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November 24, 2004
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The Charlotte
Bobcats Welcome the Competition
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Charlotte Bobcats
"Airport" |
| The
Charlotte Hornets have moved to New Orleans, and Charlotte has
a new expansion franchise -- the Charlotte Bobcats. The 'Cats
aren't expected to be very good, however, so the team's first
TV campaign -- created by agency Boone/Oakley -- focuses on
players from other teams. Represented by cardboard
cutouts, players like Yao Ming and Shaquille O'Neal are
welcomed to town by the Bobcats "Ambassador" who does his best
to make them feel comfortable, although things never quite
work out. Cardboard Shaq falls onto a grill, for example,
while cardboard Yao gets all folded up in a yoga class.
It's unclear, however, how long the slapstick campaign --
directed by a team known as Mortimer Jones via Charlotte's
Boulevard Films -- will last following last week's near riot
at an NBA game between the Detroit Pistons and the Indiana
Pacers. "I still think the spots are funny," says agency
co-founder David Oakley, who reports that the client is
currently reviewing "everything," from advertising to security
measures. "But it's just a little bit different environment
now. Everything's a little more sensitive than it was."
As for working with such stiff actors, Oakley gives the
thumbs up to cardboard Kobe Bryant, which gets taken out for a
little water-skiing. Oakley says that although he only
expected the cutout to stay upright for a few seconds, it
managed to stay up behind the boat for several minutes. "He
skied much further than I ever would have," Oakley
confesses.
BREAKING
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|
Sierra Mist Free "Who
Knew?" |
| Tomorrow during NBC's
telecast of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, BBDO/N.Y. will
introduce a new name and look for Pepsi's Diet Sierra Mist,
which is being rebranded as Sierra Mist Free. While the light
version of the lemon-lime soda is indeed sugar free, calorie
free, caffeine free and carb free -- you do still have to pay
for it. In a spot directed by Traktor, comedian Fred Willard
finds this out the hard way when he's interrogated by a cop
played by Michael McKean.
MOVERS
Mark
Stewart, executive VP-chief strategy officer at Universal
McCann, has been named jury president of the 2005 Media Lions
competition at the International Advertising Festival in
Cannes. ... At Indianapolis agency Young & Laramore, Jeff
Nieberding -- formerly of R&R Partners in Las Vegas -- has
joined the agency as a senior writer and Trevor Williams has
been promoted to associate creative director. ... ACD Su
Strawderman has been promoted to creative director at Mintz
& Hoke in Avon, Conn. ... At the Via Group in Portland,
Me., senior copywriter Chad Leitz and senior art director
Steve LaChance have been promoted to associate creative
directors.
ON THE WEB
Having
trouble picking out gifts? Try Borders' Giftmixer3000 -- a talking computer, à la
HAL from 2001, who is more than happy to help. Just
another viral bon bon from -- need we say it -- Crispin Porter
+ Bogusky.
MORE NEWS / ARCHIVE
MasterCard, Manning Cheer on the Fans [11.22.04]
Cut + Run to Open in NYC, and other moves
[11.22.04]
The Rubberband Man Gets Animated for OfficeMax
[11.22.04]
L.A. Spot Production Up in September, October
[11.22.04]
Action at DDB/N.Y., FM Rocks and more [11.19.04]
Who is Carmelo Anthony? [11.19.04]
More "Touching" Spots for Nintendo [11.19.04]
Big Hires at Sedgwick Rd., McCann/S.F. and
more [11.17.04]
DirecTV: Like Heaven on Earth? [11.17.04]
The Viral Awards Take Manhattan [11.17.04]
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