in our industry.

Read more HERE.

All entries are FREE -  ENTER HERE
Designed to recognise and promote exceptional new commercial directors in the Asia Pacific Region, the Kodak/AWARD New Director Of The Year will honor outstanding commercial directors whose fresh thinking and creativity sets them apart from the rest.

Below is a list of the Top 20 agencies so far in 2009 according to the Won Report, based on a wide selection of award shows around the world. JWT Shanghai and Dentsu Tokyo are both in the top 10.

1. AlmapBBDO, Sao Paulo (272)
2. Saatchi & Saatchi New York (226)
3. DDB London (210)
4. DDB Brazil, Sao Paulo (210)
5. Goodby, Silverstein and Partners, San Francisco (204)
6. Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO, London (181)
7. CLM BBDO Boulogne-Billancourt  (176)
8. Ogilvy Frankfurt (175)
9. JWT Shanghai (172)
10 Dentsu Tokyo (164)
11. Jung von Matt, Hamburg (163)
12. Scholz & Friends Berlin (162)
13. Serviceplan Munich (161)
14. DDB Germany, Berlin (156)
15. Aim Proximity Auckland (155)
16. BMF Sydney (146)
17. Shackleton Madrid (144)
18. Del Campo Nazca Saatchi & Saatchi, Buenos Aires (141)
19. Leo Burnett Lisbon (140)
20. Crispin Porter Bogusky, Boulde (140)
21. TBWA\Hunt\Lascaris, Johannesburg (138)

Lowe Bangkok has created a funny spot for Syn Mun Kong Insurance that demonstrates how fast their service is. The commercial was directed by Thanonchai Sornsriwichai (Tor) from Phenomena Bangkok.
Credits - Executive Creative Director: Supon Khaotong, Kittinan Sawasdee. Creative Director: Prasert Vijitpawan. Copywriter: Krai Kittikorn, Prasert Vijitpawan. Art Director: Asawin Techasakulsin. Agency Producer: Chudthai Khumpong. Director: Thanonchai Sornsriwichai. Editor: Angkarn Petchsang. Music + Sound Production: Cine Digital.
See the spot HERE.

In response to Pepsi's "I Can" theme worldwide, BBDO Bangkok has created this tvc campaign which was shot by French director, Henri Barges, via Local Color Films.
Credits - Chief Creative Officer: Suthisak Sucharittanonta. Executive Creative Director: Weerachon Weeraworawit. Copywriters: Taewit Jariyanukulpun, Weerachon Weeraworawit, Suthisak Sucharittanonta. Art Director: Raj Deepak Das, Kajnarong Inpornvichitr. Agency Producer: Naree-Sara Ajchariyakul. Director: Henri Barges.
See the first spot.
See the second spot.
See the third spot.

Leo Burnett Solutions in Colombo, has successfully launched a new "Laugh Tax" campaign, to hail the sequel to the popular theatrical comedy by StageLightandMagic Inc about fictitious Sri Lankan President, Pusswedilla. To effectively bring Hon. Puss (as he is affectionately known) to life in the public domain, Leo Burnett treated this 'president' as if he were a real president. A real president who does real things, such as introducing new taxes.

According to the creative team, taxes are a big issue in Sri Lanka as the Government regularly uses them as a budget remedy to generate income. Brand new vehicles are now taxed 310% of manufacturer's price, and new taxes are being introduced all the time.

Spikes Asia, has announced the eight members of this year's Media jury. Headed by jury president Laura Desmond, Global Chief Executive Officer, Starcom MediaVest Group, USA the jury also comprises:
Mark Coad, Chief Executive Officer, OMD, Australia
Mark Patterson, Chief Operating Officer, GroupM Asia Pacific, Asia Pacific
Bertilla Teo, Chief Executive Officer, Mediaedge:cia, China
Mike Cooper, Worldwide Chief Executive Officer, PHD Worldwide, Global
Philip Talbot, Chief Executive Officer Asia Pacific, ZenithOptimedia, Hong Kong
Blair Currie, Chief Executive Officer North Asia, Aegis Media, Japan
Ruth Stubbs, President Asia, Mediabrands Asia Pacific, Singapore

The  BESTADS PODCAST brings you the Best 6 Commercials in the World every week on your iPhone or iPod. It's the #1 video ad podcast in the world, which has just passed three million downloads, 42 weeks after launch.

