This little spot surprised me. I like surprises. It starts off all boring, la dee dah, another viral...but then the VFX kick in. Fantastic. Created by The Viral Factory, London for Samsung Omnia.

Ogilvy New York, the Advertising Council, street artist Joshua Harris and Biscuit director Tim Godsall have come together to create Polar Bears for the Environmental Defense Fund. I'm a big fan of street artists being incorporated into advertising - when it's done the right way; subtly, creatively and for the right brand. Ogilvy's press release is here. Full credits are here.

For those of you who don't know, Flogos are flying logos - think clouds in the shape of logos. This past weekend, Flogos were used in Canada for the first time by Fido and Bos, Toronto to promote Fido Sessions. People in Toronto have seen the white dolls, known as "Fidolls", all over downtown Toronto throughout the month of August. The Fidolls encourage people to text 411 to 10987 to be invited to Fido Sessions events. Pics of all the Fidoll guerrilla efforts, including the Flogos, are posted here. A video of the Fidoll Flogos and 30-foot tall Fidolls is posted here and YouTube.

Here's a nice take on the idea/light bulb above your head concept. Every Bit Brilliant is for Toyota by Publicis Mojo Australia directed by Academy Films' Nick Gordon. The film/office look reminds me a bit of VW's Bubble Boy (so good), maybe that's why I automatically liked it. Scooped from Boards.

Patrice over at It's Art Magazine recently posted an in depth studio profile on Toronto-based Crush. Check it out if you have a few moments. 

In what is being called "a graphic design democracy project", Power to the Poster encourages people to download and post a series of well-designed wild postings that comment on issue of our time. It's free and you can submit your own posters as well as download. Found via Communications Arts.

I love the work of Rochester, New York based designer and illustrator Andy Gilmore. Found via thecoolhunter.net.

Here's a great new spot for Tele2, produced and directed by ACME. I love everything about it - the creative, the storytelling, performance and the fantastic choice of music. Watch "Call Me" here - so engaging. Credits are here.

Throughout the month of August, white dolls have been appearing all over Toronto with the message "Text 411 to 10987" to promote Sessions, a quarterly series of events promoting art, travel and design, that I have been covering on glossy. Today Fido, a Canadian wireless company, claimed ownership of the campaign along with the appearance of two 30-foot tall "Fidolls", what the dolls have been named, at opposite ends of Toronto's downtown core. Fido has been working on Fido Sessions with the Toronto office of its agency Bos, District Lifestyle Marketing and Magnet Mobile Media View pictures of all the Fidoll guerrilla tactics here. The press release is here and full credits are here. If you are in Toronto and want to attend Sessions events, text 411 to 10987.

As you may already know, after 26 years of working together, last week Lowe resigned the Stella Artois account. Today, in their creative section, Brand Republic is featuring an homage to the amazing broadcast spots Lowe has done for Stella over the years. Take some time to stroll down Stella memory lane and watch great spots like Last Orders, Red Shoes, Ice Skating, Doctor and Jacques.

Here's Psyop's latest for Stoli Blakberi. I really like the art deco look to the spot and it reminds me of my grandpa - he could dance like that well into his late 60's. And I like vodka and blackberries - yum. Watch Airship here. Psyop dircetors are Todd Mueller and Kylie Matulick. Agency is Publicis, London. Full credits are posted here.

My friends Elana Olavesen and Peter Gomes are getting married tomorrow. Peter is a Toronto-based art director who was the creative force behind the Leo Burnett website that picked up multiple awards (gold lion, black pencil etc). So, it only makes sense that he'd design a simple yet beautiful wedding invitation, pictured here along with the gorgeous couple (no crashers please). Congratulations Peter and Elana and we'll see you tomorrow. xo

I was just checking out the stats on my YouTube channel and this spot for Domino's Oreo Dessert Pizza is the most viewed of all my videos and the second most discussed. The most discussed is Psyop's Orangina. Thought I'd share.

