Stink, London, and DDB London topped the 2006 British Television Advertising Awards (BTAA), being named respectively, the most successful production company and ad agency of the year in the U.K.
Stink’s win came largely on the strength of spots directed by Ivan Zacharias: Honda’s “Impossible Dream” out of Wieden+Kennedy, London, and Sure (in European markets it’s called Rexona) deodorant’s “Stunt City” for Lowe, London. Zacharias is repped stateside by bicoastal Smuggler.
“Impossible Dream” garnered the BTAA honor as best TV commercial of the year, in addition to picking up Gold Awards in three categories–cars, corporate and best spot over 60 seconds.
Meanwhile “Stunt City” also earned three Golds, topping the best :30 or less, toiletries and European categories.
Taking two Golds apiece were: the U.K. Department for Transport’s teen road safety PSA “Cameraphone” (the best :30 or less and public service categories) directed by Chris Palmer of Gorgeous Enterprises, London (Palmer helms U.S. spots via bicoastal Anonymous Content) for Leo Burnett, London; and Stella Artois beer’s “Ice Skating Priests” (the best over :60 and alcoholic beverages categories) directed by Jonathan Glazer of Academy, London, for Lowe, London.
Also scoring Gold in the alcoholic beverages category was Guinness’ much-lauded “noitulovE” directed by Daniel Kleinman of Kleinman Productions, London. Another high-profile ad, Sony Bravia TV’s “Balls,” got Gold in the best 60 seconds or less category. “Balls” was directed by Nicolai Fuglsig of bicoastal/international MJZ for Fallon, London. And rounding out the Gold winners, in the sponsorship bumpers category, was five’s package of “Cow,” “Horses” and “Pigs,” directed and written by Claire Lambert of hybrid production company/agency Devilfish, London.
Review: Director Jon M. Chu’s “Wicked”
It's the ultimate celebrity redemption tour, two decades in the making. In the annals of pop culture, few characters have undergone an image makeover quite like the Wicked Witch of the West.
Oh, she may have been vengeful and scary in "The Wizard of Oz." But something changed — like, REALLY changed — on the way from the yellow brick road to the Great White Way. Since 2003, crowds have packed nightly into "Wicked" at Broadway's Gershwin Theatre to cheer as the green-skinned, misunderstood Elphaba rises up on her broomstick to belt "Defying Gravity," that enduring girl-power anthem.
How many people have seen "Wicked"? Rudimentary math suggests more than 15 million on Broadway alone. And now we have "Wicked" the movie, director Jon M. Chu's lavish, faithful, impeccably crafted (and nearly three-hour) ode to this origin story of Elphaba and her (eventual) bestie — Glinda, the very good and very blonde. Welcome to Hollywood, ladies.
Before we get to what this movie does well (Those big numbers! Those costumes!), just a couple thornier issues to ponder. Will this "Wicked," powered by a soulful Cynthia Erivo (owner of one of the best singing voices on the planet) and a sprightly, comedic, hair-tossing Ariana Grande, turn even musical theater haters into lovers?
Tricky question. Some people just don't buy into the musical thing, and they should be allowed to live freely amongst us. But if people breaking into song delights rather than flummoxes you, if elaborate dance numbers in village squares and fantastical nightclubs and emerald-hued cities make perfect sense to you, and especially if you already love "Wicked," well then, you will likely love this film. If it feels like they made the best "Wicked" movie money could buy — well, it's... Read More