Stink, London, and DDB London topped the 2006 British Television Advertising Awards (BTAA), being named respectively, the most successful production company and ad agency of the year in the U.K.
Stink’s win came largely on the strength of spots directed by Ivan Zacharias: Honda’s “Impossible Dream” out of Wieden+Kennedy, London, and Sure (in European markets it’s called Rexona) deodorant’s “Stunt City” for Lowe, London. Zacharias is repped stateside by bicoastal Smuggler.
“Impossible Dream” garnered the BTAA honor as best TV commercial of the year, in addition to picking up Gold Awards in three categories–cars, corporate and best spot over 60 seconds.
Meanwhile “Stunt City” also earned three Golds, topping the best :30 or less, toiletries and European categories.
Taking two Golds apiece were: the U.K. Department for Transport’s teen road safety PSA “Cameraphone” (the best :30 or less and public service categories) directed by Chris Palmer of Gorgeous Enterprises, London (Palmer helms U.S. spots via bicoastal Anonymous Content) for Leo Burnett, London; and Stella Artois beer’s “Ice Skating Priests” (the best over :60 and alcoholic beverages categories) directed by Jonathan Glazer of Academy, London, for Lowe, London.
Also scoring Gold in the alcoholic beverages category was Guinness’ much-lauded “noitulovE” directed by Daniel Kleinman of Kleinman Productions, London. Another high-profile ad, Sony Bravia TV’s “Balls,” got Gold in the best 60 seconds or less category. “Balls” was directed by Nicolai Fuglsig of bicoastal/international MJZ for Fallon, London. And rounding out the Gold winners, in the sponsorship bumpers category, was five’s package of “Cow,” “Horses” and “Pigs,” directed and written by Claire Lambert of hybrid production company/agency Devilfish, London.
Gene Hackman Died Of Heart Disease; Hantavirus Claimed His Wife’s Life About One Week Prior
Actor Gene Hackman died of heart disease a full week after his wife died from hantavirus in their New Mexico hillside home, likely unaware that she was dead because he was in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease, authorities revealed Friday. Both deaths were ruled to be from natural causes, chief medical examiner Dr. Heather Jarrell said alongside state fire and health officials at a news conference. "Mr. Hackman showed evidence of advanced Alzheimer's disease," Jarrell said. "He was in a very poor state of health. He had significant heart disease, and I think ultimately that's what resulted in his death." Authorities didn't suspect foul play after the bodies of Hackman, 95, and Betsy Arakawa, 65, were discovered Feb 26. Immediate tests for carbon monoxide poisoning were negative. Investigators found that the last known communication and activity from Arakawa was Feb. 11 when she visited a pharmacy, pet store and grocery before returning to their gated neighborhood that afternoon, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said Friday. Hackman's pacemaker last showed signs of activity a week later and that he had an abnormal heart rhythm Feb. 18, the day he likely died, Jarrell said. Although there was no reliable way to determine the date and time when both died, all signs point to their deaths coming a week apart, Jarrell said. "It's quite possible he was not aware she was deceased," Jarrell said. Dr. Michael Baden, a former New York City medical examiner, said he believes Hackman was severely impaired due to Alzheimer's disease and unable to deal with his wife's death in the last week of his life. "You are talking about very severe Alzheimer's disease that normal people would be in a nursing home or have a nurse, but she was taking care... Read More