Live from South by Southwest (SXSW)

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +1100

This week our digital gurus are in Austin, Texas for South by Southwest (SXSW) – an annual interactive conference that focuses on emerging technologies. Running from March 8 to 12, SXSW features an amazing line-up of events hosted by industry leaders.

We’re excited to have Hamish Stewart (Group Creative Director), Catherine Pitts-Tucker (Associate Creative Director), James Bush (Creative Technologist) and Gertjan Leppers (Executive Producer) in town to soak up everything on offer at the most exciting creative event of the year.

Follow them as they blog live from SXSW.

'Build with Chrome' does us proud

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +1100

The Google ‘Build with Chrome’ campaign continues its dream run, picking up the AdNews Digital Campaign of the Year at the recent AdNews Agency of the Year Awards 2012. This award is the latest to recognise the campaign that enabled millions around the world to build their own virtual Lego creations via the Google Chrome browser.

Late last year ‘Build with Chrome’ took out the highly coveted David Ogilvy Creative Award at the 2012 ADMA Awards, which recognised ‘Build with Chrome’ as the most outstanding creative execution of the year. The campaign also took out two Gold, five Silver and one Bronze at the same awards. At the B&T Awards, ‘Build with Chrome’ won Best Digital Campaign, and was recognised in IAB’s Creative Showcase and the FWA (Favourite Web Awards).

Mark finishes the year with a bang

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 00:00:00 +1100

It’s always great to finish the year on a high, so it’s nice to have been recognised in some recent local and international awards.

We’re delighted to announce we scored 7 finalists in the upcoming One Show Awards, more than any other agency in the world. To back that up, we also picked up 2 Gold, and 1 Silver at the international Caples Awards in New York. In the Microsites category, we scored 2 of the 3 Golds worldwide – an amazing achievement.

At the local B&T Awards the M&C Saatchi Group was awarded NSW Agency of the Year, while Mark’s ‘Build with Chrome’ for Google won Best Digital Campaign.

IAB’s Creative Showcase recognises the best digital work in the country every two months. So we were proud that ‘Build with Chrome’ won round 7.2, while in the latest round, our latest Google campaign ‘Movember Games’ was just announced as the runner-up.

All in all it was a stellar 2012 for Mark and the entire M&C Saatchi Group, so we’d like to thank all of our amazing clients. Here’s to 2013!

Mark walk on the wild side with a Warhol-themed Christmas

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 00:00:00 +1100

On a balmy summers night in December, we celebrated the end of another fantastic year with a Warhol-themed Christmas party. Titled ‘The Factory Lives’, the party took place at a resurrection of Warhol’s infamous New York City studio. Project X Consultancy put the party together and brought the theme to life at 1346 Venice – an exclusive warehouse space in Sydney’s Waterloo.

The guest list included the banana from The Velvet Underground & Nico, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, Mao, Chelsea girls, the Campbell’s Soup can, Marilyn Monroe, some fabulous pop art and an array of different Warhol incarnations. Bob Colacello, editor-in-chief of Interview magazine (circa 1970s) was on hand to document the night and keep the superstars in check.

Hugos Catering kept guests well fed with a delicious menu that included gourmet pizza, sashimi ‘lollipops’ and sliders. The dance floor was in full swing until the leaving lights came on thanks to a live band, DJs and a drag queen dance troupe. There were even make-up artists on standby with costume props to get those underprepared in theme.

We created a feed to pull in photos tagged #thefactorylives, so you can see the party in all its unedited glory.

M&C and Mark deliver in the AdNews Challenge

Fri, 23 Nov 2012 00:00:00 +1100

M&C Saatchi has cleaned up at the inaugural AdNews Challenge last Sunday.

Taking place at Clifton Gardens reserve, over 450 entrants from over 70 companies contested for industry bragging rights.

M&C Saatchi’s M1 team drew overall with Whybin TBWA for top line honours and our mixed team, which included Mark Creative Director Chris Little also took home first place in the Creative Agency category.

