Ralph plays with Number Four

Last week, Penguin Books UK released the sensational new thriller “I Am Number Four,” the first release in a trailblazing new science fiction series, The Lorien Legacies. Together with Penguin, the principals of digital creative agency Ralph are proud to announce the launch of “The Legacy Test” online at www.iamnumberfour.co.uk. A complete news release on the project, featuring input from Ashley Wilks, Head of Digital Marketing and Websites for Penguin, and Chris Hassell, Ralph’s co-founder and creative director, is available here.

Experience Spinifex in China

The principals of Spinifex Group, worldwide leaders in creating and delivering cutting-edge experience media projects, are very proud to continue their collaborations with Director Han Lixun, famous for the print-block segment of the Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony, and Yvonne Ho, producer on the Beijing Olympic Games, in creating the cinematic multimedia feature attraction at the heart of Yan City, which just opened in China’s Chun Zhu Province. This latest spectacular high-tech storytelling achievement, uniting the talents of Director Han with those of Spinifex Group creative director Richard Lindsay and his colleagues, builds upon their joint efforts during the historic Opening Ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, wherein Spinifex was distinguished as one of the only non-Chinese production company involved. A news release on this project is available here, and the case study is online at SpinifexGroup.com.

Cartoon Network’s 2010 Brand Expansion

To help Cartoon Network bring to life its vision of a brand expansion strategy that included a new look and tone, international creative design and production studio Brand New School (BNS, www.brandnewschool.com) partnered with the network’s creative team to produce a look and sensibility that would allow them to have a dialogue with its audience across an array of platforms. The network chose to embrace its brand visual heritage of the black and white checkerboard by imbuing it with new meaning, and the artists and producers of BNS brought this idea to life in a fresh, compelling way using dimension, color and movement. All the new design elements began appearing in late May, and the new on-air IDs premiered on the network earlier this month.

For further information:
. Case study on Brand New School’s website
. Campaign press release
. In-depth feature story from Brand New
. Additional media coverage

Covert affairs from Ralph

In support of the new USA Network original series COVERT AFFAIRS, digital creative agency Ralph recently developed The Farm (http://thefarm.usanetwork.com), which allows fans to work alongside Annie Walker (series star Piper Perabo) to hone active spy skills, including closed-course driving, video surveillance, lock-picking and more. For completing tasks, fans can win prizes such as iPods, Bose products and more. New challenges continue to appear, allowing fans to use Facebook Connect to pull in information, share scores and gain extra points by recruiting their friends to help answer questions. Check out The Farm anytime, and COVERT AFFAIRS on Tuesday nights 10/9c on USA Network. You can also become a fan of the series on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/CovertAffairs and follow it on Twitter: http://twitter.com/covertaffairs.

Case Study: Scion + ATTIK – “United By Individuality”

In 2008, global creative agency ATTIK and Scion launched the “United By Individuality” branding campaign. The agency recently produced this case study encapsulation above. Links to additional campaign information appear below.

. Scion United case study on ATTIK.com
. Scion Samples case study on ATTIK.com
. United By Individuality campaign news release and materials
. United By Individuality campaign website wins “Site of the Day” from the Favourite Website Awards
. United By Individuality “Samples” campaign news release and materials

Experience media from Spinifex Group

I’m very proud to be working with the phenomenal Sydney-based creative communications company Spinifex Group, which is made up of authentic leaders in creating and delivering experience media.

With recent projects ranging from immersive interactive experiences to global broadcast events and epic big screen corporate communications extravaganzas, they have resolved some of the most ambitious and complex storytelling challenges of our times, with historical results. Below, I’ve organized summary notes on some of their latest projects, which as you’ll see, include numerous mesmerizing ceremonies and pavilions at the Shanghai World Expo, the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics Ceremonies, the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics Ceremonies, and many others. Read more

Gandulf Hennig: Thanks for the Documentary

Earlier this month the PBS American Masters Series debuted “Merle Haggard: Learning to Live With Myself,” an amazing documentary where noted filmmaker Gandulf Hennig spent two years following the legendary musician and songwriter at home and on tour, as he hit new artistic and commercial highs. I watched this film in awe of Mr. Haggard’s authenticity as a man who faced extreme difficulty in his early life and has persevered in making the most of his experiences, and his considerable talents, in ways that make him extraordinary.

Many thanks to PBS, Mr. Hennig and Mr. Haggard for bringing this fascinating story to the world.
Image (credit: Harrison/Getty) from “Merle Haggard Looks Back in New Documentary” by Patrick Doyle for Rolling Stone.

Nathan Love wows TV and online viewers worldwide

Record numbers of television and online viewers worldwide continue to experience the artistry of New York City animation studio Nathan Love and its illustrious clientele. The latest releases include commercial collaborations with director Willis Wong, Lunar Films and Hopr for J. Walter Thompson Shanghai promoting China’s popular online game Fantasy Westward Journey, and with advertising agency 22squared for Baskin-Robbins’ nationwide summer advertising campaign. Nathan Love is online at www.nathanlove.com, on Facebook here, and on Linkedin here.

Uplift and Upload Now for Prizes from BET and Coca-Cola

BET Videos

In their latest collaboration with advertising agency Wieden+Kennedy, international creative design and production studio Brand New School and director Jonathan Notaro recently produced the stop-motion brand film above, which promotes the Uplift and Upload Contest sponsored by Coca-Cola for BET’s popular daily music video show, 106 & Park. Seize this chance to show how you’re creating and spreading happiness in your community by uploading a video of your good deed at www.bet.com/uplift — but please note, according to the official rules, entries must be received by 6pm ET on Friday, July 23 (even though the video states that July 21 is the entry deadline).

No moment of happiness is too big or too small for your chance to win the grand prize: $5,000 in spending cash, and an all-expense paid trip to New York, where you’ll present the “Wild Out Wednesday” Best in Show winner, alongside Rocsi and Terrence. Creating and spreading happiness is just an idea away.

Good luck!

Brilliant directors: Shilo’s Evan Dennis

Director Evan Dennis and his fellow filmmakers from U.S. creative production company Shilo recently detailed their artistry in creating this engaging new broadcast/web spot for Mountain Dew’s new Green Label Art Shop Series campaign. For this all-star project, Evan worked in close collaboration with creative director David Hohman, art director Campbell Hooper and their colleagues from integrated marketing agency TracyLocke to create compelling content authentically supporting Mountain Dew’s innovative campaign and the phenomenal talents assembled. Read more