Art Session 2 is taking place tonight in Toronto. If you live in my fair city, please stop by LeVack Block anytime after 8pm to check out the work of Vancouver-based street artist The Dark. Earlier this week he put up a wheat-paste across the street from LeVack Block - pics are posted here. To receive invitations to all future Sessions events text 411 to 10987. More info on Sessions is posted here or on Facebook.

I just received an advance copy of Steffan Postaer's latest novel, The Happy Soul Industry, it hits the shelves in September (I feel special).  Postaer is the Chairman and Chief Creative Officer at Euro RSCG Chicago and apparently he has free time to write books (this is not his first). The Happy Soul Industry is about the CEO of one of LA's top ad agencies and his latest client, God. Sounds cool. Complete info is on the website. I'll read it and report back.

Here's a fantastic behind the scenes of the Huggies Geyser spot. You must watch it. Very funny. Scooped from Creativity. If you don't have a subscription, after seven days (the time it's up for free) you can watch it here. Agency is JWT, New York.

Continuing on with the Olympics theme (see post below), here is an Olympics campaign from ESPN Brazil. Agency: Neogama/BBH, Brazil; Photographer: Jair Lanes. Scooped from advertising/design goodness (welcome back to Toronto Freddy).

I have not been watching the Olympics, it's not a political choice, I just have not had the time. But I did just stumble across these amazing pictures of the opening ceremony on Computerlove. Looks like it was quite the show and I'm sure I can find it on YouTube to watch it.

On Thursday night I attended the first Art Session in Toronto featuring the work of Nicholas Di Genova at Magic Pony. I have posted pics from the event here. The next Sessions event is this Thursday night at LeVack Block and will feature street artist The Dark. To receive an invitation to this event and all future Sessions events, text 411 to 10987. The text initiative is being promoted by various initiatives in Toronto's downtown core. For more info on Sessions, check out the Facebook page.

I doubt it, but here is a great series of idents for Lilt by Mother London that are playing on ITV2 (Brand Republic got an exclusive). I love them and really wish they sold Lilt in Canada (yum). And check out the stellar performance of this parrot rocking-out to Robyn's Konichiwa Bitches created by Blip Boutique.

Ads of the World has launched Research, a site where you can search over two million ads which have all been categorized and keyworded. It should be a useful research tool. Check it out. Thanks to Ivan for the tip.

I love Swedish singer Lykke Li. I stumbled across her on some ad blog (don't remember which one) in the early spring and immediately went to YouTube to watch all her videos and then to iTunes to buy whatever she had on there. It looks like Atlantic is putting some money behind her (good investment I say). Her latest video is Breaking It Up. Scooped from Boards. My fav song of hers is Little Bit, even though I'm not a fan of the video.

Chris Milk has joined forces with Gnarls Barkley again to direct their latest video for Who's Gonna Save My Soul. The actor sounds a bit like Steve Buscemi, no? Chris Milk previously directed Gnarls Barkley's cover of the Violent Femmes Gone Daddy Gone. Scooped from Feed.

The Zenn car will soon be coming to Canada - Quebec and possibly Ontario. I just watched a BNN (Business News Network) Stars & Dogs segment on the Zenn car and really enjoyed in. If you have five minutes, go to the Zenn site and click on blue Zenn car at the bottom of the page to watch it. Found via the Random Cool on Stimulant.

Stash 47 is out on early next week (August 5), with the bronze-lion-winning Comcast Rabbit on the cover, and is full of goodies. Watch the issue teaser here.

Wow, I love great spots come from unexpected places. In this case I'm referring to the client - RBC, a Canadian bank. This wonderful Muffin Man spot was created by Tom and Mark (Nexus Productions) via BBDO Toronto. It is entirely CG but has the look of claymation. Full credits are here. Scooped from Motionographer, who have a smashing new site. Check it out if you haven't.