It’s a book

The web post you’re reading is about a web video that promotes a book about books. You can buy the book on the web. I wonder if it’s as good as the web video.

Via Brain Pickings.

New York Times shows journalistic integrity

Takes courage to publicly correct an error. Well done that newspaper; respect.

new york times correction

Via @kerri9494 on twitter.

The Peter Ustinov of the Middle East

Further to our last post; regardless of cultural identity, true talent will come through. Dressing it up in fancy clothes won’t hide it.


Didn’t that guy read the news here for years? Actually, we liked the host’s interviewing style as well.

Italian teen sex symbols

This is why opera singers come mostly from Italy and not Australia. The video features 14 and 15 year olds from a 2009 talent show in an understated Rococo theatre.

This one is also unlikely to be heard on Mix 94.5.

via K. Campbell.

Best ad for a new journalist

Excerpt: if you’re the type of sicko who likes holing up in a tiny, closed office with reporters of questionable hygiene…

Second excerpt, re Florida: We have all kinds of corruption, violence and scumbaggery. The 9/11 terrorists trained here. Bush read My Pet Goat here. Our elections are colossal clusterfucks.

Here it is in all its glorious copywriting glory.

Twas written by Matt Doig for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Here’s a short post-analysis of it.

Via Ad Age; article also references other great media writing.

It’s an ad for a push-up bra

bra ad pejikBut there’s a story. The lingerie model is male. Andrej Pejic.

Shows how advertising can be fuelled by its background story; gender controversy turned this campaign into a news story with all the extra reach that implies.

So now that we’ve prepped you, scroll down to see a couple of blokes dancing. Check out the flourish with the handkerchiefs at the end.


Via DogPossum.

John Lewis Christmas Ad

Oh, shut up, I did not.

The screen, the Queen

Queen's birthday big screen hire Perth

Our sister company Big Screen Perth had a showpiece job recently, landing the production and screen hire contract for the Queen’s Birthday BBQ (admit it, you were there). Ten big screens, microwave links across Langley Park, Supreme Court Gardens, the Perth Foreshore and the Perth Esplanade, coverage of the motorcade (motorcade; love that word) and co-ordination with the ABC, then four-camera coverage of the BBQ and speeches.

All put together in three weeks.

CEO Chris Cant was a bit proud. Knighthood imminent. On your knees, Cant.

Happy Christmas Haiti, Perth

Getting on for two years since the earthquake in Haiti and still, the place is covered in rubble. Haiti Rising needs donations towards heavy equipment so it can help the re-building process.

charlie simpson

Meanwhile, English boy Charlie Simpson collected an award this year for fund-raising. He wanted to raise £500 to help earthquake victims in Haiti by riding his bike around the park but the media got hold of it and turned him into a focal point. He’s now up to £210,000 in funds raised.

And if you’re also looking for an award-winning charity in Australia this Christmas, the Starlight Children’s Foundation took out the 2010 Givewell Charity Award for Best Community Project. This was for their Livewire program.

As for us, we’re doing the donation to Oasis instead of Christmas Cards so don’t expect an American Christmas Devil Christmas Card from us this year.

Thank you for working with us during 2011; we wish you a happy time with your family and friends over Christmas. We’ll close our doors at 5pm on December 22nd and re-open on January 4th.

Happy Christmas the Philippines

Here’s part of the Coca-Cola “Where Will Happiness Strike Next?” project. It showcases the company’s generosity in bringing three overseas Filipino workers home to their families for Christmas. If you look carefully, you may detect a couple of discreet product placement references.