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

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.


ALEX GREGORY SAYS, STOP! HARBOR TIME!

Harbor's new Executive Creative Director of Advertising Colour, UK, is none other than Alex Gregory.


CICLOPE ANNOUNCES ITS FULL PROGRAMME FOR BERLIN 2024.

CICLOPE Festival returns to Berlin this October, and has just announced its full programme and speaker lineup.


NOT TO SCALE SIGN PETER BAYNTON.

Peter Baynton of 'The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse' fame has signed for Not To Scale.


GEOFFREY LILLEMON JOINS THE 100% CLUB.

VFX whizz Geoffrey Lillemon has joined 100%, née HALAL, for representation.


MATTHEW DILLON COHEN LANDS AT BISCUIT.

Matthew Dillon Cohen wants to get weird and go underground as Biscuit Filmworks's newest director.


MIKEY PEHANICH RETURNS TO THE MILL.

Senior colourist Mikey Pehanich has returned to The Mill after five years with Blacksmith.


PARTIZAN WELCOME ETHAN & TOM.

Director duo Ethan Barrett and Tom Gullam are now on the books at Partizan for global representation.


CHRISTJAN JORDAN JOINS STITCH EDITING IN THE UK.

Christjan Jordan has joined Stitch Editing for representation in the UK.


GLASSWORKS WELCOME HANNAH WILK AND FELIX MARRINGTON-REEVE.

Glassworks have signed Hannah Wilk and Felix Marrington-Reeve as 2D and 3D leads, respectively.


IT'S GREAT GUNS FOR CHARLEY STADLER.

Director Charley Stadler has joined Great Guns for representation in the UK, US, Asia, and the Middle East.


STINK RISING WELCOME THEODOR GUELAT.

Director and photographer Theodor Guelat has joined Stink Rising for representation in the UK, the US, and Germany.


SQUAT ARE SAMSUNG UP TO?

Samsung and gym chain Basic-Fit have teamed up to launch 'Galaxy Space Squat'.


JOFFREY JANS RELOCATES TO YOU ARE HERE.

Director Joffrey Jans has reunited with Jeremy Goold at You Are Here.


MARSHALL STREET EDITORS SIGN JADE-MARIE MASON.

Freelance cutter Jade-Marie Mason now has a permanent home at Marshall Street Editors.


News

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