Bestads Top 6 Commercials of the week in the world is now ready to view, reviewed by Parker Channon, partner/executive creative director, D/C, San Francisco:

Get the Bestads Podcast CLICK HERE
(After 42 weeks, still in the iTunes Top 20 Video Podcast Charts in the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Portugal, Greece and Finland).

BBDO Bangkok has uses low cost posters to promote the big savings consumers can expect at HomePro.
Credits - Chief Creative Officer: Suthisak Sucharittanonta. Executive Creative Director: Weerachon Weeraworawit. Copywriter: Weerachon Weeraworawit. Art Directors: Kajnarong Inpornvichitr, Raj Deepak Das.

Ever since Campaign Brief Asia has been around to two creative powerhouses in Asia have been Singapore and Thailand. But could this stranglehold be about to be broken? or at least weakened somewhat?
And since the release of Campaign Brief Asia's Creative Rankings in June we have been surprised by the amount of comments and discussion one of our newest table additions has been getting. Three years ago we started to work out the percentage split for each country based on their awards performance in the award shows that we count in the Campaign Brief Asia Creative Rankings. For those that missed the issue the chart is shown here.
In this "Asia's Most Creative Countries" chart you can see that in 2006 Thailand actually lead Asia with a 27.5% share of all awards won by our region at the eight International and Regional shows that we count.

In collaboration with NYC & Company, Google has just unveiled a new campaign for Google Maps that celebrates New York City for both consumers and businesses. The new innovative global campaign "Google Maps - Favorite Places" brings together technology, business and celebrity to strengthen the marketing of Google Maps as the premier resource for navigation through promoting some of the most interesting local businesses in 13 cities worldwide (go to http://www.google.com/favoriteplaces or Google Maps and look for the link on the homepage).

The Hong Kong Association of Accredited Advertising Agencies' (HK4As ) 2009 Kam Fan Awards is now calling for entries. The theme of this year is "LET OTHERS LET OTHERS KNOW", as the HK4As wants this message of creativity to be propagated by words of mouth, become social topics, and simply by joining the Awards this year.
The Kam Fan Awards is given annually by HK4As to recognize advertising excellence in Hong Kong and China since 1984 and this is the 25th year into its history. The Kam Fan, or the "Golden Sail" Awards, is regarded as the "Oscars of the Hong Kong ad industry.
This year's judging panel features, amongst others, internationals Michael Russoff, ex Creative Director at Wieden+Kennedy London; Sam Ball, Creative Partner at Lean Mean Fighting Machine, London; and Lance Martin Executive Creative Director, Taxi2 Toronto/New York.
2009 Kam Fan deadline for submission is 5 pm, September 14, 2009 (Monday). See the website for entry details. The winners will be announced and the Awards presented at the Kam Fan Awards Gala Presentation, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on November 6, 2009.

The New York Festivals International Advertising Award World Tour is moving to Shanghai on Saturday, July 25, 2009. Spend an "Afternoon with Neil French" as he is saluted with a Lifetime Achievement Award and participates in an in-depth discussion with the audience. The day's programme also includes a presentation to the Asia-Pacific winners from this year's awards.
For more details see HERE.

The Call for Entries to The Work 09 is out and this year, more so than ever, your Chief Financial Officer will be happy!

Now in its 8th year of publication, The Work is a 400 page, hard cover publication (including DVD) that features the very best advertising of the year from Australia, New Zealand and Asia. The Work is recognised as the only true permanent record of creativity from the entire region.
There are two things that differentiate The Work 09 apart from traditional award shows.
Firstly, The Work is selective - to qualify for entry the ad or campaign must have already passed the test and been a finalist or winner at an awards show. Secondly, there is no wasted entry fees - only accepted work incurs an acceptance fee.

Entry deadline is FRIDAY, JULY 31st 2009.

Download the PDF Entry Kit with all the details:
The Work09 CALL FOR ENTRY KIT.pdf

In 1961 JFK set a goal for the US to put a man on the moon within the decade. Apollo 11 fulfilled that dream on July 20, 1969.
This site honors the trip using 2009 technology. For the next four days, until the shuttle lands on Monday afternoon, the site will host a complete recreation of the historic event in real time.
Interactive from The Martin Agency / Richmond VA for The JFK Presidential Library.

The pinnacle of your career but how much is it really worth to you...

