Saatchi and Saatchi’s latest Toohey’s New campaign incorporates your standard college humor, only a bit more line-steppish than usual. In ‘Leak’, the helpful buddy clearly is shaking it more than twice.

This is probably not timely. In fact, I know for sure that it isn’t, and that Michelob began pushing their craft beer lineup years ago. But I noticed something at the store the other day that really caught my attention: they’re almost entirely done with a transformation into a giant microbrewery. Or at least I’m sure that’s what they want folks to think.

If this is the intent, then kudos for a large corporation being so committed to a new vision. This vision, apparently, involves moving away from their three most recognizeable brands, Michelob (now ‘Original Lager’), Michelob Light, and Michelob Ultra. I saw none of them at the grocery store. The shelves instead were populated by some of the beers you see above. Not an overnight shift by any means, but this is the first time that I’ve seen the craft beers without the main brands. Damn. I knew that the recent rise of microbreweries meant that the big guys would have to react somehow, but this is far and away beyond what I would have expected.

For what it’s worth, some of these beers aren’t too bad, either. The Amber Bock is especially reliable.

Cheers!

A selection of Gold Film Lions winners from the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival. It’s like (sort of, kind of, not really) being there!

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Fiat: ‘Crash Test Panda’

Marcel Paris

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Bafici Indie Films Festival: ‘Hindu’

Savaglio/TBWA, Bueno Aires

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Army Road Traffic Accidents: ‘Autobahn’

Golley Slater Group, Cardiff

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Breast Cancer Research Trust: ‘Dying Old’

Y&R, Auckland

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James Boag’s Draught: ‘Pure Waters’

Publicis Mojo, Sydney

Foster’s VB (Victoria Bitter) is considered Australia’s favorite full strength beer. Droga5, Sydney launches The Regulars, “one of the largest beer commercials ever produced in Australia” for VB featuring a cast of over 1500 - including multiple cameo’s of Australian sports stars and personalities - as well as a crew of 150. The ad was meant to enthusiastically portray what makes Australians authentically Australian, and it clearly shows in the ad. But it’s enjoyable even for us Americans.

Here’s some translations: “Chucking a sickie” means ducking out of work by calling in sick. A “Cashed Up Bogan” refers to a person of blue-collar background who now has a lot of money and spends it on conspicuously expensive items. “Blokes punching above their weight” refers to average looking guys who snag highly attractive females (you know, like Michael Douglas).

DDB London conjures a creative, light-hearted ad for Budweiser that avoids the typical frat-tastic trappings the brand is usually associated with.

The best ads and creative videos featured in the Creative Brief/Ad News email newsletter from 2007. There’s a lot of fun stuff, so don’t miss out! Enjoy.

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BEST AD OF 2007: Fathead ‘Urlacher’

Irreverent. Well-written. And a fire-breathing bear. I rest my case.

By Weiden+Kennedy, New York.

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Runnerup: Nike ‘Leave Nothing’

Probably the popular choice, this is an adrenaline-pumping roller coaster ride  that draws chills. The ‘Last of the Mohicans’ soundtrack brings it all together.

Also by Weiden+Kennedy (Portland).

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Honorable Mention: Lux

A great concept fueled by high production values, top-notch art direction, and a rousing soundtrack.  This is storytelling advertising at its finest.

Agency unknown.

Watch the Lux ad.

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Saatchi and Saatchi New York hit a home run with this Miller High Life campaign. Retro-kitsch design and scathing copywriting evoke a smoke-filled bowling alley, char-grilled cheeseburgers, the faint scent of Brut, and the rough sandpaper feel of a quality man-beard. Kudos.

Award-winning stuff from Jung von Matt/Elbe Werbeagentur Gmb. Raise your hand if ad agency names should have word/syllable limit.

More Stella greatness.

A good learning experience should you guys ever be dragged to an opera.