Out with the old, in with the new. I'm looking forward to the new decade and writing 2010 looks so sci-fi. I love it. Wishing all the best to everyone.

Image (click to see full size) created by Lisbon-based art director André Kelly Breda. Thank you André!

Here's a final holiday greeting before I pack it in for the holidays. This one is a very cute little film created by Blacklist's againstallodds for JWT.

I'm officially off now for the holidays (yay!). I won't be updating again until the new year. Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas & all the best for 2010.

I have been posting a number of advertising Holiday "cards" on glossy. Want to see more? Both Agency Spy and AdFreak have compiled lists.

I had lunch yesterday with James Frost at the wonderfully kitchy 101 Coffee Shop in Hollywood. I absolutely love how much kitch there is in LA - I digress. James Frost directed the House of Cards video for Radiohead and years back he also directed Coldplay's Yellow (among many others). If you are in London over the next few months, I encourage you to go the V&A for the Decode: Digital Design Sensations exhibit in which includes the Radiohead House of Card video.
Oh and I apologize that the pic I took of James is a little soft - taken by iPhone. But at least it doesn't make him look like a blind man, not that there is anything wrong with that, like this pic in Nylon magazine (sorry James, couldn't resist). Great article though.

Before I close down for the holidays, I'm in LA for a couple of days visiting clients. I stopped by Biscuit Filmworks yesterday to check out their new space. Okay, it's not that new, as they moved in almost a year ago, but it's the first time I've visited them their gorgeous new digs. The last time I saw this space, it was an empty warehouse where their Xmas party was held in 2007. Check it out.

Fan The FWA? The Favourite Website Awards People's Choice Award 2009 is now on. This is the eighth year for the People’s Choice Award (PCA) and will be decided by FWA visitors and FWA newsletter members. Voting has started and you can now access the dedicated voting booth here. Voting finishes 13th January 2010 at 12.00 p.m. GMT. The shortlist comprises 12 websites, each one a winner of an FWA Site Of The Month in 2009. The winner will be announced on the FWA website on January 15th.

On December 12th Los Angeles' VFX community got together for a Dodgeball tournament at the Los Angeles Athletic Club. Psyop won the tournament and MassMarket came in second place. Below is a list of participating companies:

Motion Theory
MassMarket
Psyop
Jason Harder
Rhythm and Hues
Super Fad
Pic Agency
Prologue
Capacity

A run-down on the event and some pics are posted here.

If you are not completely strapped for time, either working or getting ready for the holidays, go to AdFreak and take time to look back at the oddest, creepiest, quirkiest and downright freakiest commercials that they've covered on AdFreak this year. I think last year six of my client's spots were featured. This year, not a one. Disappointed and hoping for a freakier 2010.

AKQA is skipping Xmas & going straight for new years (they are always so ahead of the pack) with their Resotweetion. My #newyearsresolution? Work less, live more - we'll see how that works out (pun intended).

I always look forward to seeing Contagious Magazine's yearly Most Contagious. This year, their list includes the most contagious ideas in everything from design to branded applications, from technology to real time media. While you are downloading it (do it) be sure to spend some time checking out their newly designed site (something I have to get on in the new year - glossy 2.0 is on its way).

Continuing on with the festive cheer, here's Zig's Jingle Jam - a site where you combine different carolers create your own unique version of Jingle Bells. The Crooner mixes nicely in with the Victorian Caroler. The Jingles Cats are pretty cool too.

The Merry Minion is Cossette Vancouver's version on a Xmas card. Their Minion (gotta get me one of those - especially one as cute & as polite as theirs), hit the streets of Vancouver to do good deeds. Warms my heart on this chilly Toronto day. The "Give Away Change" vid is my fav of the ones I watched - a girl's gotta work. Thanks to Mary-Jo for the link.

West Bank is the latest for Sky TV via DDB Auckland. It's a very realistic piece of film directed by Über Content's Cole Webley with editorial by Kim Bica at Arcade. Full credits.

I'm happy to see that Audrey Tautou is the new Chanel girl. Love her & that black jumpsuit in the last shot. Here's the full length version of the spot that is currently running on TV.

Fantastic old school vs. new school holiday video from Goodby, Silverstein & Partners. Scooped from @paryshnikov.

Here's a nice print campaign shot by Aaron Ruell for LG to direct traffic to giveitaponder.com. Funny spots on the site too. Pondering is always intensified when stroking a beard.

Here's some tongue-in-cheek Xmas cheer from Wasserman + Partners, Vancouver. Their Wasserman Holiday Shopping Channel features Seasonal Swine Flu Masks, the electro-infused RemiXmas CD, the super campy Holiday Christmas Clothing Collection, a Scotch Tape Dispenser (good to see you can put that accent to use Liam), Holiday Scented Air Fresheners and The Santa Beard Mop.

AdweekMedia has compiled their best of the decade - as voted on by readers. Honda Grrr picked up Best non-Super Bowl spot, Coca-Cola It's Mine won Super Bowl spot of the Decade and Goodby, Silverstein & Partners picked up Agency of the Decade. See the complete list of winners here.

Here's a playful new spot, titled Ready to Go, for Dell created by Blacklist's Waytion. Full credits.

Following the popularity of the Dogbook Facebook application, which has over two million users, Poolhouse has launched the Dogbook iPhone application, which is now available as a free download on the iTunes store. Features of the app include photo uploads, list other Dogbook users who are near you and locates nearby dog parks no matter where you are in the world. Lost a dog? You can use the application’s “Arf Alert” to send a message to all Dogbook users within a 15-kilometre radius with a photo and your contact information. Found a dog? Call the happy owner right from your phone. A video showcasing the features of the app is here.

