When ContagiousLA approached Cornelius Trunchpole in late 2010, it was with the same level of mystery and enchantment that seemed to captivate the industry’s response to the man and his sudden online phenomena. Who was he? Or perhaps more relevant, who was behind him?nnEither way, the man Facebook knew as ad legend Cornelius Trunchpole had created quite a stir in the Ad Community – winning thousands of online followers and sending gossip blogs into a frenzy. But with a simple e-mail to the address on Corny’s Facebook account, ContagiousLA director Andrew Laurich made contact.n n”I was shocked,” Laurich says. “He (Trunchpole) responded within an hour.” Laurich expressed interest in working with Trunchpole on future projects; and within a few months of online exchange, Trunchpole – or the person behind him – offered Laurich the directing job on a short documentary about the return of Trunchpole.nn
nn”The next year was an absolute whirlwind,” says Natalie Sakai, executive producer and co-founder of ContagiousLA. Production traveled between Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco, interviewing some of advertising’s biggest luminaries. “We’d get an e-mail every other week or so from Trunchpole that would just say: ‘Lee Clow has agreed to be in the film on this date, please contact his assistant’, we really had no idea how involved the project would become”. The finished 15 minute mockumentary, “Art and Corny”, includes interviews from the likes of Lee Clow, Jeff Goodby, Steve Hayden, Michael Wolff, among others, discussing how Trunchpole influenced and shaped their careers. “It’s a way for the industry to sort of poke fun at itself. We had Steve Hayden singing Lady Gaga and Jeff Goodby storming out of an interview. It had this interesting communal effect. Everybody seemed to jump on board,” says Laurich.nnThe finished film charts the dramatic return of Cornelius Trunchpole to the top of the advertising industry without sacrificing any of the mystery. “We make no declarations as to Trunchpole’s real identity. You’ll just have to see for yourself,” Laurich quips. The film premieres during Creative Week in NYC next month and promises to be a can’t-miss event. Following the screening, a panel discussion addresses the Trunchpole phenomenon and how social media can affect the industry at large. Details below:nn“Art & Corny” Premiere / An Evening with Cornelius Trunchpole and Friends“nTIME: Wednesday, May 09 / 5:00 PM – 6:00 PMnVENUE: Galapagos Art Space 16 Main Street, Brooklyn, NYnTICKETS: RSVP HEREnnCreditsnTitle: Art & CornynProduction Company: ContagiousLAnDirector: Andrew LaurichnProducer: Natalie SakainEP: Natalie Sakai, Jeff Jenkins, Andrew LaurichnnEditorial: ContagiousLAnOn-Line: Local HeronColorist: Robbie RenfrownnAudio Post: Lime StudiosnMixer: Lindsey AlvareznnAbout CONTAGIOUSLAnContagiousLA is a full-service production company and creative collective, founded by film and commercial producer Natalie Sakai and directors Andrew Laurich and Jeff Jenkins. A young, energetic, and collaborative crew, they are a vendor of Google’s ad creation platform and work with growing businesses and agencies alike. The ContagiousLA roster highlights directors that have been chosen as the next rising stars and is known for incessantly nurturing their creative abilities. The team is in on the advertising industry’s most talked about documentary "Art & Corny" covering the legendary advertising mogul who vanished in the 1960’s: Cornelius Trunchpole and starring the likes of Lee Clow, Gerry Graf, and other famous culture-makers. www.contagiousla.com.Natalie Sakai Executive Producer 323-303-3527 Contact Natalie via email
Creative Trailblazer Javier Campopiano Returns as Executive Jury President For The 2025 NYF Advertising Awards
New York Festivals Advertising Awards is thrilled to announce that Javier Campopiano, Global Chief Creative Officer at McCann Worldgroup and McCann will return as the 2025 Executive Jury President. In January, NYF’s Advertising Awards will kick off a spectacular new season, once again spearheaded by industry innovator Javier Campopiano. He will continue to build on the success of last year’s event by pulling together a carefully curated mix of both creative and brand leaders to ensure that a diverse array of viewpoints and perspectives are brought together. Through thoughtful discussions and expert evaluations, this coveted group will establish the benchmark for creative excellence in 2025. “We’re honored to have Javier Campopiano return to lead the 2025 Executive Jury,” said Scott Rose, President, New York Festivals Advertising Awards. “With his seasoned global perspective and mastery in crafting campaigns that push creative boundaries, Javier’s insight will once again inspire a bold standard of excellence within our jury sessions.” Campopiano has built a reputation as an innovative creative, consistently standing out on the global stage. His achievements have garnered international acclaim, including over 200 Cannes Lions, which feature prestigious accolades such as Titanium Lions and Grand Prix. Additionally, he has received top honors at numerous renowned international competitions. Campopiano said, “Serving as Executive Jury President for New York Festivals is its own reward, and I am honored to be taking on this important role again. Together with an incredible group of accomplished industry peers, we will be looking for creativity rooted in human truths that generate... Read More