A special mention should go to M&C Saatchi Office Manager Sarah Web who won the individual Woman’s title in a time that actually placed 8^th in the men’s!

The AdNews challenge raised over $91,000 for charity Un Ltd (formerly MAYDAY) and a big part of that donation came from the M&C Saatchi fundraising initiative Human Cameras. Human Cameras is collaboration between the M&C Saatchi athletes and several well-known Sydney photographers.

By attaching cameras to each of our athletes we were able to capture a unique perspective of the selected AdNew’s sports in motion. The shots were carefully selected and retouched by our photographers and then put on sale at http://humancameras.mcsaatchi.com.au

M&C Saatchi Creative Director Ben Welsh called the campaign “a brutally simple melding of art and athleticism for a great cause”.

UN LTD Founding Director Kerry McCabe agreed.

“On behalf of disadvantaged and underprivileged young Australians, I can’t thank M&C Saatchi and the photographers enough for getting behind the fundraising effort in such a compelling and innovative way.”

Go team!

A big night at the ADMA Awards

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 00:00:00 +1100

It’s been a big year for Mark and at the 2012 ADMA Awards we were able to see the results of all our hard work. We were thrilled to walk away with 14 awards (19 across the Group) including the highly coveted David Ogilvy Creative Award, which recognised ‘Build with Chrome’ for Google as the most outstanding creative execution of the year.

‘Build with Chrome’ enabled millions around the world to build their own virtual Lego creations via the Google Chrome browser. The campaign took out eight other awards too, including two Gold, five Silver and one Bronze.

Also amongst the agency’s haul was a Gold, one Silver and two Bronze for ‘FRONTROW’ for Google Australia. During the Vivid Live festival, the ‘FRONTROW’ campaign had hundreds of thousands of people watching, shooting and sharing live events at the Sydney Opera House with a bespoke YouTube gadget that used world-first technology.

We also walked away with a Bronze in Creative for Nestle Purina’s 'Let Sandy Loose', a Facebook application that allows users to let Sandy the dog run riot across their friends’ Facebook pages.

All in all it was a great result for the agency, particularly given that the 2012 ADMA Awards attracted a record number of entries. Other awards included work for Amnesty International, Optus, Woolworths and the Saatchi Gallery.

Congratulations to everyone who contributed to the success of these campaigns and of course, to our wonderful clients.

Here’s the full list of what the agency took home:

David Ogilvy Creative Award

‘Build With Chrome’, Google Australia

Creative Awards

GOLD, Art Direction, ‘Build With Chrome’, Google Australia

GOLD, Direct Response Digital, ‘Build With Chrome’, Google Australia

SILVER, Apps & New Development, ‘Build With Chrome’, Google Australia
SILVER, Copywriting, 'Art Described', Saatchi Gallery
SILVER, Creative Use of Technology, ‘Build With Chrome’, Google Australia
SILVER, Brand Experience, ‘Build With Chrome’, Google Australia
SILVER, Online Broadcast/Video, ‘FRONTROW’, Google Australia

BRONZE, Creative Use of Technology, ‘FRONTROW’, Google Australia
BRONZE, Flat Mail, 'See the World through the Eyes of Picasso', Optus
BRONZE, Social Media, 'Let Sandy Loose', Nestle Purina
BRONZE, Websites/Microsite, ‘Build With Chrome’, Google Australia
BRONZE, Websites/Microsite, 'Name Tunnels', Amnesty International
BRONZE, Direct Response Digital, ‘FRONTROW’, Google Australia

Effectiveness Awards

GOLD, Publishing & Entertainment, ‘FRONTROW’, Google Australia

SILVER, Publishing & Entertainment, ‘Build With Chrome’, Google Australia
SILVER, Retention & Loyalty, ‘Rewards for Everyone’, Woolworths Everyday Rewards
SILVER, Brand Experience, ‘Build With Chrome’, Google Australia

BRONZE, Brand Experience, 'Name Tunnels', Amnesty International

The world's first moustache powered games

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 00:00:00 +1100

The Mark offices have been a little tense over the last few days.

