VH1: BLACK HISTORY MONTH PROJECT

Airside: The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency

In 2008 Airside were commissioned to create the opening and closing title sequences for Anthony Minghella's screen adaptation of The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency starring Jill Scott, the first book from Alexander McCall Smith's best-selling series.

Since the story was set in Botswana the titles needed to reflect the film's location, as well as depict various narrative elements from the storyline.

cred:
Airside

Photographer: Timothy Saccenti

cred:
Timothy Saccenti

Kmart: AL Harrington Protege

KMart drops one of those cut-rate sneakers. Just in time for the economic crunch. Guess what I'll be showing up to the court in? I hope we can turn this economy around. BTW, I don't know what to say about this spot... I should watch it again. Hold on...


Um, yeah, uh what was I saying. The spot oh yeah, what had happen was...

OK. yeah, they did a commercial. It had graphics and stuff.




cred:
Draftfcb

Designer /Art director: Quinton Cameron

This is a brief glimpse into a massive talent.


Quinton Cameron can design...



Quinton Cameron can Art Direct...


Quinton Cameron can Illustrate...


Quinton Cameron can Concept ideas for your commercial...

(This is what they settled on, if I told you how dope his original idea was... some part of your inner dome would simply swell, fluids would seep, vision would blur & you would die.)


Quinton Cameron can even design your website...


...I believe I heard someone say that general market agencies can't find any talented African American candidates? Ooooooh, this is what Ralph Ellison meant by "Invisible Man."


cred:
Quinton Cameron
See more Black, brains & brilliance here.

Design Inspiration: Daniel Edlen

cred:
Daniel Edlen

Boeing: Future President

This spot demonstrates some of the elegance and economy of really smart camera work. Sometimes, when you have a great idea and you remove all the fluff, you create magic. The production is so well done they only need like 8 notes (chords) strikes on the piano score. They created a mini instant joy-transference device.

"Malik Sayeed (former DP who shot lots of famous Hype Williams music videos and Belly, but now directs spots) did this dope Boeing BHM spot. Awesome in so many ways, but the fact that it's only two shots and is still cinematic is my favorite."

A rare jewel unearthed by: Raafi (great mining by a brilliant mind! Thanks two thousand)


cred:
Boeing
Director, Malik Sayeed

New Apple Safari: Beta Love

Apple has introduced a new version of their web browser, Safari 4. Some new features include Top Sites which displays your most visited websites with a neat perspective design and cover flow in your favorite sites. Aaaaaand now your browser sucks!

P.S. My unashamed Apple love does not make me a fan-boy ( any self respecting Black man would never have that)... It makes me a Grown-ass-man-fan-boy!

cred:
Apple

Dare I say it, the Government kinda rocks

The US Gov just put up a site to show us were the recovery money will go. Well, some will say, "what's black about it?" To that I would say, "you never saw this before!" The brother made it happen, that's all I'm saying. This level of transparency is unprecedented! For the first time in my adult life I'm actually... um, well... I'm not going to say it. That kinda thing still gets black people in trouble.

Adobe Shortcuts Posters

These are dope. I want one...

or two...


or three.

cred:
designbyvent

McDonald's: MCC #6461: BHM 2009

Child Reaching For The Stars
Gospel Choir
Scratching DJ
Multigenerational Family
Graffiti Artist
Athlete
Singer and/or Spoken Word Artist
Graduate
Jazz Musician
Cute Baby
Copy Referencing Marches, Elections, Traditions, etc.

Mickey D’s covers the most BHM clichés in a single page.


Constant enlightenment flows from: MultiCultClassic

If you have not spent hours reading, learning and having your mind blown @ MultiCultClassics you – are – missing – it!

