I was one of the C’mon LeBron faithful but I must admit this is undeniable. There is a paradigm shift going on and I’m proud to be one of the Millennials leading the way. Cheers to you LeBron (W+K and Nike Basketball too. You win). Just protect your neck when you come by the Garden. We’re runnin’ and gunnin’.

For those that are familiar with the world of advertising, this is a momentous occasion. As top planners/strategists debate our role in the ‘process’ over at PSFK (Redscout presents SPUR), Nick Barham has demonstrated the growth of the planning discipline. He is truly someone who came to the table with a knife, fork, and appetite. Cheers to him!

John C Jay, the W+K’s global executive creative director adds, “the qualifications for a true creative director have evolved beyond craft and management”. Jay noted that “broader skills are required in order to lead brands with speed and cultural relevancy”. He also added that Barham had played a key role in creative processes, such as developing documentaries, music videos, event websites and applications at Wieden & Kennedy since joining in 2006.

Let this be a lesson to all aspiring and current planners. The Sky’s the Limit. No Ceilings.

via Media.Asia

For their client Levi’s, W+K, Portland has developed an American treasure hunt game worth $100,000 to the eventual winner. The game is built around an imaginary 19th-century figure, Grayson Ozias IV, who is said to be a friend of the nephew of Levi Strauss. The search is for his buried treasure, put in the ground during the gold rush. The game will have a presence on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube – along with giving the eventual winner a chance to dig up a box containing the 100k. The winner will also be given a chance to nominate and vote for a nonprofit organization, based in the United States, that will receive a $100,000 gift from Levi’s. Here’s where to begin the hunt.

This is very American…

via Planner Reads

Wieden + Kennedy London has had some issues with internal meetings running late. Is this the problem solver? The LED table was a collaboration between W+K, Ico Design, and Sidekick Studios. Timetable is the name of the furniture piece.

via LimitedHype

The folks over at W+K Radio have thisto say, “You know it’s coming: WK RADIO is metamorphosing into WKE. Wieden+Kennedy+Entertainment. We’re renegotiating the relationship between advertising, media and art.”

Are you ready? I have been growing increasingly intrigued by the city of Portland and its creative scene. It reminds me of Williamsburg circa late 80′s early 90′s.

Forget the rest of the folks in the credits. Shout out to DJ Quik! One of the greatest music producers/composers of all time.

Credits

Agency: Wieden+Kennedy, Portland

Advertiser: Nike Basketball

Executive Creative Directors: Susan Hoffman, Mark Fitzloff
Creative Directors: Jeff Williams, Alberto Ponte, Tyler Whisnand
Copywriter: Brandon Pierce
Art Director: Mike Warzin
Agency Executive Producer: Ben Grylewicz
Agency Producers: Tieneke Pavesic, Jeff Selis

Production Company: Streetgang Films, Los Angeles/Furlined, Los Angeles
Director: Andreas Nilsson
Executive Producers: George Meeker, Jason Botkin
Line Producer: Jasper Thomlinson
DP: Shawn Kim

Editorial: Final Cut
Editors: Logan Hefflefinger, Stephen Burger
Post Producer: Jennifer Miller
Post Executive Producer: Siama Awan

VFX Company: The Syndicate
Lead Flame Artist: Mike Ek
Flame Artist: Kevin McDonald
VFX Producer: Robert Evans

Composer & Producer: DJ QUIK
Lyrics: Brandon Pierce, Mike Warzin
Mix Company: Eleven
Mixer: Jeff Payne

The Future is Bright is about this sorta stuff. Honda and W+K, Amsterdam team up for an excellent piece of reinforcing/optimistic/humanistic creative work. The behind the scenes video gives a deeper look into what the team went through to make the idea a reality.

Source: http://blog.wk.com/2009/03/let-it-shine.html

Hi Nike,

Call Wieden + Kennedy Portland and tell them you found a new Art Director. The art direction for this series of photos are great. Below are some of my favorites. The man’s name is PHOKS, and he is from France.

Sincerely,

Kenji Summers