Ever since our Movember Games Chrome app went live, the level of competitiveness has gone from friendly to downright not-so friendly.

Made in conjunction with Chrome and Movember the games promote the month of Movember by utilizing the latest browser technology in a fun, innovative and addictive way.

The app was built by our friends at MAKE, Mark’s sister digital and production agency,
and will feature four games to roll out over each week of Movember.

Starting with the Lame-Mo, where players must lift and balance a barbell on their top lip, each game follows the progression of Mo growth throughout Movember. All you need to play is a face, a webcam and to have downloaded the Google Chrome browser.

Currently Mark CD Hamish Stewart holds the Lame-Mo record at 25 sec. But many feel this cannot be considered official, as we had to take Hamish’s word for it.

Play for yourself at www.movembergames.com.

Arabella Rose romances Mark

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 00:00:00 +1100

With four cases of Arabella Rose and a delicious spread of gourmet delights, we launched our new ’50 Days of Rose’ campaign in our café on Melbourne Cup Day.

Arabella Rose is a new sparkling rosé from Tyrrell's Wines, and a character who’s delighting Facebook newsfeeds with 50 days of adventure, romance and some serious flirtation.

To narrate this whirlwind adventure, we called on romance novelist Ally Blake to pen a tale that takes our character through Sydney, London, Paris, New York, Los Angeles and Melbourne in her quest to find love.

“Usually I have 50,000 words to play with, but ‘50 Days with Rose’ is told via a series of condensed posts that also allow readers to ask questions,” Blake said. “It’s been a fantastic challenge and I can’t wait for everyone to meet her and follow the sensuous journey I’ve created.”

Our Creative Director, Hamish Stewart, added that by sharing the story exclusively on Facebook, we’re able to connect with the right audience in real time. This will enable fans to engage with our character as they would with their friends.

Watch the teaser trailer below and follow Arabella Rose at facebook.com/50dayswithrose

Mark welcomes Glynn Honey as Managing Director

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 00:00:00 +1100

When we heard that our new Managing Director Glynn Honey had over 16 years of experience in digital marketing and played rugby league for Ireland, we were impressed. It seems that we weren’t the only ones - Dave Whittle, Managing Director Australia at M&C Saatchi said few stones were left unturned in the global search for the perfect candidate to lead Mark.

Along with his extracurricular achievements, Glynn brings a wealth of knowledge to the agency. His impressive background includes successfully launching the Australia and New Zealand branch of Joule, WPP’s mobile marketing network as CEO, as well as Managing Director of Isobar, Aegis’ integrated digital service where he launched the rebrand of the Isobar Network in Australia and New Zealand. Prior to that, he held General Manager roles at digital agency @WWW Digital, and the creative and strategy arm of integrated digital agency Hyro.

Glynn’s appointment comes off the back of a prolonged period of new business growth and ground breaking work from the agency. This, combined with a shared entrepreneurial ethos, meant that taking the role was a “no brainer” for the digital pioneer.

“From the outset, Mark demonstrated a clear and refreshing vision of a company structured for the future, rather than being rooted in service models of the past. They have genuinely focused on the idea, explored what is possible and dared to be different – and the results have been inspiring. This approach has earned them the trust of their clients and the gravitas in the market required to allow these ideas to see the light of day. Add to that their history, people, clients and approach – it really was an easy decision.”

We are thrilled to have Glynn on board and are incredibly excited to work together in propelling Mark to another level.

Build with Chrome recognised by FWA and IAB

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 00:00:00 +1100

Since it launched in July, thousands of people let their imagination loose and have built with LEGO bricks in Google Maps, changing the Australian landscape.