MLK Dream Weekend

cred:
Erwin-Penland, a Hill Holliday Agency, Greenville, USA
Creative Director: Andy Mendelsohn
Art Director: Nate Osbourne
Copywriter: Aaron Johnston
Photographer: Joe Comick

Banana Republic: Ayo & Esperanza +

The new Banana Republic ads with Esperanza Spalding, Ayo, OK Go, Liz Phair, Dashboard Confessional and Sara Bareilles. Along with the fresh-faced new models, Banana Republic will be giving customers an iTunes gift card with purchase from February 17 to 26, redeemable for a free compilation of songs by the participating artists.

free music downloads are available here.

http://www.bananarepublic.com/citystories
and
http://www.youtube.com/user/bananarepublic


**UPDATE**

Live performances at Banana Republic stores on Thursday, Feb 26th:

· David Garrett - San Francisco (Grant St near Union Square)
· Tommy Torres - Santa Monica (3rd St Promenade)
· David Sanchez - NYC (Rockefeller Center)

RSVP here: http://www.brcitysounds.com

Tipped off @ Style Noir.

There's a good chance you may not know who these two treasures are so, here are a couple of videos.
Esperanza


Ayo

Madea Goes To Jail: Movie Poster(s) (Update)

"Madea Goes to Jail" Locks Up Top Spot at Box Office

Tyler Perry's "Madea Goes to Jail" led the box office with a $41.1 million opening weekend ($20.236 per screen average), making it the biggest opening weekend ever for both Perry and the film's studio, Lionsgate. "Madea's Family Reunion" was Perry's biggest opening three years ago when it bowed to $30 million and a $13,688 average. "Madea Goes to Jall" has already grossed more than the $37.1 million "The Family That Preys" grossed in its entire run. The previous Lionsgate high was "Saw III" which opened to the tune of $33.6 million in 2006.

Made for less than $20 million, cheap by Hollywood standards, "Madea Goes to Jail" drew a younger, more diverse crowd than Perry typically draws. According to Steve Rothenberg, the studio's domestic distribution president, 35% of ticketbuyers were under 25, up from 18% for his last movie, The Family That Preys; 13% were Hispanic, up from 5%. The core audience remained African-American women.

Perry's seven films have combined to gross $300 million to date at the domestic box office.

Talked through the entire movie & got this story from Black Talent News.


Tyler Perry always does a lighter more ephemeral early version of his movie posters. This seems to be an increasing trend across the movie industry. This precursor to the "Jail" flick follows suite in that trend. It's captivating if not terribly misleading but, perhaps the whole point is just to get your curiosity piqued. It does just that. Below is where the mad-capped hilarity begins and for the movie going audience sake I hope it doesn't end there.

Pepsi & Mountain Dew Throwback

Coming soon, Pepsi Throwback and Mountain Dew Throwback, sugar sweetened versions of the soft drinks with retro labels.

Throwbacks huh?

I think they are really regretting that new logo. They really, really wanna go the whole "New Coke – Classic Coke" route and get a huge bounce in sales after a rebrand/reformulate nightmare (sans the reformulate). I'm on to you Pepsi. The Carmel Colored Connoisseurs invented the remix. We know the game. We also put "throwback" into the lexicon of hipness you so casually toss around. Well, enjoy it we've moved on.

(These are just jokes... I'm here all week)


Hustled from The Dieline

Grey Goose: Black History Month

Grey Goose shakes up (never stirs) Black History Month with cool sips from a few movers and shakers of modern day Black History. Russell Simmons, Chris Rock & Serena William round out the cast of color commentators.



Here Rock shares his ultra-keen sense of what it is to be black in America. Chris says that "You can't beat the white man at anything... If you have six and the white guy has five, you lose. You have to knock him out... The true equality is the equality to suck like the white man... I want the license to be bad and come back and learn."

Get a taste of more insight here.

K-Mart: Share Our World

K-Mart invites you to share your world for Black History Month.

WalMart: Black History Month Myspace Tribute

WalMart shares the BHM love by offering up a Myspace page that allows you to upload a video to share your views on what Black History means to you.

See more here.


WalMart Also gives you "OurVoice"

"Walmart understands that a big part of living better is knowing and understanding the value of the past. Year after year, we support you in learning more about groundbreaking African-American achievements, and your family history as well. Walmart believes every day is a great day to learn Black History."

