Graeme Hall - AgencySpy

Does Grandpa Really Play PS3?

Jordan Teicher — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 11:10:37 +0000

I’m not suggesting that grandparents can’t play video games; I’m sure some do, it just seems strange that a whole family would sit around a couch fully invested in watching Gramps play. It seems even stranger–and a little misguided–for 180 Amsterdam to include this scene in their new Playstation 3 commercial. But, since Grandpa shot up from his cushioned seat with such force, I’m just relieved he didn’t throw out his back.

The “Family Day Out” TV spot is the centerpiece of PS3′s Festival of Fun campaign, meant to highlight the versatile gaming options available for the console. The bulk of the commercial takes place at a circus-like setting where kids, parents, and even grandparents, can enjoy the metaphorical pleasures of motion-control video games.

The crux of the idea that video games can bring together a family means that instead of people actually going to circuses and fairs to spend time with each other, everyone can do it in a virtual ecosystem from a leather couch. That whole fresh-air, let’s-communicate-in-person thing is going the way of the CD player, but I suppose 180 Amsterdam is onto something here. If Mom and Dad squaring off in Sports Champions 2 leads to a healthier marriage, why not? Just make sure Grandpa takes frequent breaks to prevent carpal tunnel, stiff joints, worsening eyesight, and a rapid heartbeat. Credits after the jump.

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Y&R NY’s Graeme Hall Heads Back to Europe

Kiran Aditham — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 12:10:46 +0000

After spending the last three years Stateside as a creative director/senior copywriter at Y&R New York, Graeme Hall is heading back to Europe and joining up with the creative team at 180 Amsterdam as a CD. During his time at Y&R, Hall served as CD on Virgin Atlantic and helped lead creative on a variety of other accounts including PETA (you might remember the recent “Agents in the Wild” effort), VH1, Land Rover and Airwalk (his “Invisible Pop Up Store” for the last earned him a Webby and Yellow Pencil).

According to a statement from 180 Amsterdam managing partner/ECD Al Moseley, Hall will serve as CD on various projects “across all our business, create his own work, and mentor teams. He’s going to be busy.” Prior to heading to the U.S. and joining Y&R, Hall spent five years at DDB London, where he worked as a creative on campaigns for Harvey Nichols, Marmite and various projects for VW.

We’ve been told he officially starts at 180 Amsterdam tomorrow.

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Lavoie, Best to Head Up Select ADC Juries

Kiran Aditham — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 14:42:40 +0000

Are you geared up for awards season yet? Well, whatever the case, the Art Directors Club has solidified its its 90th Awards juries with the additions of Taxi chairman/co-founder Paul Lavoie (pictured) and Wayne Best as Advertising and Hybrid chairs, respectively.

Best, if you best remember, left his ECD post at JWT last September to pursue a new “creative partnership,” which is a New York operation called Cog. Lavoie’s shop, of course, is now in the hands of Sir Marty and WPP. The Advertising and Hybrid categories have an entry deadline of Feb. 6. Check out the complete list of the aforementioned categories’ jurors, including Doner’s Rob Strasberg and W+K Amsterdam expat Jeff Kling, after the jump.

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