More than just heaps of fun, Build has been introducing people all over the world to the possibilities of the Chrome browser. It’s attracted quite a bit of attention from the awards community, too.

The project was featured as FWA’s Site of the Day on September 3rd – no mean feat when you consider the FWA (Favourite Web Awards) is widely recognized as the number one achievement for innovative web design.

More recently, Build also won IAB Australia’s Creative Showcase, beating work for Nike and others to take pole position in round 7.2.

Needless to say, we’re rather chuffed.

We take the plunge with an underwater Hangout

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 00:00:00 +1000

Distance is no longer a barrier to enjoying Australia’s tropical reefs. And we helped Google prove exactly that.

The Catlin Seaview Survey and Google have created a series of fully immersive underwater maps, stitched together with over 50,000 high resolution images. The survey will create an important ‘state of the reef’ benchmark and will help marine biologists monitor changes to the reef over time.

To launch the project, they invited us to create something just as special – an underwater Hangout. So we invited five of the 1.7 million Seaview followers on Google+ to join a Hangout with the team on the Great Barrier Reef in the waters off Cairns.

Filming underwater is notoriously difficult, so a live stream was always going to be a challenge. It took three underwater camera operators, an underwater narrator, and the evils of a 4am start to make it all happen.

But after 18 hours, we’d not only managed to take 5 lucky Australians on a virtual dive, but also shot enough footage to make this charming promo. We hope you enjoy it. And be sure to check out the Catlin Seaview Survey page on Google+.

Watch the Catlin Seaview Survey Hangout

Google+ and the 333

Mon, 06 Aug 2012 00:00:00 +1000

Trust a creative to turn a mundane commute on the bus into a cool photography project. Not content to simply bide his time from Bondi Beach to Circular Quay, Mark creative Chris is using the 333 bus route as the centrepiece of his photography project by taking a photo every day for 333 days.

While most of us are daydreaming out the bus window, Chris is capturing the day on his iPhone4. The idea came about after spotting two girls chatting against a love heart scrawled wall. The scene was too perfect not to shoot and a few days later the connection to the bus route and photography project came together while out in the surf.

From gritty construction sites and graffiti walls to beautiful beach vistas and cityscapes, there’s a little something for everyone. But you won’t find his shots on Facebook or Instagram, instead Chris has chosen to showcase his images exclusively on Google+. Chris explains that not only is Google+ easy to use with functionality for mobile uploads, it’s home to an active photography community. The ability to make albums ‘public’ allows for greater sharing and enables networks of strangers to stay connected through common interests.

Currently tipping the uploads at 100, we’re looking forward to the level of creativity that Chris is going to need to muster for the remaining 200 or so images. When asked about his plans for number 333 he alluded to a shot of him and the bus driver. And with a gallery night on the cards to showcase the project offline, we can’t wait to see 333 bus route brought to life.

See life from the 333 on Google+

Mark helps launch the Herald Sun Digital Pass

Thu, 26 Jul 2012 00:00:00 +1000

The Herald Sun, Australia’s highest-circulation newspaper, has become the first tabloid to launch a premium content experience online, on mobile, and on iPad.

Our client, News Limited, tasked us with delivering the direct and digital component of the campaign, inviting readers to discover the exciting new features of the pass with a free trial.

The campaign included direct mail, eDMs, targeted online banners and over-the-page executions. The key thought, “Unfold the Full Experience”, showed how the Digital Pass opens up exclusive content that can be enjoyed across devices throughout the day.

Within the trial period, we encouraged Digital Pass subscribers to discover all that the pass had to offer. Then, as the trial came to an end, we began converting them to a paid subscription and a regular delivery of the newspaper too.

The publishing landscape may be rapidly changing, but with the right online product, marketed in the right way, we’re discovering that readers are open to consuming, and paying for, their news and entertainment in new ways.

We’re proud to have helped deliver another first for Australia’s first tabloid newspaper.