More here.

Beate Uhse Erotic TV: Child Lock

This is just damn good concept, design, cgi, color, composition, execution, animation, thinking, playing, writing, foreplay, good artwork, blog posting, art direction, producing, good TV, good creative, good cartooning & good bye!


Wish I did it!


cred:
Kempertrautmann, Hamburg, Germany
Creative Directors: Mathias Lamken, Simon Jasper Philip
Production Company: Sehsucht GmbH
Director: Martin Hess, Ole Peters
Design: Martin Hess, Ole Peters
3D: Heinrich Löwe
Compositing: Martin Hess, Hans-Christoph Schultheiß
Producer: Stephan Reinsch
Music/Sound Design: Thomas Kisser

Huggies Pull-Ups: Potty Dance

JWT – WTF! Why TF! Who TF! WT(M)F!?

Cyrus Mehri* can submit this commercial into evidence and rest his damn case. When did Sherman Klump knock-up SoulJah Boy and then go all pro-life on us and refuse to abort this abomination! I don't know what offends the most, the neo-Uncle Remus voice or the Hip-Hop whoring. I understand the scarcity of "Colored" opinion in the creative parts of the shop. We are working on that. But, couldn't they have at least run this past the Black guy in accounts receivable? Or what about the brother down by the door, you know the security guy. I know he doesn't really work at the agency per-se... But dude would have manned-up and and told you a lie through a seriously jacked-up smirk on his face. "Um, well yeah, it's... well, um, good, I-I kind like them glasses, yeah them glasses is tight. Is that Cool Rock-Ski from the FatBoys?." He's trying to throw you off. It's the first time you've spoken to him so he's more suspiciously surprised than anything else. There's really two things going on in the security guys mind; 1. Are you sh*ttin' him. You really dont see how bad this is? and 2. Why are you bothering him with this bullsh*t. But, it's the smirk guys, don't listen to the words, watch for the smirk! I'm smirkin' right now, it should speak volumes.

Well any ways, this spot is giving birth to an octuplet of asses! We're gonna need more diapers.



*One of the nation's top civil-rights attorneys and a man who has been dubbed one of Washington's most feared lawyers, has turned his attention to the ad industry's woeful diversity record.


cred:
JWT

Georgia Innocence Project

The Georgia Innocence Project is a non-profit group that uses DNA technology to prove wrongly convicted prisoners innocent of all charges. Oftentimes, these men have spent decades in prison, wasting their lives. It's a pretty powerful message, once you imagine how much life you could miss, all because of someone else's mistakes.

Who in the hell died and left Georgia innocent in all this? The title of the Org. seems a little faulty to me. The look of the ad is OK. This kind of thing is always good for an award or two. I happen to know this Org's office is near a certain Atlanta bar frequented by advertising creative types. So I can just imagine the scene after a few over–priced pints of imported hipster swill. (Note: Atlanta doesn't really have hipsters)

Fade to outside bar.
Dude 1: "Dude, new client suucks."
Dude 2: "Dude, new creative bites."
Dude 1: "Dude."
Dude 2: "Duuuude."
(Keep in mind; they are both black and this agency is waaaay over their black dude quota)
Dude 1: "Dude I'm down for some pro-bono."
Dude 2: "Hells yeah, some Sonny F'n Bono – pro bono dude."
Dude one " It's like I gots me a pro bono boner dude."

Just a few buzz laden steps away is an ad man or woman's heaven. A lowly, earnest establishment, that frees wrongly accused people by using DNA. Oh, the angles, the ideas spark, this is just too rich!

Dude 2: Man! We gotta do something with this. I'm seeing CA annual. We could make the 'cover-collage' even maybe!"
Dude 1: "Dude, why are you calling me man?? How droll! And dude, why are you speaking first, I'm Dude 1!"


cred:
22squared, Atlanta, USA
Creative Director: Susan Treacy
Associate Creative Director: Bill Allen
Art Director: Carter Lewis
Copywriter: Molly Molina

Foundation against drug addiction

(This is me phoning it in... SMH)


cred:
Sra.Rushmore, Madrid, Spain
Creative Directors: Paco Conde, Quito Leal

Organic Root Stimulator: Olive Oil Blogger

Yep... it's a commercial.

