Bicoastal O Positive has signed director Pep Bosch–formerly of Hello! & Company and its predecessor shop Rock Fight–for stateside representation.
Bosch’s latest spot, Volkswagen Polo’s “Cool,” is a satire of American teenage-themed films from the 1950s. “Cool,” which just began airing in Europe, was filmed on a backlot in Sofia, Bulgaria, and was produced by Agosto, the house which reps Bosch in Spain. He also continues to maintain representation in France via the shop Irene, and Germany through Triggerhappy.
Although Bosch is known in Europe for his strong visual sense, both O Positive partners, director Jim Jenkins and exec producer Ralph Laucella, took immediate note of Bosch’s casting as well as his comedic sense.
“I have a strange sense of humor and like to use it,” Bosch said. “I enjoy the visual storytelling, cinematic situations and characters. But it’s always the humor that attracts me to a script. Even if it’s a dramatic or visual one, you cannot confront it and try to make it better without some sense of humor. That allows you to play with expectations and come up with an approach that wasn’t anticipated.”
A prime example is the Bosch-directed “Babysitter” for Audi out of DDB Barcelona. A grown man recalls his childhood babysitter with fond memories; she’s a beautiful woman who trains like she’s a professional athlete. She carries him through the city in her arms–jumping hurdles on the track, running through the park, competing in a relay race. When she leaves him, life becomes boring and static, and he often reminisces. It’s not until years later that he recaptures the special feelings of his childhood by driving an Audi.
Born in Spain, Bosch got his start as a graphic designer working at a toy factory. He studied photography at IEFC in Barcelona, then directed backgrounds for Karaoke videos before landing at Rodar Films in Barcelona where he began directing commercials. Today he lives in Barcelona with his wife and two children.
Over the years Bosch has directed for such clients as VW, Ikea, Audi and Volvo. His commercials have garnered numerous awards at such competitions as the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival, Eurobest and the Clios. The Bosch-helmed “Amnesia” spot for VW out of Barcelona agency Tandem Campmany Guasch DDB (now DDB Barcelona) won a Cannes Gold Lion in 2001.
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