We've helped create the world's biggest LEGO kit

Tue, 26 Jun 2012 00:00:00 +1000

Way back at the end of 2011, Google asked us to come up with some innovative ways of showing the world how amazing their Chrome browser is.

One of its most exciting features is WebGL, which gives it awesome 3D capabilities. So, working closely with Google, we started thinking about one of the world’s favourite three-dimensional objects: LEGO®. And then the team started thinking about Google Maps. And then… well, we had ourselves a project.

Introducing 'build'.

Using Google Maps as a base-plate, you can pick a spot anywhere in Australia and New Zealand, then build whatever you like out of LEGO bricks. (Well, almost anything, it’s kept family friendly and advertising free.)

You can then share your build with the world, on Google+ or via a web-link. Anyone can explore the landscape and check out the Builds from multiple angles.

Everything happens in Chrome. It’s open to the entire world, but for now you can only build on sites Down Under.

As you can imagine, a project this epic in scope takes a lot of talented people to bring to life. North Kingdom in Sweden have done an amazing job of creating an experience that’s fun to use and totally integrated with Google Maps. Make, our digital production arm, has also been working hard to create all banners, online video and rich media.

The response has been incredible. Already the project has been picked up by media around the world, including Wired Magazine, Mashable, Engadget, Creativity Online, Digital Buzz, as well as mainstream media like the The Daily Telegraph, SMH, and many more.

So, we have to ask: What will you build?

www.buildwithchrome.com

The logo animation

The Sydney Harbour Bridge Build

Mark makes life more oooooooh! for LivingSocial

Tue, 19 Jun 2012 00:00:00 +1000

We recently launched our new campaign for Australia's leading group-buying brand LivingSocial.

Tasked with creating a flexible campaign that would differentiate LivingSocial from the competition and create strong brand awareness, we drew inspiration from their logo to create four joyfully animated characters.

In a series of animated spots the characters depart their hum-drum everyday world to enjoy a wide range of life-enriching experiences bought through LivingSocial.

To accompany executions on TV, cinema, radio and outdoor, we also created a versatile 'sonic tagline' that captures the energy of the visuals. The phrase 'make life more' is followed by a wide range of different sound effects, each conveying a positive emotion experienced as a result of taking part in a LivingSocial deal.

From the 'wahoooooo' of skydiving and the 'laaaaaaaaa' of karaoke to the 'mmmmmmm' of half-price pizza. These taglines are not only ear-catching on TV and radio, but visually arresting in print and outdoor, where they fill the whole side of a bus.

The brand re-launch campaign has been a joy to work on from day one and we're all super-excited about where we'll get to take it next.

Big shout outs to our friends at Teaspoon Films in New Zealand, Noise International in Glebe and FSM Post Production for helping us bring our vision to life with such panache.

Here are the first three TV spots and radio ad.

Freefall Paintball.

Karaoke Cocktails.

Retail ad - Pizza Hut $2 Pizza Mia

Brand Radio ad.

Mark gets FRONTROW seats to the VIVID festival

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 +1000

MARK, in conjunction with Google and Sydney Opera House, has produced the world’s first interactive live stream.

FRONTROW is a custom-built YouTube gadget that gives viewers the option to interact and take photos of selected events being streamed live from the Sydney Opera House during VIVID LIVE 2012.

It’s the first gadget of its kind to give users the ability to pan, zoom and capture photos. They can then crop their photos and apply custom filters so they’re ready to share with the world on Google+, Facebook and Twitter.

The event kicked off on Friday the 25th of May streaming Lighting The Sails followed by; Imogen Heap, The Temper Trap and culminating with Amon Tobin on Saturday the 2^nd of June.

www.youtube.com/sohfestival

On your Mark, get set, cook

Mon, 07 May 2012 00:00:00 +1000

Our resident Chef Vicki Uriarte has thrown open her doors, and secrets, to the staff with a series of nightly cooking courses.

Never have people been so keen to stay back for dinner.

