W+K PORTLAND

Heavy Metal Band or Soccer Elite?

To help ESPN roll out coverage of the World Cup Draw, our New York office created a heavy metal band called "The Group of Death." For those in-the-know, 'The Group of Death' refers to a nickname to the one group that has more top-ranked teams than the others. (There is 4 teams in 8 groups)

The band reunites every four years and paints their faces the colors of the four unlucky countries and plays original songs like "Welcome To The Group Of Death" and "Your Love Is Like A Boot To The Face." Creating a Facebook and MySpace page, bloggers have all reported great interest. It all culminates with two live shows tonight at Nevada Smiths - the premier soccer pub in New York.

Quack! Quack!

There are a number of working ducks in our building. Lots of emails about getting and selling tickets for the anticipated Civil War game tonight. Prices as high as $225 per ticket! Our New York office did this spot for ESPN earlier this year. Brilliant, even if you are a Beaver. 

Steve Braband goes Live

July 26th, 2008
by Neil S. Velleman

ESPN Employee Steve Braband to be Campaign Spokesperson

On Sunday, July 27, ESPN will launch one of its most ambitious and groundbreaking promotional ad campaigns to date. Featuring a LIVE format of innovative spots, the campaign is designed to showcase the network’s new live morning SportsCenter block, which premieres Monday, Aug. 11 — the opening week of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Created by Wieden + Kennedy New York and produced by ESPN, the LIVE ads will feature 25-year-old Steve Braband - an actual ESPN employee - who will serve as the face of the campaign. ESPN is scheduled to air as many as 25 :30 spots per day for 15 days.

“We’ve been doing live TV since day one, but this is a big change for SportsCenter,” said Katie Lacey, ESPN senior vice president, marketing. “This concept seemed like a fun way to tell our viewers about the improvements to the show and to draw back the curtain and let them inside.”

Braband (Pittsburgh, Pa.) will be followed over a three-week period, going about his daily routine at work where he serves as a program coordinator, and at home in Southington, Conn. When it’s time for a promo, he will cease activity to do a live read.

He said, “When I found out that I was selected for the campaign, at first, I was shocked and scared…but that feeling has turned to excitement. I’m not sure what to expect.”

Check out Steve's site here. http://steveislive.com/

MAD SICK!

W+K NY got their blog online this week. It's super rad freeesh dope, yo. Check it.

blog.wknyc.com

Look Me In The Eyes

A new spot from W+K NYC for Brand Jordan. Featuring athletes; Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Derek Jeter, Rip Hamilton, Ray Allen, Joe Johnson, Andre Ward, and April Holmes. Narrated by Michael Jordan.

Agency: W+K NYC
Creative Team: Bekah Sirrine, Scott Hayes, Lu Chekowsky
Creative Director: Keith Cartwright
Director: David Turnley

AIR JORDAN XX2

Check out the new Air Jordan spot from W+K NY.

Art Director: Bekah Sirrine
Writer: Scott Hayes
Director: Mark Romanek

WK NYC

Dropped into Wieden + Kennedy's New York office to check it out. WK occupies the 7th floor of this building located in Soho right next to the entrance of the Holland Tunnel.

The lobby has photos of the people who work there. A trait of every WK branch.


Went out to lunch with Liz Turrigiano from Art Buying New York, Josh Scott and Rachel Shapiro from the Portland office. Josh is assisting the two Creative Directors of the New York office, Todd Waterburry and Kevin Proudfoot. Josh has been busy and still getting acclimated, but he is stoked on living in the apple. Give him a shout if you think of it.