Survey: Recession or not, black women continue to make their hair a priority

By Nicole Hardesty
The Louisiana Weekly
(February 16, 2009) We all saw her at the Inauguration, and even on Election Day, Michelle Obama's healthy flowing locks have inspired black women across the country to step their hair care game up. Since the days of Madam C.J Walker, black hair care has been a priority among African-American women and a lot of consideration has gone into choosing the right hair care experts.



According to a survey conducted by Design Essentials, majority of African-American women base their salon and stylist choice on trust, cost and time consumption. With the recent state of the economy, affordable hair care is harder to find but women have stayed committed to their hair regimen.



Wow, black hair care could/should have it's own history month. Maybe it hasn't been emancipated yet???

More of the nappy headed truth here.

(OLD SCHOOL)Art Director Wisdom.

Art Director Wisdom #1: People only say "Great idea" if you execute it flawlessly.


Art Director Wisdom #2: He who doesn't put the marker cap on properly is an evil, evil, person.

Art Director Wisdom #3: There are no bad fonts, there is only bad typography.

Art Director Wisdom #4: Even the best copywriter you've ever worked with, can't find a way to explain what you really do to your mom.

Art Director Wisdom #5: The x-acto knife is not a toothpick

Art director Wisdom #6: Spraymount can be used as hairspray and removed with olive oil or conditioner, despite what cw @caff thinks.

Art Director Wisdom #7: Keeping your burnisher collection in a pen jar drives your copywriter crazy. fun!

Art Director Wisdom #8: Permanent ink stains can be removed with rubbing alcohol or nailpolish remover.

Art Director Wisdom #9: SuperGlue is the best band-aid for deep bleeding paper cuts when you need to keep blood off your bristol board.

Art Director Wisdom #10: Design the whole ad from the ugliest thing in it. Usually, that's the logo.

Art Director Wisdom #11: Make logo 30% smaller than you want. When client wants it bigger, enlarge 10%. Repeat 3 times. They never ask 4 times

Art Director Wisdom #12: The punter can never love the line if they can't read it.

Art Director Wisdom #13: Wax gets in your eyes, hair and everywhere except the back of the galley. (Young adpups will not get this)

Art Director Wisdom #14: If fellow AD lets you touch their markers, place them back in holder in exactly the color order you found them in.

Art Director Wisdom #15: "Don't bleed on the boards!" when co-worker slices finger off is not insensitive, it's being helpful.

Art Director Wisdom #16: Everyone in the world can read 5pt if it's on the right paper.

Art Director Wisdom #17: It's not about making it simple, it's about how you make it simple.

Art Director Wisdom #18: If copywriter ever calls you a wrist, always refer to them as "the textguy" from then on.

Art Director Wisdom #19: People never read the copy unless it's Lorem Ipsum

Art Director Wisdom #20: Fonts are like voices. Saddam Hussein speaks in Futura Extra Bold Condensed, all caps.

If you get these you're pretty old school, the most current reference here is about Saddam and dudes been gone for a minute.

creeped from:
AdLand

Jordan Brand: Field Generals

cred:
Jordan Brand Field Generals :60
Agency: Wieden + Kennedy NY
Executive Creative Directors: Todd Waterbury, Kevin Proudfoot
Creative Director: Keith Cartwright
Art Director: Ricardo Viramontes

Do Ethnic Shops Have a Future?

May Be Far in Distance, but Integrated Madison Ave Could Spell End for Some

By Marissa Miley

Published: February 16, 2009
NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- No matter who is in the White House or what the lawyers ultimately accomplish, the consumer-facing side of marketing will never inhabit a post-racial world. In a realm where every differentiating factor is examined to place consumers into niches and categories, being judged by the color of one's skin is simply a fact of life.

