Significant seven: best print ads

Over the next few days, we are publishing highlights from this year’s Mumbrella Annual.

1. Royal Australian Navy, Human frigate
The importance of teamwork in the navy is depicted in the shape of a battle cruiser made from hundreds of recruits. The execution also shows that the navy is not just about ships, sheet metal and rivets – it’s about people. The ad won best corporate and government service at the Caxtons.
Agency: GPY&R Melbourne

 

2. Multiple Sclerosis, Jenga people
Likening the effects of MS to a game of jenga showed the fragility of people suffering from the disease. It was surprising to see this only pick up a bronze at Cannes.
Agency: Colenso BBDO Auckland

 

3. Keep Australia Beautiful, Cup
A sidewalk ripples like water after a coffee cup is chucked on the street – showing how litter eventually ends up in our waterways. An intelligent ecoawareness idea that makes simple a complex problem, and compels even the laziest reader to think twice before littering.
Agency: Clemenger BBDO Sydney

 

4. Surfrider Foundation, Australia, Oil spill
A powerful image that shows that humans are victims of pollution too, with an oil-covered mother washed up on the beach. Would have been higher in our list if it had been given more exposure beyond a few surfings mags.
Agency: Leo Burnett Sydney

 

5. Cross City Tunnel, Beat the congestion
To persuade young Sydney drivers of the benefits of using the Cross City Tunnel, the new Darling Harbour to Rushcutter’s Bay through-way is portrayed as a decongestant pill in a stomach.
Agency: Shift

 

6. NZ Coastguard, Lanes
A call for support from New Zealand’s coastguard, this ad uses flimsy swimming lanes in a rough sea swell and asks the question: “When was the last time you practised your 30km freestyle?” A strong idea that was dramatically executed.
Agency: DDB Auckland

 

7. WWF, Earth Hour – Remote
Rather than droan about climate change, this idea sees Earth Hour introduce humour as a new tactic to persuade Australians to keep flicking their switches off every year.
Agency: Leo Burnett Sydney

Read more »

SMH found guilty of misleading story on Tamil Tigers

The Australian Press Council has upheld a complaint against the Sydney Morning Herald over its reporting of the final stages of the civil war between the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tigers.

According to the judgment, published by the SMH today but not yet online on the APC website, an article was misleading and inaccurate in its cover age of a UN report into an incident where surrendering Tamil leaders were allegedly killed while under a white flag. The headline on the report was “Australian entangled in a final act of civil war“. Read more »

Significant seven: hotties

Over the next few days, we are publishing highlights from this year’s Mumbrella Annual.

1. Ben Coulson: ECD, GPY&R Melbourne
As the creative honcho of Melbourne ad agency GPY&R, Coulson is kicking some serious goals. Ranked by a panel of experts in the 2011 Mumbrella Creative Agency Review as the fourth best agency in Australia, Coulson and his team have taken home a handsome bevy of awards in the past 12 months. According to the Y&R website, Coulson has personally won every major national and international award the ad industry has to offer. While he won’t be adding any more MADC gongs to his trophy cabinet, having pulled out of the local ad show in August, on what he said were cost grounds, he’s bagged Mumbrella’s first ever hottie gong. He’s also a member of the global Y&R creative council, of which there are only nine internationally. But while he may be hot – even when wearing sandals – Coulson is no bachelor. Yep, he’s married with kids. Sorry ladies.

2. Sarah Wilson: journalist, blogger and TV presenter
The face of subscription TV channel Lifestyle You, Sarah Wilson is also a regular columnist for Sunday Life magazine (although that’s coming to an end), and blogs at sarahwilson.com.au. While her hosting gig on Masterchef in 2010 was short lived, Wilson has managed to parlay the high-profile stint into a flourishing portfolio career. Newspapers, magazines, TV, a book and surely radio next, she’s more than just a pretty face. But a pretty face nonetheless.

3. Dylan Harrison: ECD, DDB Sydney
The man with the best hair in the business, DDB Sydney’s Dylan (pronounced Die-lan not Dill-an) Harrison has had a busy year. The highly awarded creative director joined the agency in January after a brief stint at Saatchi & Saatchi New Zealand. He got straight down to business, churning out some cracking campaigns, particularly for VW, a client he’s work with for more than a decade. It was feared the agency’s creative work would suffer after the departure of Matt Eastwood. But clearly it has not.

