This package, coming from Wieden+Kennedy, was just delivered to us by bike courier – we’d already heard of Appsterdam, but Eggsterdam is quite new to us. Though we believe this contest of decorating an egg is a lot of fun and though we’d love to join the competition, we are unfortunately a little too busy. Nevertheless, “eggcelent” – *badum tschhh* – initiative.
Alvaro Sotomayor, CD at Wieden+Kennedy Amsterdam and “Spanish political artist,” launched his new exhibition Toro to the public this weekend in the Art Director’s Club (ADCN) clubhouse at Westergasfabriek. The painting series by Sotomayor makes heroes of the 69 victorious animals in the recorded history of Spanish bullfighting, since 1771. The project, which took Sotomayor three years to complete, follows his earlier photographic series that graphically depicted humans suffering the bull’s fate. Sotomayor about his paintings: “All of my work relates to man and questions the position of man in nature. With the Toro series I am having a conversation about the absurdity of Spain’s national pastime that revels at the expense of an animal’s suffering – and utilize my work as a weapon to create change.” The Toro series is born from entirely recycled and reclaimed materials and representative of Sotomayor’s own personal “creative odyssey.” Sotomayor has lived in Amsterdam for the past 18 years and was recently the first non-Dutch born advertising creative to be inducted into the prestigious ADCN Hall of Honors. You can check out Toro at Polonceaukade 17 on weekdays, during business hours, until March 29th.
This Booking.com ad is so over-the-top that it becomes attractive again. It was created by Wieden+Kennedy Amsterdam for the U.S. market. According to the press release the film was based on the insight that in the U.S. “planning and arranging accommodation remains a gamble. U.S. travelers are oversupplied with choice and options and undersupplied with vacation time. Getting it wrong can ruin it entirely.” Though this very much sounds like a universal insight, the form of this commercial makes a sound match with the U.S. market. After all – as we always learn here in Europe – over-the-top lands more easily across the Atlantic. And since most Americans are not too familiar with exotic traveling, a few palm trees here and there should also do the job – and make a great agency outing, for that matter. The film, directed by the LA based filmmaker collective Traktor, was shot in various actual Booking.com accommodations – by D.O.P. Stéphane Fontaine. Music by MassiveMusic.
From top left to bottom right: Claire Beesley, Andrew Allen, Genevieve Hoey, Fred Rodwell & Andrew Parsons and Danny Feeney
After having added more people to the roster only last November, Wieden+Kennedy Amsterdam hires again. Six people just joined the agency: Creative Director Genevieve Hoey joins the team from BSUR Amsterdam, where she was in charge of the Global MINI account. The creative team Fred Rodwell and Andrew Parsons, known from their More than Freeman campaign, join the agency from VCCP London. Andrew Allen becomes new Digital Production Director, after being Executive Producer at Rens Amsterdam and Interactive Producer at Droga5 New York. At the latter he was involved in the award winning Decode Jay-Z campaign. After working at TBWA UK and New Zealand, Claire Beesley joins W+K as PR Client Coordinator. Last but not least, Danny Feeney joins the agency as Planner, previously working at AKQA Amsterdam on clients like MINI and Philips. Lots of new and diverse talent at W+K!
Fltr: Ben Sandler, Judd Caraway (mentor), Cara To, Thomas Payne, Jordi Luna, Ella de Weijer, Jessica Hall, Alvaro Sotomayor (mentor).
Wieden+Kennedy Amsterdam is in our opinion the agency of the year here in Amsterdam – and the Netherlands, for that matter. First of all because we love the work they make. Secondly, because they lead the Gunn Report and thus make Amsterdam look very good, internationally. Thirdly, because they are culturally agnostic and hire people from all over the world. Then, also because the agency stimulates and supports employees that do creative stuff outside their job. And finally, as this film shows quite well, they have fun in what they do! The Mother Bucker concept – an electric rodeo disguised as Santa’s lap – comes from Wieden’s in-house agency The Kennedys, which is a class of young talent gaining experience on the job. By the way, another reason why Wieden should be agency of the year; they actually have a training program for young talent. Anyway, Mother Bucker was a challenge to design the agency’s Christmas card, and as you can see the concept (with a contest, a live stream, a lottery, a charity, and what not) got a little out of hand – which is exactly why you want to hire young talent! At the beginning of 2013 another Kennedys class is launched. Recruitment details are available here.
While most Amsterdam agencies are letting employees go, Wieden+Kennedy is still hiring. First of all: recruiter Sophie Worth (far left). She returns to Wieden after having worked for 15 years in production, consulting and recruitment. Kia Heinnen (left) and Zoe Hawkins join W+K from Colenso BBDO Auckland, where in just 2,5 years they created award-winning work for Levi’s, Auckland City Council and New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation. Finally, social strategist Ef Rodrigues joins the agency from Crispin Porter + Bogusky, where he was Associate Director of Social Strategy and Communications.