Rediffusion Y&R India has promoted Minakshi Achan to co-chair the chief creative officer position with current chief creative officer Sagar Mahabaleshwarkar.
The news was reported by afaqs! and follows Mahabaleshwarkar's former partner, Ramanuj Shastry's decision this week to quit to join Saatchi & Saatchi as national creative director.

Every fortnight Campaign Brief Asia is turning the spotlight on a hot director that is currently in the news. Campaign Brief Asia speaks to Dave Klaiber, a director with Plaza Films, a young Australian director fresh from directing two spots in Asia, a Mentos spot for BBH China and a Starhub spot for DDB Singapore.

Dave Klaiber started in the industry a decade ago as a runner, signing with Plaza Films five years ago developing his career under the watchful eye of director Paul Middleditch. His big break came when he was working on a "making of" video for Visa Worldwide with Piece Brosnan. Danny Searle, ECD of BBDO Asia asked him if he wanted to direct commercials and his response was 'of course'. His Thrifty 'Birthday Girl' spot for JWT Sydney won a Silver Lion at Cannes 2008 as well as two Golds at London International, a Gold Mobius Award for Direction and various other awards worldwide.

Bestads Top 6 Commercials of the week in the world is now ready to view, reviewed by John Messum, freelance creative director, London: http://tr.im/fopw

Get the Bestads Podcast CLICK HERE
(After 41 weeks, still in the iTunes Top 20 Video Podcast Charts in the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Portugal, Greece and Finland. iTunes charts not available in Asia).

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A report in the Guardian in the UK on young people's media habits written for investment bank Morgan Stanley by a teenage intern has caused huge interest in the City.

Dani Comar, Executive Creative Director, Ogilvy & Mather Malaysia, has been appointed Regional Creative Director, OgilvyAction Asia Pacific - this is the first time the network has appointed an ECD. Comar will partner John Goodman, the recently appointed regional President, OgilvyAction Asia Pacific. A long time Ogilvy employee, Comar's brief is to dramatically overhaul the creative product of OgilvyAction Asia Pacific, to achieve "thrilling solutions which inspire consumers to action".

Here is Ogilvy & Mather Bangkok's recent print work for Wusthof Knives for client, Verasu Retail Co. Ltd. The campaign utilises the photographic and digital imaging skills of Remix Studio's Anuchai Secharunputong and Nok Pipattungkul.
Credits - ECD: Wisit Lumsiricharoenchoke, Nopadol Srikieatikajohn. Asso. CD: Gumpon Laksanajinda. Writer: Yod Kosolnirattiwong. Art Directors: Wisit Lumsiricharoenchoke, Nopadol Srikieatikajohn, Gumpon Laksanajinda, Watchara Tansrikeat, Kornthon Anantananukun, Arayanan Markchoo, Yod Kosolnirattiwong. Agency Producer: Paiboon Suwansangroj. Photographer: Anuchai Secharunputong, Nok Pipattungkul (Remix Studio). Digital Imaging: Anuchai Secharunputong.

The London International Awards entry deadline is 31st July 2009. Entries submitted must be broadcast, published or released in a commercial environment with client approval between 1st July 2008 and 31st July 2009. For Entry Kit visit the website. For more info or deadline extensions email info@liaawards.com

Leo Burnett Hong Kong has just rolled out project "Shine", a remarkable and meaningful initiative aiming to help local marketers to re-brand and tap into potential business opportunities during downturn. The agency will provide free strategic brand consultation service that valued at HK$1.888 million to a selected local brand, offering holistic creative marketing strategies to help strengthen its brand value. Any local brands interested in this project can submit their brand information to www.lbshine.com and the winner will be selected by the management of Leo Burnett by end of August. 

Leo Burnett Hong Kong has designed a welcome t-shirt for Planet Yoga's members.
Credits - Creative Directors: Connie Lo, Miranda Shing. Writers: Paul Yu, Kiu Chan. Art Directors: Miranda Shing, Katie Ng.

Saatchi & Saatchi Mumbai tell the story of how a simple decision to take a Cox & Kings Pilgrimage Tour before you die can make all the difference when you reincarnate. The two ads tell of  two boys and two girls who grow up with similar depravity but the Cox & Kings trip makes all the difference.
Credits - Creative Directors: Juju Basu, Nanoz Mogrelia. Writers: Amit S Acharekar, Farhad Karkaria. Art Director: Sandeep Poyekar. Illustrator: Anand Chodankar.