4. Helen Cowley: Founder & creative director, Rhubarb Advertising
After 14 years in advertising, UK import Helen Cowley set up Pyrmont-based agency Rhubarb early this year. Retail is Cowley’s speciality having worked on major retail brands during her time with BMF, most notably Aldi. The stunning blonde believes in a simple and elegant approach to retail advertising and knows that ads don’t have to shout to be effective.

5. Cathy O’Connor: CEO, DMG Radio
The yummy mummy radio boss has had a solid career in management joining DMG in 2003 after an impressive stint at Austereo. O’Connor also chairs the industry body Commercial Radio Australia, and seems to relish the drumbeating role. “To those who say, that radio over the internet will overtake broadcast radio I have just one thing to say,” she said in a speech in October. “It won’t!”

6. Marie Najjar: MD, Public City Public Relations
The feisty founder of public relations agency Public City, Marie Najjar previously worked at Markson Sparks and PR powerhouse Webber Shandwick. Najjar, who works with clients including KingGee, APN Outdoor and Flip Video, is passionate about her profession and her no bullshit approach helps her stand out in an industry of spin, smoke and mirrors. Being gorgeous helps.

7. Todd Sampson: CEO, Leo Burnett Sydney
Did Todd Sampson score his role on the Gruen Transfer because of his ad industry knowledge, or his boyish good looks and quirky t-shirt collection? Perhaps he’s so popular because he has climbed Everest and shown his love for the planet with the Earth Hour campaign. While Sampson certainly knows his stuff, his dashing appearance doesn’t hurt his chances of TV appearances – or the eyes of his industry groupies.   Read more »

Andrew Cook leaves ACP for SBS

ACP Magazines’ head of brand and digital sales Andrew Cook is to move to SBS as director of media sales.   Read more »

Significant seven: best radio ads

Over the next few days, we are publishing highlights from this year’s Mumbrella Annual.

1. Strepsils, Cold callers

Actors call up a radio talk show. As they’re chatting to the hosts, they start coughing and wheezing. Mid-sentence, they splutter that they need a Strepsil. The campaign even managed to get John Laws to mention the brand – though it’s not like Laws has steered away from brand namedropping in the past. This rightly won a bronze Radio Lion at Cannes for its artful subversion of the medium.
Agency: Eardrum
Writer: Ralph van Dijk

 

2. Scope, What do I look like?

The writers who won a Grand Prix at Cannes for the film ‘See the person’ for Scope produced the goods for radio months later. Cerebral palsy sufferer Jye challenges the listener to imagine what its like to have be disabled and be ignored all day.
Script: Male voice over (with cerebral paulsy): “What do I look like? I look like the tips of your shoes, like the back of the bus seat, your blank phone screen, like the ticking hand of your watch, the crack in the door at the end of the train, like that newspaper you’re pretending to read. When people look at me, this is what they see.”
Female voice over: “Scope ‘See Me’ September. See the person, not the disability. Donate at scopevic.org.au.”
Agency: Leo Burnett Melbourne
Writers: Andrew Woodhead, Eamonn Dixon

 

3. Allpest, We don’t negotiate with cockroaches

At first listen, the character in this ad seems to be the housemate from hell. But he turns out to be a cockroach eating out of the bin.
In a late night confrontation in a kitchen we hear the cockroach trying to bargain his way into staying in the house. The script portrays two sides of the scenario, which the actors have adlibbed.
An extract from the script reads:
Man: You give me the creeps. I want you to move out.
Cockroach: You were going to throw the food out anyway. At least I’m putting it to good use.
Man: You can’t do that. I want you to move out.
Cockroach: Maybe I was having a feed and you get upset about it?
Man: Time to go.
Cockroach: Where am I going to go?
Man: I don’t care. I don’t want you in the house.
Cockroach: I’ll cut you a deal. How about I don’t eat out of the bins, I just eat off your plate.
Voiceover: At Allpest, we don’t negotiate with cockroaches. Go to allpest.com.au
Agency: Southern Cross Austereo
Writers: Alida Henson, Garry Dean, Matt Dickson, Ingrid Paxton

 

