In his latest contribution for Hallmark, Madheart‘s Jan Gleie has directed a spot that captures the spirit of the holidays through a series of disarmingly simple vignettes in which people express their desire to connect with family and friends. It’s part of an ongoing campaign for the brand, out of Leo Burnett, Chicago, employing the theme “Tell Me” and showing how a Hallmark card can satisfy basic human emotional needs.nnThe spot is composed of a series of artfully crafted portraits in which the subject speaks directly to the camera as if to a loved one of his or her desire for connection. “Tell me that I did a good job.” “โฆthat our traditions matter.” “Tell me you love me for who I am.” nn
nnAs is typical of Gleie’s work, the vignettes feel authentic and unforced and the speakers connect with viewers because they express simple, human emotions that everyone shares. People engage in holiday activities in casual, natural ways that never feel staged or sentimental. They seem like people we know.nnEarlier this year, Gleie directed spots with the same theme for Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day. He also directed a 60-second branding spot built on the “Tell Me” phrase. That spot included subjects ranging from a woman dealing with the anxiety of growing old to a cancer patient. It’s powerful stuff that, in lessor hands could have struck a false tone, but Gleie delivered it with the light but insightful touch of a master of portraiture. nnCreditsnTitles: Tell Me – HolidaysnClient: HallmarknAgency: Leo Burnett, Chicago.nJeanie Caggiano, executive creative director; Matt Miller, creative director; Phil Jungmann, creative director; Adam Ferguson, copywriter; Ray Swift, agency producer. nnProduction: Madheart, Los Angeles.nJan Gleie, director; Lisa Phillips, executive producer.nnMadheart is based in Los Angeles. For further information, call 213.995.4555 or visit www.madheart.com. The company is represented on the West Coast by Lisa Gimenez Toliver (lisa@lisareps.com), Hot Betty in the Midwest (cat@hot-betty.com), and, on the East Coast, by Dana Dubay (dana@dubay.tv) and Kelly Flint (kelly@strikemedia.tv)Lisa Phillips Executive Producer Madheart 213 995 4555 Contact Lisa via email
Contact:Linda Rosner ArtisansPR 310.837.6008 Contact Linda via email
Who Needs Los Angeles? We Do.
One doesn't have to be a statistician to know that there are fewer commercials being shot in the U.S. today for the American market than ever before, and a dramatic decrease in L.A. in particular. In the last five years, as reported by FilmLA (the office tasked with issuing permits), L.A. commercial production has dipped 31 percent. But hereโs the thing: This doesnโt mean that L.A. has lost its importance as the production center of the world. Production in L.A. is vital. It is the go-to. Itโs where you can count on access to exemplary crews, a support infrastructure second to none, varied location and backlot options, a large population of on-screen talent and (fairly) predictable weather. The fact is, with overall decline and now the devastation of the fires, weโre on the brink of losing this mainstay resource. Without employment opportunities and now many without homes, talented and trained crew are bound to leave either the industry or the LA area for other opportunities, unless there are enough job opportunities to sustainย a solid living. Now is the time when we ALL must support and bolster this community. Production is needed in L.A., now! Of course, advertising is a business, and marketersโ money should be spent as efficiently as possible, BUT we have to think beyond each production and know that if we lose the incredible resource of L.A. production as we know it, then marketers, agencies and the industry loses in the long run. Over the past several days, some agencies have issued directives to production companies that are unilaterally pushing upcoming production options out of L.A. The fact is L.A. is a large area, and many sections of the city and county are not directly impacted... Read More