When I asked my source for this bit of news if there was a loss of particular business that lead to Grey SF letting 12.5 percent of its staff go, the response I got was a flat, "It's just the economy."

You haven't seen any "No Wukkas" posts lately for the same reason Grey SF has joined the ranks of (most notably) Element 79 and DraftFCB. With clients across the board cutting back on media output, we can only expect more of this to come.

But is there a way to effect positive change for addies? Companies like Converseon, Yooter, Connors and more are doing just that by focusing search marketing and social media outreach. And they're making a profit. It's no surprise then that the bigger shops that have lagged in these areas...aren't. Addies, if you want to find work, stay online and make sure you bark up the right tree. The fruit's easier to get from a 3 foot tree than a Grey SF.

SanDisk is dumping Grey SF if favor of Publicis & Hal Riney as their agency of record. They are entrusting Riney with the goal of creating "a clearer functional and emotional brand identity while supporting differentiation and sales."

It's about time they start focusing on having a clear brand identity. Remember the whole isheep campaign created by Grey SF , Venables Grey SF. Yeah, me neither. In my mind, they haven't had a memorable campaign thus far. So Riney has nowhere to go but up.

No better way to spend your Sunday morning than looking for work. Here's an opening from Grey Worldwide, found on Craigslist. Find the link here.

Not interested in the job and just want to know what they're looking for? I thought you'd never ask.

"Copywriter will be dedicated to E*Trade — a fast-paced online/offline retail account, heavy in TV, Print and Online.

We are looking for rising-star creatives, commensurate with this award-winning campaign.

Real “doers,” not delegators [sic], who can make text-heavy ads sing. Demanding of him/herself and others. Must be willing to put in the time — and enjoy what they do.

In addition to developing concepts, this Copywriter will develop response-driven copy for online/web and print advertising as well as contributing to TV.

Wow Grey, announcing that you're hiring via Craigslist? Have fun sorting through the resumes. Don't you know we're already watching your crazy ways?

Pay is commensurate with experience, in case you were curious. Oh, and the job is hosted by HireBridge. Likely.

We hear that Grey Worldwide has won P&G's Escada account. Callegari Berville Grey (Paris), will be responible for the global advertising for both the men and women's line of Escada. The account was won from Weiden & Kennedy. This comes on the heels of another big win for Grey. In mid May, they won MLB's World Baseball Classic account. Looks like Grey is putting a ton of work into their new business efforts.

Cannes Advertising Festival is taking place June 14th- June 21st and of course announcements are being made about the seminars planned. Grey New York announced that its Second Annual Music Seminar with Living Legends will feature Tony Bennett this year. "Talking Music with Tony Bennett," on Wednesday, June 18 (12 noon, Cannes time) at the Debussy. Last year's seminar with John Legend and '60s folk rock star, Donavan was very popular, I hear.

continued...

He's back!!!! The creepy/adorable Etrade baby is back with his latest installment. This time he's peddling banking via your blackberry. Are your banking and trading needs ever that urgent?

Anyway, the baby has more hair and some 'hot in the pants' girlfriend. I guess the team over at Grey NY thinks babies and suggestive emails go hand and hand with stock quotes and bank account transfers.

They're probably right, that baby sure has some charm. After the puking superbowl ad, Etrade boasted that they opened "1,000 new accounts a day". The ads are really dual purposed, it seems, they broadcast the mobile banking and the Blackberry smartphone. This software is apparently a new technology available only on the Blackberry Smartphone.

The plan is to heavily market this new wireless technology using TV, print and online ads that highlight the very popular talking baby. Since I take all my advice from talking babies, I'm on my way out to by a Smartphone and getting cracking on that trading. Excuse me...

Let's Go Digital, a techy little digital imaging online mag. thinks Canon's newest spot, put together by the folks at Grey is the shiznittle.

"For 'Journey,' the new EOS Rebel XSi television commercial, Canon did something innovative with professional digital cameras. Tapping into the creative talents at Grey New York, the advertising team crafted the idea of shooting nearly an entire television commercial using Canon digital still cameras. After the first few seconds of film footage, the commercial goes through a blending of still images stitched together to give the impression of motion."

Wow guys, that sounds an awful lot like a motion picture — some might even say, a movie?

We regret to inform you that your "innovation" was actually the creative work of Frenchman Louis Lumiere in 1895. But the music is nice. Stick with Maria and the dog.

So who is responsible for this exciting new idea (insert sarcasm emoticon)? None other than (of course) ECD Tor Myhren, CD/AD Stephen Krauss and CD/Copywriter Ari Halper. Bravo.

Check out the spot here.

Update: The innovative part is what got to me. Sounded like they were taking credit for the invention of the motion picture. So maybe it's the hacks I should be gribbling with, but this type of over promotion of work is soooo Grey. Yes, the piece is interesting, but innovation in advertising happens once, maybe twice a year and this isn't one of those times.

B.A. Albert is the new president of Grey Atlanta, as well as its CCO. B.A. is a chick in case you didn't know. She's also a brand apparently. "B.A. Albert is a leading brand unto herself, having run her own highly-acclaimed agency in Atlanta for over a decade," said Jim Heekin, CEO of Grey Global.

She doesn't even have a first name. The kids in the office surely have some wonderful nicknames for her. Do they just call out, "Yo B? Where's the final proof at?" Oh hell, maybe they go for the easy lay-up and call her "Bad Ass" behind her back.

B.A. began her career as an art director, and was one of the first female creative directors in Atlanta. She comes to Grey straight from an agency she started called Match, which recently closed. Okay, so maybe not so bad ass, but pretty much.

[source]

I first met Noel Cottrell, Grey's newest hire (and Executive creative Director on ETrade, mind you) about 6 months ago and I was immediately astonished — and not just because he's an award winning creative (eh hem, around the world).

The guy is huge — literally. He towers over the rest of us (well, me anyway) at 6'8" — adding to his presence is a bellowing South African accent, and did I mention he's really tall? More about him after the jump.

continued...

It's a long time reader of Agency Spy's birthday. Seriously, girlfriend has been with us from the beginning and so, we wish her the happiest and illest thirtieth birthday possible via Grey's little dudes up there in the video. You guys remember them right?

Anyway, congrats to her on her new big, big time gig and we thank her for her support during these heady days of blogging and working and, and, and... She rocks.

Super Spy