4. Ikea, Don’t teach your kids new words

The idea: a kitchen installation service that won’t enrage parents and teach children foul language.
Script:
Teacher: Okay… Bradley, tell the class about your holidays.
Bradley: Yeah, it was really good. My dad built us a new f(BLEEP)ing kitchen. It’s got wooden f(BLEEP) ing bench tops. And some stupid f(BLEEP)ing soft closing drawers. There’s a dishwasher, that was a real c(BLEEP), and even a f(BLEEP) ing breakfast bar. Voice over: Get a kitchen installed without teaching your kids new words. Visit IKEA.com.au. We can plan, deliver and install the whole f(BLEEP)ing thing for you.
Agency: The Monkeys
Writers: Tim Green, Tim Cairns

 

5. Trading Post, Fastest sale

Punchy and well edited. This ad shows how an exchange between the seller and buyer takes place at breakneck speed, from posting the ad to the purchase of the car. Sound engineer Simon Kane paints a full image with the dialogue and sound effects to bring the fastest sale imaginable to life.
Agency: The Monkeys
Writers: Jasun Vare

 

6. WA Office of Road Safety, Enjoy the Ride

The Western Australian government wanted drivers to slow down. To make this point, a sped up, highpitch chatter races across the airwaves – an idea that worked well alongside the TV commercial that features in our list of the best screen ads of the year.
The voice over begins: “When we live in fast-forward, we miss the details that make life so much richer” the ad appeals to us to “slow down and enjoy the ride.”
Agency: 303Lowe
Writers: Dav Tabeshfar, Rich Berney, Liam Riddler, Emma Clowes

 

7. Mother, Man-parts

Grand strings play under an inspiring speech for those needing more than a coffee to get them up in the morning. Excited and urgent, the voice over explains just how effective it is at waking you up: “Like a shower so cold your manparts retreat all the way back up inside you!” Brrrrrr.
Agency: Smart
Writers: Dan Gregory, Kieran Flanagan Read more »

Dicko departs Can of Worms

Ian ‘Dicko’ Dickson won’t stay as host of Ten’s Can of Worms for the next series in a move he is characterising as firing himself.

While the network has given the green light for a season two in 2012, Dickson, who created the show, said in a statement: “I’m giving myself no alternative but to sack me as host of the show.”

However, Dickson will remain co-executive producer on the show alongside Andrew Denton for production company Zapruder’s Other Films.   Read more »

Autumn:01 to open US office

Sydney based digital agency Autumn:01 is to open a US office early next year.   Read more »

Medium of the year: iPad

Over the next few days, we are publishing highlights from this year’s Mumbrella Annual.

In January 2010, the late Steve Jobs introduced a new word into the English language: iPad.

In May that year, iPad mark one hit Australian stores and the company struggled to keep up with consumer demand and a backlog of pre-orders.

First in line to buy the iPad were the fans of Apple and tech junkies. For most of the general public, the tablet seemed like an unnecessary addition to their existing technology needs. But this would soon change.

With more than 750,000 iPads already in the Australian market, the iPad 2 went on sale in March this year and the device quickly went from being the plaything of early adopters to a must-have entertainment and work device.

More and more people turn to the iPad for tasks previously assigned to traditional computers. In August, PricewaterhouseCoopers analysts speculated that one in four Australian homes will have a tablet device by 2015 and as we move towards this target, it has been reported iPad sales are actually cannibalising PC sales.

Content wise, there are now more than 140,000 dedicated iPad apps available from Apple’s App Store with many more additional iPhone apps that work on the platform. While advertisers and marketers are beginning to dabble in this space, where the device has really come into its own is as an extension for established publishing brands.

This year, News Limited launched a freemium subscription model for The Australian’s online offerings including the dedicated iPad app. Business news website Business Spectator has also entered the arena with an app focusing on video interviews and commentary.

The Nine Network launched Nine Newsbreak for iPad, an app featuring a news bulletin at 8.15pm each night.

The Australian Financial Review has announced it will launch its app in early 2012 while Vogue Australia and Donna Hay magazine have also revealed their offerings this year. Overseas, publications such as Wired and The Guardian are using the technology to deliver quality journalism and a user experience that arguably leaves the print version of their publications for dead.

Advertisers have started to dabble with the iPad this year. But it is publishers that have made best use of Apple’s latest toy.

Commended: Google+
Google seems to have made a better go at social media with Google+, putting bad memories of Google Buzz, its answer to Twitter, and Google Wave, its online collaboration tool, behind it. Google+’s challenge to Facebook – now as mainstream as television – is also proving an uphill task. But its superior segmentation of contacts gave Facebookers worrying about privacy a good reason to defect. And its launch of a platform for brands in June was an interesting move – The Muppets, Save The Children and Toyota were among the Google+ early adopters.