Behind the scenes, however, it's a different story. That's where the lawsuits, diversity officers and recruiters struggle to change the face of the advertising industry. And what if they succeed? Suppose some years from now general-market shops have fully integrated staffs with knowledge of every cultural and racial demographic -- and reams of quality research. Will the need for agencies that specialize in ethnic marketing disappear?

"If you look at the way things are currently done, [African-American agencies] would go out of business, because we wouldn't have anything to do," said Eugene Morris, chairman-CEO and founder, E. Morris Communications. Since black-owned agencies are routinely passed over for general-market assignments and make their money as ethnic shops, he said, they'd have no business left. Even now, they receive disproportionately small budgets relative to the market contribution they make. "Unless that changes, how can we compete?"

WHAT?!?! Can you fade the Black? Or any other color for that matter? Race is a social precept... so maybe.

See more here.

I wrote about it a lil bit too.

Chris Brown, Wrigley might not last forever

Yesterday, following serious allegations that Chris Brown beat the snot out of his outrageously hot girlfriend Rhianna right before the Grammy Awards, causing both of them to cancel their performances, Wrigley's Doublemint Gum said it was suspending Brown's Doublemint ad and all the marketing involved until this mess gets cleared up. The commercial, posted above, which had been running since August, actually aired during the Grammys. Wrigley isn't dropping Brown outright; it's just waiting to see what happens. The company points out that Brown should be "afforded the same due process as any citizen." Wrigley is a bit deep in this whole thing, however, as Brown's hit song "Forever" was actually commissioned by Wrigley to be a new version of the Doublemint jingle. I think Wrigley should just go completely retro in the meantime and bring back the Doublemint Twins, assuming they haven't been booked for double assault or anything.

UPDATE: Brown has also been booted from the "Got milk?" campaign.



—Posted by Rebecca Cullers
via: AdFreak

Dymatize Xpand: Rio/Basketball

cred:
LEVELTWO, Dallas, USA
Creative Director / Art Director: Scott Crowell
Copywriter: Lindsey Struznik
Illustrator: Kyle Lane Dreher
Photographer: George Kamper

Adidas: Dwight Howard, ManChild of the East

See more here.


cred:
"A lil help here"

Coca-Cola: Future History Makers

Coca-Cola produces a heart warming visual piece for Black History Month. The psuedo-spoken word copy is a tad cliche by format only. Because really, I said, because really... we still need to hear isht like that. Sometimes we as advertising professionals get a lil caught up in our own world. We say things like that's been done before (I know I'm guilty, I started a whole blog on that sh*t). But to that ten year old kids who reads it (and doesn't remember the one you worked on in "97") or an adult for that matter, those "lyrics" can be quite inspiring.

"Coca-Cola is using the star power of NBA All Star, LeBron James, platinum selling R&B artist Musiq Soulchild and acclaimed artist Kadir Nelson to deliver an uplifting message to African American consumers. The message, “BE LEGENDARY,” “BE DRIVEN,” “BE GIVING” and “BE HEARD,” is communicated through a print campaign that inspires the human spirit through four striking contemporary illustrations with original poetry. This year’s program is part of the Company’s new “Open Happiness” integrated marketing campaign by reinforcing the special connection that exists between consumers and its brands."

I really dig the Kadir Nelson illustration with throw-back Harlem Renaissance Aaron Douglas styled images imposed onto the superior figure ground. I see you Kadir... with the whole past, present, future juxtaposition thang, I get dat. Yeah you got down on that right thuur.

Pepsi: The Logo is based on the the principles of the universe & life itself

Friend passed this along to me, thought I would pass on. Great stuff, for sure an interesting read and great chuckle. After looking over the document you may think of things like “this is how you make up crap for millions of dollars.” Make sure you download the pdf at the bottom of the page. Breathtaking.


peeped @:
YouWorkForThem.com

I suspect this was done by designers to confound (other) designers. Sorta like an inner industry jokey joke.

**UPDATE** It has become a cottage industry to HATE on the new Pepsi logo! Damn, How does that feel. I know I've done some ugly isht before but wow!