Last Wednesday was the first of the three sessions where Mark and M&C Saatchi Group members began their culinary education with the theme ‘Quick meals on a budget’.

After a brief overview on the metaphysical benefits of cooking, we were split into pairs, with each team given a separate dish to create.

Each pair toiled away, whilst Vicki offered advice on everything from how to chop capsicum to why you salt pasta. And as the cooking neared completion, some interesting trends began to arise.

Whilst the copywriters sang the praises of their food, the art directors took the more aesthetic approach. Account service fretted the food wouldn’t be made on time, and finance decided we had cooked too much.

A big thank you to Vicki for her time, expertise, and patience. And thanks to the boys for cleaning up - everything.

Welcome, LivingSocial

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +1100

After a five-way pitch we are delighted to welcome our newest client to the Mark roster - Australia’s leading group buying site LivingSocial.

We were briefed to create an integrated campaign which would differentiate LivingSocial from its competition. Creative Director of LivingSocial Australia and New Zealand, Andrew Mamo had some blush-worthy praise for the resulting work:

"We saw a lot of great creative concepts from some of the best agencies in Australia, but Mark's creative really stood out visually and conceptually. They took the brief and they ran with it, producing something fresh and surprising."

We're hoping this means we'll become even more fit, well fed and romantic.

Celebrating Mardi Gras with Google+

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +1100

Our client Google is a Major Partner of the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, so we’ve just produced a cheeky campaign for Google+ in the lead-up to the event.

The campaign, across press, radio and digital, focuses on two benefits of Google+ for the LGBT community: Circles (controlled sharing) and Hangouts (group video chat).

The Hangouts ad, shown, demonstrates that you can get some honest feedback on your Mardi Gras outfit from up to nine of your friends before flaunting it to the world.

Happy Mardi Gras!

Good AdNews

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +1100

You may have already heard Mark has been nominated for the 2011 AdNews Direct Agency of the Year, but we're so excited we wanted to tell you ourselves.

We've actually been nominated every year since the agency’s launch in 2007, which we’re also pretty happy with.

So here's to a repeat of 2009’s winning effort (Hamish and Dave pictured above collecting the goods).

The winner will be announced at the ceremony in Sydney on 23rd February. Go team!

Mark ranked 8th in the world

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +1100

We’re delighted to announce that Mark has been ranked the 8^th best DM Agency in the world, according to the Won Report.

The Won Report is an annual ranking of agencies worldwide based on their effectiveness and creativity. It’s generally considered the definitive global ranking of agencies within the industry, so it's great to be recognised for all the hard work that's gone into the year.

But enough about us! A big shout-out to our clients - we wouldn’t be here without you, so thank you.

And next year, let's make it numero uno. Hasta la vista Arnie!

Children's Christmas Party

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +1100

On Wednesday it was time for the kids to get festive at the M&C Saatchi / Mark Children’s Christmas Party. There were party pies, proud parents, face painting, pick and mix, and a portly grey-haired man in a red suit.

The highlight of the party had to be the special appearance of DJ Lance from Yo Gabba Gabba! It was like every single Christmas arrived at once… and was dressed in orange.

The sugar-highs have faded, but the memories remain.

Oh to be a kid again….

No More Mark Mo

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +1100

Thursday was a sad day for the agency, when with a few strokes of a razor, our glorious mustachioed men of Mark joined the ranks of their fellow mortals once again.

Sporting haired lips that would make Joaquin Phoenix proud, they managed to raise a huge $3,808 for men's health, which for those of you who love a case study is 26% above target and a staggering 3,808% ROI.

Some impressive figures from some impressive moustaches.

Well done men.

ADMA haul

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +1100

As well as Becs picking up the Young Direct Marketer of the Year award, M&C Saatchi/Mark came away with 9 awards from 14 finalists, including 1 gold, 3 silver and 5 bronze – a huge result!

