The hiring of creative director Geoff McGann (see story in this week’s News section) underscores the growth and new found independence at Public Interest as it has evolved over the past several months. For the first seven-and-a-half years of its existence, the shop was headquartered on the Santa Monica premises of bicoastal/international @radical.media, which helped nurture the operation. But in early 2006, Public Interest, which is dedicated to producing public service advertising and messaging for social change, established its own separate Santa Monica quarters, opened an office in Washington, D.C., and has added to its creative resources.
Indeed since its inception in 1998, Public Interest has increased from a four-person staff to a collective of more than 30, with most of those positions being in creative capacities. “We’ve evolved from being a small hybrid production company/ad shop and moved much closer to being a standalone nonprofit advertising agency,” said Public Interest’s executive creative director Michael Franzini. This evolution, he explained, made it a natural progression for Public Interest to go out on its own, though it continues to collaborate with @radical on projects. “Our becoming a full-fledged ad agency was another factor that went into the decision to separate ourselves from any [production] company,” added Franzini.
While Franzini and McGann each figure to occasionally direct Public Interest projects, the agency will look to outside helmers frequently. A case in point is Public Interest’s soon-to-be-released follow-up campaign for the Stand Up program (designed to address the escalating dropout rate among high school students) on behalf of The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Now the Eli Broad Foundation has gotten involved in the Stand-Up education initiative, with Public Interest creating three new spots, one directed by Franzini and two by Vance Malone of bicoastal/international Hungry Man.
Furthermore, Public Interest is open to partnering with other agencies. For example it is teaming with Droga5, New York, on an Allstate Foundation campaign designed to promote teen driving safety.
Public Interest made a major splash this year with its “Born Different” campaign directed by @radical’s Brett Froomer for The Gill Foundation. Created to raise attention in the politically conservative bastion of Colorado Springs, particularly among those who don’t normally give gay rights much thought, the spots tell the story of an adorable puppy named Norman who just happens to moo instead of bark. In the introductory ads, there’s no mention of the gay issue–just the fact that Norman is different, with traffic being driven to the Web site borndifferent.org. The spots show Norman being ostracized for mooing, even though he can’t help it. The campaign created a buzz in Colorado, sparking dialogue on whether or not people are born gay. “It’s been a most gratifying campaign,” said Franzini.
Apple and Google Face UK Investigation Into Mobile Browser Dominance
Apple and Google aren't giving consumers a genuine choice of mobile web browsers, a British watchdog said Friday in a report that recommends they face an investigation under new U.K. digital rules taking effect next year.
The Competition and Markets Authority took aim at Apple, saying the iPhone maker's tactics hold back innovation by stopping rivals from giving users new features like faster webpage loading. Apple does this by restricting progressive web apps, which don't need to be downloaded from an app store and aren't subject to app store commissions, the report said.
"This technology is not able to fully take off on iOS devices," the watchdog said in a provisional report on its investigation into mobile browsers that it opened after an initial study concluded that Apple and Google effectively have a chokehold on "mobile ecosystems."
The CMA's report also found that Apple and Google manipulate the choices given to mobile phone users to make their own browsers "the clearest or easiest option."
And it said that the a revenue-sharing deal between the two U.S. Big Tech companies "significantly reduces their financial incentives" to compete in mobile browsers on Apple's iOS operating system for iPhones.
Both companies said they will "engage constructively" with the CMA.
Apple said it disagreed with the findings and said it was concerned that the recommendations would undermine user privacy and security.
Google said the openness of its Android mobile operating system "has helped to expand choice, reduce prices and democratize access to smartphones and apps" and that it's "committed to open platforms that empower consumers."
It's the latest move by regulators on both sides of the Atlantic to crack down on the... Read More