Thanks Levalentino

Nike: The Cortez Brothers

A new teaser campaign about a new Nike product. This time it's the "Cortez Bros", two little CGI homies who look more than ready to delight us in some way. If they post it I'll keep you posted.






cred:
http://www.nalden.net

Miller High Life: 27 Feet of Nonsense

Tee-Hee.

Black women say advertisers don't know how to talk to them or How to Holla 101

(Is that really Erykah Badu???)

(February 10, 2009) Eighty-six percent of African-American women say that advertisers need to do a better job of talking to them, according to the Lattimer Communications study, "A Profile of Today's Black Woman" released today. Advertisers need to re-evaluate their marketing campaigns targeting this important segment.

"A Profile of Today's Black Woman" also revealed that most industries can do a better job in marketing to African-American women especially categories like Automotive, Banking/Financial, Travel, Healthcare/Pharmaceutical, and Fast Food.

More on how to best holla here.

AT&T: Twenty Eight Days

Sanders Wingo puts together a new way to think about Black History Month on a FaceBook page. Twenty Eight Days of re-invention. You can see a cool motion graphic piece about it here.

"The wirelesss company has recently launched a microsite on Facebook called Twenty-Eight Days, which is aimed at inspiring African Americans. The site encourages users to share inspirational quotes, whether taken from historical figures or their own thoughts and ideas. The premise of Twenty-Eight Days, according to AT&T, is to shift thinking around Black History Month away from primarily serving as a time to reflect on history and more toward becoming a moment in time to look ahead.

“Black History Month is traditionally a time for looking back,” reads the site. “But what if we used every single day of this month to shape tomorrow? Don’t let a day go by without finding and sharing inspiration, empowerment and motivation.”

"


cred:
Sanders Wingo

Special Thanks + Shouts to O.C.!

Michelle Obama Covers Vogue Magazine

Magazine covers are still one of the best advertisements going for themselves and who ever is featured. Even as magazines wither and sale diminish the covers still rate among the most visible, sometimes controversial and memorable displays of public content. First "Lady O" always boosts sales and makes me proud at the same time. Somehow you just know she doesn't take no trash and could probably make your day with a well placed word or an aptly timed smile. She feels like the nation's big sister who would punch a bully for you.

Publix: Black History Month

cred:
Matlock Advertising
AD: Lisa Babb

Acme food chain's Black History circular touting greens, grape soda & cornbread causes stir

By Hiran Ratnayake
The Wilmington News Journal
(February 7, 2009) One thing is clear about Acme Markets' recent Black History Month circular: It sparked a debate.

Two NAACP chapters have different views about the circular. It has forced Supervalu, which owns Acme, to defend itself against accusations of racism.

All for an advertisement the company says it has been running for seven years and never caused a flap before.

In its Jan. 29 circulars, under a "Black History Month" banner, a set of specials is advertised for products including corn bread, collard greens and grape soda. Since then, the Delaware chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People says more than a hundred people have complained the products perpetuate stereotypes. Delaware NAACP President Cecil C. Wilson called for Acme to immediately run a full-page apology "in all of Delaware's newspapers."


cred:
Target Market News


Rainbow Store Serves It Up Too...




At least they try and serve you a side of Black History facts as well.

Illustrator: Jean-Sebastien ROSSBACH

Design Inspiration: James Evans

Afro Samurai Art

Is there any bad art associated with Afro S, I think not. It's always deep lush and hauntingly violent.

Black History Month Round Up.

Yup, history something or other...
I love black history. The black history ads I've done usually get done around January 29th. The brief most often comes in rushed. I don't like to think of it as an after thought... umm, well, just an urgent cause. It was so important that they didn't want to send it out too soon and have us creative mess over it for weeks and wind up with a concept or something.

I'm starting my Black History Month twenty-10 tomorrow. I will not be caught off guard next January 29th! So think ahead load up on your stock photography now!

