A blog for the New Zealand creative advertising industry, now at www.campaignbrief.com/nz. Email news to: michael@campaignbrief.com

Friday, September 28, 2007

HEADSPACE EXHIBITION: BUY A PIECE OF MIND FROM LEADING PHOTOGRAPHERS


Headspace Exhibition, 5 – 12 October 2007
For the third time, the Advertising and Illustrative Photographers Association (AIPA) is presenting Headspace 07 - a weeklong exhibition of personal, non-commissioned works by AIPA members.
The Headspace 07 exhibition covers personal work from over 50 photographers, representing their own direction, thinking and creativity – an opportunity to go into their head.
Headspace 07 brings together some of New Zealand’s finest photographers for this public exhibition including top talent in fashion, advertising, still life, food, architecture and editorial.
This years Headspace is Sponsored by The Pond Freelance Creative Department, George FM, Man O’ War Wines, Geon and 26,000 Vodka.
Leon Rose, President of AIPA comments, “Headspace has become an opportunity for members to express themselves outside the confines of a commercial brief, and to celebrate the diverse and powerful potential for communication in the ever-changing medium of photography. It is also an opportunity for us to provide a forum for art buyers and the general public to view work by established commercial photographers alongside fresh up and coming talent, and in this case, to purchase work via an online auction.”
The exhibition will be held at Sail Loft, 135 Halsey St, (former Alinghi Boat Shed), Viaduct Harbour, Marine Village. Headspace 07 will open with an invitation only event on Thursday, 4 October and remain open until Friday, 12 October. It will be open to the public from 10am - 6pm daily. There will be one late night (open until 8pm) on Thursday, 11 October. Exhibited work will be available to purchase through an online auction – www.headspace07.co.nz

CURIOUS FILM’S ALAN WHITE DEBUTS IN US WITH ‘BROKEN’


A dark and confronting indie flick called ‘Broken’, starring the ever-so-sexy Heather Graham, marks Curious Film director Alan White’s arrival as a director to watch in Hollywood.
Broken is Alan’s first American film – a brazenly intense tale of disillusionment exploring the destructive nature of addiction to drugs and love. The film opens to US audiences next month and reflects Alan White’s evolution as one of Australia’s most outstanding directors.
The story unfolds at an all-American diner, where Graham (Boogie Nights, Austin Powers) works as a pissed-off waitress named Hope. As she reflects on her past mistakes with ex-boyfriend Will, a heroin addict played by Jeremy Sisto (Waitress, Law & Order), she is confronted with a series of temptations symbolic of the seven deadly sins, when Will turns up unexpectedly with a gun.
“Broken is about finding a peace within yourself, with all your flaws, and not putting so much hope on being successful in societal terms. The temptation of the dark side is something that is personal to me and I think there are powerful lessons to be learned from the violence of addictions,” says Alan.
Shot over 19 days, Broken is an intense psychological journey that reflects Alan’s ability to take ordinary events and make them extraordinary – a technique he applies to both his commercials and films, which are always based on innate human truths.
Critics have described Sisto’s performance as “believably needy” with a “manipulative intensity”, and have hailed the feature as “a fine film about a functional addiction that allows you to lead a semblance of a life, albeit one of not-so-quiet desperation”.
Written by Jeff Lester and Drew Pillsbury, Broken launched at the AFI Film Festival in Los Angeles last November. Since then, the film picked up Best of Show at The Accolade Film Awards and was selected to screen on the opening night of this year’s VisionFest film festival in New York.
Broken is Alan’s third film, following two Australian features Erskinville Kings, which stars Hugh Jackman, and Risk, starring Claudia Karvan and Bryan Brown.
Alan has two other film projects up his sleeve and continues to work as an award-winning, Emmy-winning commercials director. He is currently available in Australia and New Zealand, where he is represented by Curious Film.

Thursday, September 27, 2007

WORTHINGTON DEPARTS PUBLICIS MOJO IN SIX MONTHS, AMADEO TO RETURN


According to Publicis Mojo Partner, Paul McElwain, it is business as usual over the next six months until Nick Worthington leaves in March 2008.
McElwain says the agency is sad to see Worthington go, who together with the group, has produced some award winning work for Publicis Mojo over the last three years.
“Nick is a good mate. He’s a lovely bloke and immensely talented. We wish him well. We’ve done great stuff together over the last three years, but now it’s time to move on. So we’re just going to take a bit of time to evaluate what our next steps should be.”
Indicative of the positive mood in the agency is the return of creative heavyweight, Andy Amadeo (pictured) from London, who has been touted as one of the top 5 art directors in the world. He worked for Publicis Mojo in 2006.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

OFFICIAL: BBDO AGENCIES UP CREATIVE ANTE AS RICHARD MADDOCKS TO MOVE TO CLEMENGER SYDNEY, NICK WORTHINGTON TO JOIN COLENSO



