A ray of hope from Levi’s and Walt Whitman, courtesy of Wieden+Kennedy

Since the world we live in is constantly changing, I guess it’s pretty easy to feel that anything from ‘yesterday’ is irrelevent. I recently read a critique of one of my clients’ latest ad campaigns, where the facets included a couple of really cool and interesting microsites. The critical comment said, “Microsites are so five minutes ago.” It made me think, my how some people love to hear themselves talk, even when their words make no sense. Earlier this month, Wieden+Kennedy Portland launched an arguably fascinating initiative for Levi’s called the GoForth campaign, which features the “America” spot I’ve embedded above.

Read moreA ray of hope from Levi’s and Walt Whitman, courtesy of Wieden+Kennedy

Under Armour Brings Drug-Free Drama Back to Baseball

Here’s a great story from Adrants.com’s Angela Natividad on a new commercial my clients at creative production company Shilo brought to life for Under Armour. “Instinct Fast” stars New York Mets All-Star Jose Reyes stealing two bases in one pitch. The spot also features a theatrical original score from Echolab….read more

Everybody’s talking ATTIK…

They had hidden cameras, water and Mars bars. It was inspiring, scary, enlightening and stupid (at times). See how it turned out.

Marketing Case Study: “The Blair Witch Project”


By Roger Darnell

..Challenge.. From all reports, the feature film (and marketing) phenomenon that is known as “The Blair Witch Project” began with a group of dedicated, talented and resourceful filmmakers who were intent on using every asset at their disposal to make a successful film under their banner of Haxan Films.

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Case Study: Tool of North America

Last updated in 2006: Elite U.S. Commercial Production Company Elevates Position, Delivers Award-Winning Work for Top U.S. Agencies

“Strategic Two-Year Public Relations Campaign Designed and Executed by The Darnell Works Agency Helped Tool Maximize and Expand Its Success”
See also: TOOL MEDIA COVERAGE

Since 1995, Santa Monica-based Tool of North America has established itself among the leading U.S. commercial production companies, representing top commercial directors including Erich Joiner, Tom Routson, Oscar-winning cinematographer Bob Richardson and several other creative all stars. During the time the DWA campaign was in effect (April 2004 through May 2006), Tool also operated satellite company Paranoid Projects: Tool, which provided U.S. representation for directors Poiraud and Francois Vogel.

Executive Summary
Among many high-profile accomplishments during DWA’s two-year tenure as the PR agency of record for Tool of North America and Paranoid Projects (2004-2006), Francois Vogel’s HP “Picture Book” campaign was named Adweek’s Campaign of the Year for 2004… and also landed him in Creativity Magazine’s feature that year on the world’s hottest emerging directors. The public and media relations campaign diligently promoted commercial projects of the highest order, from top agencies, major brands, and Tool’s all-star roster of directors.

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Case study on TV’s most beloved ad campaign…

Last year, San Francisco ad agency Goodby, Silverstein & Partners hatched an idea for its clients at Hewlett Packard’s Digital Photography division which has led to some truly phenomenal results. Collaborations with the talented French director Francois Vogel, which began in 2003 in the development of another award-winning television commercial entitled “You”, produced a new … Read moreCase study on TV’s most beloved ad campaign…

Shifting release paradigms in the movie business…

Among the many people I know who are involved in the marketing of major motion pictures, Nicole Sperling’s Hollywood Reporter article “Simultaneous movie, video plan irks theater owners” is sounding an alarm.

Read moreShifting release paradigms in the movie business…

Case Study: Crest Digital


Lasted Updated on March 1, 1999: Film, Television, Music Industry, Airline In-Flight Entertainment… Crest National Does It All

“Public Relations Campaign Secures Successful Optical Media Launch and Dramatically Extends Film & Television Post Developments”

Crest Digital: A Hollywood-based provider of motion picture film lab and extensive post-production services since 1961 (including large-format telecine, subtitling, mass audio and video duplication and fulfillment), which had recently launched a full-service optical media operation.

Executive Summary
Back in 1998, Roger Darnell helped Hollywood-based Crest Digital partner with the Women in Film International Summit, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, AFI Worldfest, IFP/West, the Slamdance Film Festival and many others while reaching millions through a balanced cross-media marketing campaign. Campaign media highlights included strategic coverage in American Cinematographer, Billboard, Daily Variety, Film&Video, Game Developer, Millimeter, New Media, The Hollywood Reporter, and other top media outlets.

Read moreCase Study: Crest Digital