Thanks MultiCultClassics

Target: Dream In Color

Target Honors the Accomplishments of African American Women







"We’re celebrating Black History Month this year by introducing four amazing women who contribute to the proud legacy of African Americans. Meet them below and be inspired."
It looks great.

G.I. Joe Movie Campaign

GI Joe: Rise of the Cobra looks like it might be a summer blockbuster on the level of an Iron Man or maybe even The Dark Knight. Here are one of many movie posters for the film due out this summer, this one features Marlon Wayans as Ripcord

House of Dereon Spring 2009 Campaign

Formula For Success

F1 Racing magazine dedicated an issue to Lewis Hamilton and his 2008 Formula 1 World Championship, along with a series of congratulatory ads from sponsors. Wonder if any of the concepts came from an Omnicom shop.




Ganked with little remorse but, with lots of admiration from:
MultiCultClassics
If you guys aren't checking this dude out... you're missing it!

Chilluns Love Aunt Jemima

The Woman Behind Aunt Jemima

The A.B. Frost painting of Aunt Jemima, as she was in the early days. See below for the modern Aunt Jemima, as well as some great collectibles!

She was not only one of the greatest advertising icons of all time, but Aunt Jemima was also the advertising world's first living trademark. And, as with any such icon, she's had her fair share of controversy. But did you know who the real Aunt Jemima was?




See more here.

Special thanks to the Brilliant Kwesi. (Who also happens to be a excellent typographer/designer!!!)

Christian Elden: Black History Month Portraits

Black History Month Portraits
Christian just finished up a series of portraits that will be used in a Black History Month product line next year. He did them on 80 lb. medium surface drawing paper with regular 2B & 3B pencils. Featured are Marian Anderson (singer), Mary Church Terrell (writer/civil rights activist), Kenneth Clark (psychologist), Paul Robeson (athlete/actor), and Martin Luther King, Jr.

SkySport: The Australian Open

cred:
DDB New Zealand
Executive Creative Director: Toby Talbot
Creatives: Rachel Jamieson, Genevieve Barnett, Joe Hawkins, Dave Brady
Group Account Director: Rose Thompson
Account Director: Danielle Richards
Account Executive: Brad Armstrong

Vivica A. Fox Does/Not Endorse the Psychic Friends Network

Link:
I predict you will be stupefied here.


Watch this video. Watch it. Vivica A. Fox appears to be shilling for this half-rate attempt at a moola scheme. Remember that "Call me now!" psychic who went to jail for defrauding tons of people? The Psychic Friends network (which the above ad is for) seems to be along those same lines. So, how did Fox end up in a commercial supporting the business?

That's a great question. Apparently, Fox wants nothing to do with the spot and claims this is a case of "unauthorized (use of her) likeness, footage, voice and photographs as an endorsement of their service." What? How is it that Fox said all those things while looking into a camera? No idea. But she sure as hell won't be in the next Revlon campaign. Fareal.

smashed and grabbed from:
AgencySpy

My President is Black... and he blogs too

Have you seen the new White House web site??? It's lovely. And, and, there's a... get this... dude's got a blog. Well, Barack doesn't actually sit down and rack his brain about what to blog everyday (the nation and the economy provides that) but, it makes the government feel so damn accessible. I did say feel, right. A brother is trying to hold on to that black man cynicism... but it's melting away in the Obama glow. Yes we can... Damn I need a hug.

Did I blink thirty times or what...

What happened to the one second commercials????

What a rip.

Music I'd Like To See in a Commercial: Part VII

V V Brown (who should be on everyone's 2009 watch list IMHO) has debuted the video for her latest single Leave due for release on March 2, 2009.

I have to say it's pretty catchy and I so respect her individuality. I'm also completely in love with the fab sequinned mini dress with the clubs and spades motif she wears in the video. I am mad hunting for more details about it but no luck yet.

That aside, it seems I'm not the only one taking note of her style as V V is due to appear in the May edition of Vogue, so I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for that one. In the meantime, check out her new vid below.



The video embeds are killing page download speed. Watch it here.
Looted from:
Harlem Loves