Winners of the 42nd Annual thinkLA Belding Awards Announced

LOS ANGELES, May 16, 2008 —Presented by thinkLA and chaired by Chief Creative Officer David Angelo of LA-based independent creative agency davidandgoliath, the winners of the 42nd Annual Belding Awards were announced on Wednesday night at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles. Winners received accolades for the best work in the categories of television, print and interactive.

As chairman of the Belding Awards, Angelo decided to make the show a little different this year. Touting a “New and Improved” theme, the show was much more interactive and engaging. Entertainment included an appearance by YouTube sensation, Tay Zonday of his “Chocolate Rain” fame, who serenaded winners with an alternate version of his hit song (aptly titled, “Belding Bowl”). Other lucky winners received a photograph with infamous adult film star, Ron Jeremy, who was pushed on stage in a Victorian chaise lounge wearing silk pajamas. Additional prizes included $100 in singles, Belding robes, footlong hotdogs and tequila.

thinkLA honored the best and brightest in advertising produced by Los Angeles and Southern California agencies.  With the Sweepstakes Award going to DDB LA, Belding Bowl Awards were given to agencies that created a wide range of work including:

• TBWA\Media Arts Lab for its “Podium/PR Lady and Don’t Give Up” integrated campaign (presented by Yahoo!); its “Security, Stuffed, Computer Cart, Choose A Vista and Hello” Apple television commercials; its “Security/Stuffed/Flashback” television campaigns and its “Don’t Give Up” single online advertising unit and its “Banging/Knocking/Hiding” online advertising campaign—all for Apple Inc.
• DDB LA for its interactive advertising microsite for Activision’s “Call of Duty 4: World Leaders,” emerging and new media and its complete interactive campaigns for “Call of Duty 4: World Leaders: Ahmadenijad” and “Call of Duty 4: More World Leaders: Castro Quaddafi.”
• Young & Rubicam Brands for its “LR Adventure Gear” Land Rover North America poster.
• Grupo Gallegos for its Foster Farms’ “Transformation” television commercial.
• Dailey & Associates’ “Courtroom” television commercial for Fox Sports Network.
• Rubin Postaer & Associates’ “Head” television commercial for La-Z-Boy.
• Team One’s “Hydrant” television commercial for Lexus.
• TBWA\Chiat\Day’s “Shrink Ray” television commercial for PlayStation.
• Tequila for Playstation’s “Battle of the Gods” interactive advertising microsite.
• Deutsch LA for its self promotion “Belding Book Ad.” 

In total, thinkLA awarded 21 Belding Bowls with 45 finalists including davidandgoliath, Ground Zero, HUM Music, Ignited, M&C Saatchi, Optimus, ROLL Advertising, 65 Media and Secret Weapon Marketing.  A full list of winners is also available at (www.beldings.com).  

“It was an honor to chair this year’s Belding Awards,” said Angelo. “This is the only show in LA that recognizes advertising creativity, and we felt this year’s New and Improved show theme reflected such original thinking. Year after year, the Beldings reinforce the pride we have in our work across all categories.”

“This year, the Beldings honored not only traditional advertising, but digital campaigns as well," said Jerry McGee, thinkLA Beldings Committee Chairman.  “This is reflective of the changes happening in the advertising industry.”

About thinkLA

thinkLA is a non-profit corporation, founded to promote Los Angeles as a leading center of creativity and innovation in media, marketing, and advertising. Three leading organizations in our industry – Los Angeles Advertising Agencies Association, Los Angeles Ad Club and the Magazine Representatives Association – have merged to create a brand new organization called thinkLA.

thinkLA’s membership includes professionals and companies communicating with consumers and motivating purchase via creative messages. These include advertisers; media; entertainment and production companies; advertising and marketing agencies; and supplier industries serving the above. Its mission is to help constituent members recruit the best talent and provide comprehensive training throughout all levels of the community.

About davidandgoliath

Founded in 1999, davidandgoliath, LLC is an independent, national and international full-service agency that is dedicated to thinking creatively about any and all ways to build its clients' business. Current clients include Kia Motors, Universal Orlando Resort, Bacardi, Universal Studios Hollywood and New York-New York Hotel & Casino, to name a few. davidandgoliath’s mission is to be the antithesis of the traditional advertising agency—no strings, no conflicts, no limitations. Brave in the face of Goliath marketing challenges, davidandgoliath is about overcoming something big. For more information, visit www.dngla.com.