David Droga, founder/creative chairman of Droga5, will serve as the 2011 AICP Next Awards judging chair, and emcee at the Next Awards presentation the morning of the AICP Show’s debut at The Museum of Modern Art. Additionally, the deadline to enter the Next Awards categories has been extended to March 18.
“Since they launched five years ago, the Next Awards have really provided a spotlight for our industry’s most innovative work,” said Droga. “The Next Awards presentation offers thought-provoking insights into the process, and I’m really looking forward to helping develop this great event.”
The Next Awards honor marketing in the motion image across six categories: Integrated Campaign, Viral/Web Film, Website/Microsite, Product Integration, Experiential, and Apps. The Next Awards recognize outstanding work and the creative forces behind it, but are much more than an Awards competition–it is a platform for thought leadership and analysis.
“I’ve worked with David numerous times over the years on projects that not only fit the Next Awards criteria, but have won many of the honors in the past,” said Brian Carmody, managing partner/co-founder of Smuggler, and chairman of the 2011 AICP Show. “He brings a very strong sensibility and understanding to this role.”
“David’s expertise, enthusiasm, and commitment to creativity and innovation make him the perfect fit for the Next Awards,” noted Matt Miller, president/CEO of the Association of Independent Commercial Producers.
Droga has been instrumental in selecting the judges for this year’s Next Awards, and the invited list includes: Jamie Barrett, partner/executive creative director, Goodby, Silverstein & Partners; Lars Bastholm, chief digital creative director, Ogilvy; Mike Byrne, partner/creative director, Anomaly; Dustin Callif, digital executive producer, Tool of North America; Michael Ferdman, founder/owner, Firstborn; Gerry Graf, partner, Barton F., Graf 9000; Bob Greenberg, chairman/CEO/global CCO, R/GA; Greg Hahn, executive creative director, BBDO; Derek Handley, CEO, Hyperfactory; Daniel Ilic, creative director, North Kingdom; Rei Inamoto, co-founder/chief creative officer, AKQA; Linus Karlsson, chairman/chief creative officer, McCann; Kerry Keenan, global director of creative content, Y&R; Alessandra Lariu, sr. VP/Digital Group creative director, McCann; Dana Locatell, partner/executive producer, Supply & Demand; Don McNeill, president, Digital Kitchen; Diane McArter, president, Furlined; Tommy Means, partner, Mekanism; Chris Milk, director, @radical.media; Ty Montague, founder/co-CEO, Co.; Max Oshman, head of interactive, The Lab; Benjamin Palmer, co-founder/CEO, The Barbarian Group; Jesper Pålsson, CEO/executive producer, Stopp; Ewan Paterson, chief creative officer, DDB Chicago; Alex Rainert, head of product, Foursquare; Rob Reilly, worldwide chief creative officer, Crispin Porter + Bogusky; Kevin Roddy; Ted Royer, executive creative director, Droga5; Stephen Rutterford, owner; The Brooklyn Brothers; Doug Schumacher, founder/creative director, Basement; Rob Schwartz, chief creative officer, TBWA/Chiat/Day; Dave Skaff, founder/head of creative, The Science Project; Darren Spiller, chief creative officer, Fallon; Ben Tricklebank, creative director, B-Reel; Mark Tutssel, worldwide chief creative officer, Leo Burnett; Scott Vitrone, executive creative director, Wieden + Kennedy; Steve Wax, co-founder/managing partner, Campfire; Petter Westlund, founding partner/creative director, B-Reel; and Diego Zambrano, sr. partner/creative director, Ogilvy.
At The Next Awards presentation, winners of the Integrated Campaign category present cases studies exploring the creative and strategic thinking behind each winning piece. The Next Awards also features a series of short films highlighting the thinking of the judges in each category. The work of the Next winners, along with that of the honorees of the AICP Show, The Art & Technique of the American Commercial, becomes a part of the archives of The Department of Film at The Museum of Modern Art in New York City.
Review: Director Jon M. Chu’s “Wicked”
It's the ultimate celebrity redemption tour, two decades in the making. In the annals of pop culture, few characters have undergone an image makeover quite like the Wicked Witch of the West.
Oh, she may have been vengeful and scary in "The Wizard of Oz." But something changed — like, REALLY changed — on the way from the yellow brick road to the Great White Way. Since 2003, crowds have packed nightly into "Wicked" at Broadway's Gershwin Theatre to cheer as the green-skinned, misunderstood Elphaba rises up on her broomstick to belt "Defying Gravity," that enduring girl-power anthem.
How many people have seen "Wicked"? Rudimentary math suggests more than 15 million on Broadway alone. And now we have "Wicked" the movie, director Jon M. Chu's lavish, faithful, impeccably crafted (and nearly three-hour) ode to this origin story of Elphaba and her (eventual) bestie — Glinda, the very good and very blonde. Welcome to Hollywood, ladies.
Before we get to what this movie does well (Those big numbers! Those costumes!), just a couple thornier issues to ponder. Will this "Wicked," powered by a soulful Cynthia Erivo (owner of one of the best singing voices on the planet) and a sprightly, comedic, hair-tossing Ariana Grande, turn even musical theater haters into lovers?
Tricky question. Some people just don't buy into the musical thing, and they should be allowed to live freely amongst us. But if people breaking into song delights rather than flummoxes you, if elaborate dance numbers in village squares and fantastical nightclubs and emerald-hued cities make perfect sense to you, and especially if you already love "Wicked," well then, you will likely love this film. If it feels like they made the best "Wicked" movie money could buy — well, it's... Read More