The Globe and Mail - Hard Sell Cannes

Blog II: Electric Boogaloo

Keith McArthur — Wed, 5 Jul 2006 18:02 EDT

Cannes is long finished so we've rebranded the blog as a more general discussion of marketing trends, ad campaigns and industry gossip. I won't be posting to this site anymore, but you can read the new blog here. If you've signed up for[amp]nbsp;RSS feed, you'll need to to paste the new[amp]nbsp;link - Follow link to read full post

Tastes like Chicken

Keith McArthur — Tue, 4 Jul 2006 17:26 EDT

I was sent this by accident by a PR flak trying to drum up some publicity for Canadian director Aleysa Young of[amp]nbsp;Untitled. I've not heard of the product and there's no media behind it yet, but it's an interesting campaign nonetheless. Honk if You Are Not Happy

No free lunch at Cannes

Keith McArthur — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 16:02 EDT

When you spend a week among the big and quirky personalities in the ad business -- as I did last week in Cannes -- you hear some good stories.Heres my favourite:Im told that on Thursday night, a dozen or so of Canadas top creatives broke bread together at a restaurant outside of Cannes. Among those - Follow link to read full post

Starkman may zag from Zig

Keith McArthur — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 15:09 EDT

Headhunters will tell you that Aaron Starkman and Stephen Leps of Toronto-based Zig are the most sought-after creative team[amp]nbsp;in the country. But after turning down jobs[amp]nbsp;around the world, Starkman is poised to accept an offer from[amp]nbsp;Miami-based Crispin Porter Bogusky. Apparently - Follow link to read full post

Taxi wins bronze, but not for Canada; Guinness takes Grand Prix

Keith McArthur — Sat, 24 Jun 2006 16:48 EDT

It will be a long trip home for the Canadians.I started writing about advertising and marketing just before the 2004 Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival. That year, 54 Canadian ads were shortlisted in the film (TV) category and Canada won eight medals including three golds. One of those golds - Follow link to read full post

Canada's prospects improve ever so slightly

Keith McArthur — Sat, 24 Jun 2006 05:57 EDT

A correction of sorts: There are 10 Canadian ads on the TV shortlist, not nine. The one that was missed is "Puck Dodging," a Nike spot by Taxi Advertising and Design. The spot was incorrectly listed on the shortlist as a U.S. commercial. Ten of course is still a dreadful performance and well below the - Follow link to read full post

The Grand Prix debate

Keith McArthur — Fri, 23 Jun 2006 14:49 EDT

We've been silenced.Last year, journalists got to vote on the year's best TV ad for a special journalist's prize. I forgot to vote, and came to Cannes this year determined to exercise my democratic right. After sitting through the entire Clio shortlist last month in Miami, I felt that qualified enough - Follow link to read full post

Shortlist depresses Canadian contingent

Keith McArthur — Fri, 23 Jun 2006 12:11 EDT

Canadas poor showing on the TV shortlist was a major topic of discussion last night at the annual Thursday night Canada party here at Cannes. Last year, Downtown Partners alone had 11 ads on the shortlist. This year, there was a grand total of nine spots from Canada, and no agency got more than - Follow link to read full post

Whistling means they hate you

Keith McArthur — Fri, 23 Jun 2006 07:38 EDT

I love the whistling.Since I'm here at the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival and all, I figured I might as well catch an ad or two. I'm sitting in one of three theatres at the Palais de Festivals where the hundreds of TV and movie theatre ads that made the shortlist are screened throughout - Follow link to read full post

Nine Canadian agencies on TV shortlist

Keith McArthur — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 09:06 EDT

It was mayhem in the press room a few minutes ago as the shortlist for TV ads was handed out.Here's what's in the running for Canada: "Magic Sword," a Snickers ad by BBDO "Son," a Volkswagen spot from Palm Communications "Police," an ad for Sears Optical by LG2 "It's not a mistake," a Zig spot - Follow link to read full post