DELI-STYLE BRAIN SURGERYThis graphic spot opens on a deli meat slicer, but instead of a corned beef or pastrami brisket being loaded onto the machine, we see a human brain locked into position. As choice cuts of gray matter are sliced off before our eyes, a voiceover provides context, noting that using meth causes brain damage. “Up to eight percent of the lobe used for memory, gone,” relates the narrator. “Up to 10 percent of the part that controls your moods, emotions, your sex drive gone–maybe for good. Before you do meth, you better know how much of your brain you’re willing to give up–because afterwards, there’s a chance you won’t know much of anything.” The starkly poignant ad for the Wyoming Department of Health is tagged with the website address MethKillsWyoming.org. Driven by sound design from sound designer Brian Chapman and composers/sound designers John Nau and Andrew Feltenstein of Beacon Street Studios, Venice, Calif., the PSA, which is titled “Slicer,” was directed by Ray Dillman of bicoastal/international MJZ for Sukle Advertising & Design, Denver. The agency team consisted of creative director Mike Sukle, copywriter Jim Glynn, art director Andy Dutlinger and producer Michon Schmidt.The DP was Julian Whatley. Editor was Tessa Davis of bicoastal Cosmo Street. Colorist was Shane Harris of Company 3, Santa Monica.
HOWLING HEARD IN NASHVILLEHowling Music, a North Hollywood, Calif.-based producer of original music for advertising, has launched a full-service production office in Nashville. The company’s aim is to broaden its access to emerging musical talent, both composers and performers, by tapping into Nashville’s rich music scene that spans country and other genres. Howling Music principal David Grow said Nashville has always intrigued him as a source of musical talent that has been largely unexplored by the advertising industry. “Los Angeles has a large pool of musical talent, but it has been pretty thoroughly mined for ad work,” he said. “Nashville, by contrast, is filled with amazing artists and players, a pool of talent roughly twice the size of L.A.’s., yet, they have been remarkably under-utilized for ad music and that creates a great opportunity for our clients.” Howling Music, Nashville, features two recording studios. The company will maintain a small local staff while Grow and fellow staff composers Nick Brown, Jorgen Carlsson and Peter Slantsker will move between the company’s Southern California headquarters and the new office as required by individual projects. Additionally, Howling plans to soon open a shop in Dublin, Ireland, in order to tap into European artists.
PEOPLE IN THE NEWSAdam Marton has joined the Filmworkers Club, Chicago, as executive producer/production. Marton is a 15-year veteran of the Chicago advertising and TV industry and served for the past decade as exec producer of The Film & Tape Works. In his new role, Marton will assist Filmworkers Club’s existing ad agency clients in post-producing both traditional broadcast advertising projects and non-traditional media. He will also seek to develop new business…..Suzanne Dunn has been named VP, interactive business development at Concrete Pictures. She is based in the Santa Monica office of the Philadelphia-headquartered creative agency/production house. Dunn formerly served as exec producer of DirecTV’s Advanced Services & Content Group…