Read more »

Adam Lang to replace Graham Mott at Fairfax Radio

Southern Cross Austereo executive Adam Lang has been appointed CEO of Fairfax Radio, as Graham Mott, current Fairfax Radio general manager steps down from day-to-day operations.

Lang is currently general manager Sydney and national director of operations of metropolitan radio at Southern Cross Austereo. He will begin at Fairfax on 1 March.

Fairfax Radio’s acting executive chairman, Michael Anderson said: “We are fortunate to have a talented person in Adam Lang to lead Fairfax Radio. Adam is an outstanding media executive and will add great value to the group.”

Read more »

Significant Seven: best TV and cinema ads

Over the next few days, we are publishing highlights from this year’s Mumbrella Annual.

1. The Sydney Opera House, ‘The Ship Song Project’
What its creators called a “labour of love” is the surest sign yet of an agency finding its stride. Spine-tingling stuff as the likes of Neil Finn, Kev Carmody, Sarah Blasko and Martha Wainwright take turns to sing Nick Cave’s The Ship Song as the camera loves every angle of Australia’s most famous landmark, inside and out. Does it matter that the film has echoes of the BBC ident ‘Perfect Day’ made 14 years ago?
Agency: The Monkeys

2. Volkswagen Passat, ‘Pleasure before business’
A lovingly crafted tribute to what lots of Australians like do before they have to go to work – surf, cycle, swim – ending with a blissfully happy man in a suit, lying in a forest with donkeys. Another sincere, canny effort by an agency that knows how to hit the spot for its oldest client. The Toureg and Tiguan work that followed was good -but it did not quite live up to this.
Agency: DDB Sydney

3. Vegemite, ‘Phiggles the flying scientist’
“He flies everywhere teaching heaps of kids across Austraaalia,” does Phiggles, the flying scientist. Bundles of very Aussie charm shine in the story of a local hero brought up on our favourite spread, told by members of an outback community. “I reckon he’s got a massive brain,” says one kid. Another: “My little brother think he’s magic.” And: “Not very tall. Little beardy fella.” That it’s a true story makes a loved brand more loveable. Just shades the ‘Darwin Ice Hockey club’ spot.
Agency: JWT Melbourne

4. Hahn Super Dry, ‘Super goes in’
Beer is made at the factory with things that guys like. TV, beach buggies, rock music, sports trophies, helicopters and a rubber tiger filled with beer, washed down with the Knight Rider theme tune (always a winner). The first work for the brand by Mojo carries the mark of the now departed ECD Micah Walker. Stylishly directed by Tom Kuntz.
Agency: Publicis Mojo Sydney

5. Office of Road Safety WA, ‘Enjoy the ride’
Viewers have probably been tortured enough by wailing families and bloodied bodies flying through windscreens. This drive safety ad was a simple plea to slow down and think about the things we miss in life when we’re in a hurry: “When was the last time we actually took time to breathe? When we slow down, we discover that life has a natural pace. And it’s good.”
Agency: 303Lowe

6. SBS, ‘Immigration Nation’
A promo for SBS’s ‘Immigration Nation’ paints a rosy picture of the Australia of old: “The lucky country… plentiful land… a land built on the dream of a perfectly equal society for all men.” An asterisk appears by the word ‘men’ and a disclaimer reads: “Terms and conditions apply. Equal society was for whites only… the White Australia Policy was designed to keep Australia white.”
Agency: US Sydney

7. John West Tuna, ‘Tuna Tempters’
A fully clothed fisherman takes his chances with sharks, sea lions and dolphins to dive for the pick of the bait ball – and prove that John West endures the worst to bring you the best. Using BBC documentary footage and some CGI wizardy, it’s hard to tell that the ad was shot in a public swimming pool in Auburn, NSW. As good as John West Salmon’s kung-fu fighting bear? Almost.
Agency: Grey Melbourne

• Read more »

‘Ratio shopping’ site Wyngle claims to avoid brand damage of group buying

A Sydney start-up is aiming to create a market niche with a twist on group buying it is labelling “ratio shopping”. Read more »

Significant Seven: Most entertaining individuals

Over the next few days, we are publishing highlights from this year’s Mumbrella Annual.

