"Save Lolita" receives Two 2011 Bronze Telly Awards
Underdog Entertainment, a New York-based production company, today announces that Daniel Azarian, a rising director of television commercials and branded entertainment, has won two 2011 Telly Awards for the public service announcement (PSA), "Save Lolita," which raises awareness of the plight of Lolita the orca, who has been held captive for over 40 years in a small concrete pool.
The PSA claimed two Bronze Telly awards in the categories of Public Service and Non Profit. It uses the same kind of emotional technique and tone, visually and musically, that promotes human causes like Save the Children, but closes with the added kicker that this victim is an orca. The PSA can be viewed at www.savelolita.org.
Over forty years ago, herders violently took Lolita, now aged 45, from her family in Puget Sound and transferred her to a 20-foot-deep tank at the Miami Seaquarium. Only four times her size at its widest point, the tank appears to be illegally small under Department of Agriculture regulations.
"I wanted to appeal to people who might not understand how unethical Lolita’s situation is by presenting her predicament through human eyes," explains director Azarian. "Research clearly shows that orcas are sentient, emotional, and highly intelligent beings who are aware of their surroundings. To see such a beautiful 22-foot creature in a tiny 35-foot-wide tank seems inhumane. I felt compelled to do something.”
A proposed retirement plan for Lolita would place her in a transitional coastal sea pen sanctuary in her native waters, where she would be rehabilitated under human care, then given the choice to go back to open waters if it’s deemed safe. Many organizations are willing to help implement it, but Seaquarium’s owners have thus far rejected the idea. To learn more, visit www.savelolita.org.
Daniel Azarian has previously won three 2008 Telly Awards, including Telly’s highest honor, the Silver Award, for his futuristic-themed cosmetic spot, "Bulletproof.” Azarian has also directed and produced national spots for 3M’s Scotch-Brite brand and Horizon Organic. Blue-chip telecommunications firms and entertainment networks have licensed Azarian’s commercial spots for their US and international mobile networks.
About Underdog Entertainment
Underdog Entertainment (www.UnderdogEntertainment.com) is a New York-based production company active in producing commercial spots, public service announcements, branded and traditional entertainment and film.
Robert Michael Underdog Entertainment Contact Robert via email 212.807.9552
2024 AICP Awards Tour Concludes with Stops in Dallas and Chicago
The 2024 AICP Awards Tour concludes with stops in Dallas and Chicago this month as it wraps up its tour of cities across the U.S. The National Tour brought presentations, panels and screenings to marketers, advertising agencies, production and post production companies. The AICP Awards will be in Dallas on Thursday, November 14th, at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, followed by the Chicago event, set for Thursday, November 21st at The Old Post Office. Tickets are available now for both events at www.aicp.com. In Dallas, the program kicks off at 6:45 pm with a happy hour, followed by the screening and panel discussion at 7:30. The evening ends with a networking reception from 8:30 to 11:30. The Perot Museum of Nature and Science is located at 2201 N. Field Street in Dallas. Appearing in Dallas will be Abe Garcia, Chief Creative Officer, Dieste; Julia Melle, Director of Brand and Content, Southwest Airlines; and Isaac Pagán Muñoz, VP, Executive Creative Director of PepsiCo Foods. The panel will review selected winners from the suite of the AICP Awards programs, offering insights into what made them rise to the top of their respective categories and share their viewpoints on key trends in the industry. The Chicago stop starts at 6:00pm with a happy hour, followed by the presentation and screening at 7:00pm. A reception caps the event, starting at 8:00pm and concluding at 11:30pm. The Old Post Office is located at 433 W Van Buren Street in Chicago. The panel there will feature 2024 AICP Awards Curators and Winners from the marketer, agency, production and post production sectors who’ll highlight this year’s winners. The conversation will include a discussion about the winning work, including insights... Read More