Zulu Alpha Kilo "National Advertising Challenge" (2015) 1:34 (Canada)

Self-referential piece for the National Advertising Challenge to differentiate it from other award shows. I.E. cut through the clutter during award show season. They were called the National Advertising Award shows but they had to change their name, which in an of itself would have made a funny spot. "We've got to change our name, no one knows who we are..." etc.

I'm currently going through this hell right now, and one of my writers is bitching that he has to do all the write ups for the award show entires. The irony is not lost on him, and I'm sure he'll be happy to collect his award should he win. But that's as much a part of the creative nature, as the award-hungry schmuck.

In this particular spot, the creatives want to enter all the awards and the creative manager doesn't because there is quote real work unquote to be done.

But boy oh boy does it show how much this industry sucks to people who don't work in advertising, too. It's meant to be funny but it's so spot on it comes across as a pitiful comment on the industry. Witness the fact the creative manager is ordering in dinner for seventeen people and the creative manager knows the delivery guy's name and has learned to speak his language due to the frequency. Is this legit? Judging by how many meals I've eaten in the office lately, you bet it is. So we know the industry destroys any chance at having a personal life as much as it is driven by our insatiable desire to be recognized for making ads. At least for creatives. Because we also know as much as advertising loves to throw the word "collaborative," and "family" around, it is anything but. The woman doesn't give a shit about awards, she has a job to do and fuck you for wanting to be recognized. Again, spot on.

Same with the Brazilian who doesn't speak the language. Desculpe, meus amigos brasileiros que eu trabalhei. Você sabe quem você é. But you know it's true.

It is a funny bit when the Indian delivery guy is also working on a pitch. Raise oyu rhand if the security guard/greeter has thrown in ideas. But the ending "exotic" music? totally brought it down a touch and was unnecessary.

Funny spot. Let's all quit our jobs now.

Agency: Zulu Alpha Kilo
Client (Company): National Advertising Challenge
Creative Director: Zak Mroueh
Art Director: Ari Elkouby
Copywriter: George Ault
Agency Producer: Tara Handley
Production House: Someplace Nice
Director: Pete Henderson
Account Team: Alexandra Potter
Client: Ellie Metrick
Production House Producer: Robbie McNamara
Video Post Facility / Editing Company: Rooster
Editor: Chris Parkins
Online/Transfer: Fort York
Flame Artist: Lauren Rempel
Audio Post Facility/Music House: Zulu Alpha Kilo
Audio Director: Stephen Stepanic
Engineer: Stephen Stepanic