In a move that will create waves on both sides of the Tasman, Colenso BBDO Auckland ECD Richard Maddocks (top left) will take up the executive creative director role at Clemenger BBDO, Sydney, replaced by Auckland based Nick Worthington (bottom left), who has been lured from the regional creative director role at Publicis Mojo Auckland. Both appointments are effective early next year.
Nick Worthington is a real coup for BBDO in this region. "We are extremely fortunate to be able to attract someone of Nick's calibre to our group,” said Colenso BBDO Chairman Roger MacDonnell. "He is currently rated one of the top three creatives in the world, with ten gold lions, eleven D&AD pencils and ten gold British TV awards to his credit. He is re-joining BBDO as he spent a number of years at AMV BBDO in London."
"Richard has been a fabulous partner for me," said Brent Smart, Colenso BBDO Managing Director. "We have done some great work together and had some spectacular wins in the last two years and I know he will go well in Sydney. I'm now looking forward to a great partnership with Nick".
UK born Worthington's reel features ads for Levis, Polaroid, Dulux, Wrangler, Bonningtons and The Economist. He has been Executive Creative Director at Publicis Mojo for the last three years where he has been responsible for local campaigns for Steinlager and Speights and international campaigns for Diet Coke and Schweppes.
After eight years at Colenso BBDO, Maddocks leaves the agency in the number one position in New Zealand for the third consecutive year in the Campaign Brief creative rankings.
Maddocks began his career in Australia before moving to Mojo NZ in the mid 90’s. At the end of 1999 he joined Colenso BBDO, firstly as a writer and eventually advancing to Creative Director in 2004.
One of the most awarded creatives in Australasia, Maddocks’ creative leadership has resulted in numerous awards at Cannes, One Show, Clio, and Award. Colenso BBDO is currently ranked the number one creative agency in New Zealand and number two in Australasia. Maddocks himself sits at number 3 on the Campaign Brief Australasian Creative Director rankings. Within the past twelve months Maddocks has led both the successful regional Fonterra and Vodafone NZ pitches.
“This is the single most important appointment to be made at Clemenger BBDO Sydney for the future,” said Jim Moser, Managing Director of Clemenger BBDO Sydney. “In the end our global search brought us to our own network where we found Richard to fit the brief perfectly: An Australian. A proven creative leader. Highly awarded. Embracing of new media/all channels and a great cultural fit."
Maddocks says his first priority is getting to know the clients: “It’s all about doing great work. That’s our number one focus. And the only way to do that is to understand your clients' business problems. If we don’t know that, then what are we trying to solve with an idea?
“I’m really looking forward to getting over there and working as Jim’s partner to lead an agency that’s consistently producing great ideas for our clients. Clemenger BBDO has an outstanding history as one of Australia’s defining advertising agencies. I’d love to be able to play a role in adding to that history, especially in the context of integration and new media. The integration between BBDO, Proximity and the rest of the Clemenger group is one of the most exciting opportunities we have,” he added.
Adds Clemenger Group Executive Chairman Robert Morgan: "These moves reflect our passion for creative leadership in this part of the world. With Nick Worthington in Auckland, Duster in Wellington, James McGrath in Melbourne and Richard Maddocks in Sydney - we now have the best creative leadership across Australia and New Zealand."

TRANS TASMAN SHAKEUP: MADDOCKS SET FOR CLEMS SYDNEY, WORTHINGTON FOR COLENSO


NZCC hears a major trans Tasman creative shakeup is about to be announced, with Colenso BBDO Auckland's highly awarded ECD, Aussie expat Richard Maddocks (top left), set to transfer to Clemenger BBDO Sydney to take the vacant ECD position, while Maddocks' role will be taken by the even more awarded Nick Worthington (below left), currently regional ECD at Publicis Mojo, who is based in Auckland. For Worthington it will be a return to the BBDO fold, having been lured to Auckland from AMV/BBDO London nearly fours years ago by then Publicis worldwide CD, David Droga.
For other networks, the combination of Maddocks in Sydney, Worthington in Auckland and James McGrath in Melbourne will be creatively hard to beat.

Monday, September 24, 2007

MAJOR CD CHANGES SET FOR NZ

Stand by for some major creative director changes in the New Zealand market. Hopefully the parties concerned will soon verify some of the hottest rumours NZCC has ever heard in Auckland.

