Brands are now coming out in full force (see what I did there?) for their cross-promotions with the film that could possibly outgross this year’s Avengers: Endgame. Yes, we’re talking Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and United is all in with their tie-“fighter”-in. Last week, we reported on United’s new Star Wars branded Boeing … Continue reading “mcgarrybowen, United go full force for ‘Star Wars’”
We’ve all had Tinder dates that have taken a wrong turn. But in Melina Matsoukas’ mostly-riveting romantic-thriller, Queen & Slim, this is a date that goes south. Really fast. In the past decade, there have been a slate of important films that have shined a spotlight on the history of racial tensions in this country. … Continue reading “Review: Strong performances drive ‘Queen & Slim’”
When my daughter Chloe was say, 5 or 6, we would watch the classic animated show Justice League on Cartoon Network. Chloe, in her pajamas, would run to our TV and scream out every superhero’s name that would appear on screen during the opening credits. “Batman.. Wonder Woman… Green Lantern… Superman… Martian Manhunter… Flash… Hawkgirl.” … Continue reading “Dad, daughter play ‘Star Wars’ fantasy for EA, Xbox”
Chicago video content agency Bottle Rocket Media fuels traditional expertise with DIY spirit. Guided by a pair of visionaries who met while working at the Oprah Winfrey Show, the company has become one of the industry’s most unique production and post operations since launching in 2011. Over the past eight years, Bottle Rocket has completed … Continue reading “Interview: Taking off with Bottle Rocket Media”
The American Film Institute has announced the films that will play in the New Auteurs, Cinema’s Legacy, Midnight, Shorts and AFI Conservatory Showcase sections at AFI Fest 2019 presented by Audi, this November. The complete program includes 142 titles (80 features, 1 episodic, 40 shorts, 21 AFI Conservatory Showcase Shorts) of which 51% are directed … Continue reading “AFI announces full lineup for festival”
So many of us (you know who you are) are more concerned with having thousands of followers than a few good friends. In an engaging new campaign from DDB, the creative agency for Miller Lite, has tapped into this thought and created a campaign that is both engaging, smart and funny as hell. “With this … Continue reading “Miller brings back original social media – “Miller Time””
Nassau County Executive Laura Curran has announced that the 23rd annual Long Island International Film Expo (LIIFE), Nassau County’s longest running regional film festival, is now accepting submissions. “The film, television and commercial industries are a huge economic engine in Nassau County, and LIIFE provides a networking community for local independent filmmakers to meet filmmakers … Continue reading “Long Island International Film Expo is open for submissions”
With the new wave of Augmented Reality transforming industries in the past couple of years, many forward looking brands, agencies and marketing teams, understand that consumers must be reached in even more compelling ways than with methods that are quickly becoming ho-hum. That’s one of the myriad of reasons many are beginning to utilize AR … Continue reading “Timber & Coca-Cola add AR to formula”
What would you do if aliens were attacking the world and you had nowhere to go but a bunker? Of course you’d run for it. But what if that bunker only had generic peanut butter? Would you stay? That is one of the questions posed by the big, new bold and funny as hell Jif … Continue reading “Jif and Smucker’s bring creativity back to CPG category”
Writer/director Colin Costello brings ‘Twilight Zone’ inspired short film to the Oscar-qualifying Hollyshorts Film Fest Dreamwisher, an award-winning 8-minute film from writer/director Colin Costello, will screen at the Oscar-Qualifying HollyShorts Film Festival. The internationally-acclaimed short was produced by Eric Handler for his Positively Positive Productions and will screen at the TCL Chinese Theater on August … Continue reading “Colin Costello’s ‘Dreamwisher’ among films at Hollyshorts”
I did not know Hawkeye could sing. Avengers: Endgame, Mission Impossible and Bourne star, Jeremy Renner, is now not only featured on screen in a new Jeep brand television campaign that but in the audio as well as all three spots use the actor’s music tracks. Thanks to Chicago boutique agency HighDive, I now know … Continue reading “‘Avenger’ Renner trades in arrow for mic in Jeep spots”
Wunderman Thompson announced today the appointment of its New York executive leadership team. This new team brings together end-to-end capabilities that will help drive growth for its clients and people by delivering breakthrough creativity, data insights and emerging technology to reset customer experiences. The newly appointed leadership team will all report to Joe Crump, CEO, … Continue reading “Wunderman Thompson unleashes new Exec team”
He had the look of a pimp. And the soul of a funky, voodoo high priest. Legendary New Orleans-based musician Dr. John, also known as “The Night Tripper,” died at the age of 77, his family announced in a tweet. He died of a heart attack early on Thursday morning. “Towards the break of day … Continue reading “Six-time Grammy winner Dr. John dies at 77”
Now that we have bid farewell to The Big Bang Theory, we can now look forward to the 2019-2020 TV season. Last week was a long, entertaining presentation of upfronts where the networks paraded out the stars of returning and new shows to advertisers. Lots of questions do arise. Will Fox still deliver quality programming … Continue reading “Presenting the 2019 – 2020 Fall TV Preview”
The iconic bear’s message is now amplified through the voices of Stephen Colbert, Al Roker and Jeff Foxworthy In honor of Smokey Bear’s 75th birthday – August 9, 2019 – the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, the National Association of State Foresters and the Ad Council have teamed up with agency FCB New York to celebrate the … Continue reading “Colbert, Roker, Foxworthy join Smokey Bear campaign”
Do you know who Rukmini Calamachi is? If you don’t, you will after watching the next film in Droga5’s latest effort for The New York Times. The latest compelling film in “The Truth Is Worth It” campaign series – Fearlessness – continues to show the great lengths The New York Times journalists go to unlock … Continue reading “Reel Ad of the Week: Droga5’s New York Times film”
It all started when the award-winning actor / writer / director bumped into executive producer Chris Karabas on the street Globally acclaimed production company RSA Films is pleased to announce renowned comedy director and actor Zach Braff has signed on for commercial representation. Braff’s first work with RSA is a Hidden Valley Ranch campaign via … Continue reading “Zach Braff joins RSA Films”
(Editor’s Note: Last year on Reel Chicago, we launched a celebration of Black Chicago talent in advertising, film, TV and music called “The Reel Black List.” This year, we have decided to expand the popular feature nationwide in Reel 360.) LA-based Hilliard Guess is a talented writer, producer, director and podcaster. He currently writes on … Continue reading “The Reel Black List: Hilliard Guess, Writer/Producer/Director”
Proctor opened very first African-American owned ad agency Barbara Gardner Proctor’s story is what American dreams are made of. Born in 1933 in Black Mountain, North Carolina, to a single mother, Bernice Gardner, and raised by a grandmother and an uncle in extreme poverty with no electricity or running water, Proctor would eventually rise to … Continue reading “Advertising trailblazer Barbara Gardner Proctor passes”
Today, Lexus unveiled a new marketing campaign, Team One, to launch the first-ever 2019 UX, a luxury compact crossover. Originally released as a concept in 2016, the UX was deliberately designed and engineered for the city and the “modern urban explorer” — those seeking a fresh, contemporary and dynamic take on luxury driving; buyers with … Continue reading “Team One drives new campaign for new Lexus UX”
