“Alexa’s Body”–directed by Wayne McClammy of Hungry Man for client Amazon out of agency Lucky Generals–has won the Super Clio as this year’s most creative Super Bowl spot.
In the commercial, a woman imagines that her Amazon Alexa assistant has the voice–and body–of actor Michael B. Jordan who dutifully obeys her commands. He, for instance, takes off his shirt to dim the lights. He also reads an audio book to her in the tub, all to the chagrin of her hapless husband.
During a virtual session on Monday (2/8), The Clio Awards gathered creators of celebrated Super Bowl spots from the past and present to decide, from the industry’s point of view, which ad was most worthy through a points system. Representatives from shops including 72andSunny, BBDO New York, Highdive Advertising and Wieden + Kennedy chose “Alexa’s Body” as the Super Clio winner.
“The writing, acting and production value all worked together to make it feel big and memorable, yet subtle and intimate all at once,” said Chad Broude, co-founder/CCO, Highdive Advertising. “Quite a creative accomplishment for Lucky Generals.”
The jury, led by Rob Reilly the non-voting commissioner and global creative chairman of McCann Worldgroup, was impressed with a wide variety of ads, but two in particular stood out: “Alexa’s Body,” and Wieden+Kennedy NY’s Bud Light Lemonade Seltzer spot titled “Last Year’s Lemons.” The latter was cited for its humorous take on the events of 2020, a lemon of a year, as well for such standout elements as production value and music selection. Ultimately, Lucky Generals’ work for Amazon scored the top prize for its combination of humor, authenticity, and restraint. The commercial was called out for having been the latest in a string of Super Bowl ads from Amazon that continued to find creative new ways to humanize its product, and the stellar acting performances of the predominantly Black cast made an impact in a year where the Black Lives Matter movement sparked important conversation about representation on screen and off.
The 7th annual Super Clio was decided by:
- Sherina Florence, group creative director, 72andSunny
- Diane Hill, EVP, group executive producer, BBDO New York
- Keith Cartwright, founder/ CCO, Cartwright
- Ruben Mercadal, associate director of film and content production, Droga5
- Margaret Johnson, CCO, Goodby Silverstein & Partners
- Chad Broude, co-founder/CCO, Highdive Advertising
- Danilo Boer, CCO, Ogilvy New York
- Aaron Kovan, chief production officer, VaynerMedia
- Colleen DeCourcy, president, Wieden+Kennedy
The Super Clio trophy, which towers above a standard Clio at 22 inches, matching the height and look of the NFL championship Lombardi trophy, will be inscribed and presented to Lucky Generals this week.
“Scandal” cast will reunite for online script reading for hurricane relief in western North Carolina
The cast of ABC's hit political drama "Scandal" may need to brush up on their snappy, speedy delivery known as "Scandal-pace," because they're reuniting for a good cause. Its stars including Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn and Bellamy Young will take part in a live virtual script reading on Nov. 17 to raise money for hurricane relief in western North Carolina.
Beginning Friday, fans can go online and donate to reserve a spot for the online reading. Proceeds will benefit United Way of North Carolina. Everyone who donates will be able to take part in a virtual pre-event with the cast and Shonda Rhimes will give an introduction.
Additional guest stars will also be announced. The online fundraising platform Prizeo is also holding a contest where one person who donates online via their site will be selected to read a role from the script with the actors. The winner should not worry about the "Scandal"-pace, assured Young over Zoom.
"Whomever the lucky reader is can read at whatever pace they want," she said.
Young, who played Mellie Young, the first lady and later Republican presidential nominee on "Scandal," was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina. She came up with the idea for the effort with a friend and took it to her fellow "Scandal" actors, who all jumped on board. Young said this is the first script reading the cast has all done together since the show ended after seven seasons in 2018.
Which episode they will be reading has not been announced yet.
Young said it's "been devastating" to see so many parts of her hometown badly damaged by Hurricane Helene, which ravaged western North Carolina one month ago.
To research the best use for donations, Young spoke with numerous political leaders, including North... Read More