ADVERTISING FEDERATION OF AUSTRALIA SNARES MARK CHAMPION FROM CAANZ


The Advertising Federation of Australia has snared Mark Champion, currently CEO of the Communications Agencies Association of New Zealand (CAANZ) and Chairman of the New Zealand Advertising Standards Authority, as its new Executive Director.
AFA Chair Belinda Rowe announced today that Mr Champion would take over the role from retiring AFA Executive Director, Lesley Brydon, on 3 December.
Commenting on the appointment AFA Chair Belinda Rowe said: “We are delighted that Mark has accepted the role. He has been a leader in the advertising industry in New Zealand. He knows the advertising business and has experience in running a similar industry association, which is exactly the background we were looking for.”
“As CEO of CAANZ, which represents creative, media, direct marketing and digital agencies, Mark has extensive knowledge of the broader communications industry.
“Importantly, his experience as Chairman of the NZ Advertising Standards Authority, regarded internationally as a best-practice self-regulation system, will be particularly relevant as regulations on advertising continue to tighten.”
Champion came to CAANZ four years ago from Air New Zealand where he held the position of Corporate Communications Manager. Before that he held a similar role with Vodafone New Zealand with responsibility for media and government relations as well as internal communications.
His earlier career was as a radio and television journalist where he advanced to become an Executive Producer of television current affairs programs.
Commenting on his appointment Champion said: “The role of Executive Director of the AFA is a huge challenge and a very exciting one. I look forward to the opportunity to deliver industry leadership and value for the membership and to contribute wherever possible to the prosperity of the wider communications sector.”
Initially, it is anticipated that Lesley Brydon will stay on to assist the new Executive Director and AFA Board during the transition.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

FAIRFAX DROPS CANNES REPRESENTATION FOR AUSTRALIA - BUT NOT HERE


Fairfax Media in Australia has decided not to renew its representation role for Cannes and have formally advised Australia's Terry Savage (pictured), chairman of the Cannes Advertising Festival. However, the decision does not affect the role taken by Fairfax NZ (the company has a different ownership structure), which will continue to represent Cannes on behalf of New Zealand.
Savage told NZCC he was already talking to three large Australian media organisations keen to take up the glamorous role and might be able to announce an appointment within weeks.

A NEW BREWERY (AND A BABY) IS BORN


The Film Brewery is the new name of Chris Graham and Treza Gallogly’s film company, born out of the (very young!) ashes of the past name of gladwrap flicks.
Says Chris Graham: "We loved the gladwrap name," said Chris, "as it made most people laugh, but after 3 legal bouts in the boxing ring with the nice owners of the glad trademark, we figured their pockets and boxing gloves were way larger than ours. So in our enthusiasm to move ahead, with our newborn company, we decided to start fresh and re-brand ourselves as The Film Brewery."
Chris Graham has also been busy with his best work yet, his first newborn daughter Mala – who arrived just 10 days ago.
He has also just completed two music videos for Scribe’s new singles both on rotation now, and they have already shot their first TVC together, being the SPARC ‘Volunteers’ TVC for Y&R Wellington.
Chris Graham's second feature film, the psychological horror ‘The Ferryman’, [starring John Rhys Davies & Kerry Fox] opens in theatres nationwide in November this year. His first feature ‘Sione’s Wedding’ is still playing on the international circuit, and is currently enjoying huge success in Italy.
The pair are ready for more action, so you can contact them through treza@thefilmbrewery.co.nz. You can view their work on the website:
www.thefilmbrewery.co.nz

Friday, September 14, 2007

SAATCHI & SAATCHI LEADS THE AGENCY PACK AT EFFIES' FINALIST STAGE

Saatchi & Saatchi top the table at the finalist stage of the CAANZ Effie Awards, with 13 nominations, well ahead of second placed Colenso BBDO with eight.
Other finalists include Clemenger BBDO and Ogilvy NZ with six apiece, Draft FCB with four, DDB and Y&R with three each and Publicis Mojo with two. justONE has one finalist.

The full list of finalists at http://www.caanz.co.nz/v2/awards.asp?id=94

The awards will be held on 11 October at the Sky City Convention Centre in Auckland.

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

OUT OF HOME AWARDS DEADLINE THIS FRIDAY

The deadline for entries to Q2 of the OMA Out of Home awards is this Friday 14th September. If anyone needs a little more time then please contact:

Adam McGregor
adam@cossack.co.nz
021 917 817

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

CAXTON SPEAKERS CONFIRMED


An eclectic mix of speakers has been lined up to join international guest Jeff Goodby from Goodby Silverstein & Partners, San Francisco at this year’s Caxton weekend in October, including Richard Maddocks, ECD of Colenso BBDO, Auckland.
The other speakers, all from Australia, are:
Mick Hunter, Managing Partner, Brain Surgery, Sydney
Rebecca Carrasco, ECD, Colman Rasic Carrasco, Sydney
Matt Eastwood, Executive Creative Director, DDB Australia, Sydney
George Stent, Stent Research & Planning
Dennis Koutoulogenis, Senior Writer, BMF, Sydney
Annabel Crabb, Political Sketch Writer, Sydney Morning Herald
Belinda Rowe, CEO, Zenith Optimedia, Sydney
David Thomason, General Manager Marketing, Meat and Livestock Australia

Winners of the Caxton Awards will be announced at the 2007 Caxton Seminar to be held at The Byron at Byron Resort, Byron Bay from 26 - 28 October 2007.
Places are filling fast, so to guarantee your place at Caxton 2007 contact Justine Kendall on 61 2 9281 8788 or email justine@twodeforce.com.au