In a surprising development–both to would-be handicappers and to the winner himself–Peter Thwaites of Gorgeous Enterprises, London (who’s repped stateside by bicoastal Anonymous Content), received the Directors Guild of America (DGA) Award as Best Commercial Director of 2008.
When he was announced as being the winner during the DGA Awards gala on Saturday (1/31) in Los Angeles, Thwaites came on stage and said he hadn’t prepared an acceptance speech. “I’m very surprised,” related Thwaites who noted that he is “so amazed” by the work of his fellow nominees that “being here in their place humbles me to a great degree. I’m very grateful. Thank you very much.”
While Thwaites sounded a bit stunned, his nominated work was stunning enough to win over DGA judges. Thwaites earned the Guild honor on the strength of two entries: Barclaycard’s “Water Slide” for BBH London, and Guinness’ “Light Show” out of Irish International BBDO, Dublin.
The former shows a swim trunks-clad employee taking a wondrous amusement park-like commute home from the office–his mode of transportation being an enormous waterslide that winds its way throughout the city all the way to his suburban abode. Along the way he slip slides through a grocery store where he buys a banana which he pays for by sliding his Barclaycard past a sensor. He is able to use the card repeatedly without slowing down his slide home.
“From a directing point of view, the spot was a huge balancing act,” related Thwaites. “The key was balancing elements of postproduction and live action and trying to make something so technical be true to a human narrative storyline that connects with people. That’s always the hardest thing for a director who serves as a balancing force, and overseer and creative force on this kind of project. The director has to keep his eye on the ball, making sure you stay true to the simple idea. I felt sort of a ringleader with so many post people [from The Mill, London] involved.
Guinness’ “Light Show” also entailed collaboration with The Mill. “The idea was an office building being a pint of Guinness as reflected in the configuration of lights that are on inside the building,” said Thwaites. “Again for me it’s important within this essentially visual piece to keep a narrative flow by managing the scale of the job and keeping the ultimate focus on the simplicity of the idea.”
First-time DGA Award nominee Thwaites topped a field of nominated spot directors that included Anonymous Content’s David Fincher, a past winner of the DGA commercials honor (as the top spot helmer of ’03) and twice a commercial director of the year nominee. (Fincher was also nominated this year for the feature film DGA Award on the basis of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button; the DGA Award for best feature helmer ultimately went to Danny Boyle for Slum Dog Millionaire).
Rounding out this year’s DGA spotmaking nominees was a trio of directors from bicoastal/international MJZ: Fredrik Bond who’s been nominated for the honor three times during his career; and Tom Kuntz and Rupert Sanders, who have each received two career nominations.
Thwaites’ win breaks a streak of three consecutive years in which an MJZ director won the DGA spot honor. Nicolai Fuglsig was best commercial director of ’07, Dante Ariola earned top spot helmer distinction in ’06, and Craig Gillespie took the ’05 honor.
Cannes Lions Sets Cohort For The 2025 See It Be It Talent Program
Cannes Lions has announced the cohort for the 2025 See It Be It talent program, designed to accelerate the careers of women and non-binary talent. The 2025 cohort selected for this unique learning and development program includes 20 creatives from 14 markets, with Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela being represented for the first time. Taking place at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, June 16-20, the program includes mentorship opportunities and private masterclasses with industry leaders, as well as backstage access and session invitations tailored to each participantโs career goals.
Since its launch in 2014, See It Be It has brought together over 100 women and non-binary people from 35 markets, with 75% of the programโs alumni having been promoted and 63% now operating at a creative director level or above.
The 2025 cohort will be supported by Mentor Atiya Zaidi, CEO and chief creative officer, BBDO Pakistan, Pakistan, and alumni tutors Estefanรญa Lรณpez, strategy director, Connections, TBWAChiatDay New York, and Nicky Lorenzo, founder and executive creative director, Twice on Sunday, USA.
Lorenzo said, โThe ability to act as steward for this incredible cohort of immensely talented individuals is truly a privilege. See It Be It was--and continues to be--a driving force of inspiration, learning, and growth for me, and I hope to facilitate the same for this yearโs cohort as they embark on this incredible journey. Now, more than ever, is the time to uplift women who deserve recognition and sponsorship.โ
Lรณpez added, โThis cohort of incredible creatives honors the legacy of See It Be It and marks the first year of a new decade for the program. It doesnโt get more iconic than this. Their voices will be... Read More