Any doubts over Spikes Asia's commitment to their new Singapore festival format would be completely dispelled with the announcement of their all-star jury for this year. The TV/Cinema, Print, Outdoor and Radio jury is about as good a jury as you can get for any show in the world let alone just Asia.
The jury consists of:
David Droga, Creative Chairman, Droga5, USA - Jury President
Warren Brown, Executive Creative Director, BMF, Australia
Edmund Choe, Executive Creative Director Greater China, Saatchi & Saatchi, China
Piyush Pandey, Executive Chairman and National Creative Director, Ogilvy & Mather, India
Prasoon Joshi, Executive Chairman and Regional ECD Asia Pacific, McCann Erickson, India
Akira Kagami, Executive Creative Director, Dentsu, Japan
John Merrifield, Creative at Large, TBWA\Asia-Pacific, Singapore
Calvin Soh, Vice Chairman and Chief Creative Officer, Publicis Asia, Singapore
Jureeporn Thaidumrong, Founder and Creative Chairwoman, JEH United, Thailand
David Guerrero, Chairman and Chief Creative Officer, BBDO Guerrero, The Philippines
Bil Bungay, Co-founder and Creative Partner, Beattie McGuiness Bungay, UK
Ty Montague, Co-president North America, JWT, USA
"This is an incredibly powerful jury line-up as is befitting for the revamped Spikes Asia. We are privileged to bring together such an incredible group of industry leaders to judge the equally fantastic work being produced in the region," said Terry Savage, Chairman of Cannes Lions, who together with Haymarket, organise Spikes Asia.
To submit entries, register to attend or for more information on Spikes Asia 2009, visit www.spikes.asia. 

MTV EXIT (End Exploitation and Trafficking) and Sydney agency Colman Rasic Carrasco (CRC) have partnered with UNICEF and USAID to produce a music video for US rock band, The Killers, which dramatically highlights the dangers and impact of trafficking for sexual exploitation. The video for track 'Goodnight, Travel Well' from the new Killers album 'Day & Age' was filmed by top Hollywood director, David Slade (30 Days of Night, Hard Candy), and will premiere globally tonight across all of MTV's properties on-air and on-line. View the full-length spot at www.mtvexit.org  

Everyone by now has seen the Evian Rollerbabies spot via BETC Euro Paris, first viewed by CB Asia in the French agency two weeks ago, which has had nearly 6 million hits since on just one video on YouTube (over 17 million views in total). Here's the official 'MAKING OF vision and below is a viral featuring a 'normal' baby...

Ever wondered about how some ideas get to see the light of day? Take the Diet Coke commercial featuring Duffy rushing off stage to then jump on her bike and cycle around a... hmmm, supermarket. All while singing "I've got to be me". See the commercial HERE.
Channel Bee has hit the nail right on the head with an insider's view on the creative process...

Interesting CNBC interview with Sir Martin Sorrell on the ad recession from the Allen & Co conference in Sun Valley. Based on Sorrell's month-to-month analysis there's no sign of a bottom just yet, though it looks like the market could turn around in the beginning of 2010.

The economy is obviously hitting advertising hard, and from Sorrell's perspective the US stimulus plan isn't doing enough to turn the global economic downturn around. And the cyclical challenges are exacerbating the structural issues the ad industry faces: a shift away from traditional formats like newspaper and broadcast television to less expensive ads online.

Lowe Bangkok press work for Breeze with Comfort fabric softener that demonstrates what the product is capable of.
Credits - Client: Unilever. Executive Creative Director: Dominic Stallard, Clinton Manson. Copywriter: Scott Hitchcock, Clinton Manson. Art Director: Scott Hitchcock, Dominic Stallard. Photographer: Clive Stewart.

Ogilvy & Mather, Mumbai's tvc for the Bajaj Pulsar 220cc motor bike. Titled 'The Fastest Indian' a cool bad boy makes his getaway look easy. The creative team included Group Creative Director, Abhijit Avasthi and creative directors, Manoj Shetty, Siddhartha Dutta.

Ogilvy & Mather Singapore has released new print work for Mattel toys that shows how realistic they are.
Credits - Client: Mattel Asia Pacific. Agency: O&M Singapore. ECD: Todd McCracken. Art Director: Anthony Tham. Producer: Iskandar Abdul Kader. Photography: Shooting Gallery/Wishing Well.