EFFECTIVENESS:
LIMITED EDITION (Sydney Dogs and Cats Home) - Bronze
PING-PONG BY NOISE (Noise) - Bronze
FEED A FRIEND (Pizza Hut) - Bronze

CREATIVE:
MAKE CYBERSPACE A BETTER PLACE (Optus) - Gold (Art Direction)
MAKE CYBERSPACE A BETTER PLACE (Optus) - Silver (Copy)
MAKE CYBERSPACE A BETTER PLACE (Optus) - Bronze (DM)

LIMITED EDITION (Sydney Dogs and Cats Home) - Campaign - Silver
LIMITED EDITION (Sydney Dogs and Cats Home) - Out of Home - Silver

DIGITAL
FEED A FRIEND (Piza Hut) - Bronze

Congratulations to all the teams that contributed to the success and a huge thank you to our wonderful clients for making the campaigns happen.

Congratulations Becs

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +1100

Last night Rebecca Bezzina (pictured above left with Mark MD Simone Blakers) won 2011 ADMA Young Direct Marketer of the Year. It’s a huge achievement and we’re extremely proud of her. The award was given in recognition of her ability to take direct strategy and apply it to innovative new media.

She gets a big trophy and a big trip to Las Vegas for her troubles. Watch this space for updates on her adventures during 2012 as winner.

Making noise at the London International Awards

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +1100

The Ping-Pong by Noise DM piece is doing the rounds at the award shows as we speak and is proving to be a real contender. Not only is it a finalist in multiple categories in the upcoming ADMA and Caples awards, but the video just picked up a bronze medal for best sound design at the prestigious London International Awards. This is a huge achievement as it was the only Australian piece to even be nominated in the category.

Bean Blitz

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +1100

We've just launched Bean Blitz, an addictive Facebook game for Nescafé Gold. Have a go and see if you can line the beans up and grow your Arabica tree by keeping the perfect balance of altitude, sunlight and moisture.

Play it for yourself here.

Warning: it gets addictive, so clear your afternoon.

Noche De Los Zombies

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +1100

The M&C Saatchi Group Christmas party was awash with margaritas and marauding mock-Mexicans last week as we celebrated Tijuana-style.

The theme was Mexican Day of the Dead and the result was something that Tarantino would be proud of with blood, make-up and questionable dance moves in spades.

From what we can recall, it was a night to remember.

The photographic evidence certainly suggests so.

Becs makes the finals

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +1100

Our very own Rebecca “it’s Friday” Bezzina has made it all the way to the finals of the 2011 ADMA Young Direct Marketer of the Year Award.

This prestigious award recognises the very best young multi-channel marketers in Australia and confirms what we’ve all know for a long time now – that Becs is an absolute star and destined for great things.

If she wins she’ll get a trip to Las Vegas to attend the ultimate DM junket, with more conferences, exhibitions and award shows than you could poke a stick at.

The winner is announced at the ADMA Awards on November 24.

Good luck Becs!

The real men of Mark

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +1100

Remember the 80’s, when men were men? When being a man meant an intimate knowledge of Kung Fu, the ability to fire automatic weapons (one handed), speak fluent Cherokee, and above all, support a moustache.

Let me take you back to the manliest show ever filmed. Can you even begin to fathom Magnum PI without his Mo? Everyone knows the name of his mo was Magnum. So the show would just be called PI, which doesn’t sound manly at all. In fact, it sounds like a mathematics based game show which, let’s be honest, wouldn’t exactly ooze masculinity.

Therefore, in the spirit of manliness, Kung Fu and, above all, a good cause, the men of Mark have once again joined the Movember movement. And this time, it’s come from the top – lip that is! Both our CEO Dave Whittle and CD Hamish Stewart have volunteered their top lips, as well as the company logo, to the cause.

So get involved and support the men of Mark. Donate at MoBro.co/realmenofmark

Seriously, the mo doesn’t ask twice. Don’t make us bring some of that Kung Fu.