Barry O’Brien, CEO, PHD

O’Brien is the man that anybody would want to have lunch with. Gregarious and connected, he is one of the survivors of media. If anyone proves that the old school media skill of being a people person is still an asset, then it’s O’Brien. It’s also impossible to find somebody who will say a bad word against him.

Mat Baxter, CEO, UM

As individuals go, Baxter is the one most willing to lob grenades. Whether it’s a question of going into battle on autoplay video or offensive comments made on Twitter by swimmer Stephanie Rice, Baxter is one of the braver and most interesting agency bosses.

Harold Mitchell, Executive Chairman, Aegis Media Pacific

Within minutes of meeting Harold for the first time, it is likely that he will present you with a copy of his book, which he will duly sign for you. Then after softening you up a bit, the tales of his accomplishments, passions and perspectives begin. The inimitable Mitchell is probably the only man in Australia who has never even thought of retiring.

Sean Cummins, director, Cummins Ross

The charismatic, complicated Cummins is one of the most intriguing admen in Australia.

His angry denounciation of anonymous commenters was one of the most talked about sessions of this year’s Mumbrella360 conference.

Esther Clerehan, headhunter

Described by one client as “better connected than Telstra”, the no-bullshit recruiter knows the industry, and just about everyone in it, almost as well she knows her team the Sydney Swans.

Max Markson, Markson Sparks PR

Max is Max. Or Mad Max, as he is now known after his hyperactive performances on Celebrity Apprentice. Unashamedly a publicist, journos know to take everything he tells them with a barrowload of salt. But they still look forward to his calls.

Stuart Gregor, MD, Liquid Ideas PR

Everyone in the industry seems to know the wine loving hack-turned-flack.

And his memorable turn of phrase in public speaking is entertaining too: remember his condemnation of adland’s “backslapping knob jockeys”?

If he invites you for lunch, let him choose the wine. Read more »

Banksy stolen – by rival agency staffer

Naked Communications’ Steal Banksy stunt on behalf of Art Series Hotels appears to have come to a premature end with a member of staff from a rival agency completing the heist just four days into what was going to be a month long promotion.

Maura Tuohy, social marketing strategist at Reprise Media, tweeted an image of herself holding the stolen Banksy about an hour ago. Her message said: “They call me Banksy.”

The Steal Banksy promotion – which had been due to run until January 15 – only began on Thursday. However, Naked has hinted that there is more of the promotion yet to come.    Read more »

Weber Shandwick wins Kensington

PR agency Weber Shandwick has picked up the account for technology accessory company Kensington.   Read more »

Sales boss Jenny Parkes to leave DMG

The boss of advertising sales at dmg Radio Australia Jenny Parkes is leaving after just 18 months in the role.

Parkes joined DMG – owner of Nova and what was until recently the Classic Rock network – in July last year after 12 years with rival Austereo.

According to DMG, Parkes – group sales director – will “pursue new directions”.   Read more »

Austar AFL promo wins The Monkeys Mumbrella’s Ad of the Month

An Austar promo for the AFL has won Mumbrella’s Ad of the Month for November.

Created by agency The Monkeys, the spot called The Slap is to promote Austar as the first broadcaster to show “every match of every round, live, in HD with no ad breaks, siren to siren.”

Read more »

Mumbrellacast: Chicken fight | gamification | Our agencies of the year | The radio numbers

• PHD’s Chris Stephenson on what 2012 holds for the agency (1:04)
• How ‘gamification’ and utility are the big two thoughts for agencies (7:33)
• The major media stories of 2011 (14:00)
• What influenced Mumbrella’s choices for ad agency, PR agency and creative agency of the year (21:49)
• Why Share a Coke made Coca-Cola Mumbrella’s advertiser of the year (29:22)
• KFC goes on the attack (35:11)
• The last radio ratings in 2011 (40:32)
• What does the departure of ACP boss Phil Scott mean? (48:18)

Featuring Chris Stephenson, strategy director of media agency PHD, Mumbrella editor-in-chief Tim Burrowes, Mumbrella publishing director Martin Lane and podcast producer Colin Delaney (54mins 55sec).   Read more »

Carlton Dry moves away from TV

Carlton Dry will for the first time run its summer advertising campaign without a 30 second TV ad at the heart of the strategy.

The new campaign titled ‘Hello Beer’, created by Clemenger BBDO Melbourne, will focus on radio, print, ambient and outdoor channels with TV sponsorship but without a 30 second TVC.

Read more »

 

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