ENNIS, Ireland–Honda’s “Grrr,” out of Wieden + Kennedy (W+K), London, scored the Grand Prix earlier this month (9/10) at the 43rd annual Shark Awards, which honor Irish and international advertising. This marked the first time that the competition gala was held in Ennis, shifting from Kinsale, the longstanding host city in Ireland.
Directed by Smith & Foulkes–Adam and Allan–of Nexus Productions, London, “Grrr” also netted Gold Sharks for cinema, automotive, animation, and best use of music (which was done by the London office of bicoastal/international Amber Music).
Meanwhile, winning the Irish Grand Prix was Heineken’s “China” from McCann-Erickson, Dublin, and directed by Matthijs van Heijningen of bicoastal/international MJZ. “China” also garnered a Gold Shark for alcoholic drinks.
The Palm d’Or went to Zanita Films, Dublin. The shop won the honor largely on the basis of a BC Dairy spot called “T Rex” out of DDB Canada, Vancouver, B.C., and directed by Ruairi Robinson of Zanita (he is repped in the U.K. via Blink, London). The spot earned Gold Sharks for best direction and animation in the Irish Craft Award categories, as well as a Gold Shark in the non-alcoholic drinks category. Robinson additionally garnered the Irish New Directors Award. (Lena Beug of Reginald Pike, Toronto, scored the International New Directors Award.)
A trio of spots for Viagra–“Office,” “Golf,” and “Coach”–out of Taxi, Toronto, and directed by Joachim Back, and produced via The Partners’ Film Company, Toronto, won a Gold Shark for campaign. (Back is repped stateside via Park Pictures, New York.) Two Gold Sharks were awarded in the food category: one to “Hare” for Heinz Tomato Ketchup out of Leo Burnett, London, and Ragu Pasta Sauces’ “Father and Son.” Winning Gold for alcoholic drinks was “Big Ad” for Carlton Draught, out of George Patterson and Partners, Melbourne, and directed by Paul Middleditch of Plaza Films, Sydney. McCoy’s Specials’ “TV Remote,” via Publicis, London, and directed by Scott Vincent of bicoastal/international Hungry Man, won a Gold Shark in the confectionary category, while the Africa Museum’s “The Memory of Congo,” out of agency LG&F, Belgium, was honored with a Gold Shark for leisure. “Opera Week” for the Clara Classic Music Radio Station out LG&F, and helmed by Frank Devos of Lovo, Belgium, copped a gold for media and entertainment. Earning a Gold Shark for low-budget television was “Blarney” for CU Ireland Clothing, out of Cawley Nea TBWA, Dublin, and directed by Type2error of Godman, London. Blood Donation’s “We Gave Blood,” out of agency BMF Advertising, Sydney, and directed by Ben Lawrence of Caravan Pictures, Sydney, won a Gold Shark for public service and welfare.
CRAFT CATEGORIES
The Gold Shark for directing went to Middleditch of Plaza Films for the aforementioned “Big Ad.” Two Gold Sharks–for best postproduction/special effects and animation–went to an ad for the Renault Espace, “Hector’s Life,” out of Publicis Conseil, Paris, and directed by Dom & Nic, with production by Outsider, London, and Bandits, Paris. A team of artisans from FrameStore CFC, London, created effects and animation for “Hector’s Life.” The adidas spot “Impossible Field,” out of 180 Amsterdam won the Gold Shark for best editing. Steve Gandolfi of Cut + Run, which has offices in London, New York, and Los Angeles, edited the spot, which was helmed by Daniel Kleinman of Kleinman Productions, London.