The Garmin GPS 765T comes with Lane Assist. Ogilvy & Mather Shanghai demonstrate that this advanced feature makes sure you always know which way to go even in the most unfamiliar territory.
Credits - Creative Directors: Kevin Lee, Kelvin Leong, Kit Ong. Writers: Adams Fan, Weina Ha, Kit Ong. Art Directors: Minsheng Zhang, Robin Wu, Tianhong Zhou, Jordan Dong, Kelvin Leong, Kevin Lee. Illustrators: Minsheng Zhang, Jordan Dong, Robin Wu, Tianhong Zhou

The long awaited VB campaign via Droga5, Sydney launches tonight in Australia with a two minute launch commercial during the first drinks break
of the npower Ashes telecast on SBS.
The netsite is now live.
The scale of the production demanded a cast that is a combo of professionals, CUB employees, punters straight off the street plus some well known faces.  There are cameos from Australian sports stars and personalities including Michael Clarke, Wally Lewis, Paul De Gelder, Scott Cam, Molly Meldrum, Peter Russell Clarke, Dean Jones, Michael Klim, Billy Brownless and Greg Evans.
The TVC is part of a much bigger campaign that includes VB's first ever dedicated brand website. There will also be print, radio, outdoor, on line and "The Regulars" will be brought to life in store through point of sale and refreshed packaging.
 

The London International Advertising Awards has signed on the services of Tony Gulisano and Wayne Youkhana, both former executives of the Clio Awards. The pair have a combined total of over 40 years experience and are considered to be two of the most respected individuals across the landscape of international award shows.

How cool is this?
A Nike Livestrong idea that uses the road as a canvas during the Tour de France. Developed in partnership with DeepLocal and StandardRobot, the Chalkbot in appearance is similar to an ink jet printer, except at a much larger scale. The Nike Chalkbot will chalk up 100,000 messages over the race.

After 22 years at Y&R Singapore, Patrick Low has announced he's leaving as ECD. Well-loved by past and present staff and widely respected by clients and peers as one of Singapore longest serving creative leaders, Patrick Low has been the creative brand guardian of countless memorable campaigns for Y&R's stable of blue chip clients. He has also spotted and mentored generations of younger creative talents who have gone on to greater heights in Singapore and abroad.

Yamaha wanted to launch the new YZF-R1 in Malaysia. This bike has a very powerful twin headlight beam which is a key feature. Y&R Malaysia ran the new campaign in national newspapers and posters.
Credits - Creative Director: Steve Hough. Art Director: Low Kin Khoon. Copywriter: Sathi Anand, Steve Hough. Photographer: Untold Images. Photographer: Thomas Chang. Digital Imaging: Sam Wong/Character Studio.

A print campaign from JWT Manila promoting the extensive Amorsolo collection at the Vargas Museum.
Credits - Executive Creative Director: Dave Ferrer. Creative Director/Writer: Joe Dy. Art Director: Carl Urgino.

BBDO New York's Chief Creative Officer David Lubars was President of the Film Jury at Cannes this year. Here are his comments on the Grand Prix winner - Philips Carousel - and the special award given to Charles Stone's Wassup08.com.

A community-based effort to raise awareness and calls to the Spousal Abuse Hotline from DM9JaymesSyfu, Manila. See vision of the campaign HERE.
Credits - Creative Directors: Merlee Jayme, Louie Sotto, Eugene Demata. Writer: Ronnie Amador. Art Director: Allan Montayre, Ronnie Amador. Producer: Sheila Villanueva.

A reminder that the AWARD Call for Entries has been extended to this coming Wednesday July 8.
View the web film created by DDB Sydney and Fin Design.
Please note that at this stage late fees automatically apply to all entries submitted (+15%). All entry payments must be made before the 8th July in order for your entries to be accepted.
All hard copy entries and artwork must be received by AWARD before the 10th July 2009. For all queries contact Alette at AWARD on +61 2 9699 2999 or email callforentry@awardonline.com

View the AWARD CFE booklet
AWARD_CFE_booklet.pdf
View the AWARD CFE poster
AWARD_CFE_poster.pdf

Former Y&R Asia Regional Creative Director Rowan Chanen has joined the M&C Saatchi Asia network.