Dogbook, the creation of father son team Geoffrey Roche (also the CCO of Lowe Roche, Toronto) and Alexandre Roche, was created in conjunction with Five Mobile. A press release is here.

Instead of a Christmas card, Crush has sent out this great 8-page comic book (that they made). I received mine along with a pretty blue box full of what I like to call "no nos" - yummy things that you shouldn't eat. This box of "no nos" had two kinds of cookies and chocolate covered nuts. Half of the ginger snaps are already in my belly. YUM. Thank you Crush.

Back to the comic book, the Venison Charcuterie and the 30-piece Post Shop Set, at only $1.50 (a steal!), are my two favourite parts. Download a pdf of the comic here.

I heart Dvein. I love the molecular intricacy in their work. In my mind, I picture them sitting around looking at random things through a microscope, like their lunch, and thinking about how they can incorporate what they see into a spot. Check out these four beautiful idents that they just finished for Canal+, a Spanish cable TV channel. Also, if you have some time, watch the opening titles they created for F5 last year (the later was included in the Saatchi & Saatchi New Director's Showcase in Cannes this year). Dvein are with Blacklist for US representation.

I love the simplicity of this window installation created by designer Tokujin Yoshioka for Maison Hermès in Tokyo. Scarves hanging in the window flutter when video imagery of a Japanese actress blows on them. Beautiful. The installation will be on display until January 19, 2010.

Employees Only is the first solo photography exhibit by Toronto-based Jesse Louttit.

These pictures are part of an on going series exploring people in their workplace and how our profession shapes our character. “What do you do for a living?” The answer to this question often determines a perception others have of us as people. Our job says a lot about us, but the intimate details of our everyday lives can still be completely foreign to those who know us outside of our work, even to our closest loved ones.

This project is trying to bring the viewer to a place and moment in time that is unique and beautiful, yet might be everyday to the subject. My goal is to show employees in a place that gives insight into what they do, while still provoking thoughts about who they really are.

Show Details
Pikto Gallery: 55 Mill Street, Building 59-103
Opening: Friday, December 11th 6pm - 9pm
Closing: January 13th, 2010

Apparently this spot created by Method to raise awareness for the Household Product Labeling Act had to be pulled because people were complaining that it condoned rape. Gimme a break. Scooped from AdRants, their story is here. AdAge's Bob Garfield says they did the right thing to pull it (thanks Jo).

Starting tomorrow, Radiohead’s House of Cards video, directed by James Frost, is being shown at an exhibition at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum. The exhibition called Decode: Digital Design Sensations, is on from December 8, 2009 to April 11, 2010.

“It’s a thrill to see it exhibited for a second time in my home city,” says director James Frost.
“House of Cards” was featured at the London Design Museum earlier this year.

More info on “House of Cards” is posted here and full credits and a selection on stills are posted here.

The redesign of Cpluv is done and I'm happy it's back. Check it out.

Cute animals in ads - always a winning combination. Love this hamster jazz band for Drench bottled water. Reminds me of watching Hammy Hamster as a kid. jajajajajajajaja. The Drench spot is by CHI & Partners. Scooped from Creative Review's newsletter. You should subscribe.

There is something about destruction and disorder that is so engaging. I love this Rotating Kitchen by Zeger Reyers. There's also this time-lapse of its installation. Found via Jul & Mat on Facebook - they are the creators on this super fun vid.

Wheel is the latest from TBWA Toronto for Nissan Canada directed by Sons and Daughters' Mark Zibert. It's part of their Best Part of Your Day campaign. Looks like it was fun to shoot - does that wheel come with a water bottle holder? Full credits.

Some cardboard festive fun in this new spot, A Happy Holiday, from Psyop for The UPS Store. Agency is Doner. Full credits and a selection of stills are here.

Who doesn't love a good magic trick? The poor magician in this new spot is being sabotaged by Conn-X. It's beautifully shot by director Scott Corbett and I love the creative and art direction. But I can't help think it would be a bit better with a different brand - thinking a car of a beer.

Here's a three-spot campaign for Vittel from director Lionel Goldstein and brand spanking new French production company Henry de Czar (they opened their doors last month). View Horse Racing (my fav), Moving and Ski. Agency is Ogilvy & Mather, Paris. Full credits here.

Be sure to vote for what you think is the best commercial of the past decade - not including Super Bowl spots. It's also a great place to go down ad memory lane. I haven't watched Bubble Boy or Evolution in ages and I forgot how much I liked Noam Murro's Birthday for Milk. I'm also a big fan of Ringan Ledwidge's Getting Dressed for Lynx, which is not on their list.

Gush...swoon...sigh... The latest from my design god Peter Saville is Christmas wrap. It's on my Xmas wish list, but not to wrap, but to covet. Yep, HUGE Peter Saville crush going on over here (I know it's weird, but I'm okay with that). I'm almost temped NOT to tell you where to get it, in case it sells out before I get mine. Hummmm...okay, get it here.

Here's a great series of films for Koodo Mobile via Taxi2, Toronto, starring a super-cool, adrenaline-infused and flirtatious gingerbread man (I could eat him right up). Love how you can interact and choose what to do - which way to go/what story to follow. Found via Ihaveanidea.org. Their story here. Oh, forgot to mention that I love the cheesy 70's music too. Nice touch.