David Reviews

 "You're not an artist, Peggy. You solve problems." Don Draper.

SAINSBURY'S UNLEASH THEIR CHRISTMAS OFFER
3 November 2023

In September, Campaign posted another of their embarrassing 'exclusives' about this year's Christmas commercials. This time, they had decided to reveal that Rick Astley was to be involved in Sainsbury's offering, and rather than deny that this was the case or stay tight-lipped on the matter, the supermarket opted to say: "We’re never gonna give up the secrets of our Christmas ad this early."

This reply demonstrated Sainsbury's have a lot more class than a once-relevant magazine trying to gain clicks by betraying confidences, but it also meant there was little surprise when the 1980s pop star made his appearance as foretold by the industry's Nostradumbarses.


Musicians from the 1980s are having quite an impact on this year's Christmas advertising, which may say something about the ages of those commissioning the work. As well as Astley for Sainsbury's, Depeche Mode provide the soundtrack for Waitrose's Christmas ad, and Tears for Fears' 'Everybody Wants to Rule the World' turns up in Sports Direct's seasonal offering.

Despite the publicity gained by casting Rick Astley, his appearance is very much a cameo, and much of the charm comes from the other performances. We'll review it properly in the main section just as soon as we have the credits.

News

CHARLI XCX ON TRACK FOR A BIG NIGHT AT THE UK MUSIC VIDEO AWARDS

Charli XCX is among a host of artists who'll be hoping for recognition at the UKMVAs on 24 October.


ABSOLUTE WELCOME ELLIS MCGOURLAY AS SENIOR SOUND DESIGNER.

Absolute have a new Senior Sound Designer in the form of Ellis McGourlay.


DAVID WATCHES... 'KENSUKE'S KINGDOM'.

Kirk Hendry made an eighty-year-old man cry not so long ago. Is he proud of himself? You bet he is.


MARYSUE MASSON HOOKS UP WITH JOHNNY FOREIGNER.

Johnny Foreigner call Marysue Masson "an unstoppable comedy force" as she signs for commercial representation.


PARK VILLAGE GAIN NOTHING LOST.

Chas Appeti and Junior Okoli have been friends for close to a decade now, and what better way to celebrate than to join Park Village?


WAVE STUDIOS HIRE ARCHIE PRESLEY AS GLOBAL ENGINEER.

Intrepid sound designer Archie Presley is back at Wave Studios after eighteen months in Australia.


ARTHUR LOK ENLISTS WITH LOOP TALENT.

Director of photography Arthur LOK (or Arthur Lanigan O'Keeffe) has joined Loop Talent.


NEXUS SWOOP FOR HANNAH LAU-WALKER.

Nexus Studios say Hannah Lau-Walker is "the kind of exceptional talent that we are proud to champion".


ALE DORDONI HEADS TO FINAL CUT.

Italian editor Alessandro 'Ale' Dordoni has joined the UK roster of Final Cut.


OB42 LAND SHANE MEADOWS.

OB42 have completed the signing of Shane Meadows, director of 'The Virtues' and the 'This is England' saga.


ERIN MURRAY AND FRANCOIS LALLIER ARE ACADEMY MATERIAL.

Academy Films are all smiles as they welcome Erin Murray and François Lallier to the fold.


SOMESUCH SIGN CHARLOTTE REGAN.

Somesuch have signed 'Scrapper' director Charlotte Regan for global representation.


MICHAEL MIDDELKOOP JOINS 100%

Acclaimed director Michael Middelkoop has joined forces with 100% in Amsterdam.


MINDSEYE'S JUST THE TICKET FOR RIKKE GREGERSEN.

Rikke Gregersen, one of Norway’s standout directors of commercials and short films, has completed her move to MindsEye.


ELEANOR UK WELCOMES ARIEL DANZINGER

Much to the delight of Eleanor's Sophie Gold and her newly-installed London MD Kate Elson, the company has added Ariel Danzinger to its roster of directors.


NITRAM JOINS HAMLET.

Nitram, a director who eats scripts for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, is now represented by HAMLET in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, China, and Asia-Pacific.


OB42 ADD MARTIN WEBB TO THEIR ROSTER.

London-based director Martin Webb has joined OB42 for global representation.


BARCELONA-BASED BRUT PARTNER WITH BRAND NEW SCHOOL

Barcelona animation studio and innovative NYC company Brand New School have formed a strategic partnership as part of the latter's bid for global domination.


LOS PÉREZ FOR BISCUIT FILMWORKS IN LONDON

Biscuit Filmworks has extended its relationship with directing duo Los Pérez by adding them to its UK roster.


DANIEL WARWICK JOINS OBJECT & ANIMAL

Object & Animal have strengthened their offer by adding director Daniel Warwick to their roster.


EPOCH PARTNERS WITH KNUCKLEHEAD UK

A new epoch for Epoch as they join forces with Knucklehead in the UK in pursuit of business in the UK and beyond.


JAKE MAVITY'S SHORT CALICO SET FOR UK RELEASE

At a screening a few months ago, DAVID had the great pleasure of watching Jake Mavity's short film 'Calico' and soon you'll be able too.


OB42 LAND CHRIS MORRISH.

It's a case of the Morrish, the merrier as director Chris Morrish joins OB42 for representation in the UK and the US.


ARMOURY SWOOP FOR PHOEBE BOURKE.

Armoury have swooped for writer, director, and producer Phoebe Bourke.


YON MOTSKIN'S FULL OF DARLING-DOO.

Darling Films have signed "a really, really delightful human" in the form of Yon Motskin.


News

Address: Woodbourne House, Seven Sisters, Lenzie, G66 3AW. Telephone: +44 141 776 7766. Editor: Jason Stone.