Speaking about his new role, he said: "What's truly important these days is doing big ideas for big brands. And that's what M&C Saatchi Asia will be all about. The network is so diverse with so many great opportunities. Being the last truly independent agency network gives us a special place to operate within. BBH and Wieden have blazed the trail before us and done some of the best and most meaningful work for great iconic brands. As a big fan of both those agency brands, they've set the standard that we all need to aim for. Now that I'm back with my two old partners Chris Jaques and Rob Campbell, we'll be in a position to try to make that happen across the region."

Over a 3-year period at Y&R, Rowan re-established the Y&R Asia's creative profile and oversaw a tenfold increase in creative awards, lifting the network's overall standing in Asia.

Top South African production company Velocity Films and Campaign Brief Asia combined on Friday evening to throw a very cool party on the beach in Cannes. Around 200 guests from Asia, South Africa and around the world enjoyed food, drinks and the sounds of DJ "Les Champs on the Docks" in the perfect location of the Cannes Beach Restaurant. Campaign Brief Asia wants to thank Barry Munchick and everyone from Velocity for their support and a special thanks to the great organisational skills of Velocity's Ange Ramsey. Following are all the photos from the CB Asia camera....

ABT is the performance and tuning specialist for Audi Volkswagen cars. Y&R Malaysia's brief was to communicate that the ABT Golf GTI has staggering powerful acceleration. The ads ran in national newspapers, car magazines, and as posters.
Credits - Client: ABT. Agency: Y&R Malaysia. Creative Director: Marcus Rebeschini. Creative Group Head: Ida Rahman. Copywriter: Randy Lee. Art Director: Heng Yik See. Illustrator: Foo Guan Foong, Heng Yik See, Randy Lee. Typographer: Heng Yik See.

Ogilvy & Mather Singapore has released a new print and poster campaign for Unilever's Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream brand. Photographer Edward Loh from October Skies worked with the agency to created the animated campaign.

Credits - Executive Creative Director: Tham Khai Meng, Eugene Cheong, Todd McCracken. Copywriter: Mike Sutcliffe, Craig Love, Eugene Cheong. Art Director: Adrian Chan, Maurice Wee, Stuart Mills. Illustrators: Adrian Chan, Maurice Wee, Eric Foenander. Photographer: Edward Loh (October Skies).

This TVC for the Royal Thai Army from Monday Bangkok was launched whilst Thailand was facing recent internal political conflict. The objective was to encourage "Unity" among Thai people. This is demonstrated by using a broken bus full of passengers - although there is always one person who cares enough to help, the others in the bus do nothing and blame each other whilst the bus (country) goes down the hill. View the spot HERE.
Credits - Executive Creative Directors: Passapol Limpisirisan, Wiboon Leepakpreeda. Copywriter: Kirana Phiwklieng, Passapol Limpisirisan. Art Director: Supanimit Arreevong, Wiboon Leepakpreeda. Agency Producer: Supattra Rattanakorn. Production Company: Phenomena Bangkok. Director: Thanonchai Sornsririchai. Editor: R Here. Post Production:    Oriental Post.

Monday Bangkok has created a campaign of three ads that show the obvious benefit of joining the Kasetsart Karate School.

Credits - Executive Creative Directors: Passapol Limpisirisan, Wiboon Leepakpreeda. Copywriters: Wikorn Rojarayanont, Passapol Limpisirisan. Art Directors: Nimit Songsri, Wiboon Leepakpreeda. Photographic Studio: Remix Studio Bangkok. Photographers: Anuchai Secharunputong, Nok Pipattungkul. Digital Imaging: Anuchai Secharunputong, Chanchay Aussawanuchit. Agency Producer: Supattra Rattanakorn. Producer: Voratorn Sathiensri.

DDB Shanghai uses ambient to create a standout idea for their client Alteco. Super glueness is the most outstanding benefit that the Alteco brand product has.
Credits - Agency: DDB China Group Shanghai. ECD: Michael Dee. Creative Director: Jody Xiong. Copywriter: Jason Jin. Art Directors: Jody Xiong, Jacky Xiao.

Adrian Chan, the current No1 creative in Asia in this year's Campaign Brief Asia Creative Rankings, has resigned from Ogilvy & Mather Singapore to join BBH Asia-Pacific Singapore.
Chan joins BBH along with four other new names to its Creative Department following a rise in new and existing business development growth. He joins the Agency as Senior Art Director. The Melbourne University graduate started out his career in advertising three years ago. At Ogilvy, he worked on clients such as Coke, Ben & Jerry's and American Express and won a large array of awards including Gold at Cannes, One Show and Clio.