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.
“Conclave” Tops BAFTA Film Awards With 12 Nominations, One More Than “Emilia Pérez”
Papal thriller “Conclave,” which stars Ralph Fiennes as a cardinal overseeing the election of a new pope, leads the race — just — for the British Academy Film Awards, with nominations in 12 categories, one more than the genre-busting trans musical “Emilia Pérez.”
But with the wildfires in Los Angeles over the past week fresh in the minds of everyone in the movie industry, Wednesday’s announcement of the latest BAFTA nominations was understandably subdued.
“We are very much thinking of our colleagues, friends, community over there,” said BAFTA chair Sara Putt. “It’s devastating what’s going on.”
She wouldn’t be drawn on whether the fires may impact the BAFTA ceremony, which is due to take place on Feb. 16.
“The ceremony is a month away, it would be inappropriate and far too early to say anything about that,” Putt said.
The five films nominated for the prestigious best film award were “Conclave,” “Emilia Pérez,” the 215-minute postwar epic “ The Brutalist,” the Palme d’Or-winning comedy/drama “ Anora “ and the Bob Dylan biopic “ A Complete Unknown.”
“The Brutalist” ended up with nine nominations, including leading actor for Adrien Brody, who faces stiff competition from Fiennes and Timothee Chalamet, who plays the young Dylan in “A Complete Unknown.”
The other actors nominated are Hugh Grant for his creepy role in the horror film “ Heretic,” Colman Domingo in real-life prison drama “ Sing Sing “ and Sebastian Stan for his portrayal of a real estate mogul — a certain Donald Trump — in “ The Apprentice.”
“Anora,” the sci-fi epic “Dune: Part Two” and “Wicked” each received seven nominations. “A Complete Unknown”... Read More