TheSpunker - by Ben Popken. Published by Gattaca, Inc.

Mini USA - Clingy?

The lighter side of Butler Shine & Stern's Mini Cooper account win, NYT, "Ms. Hardy and Mr. McDowell (Mini USA marketing execs) notified Butler, Shine's employees that they won the review in a nontraditional way: A bulldog was sent into the agency's office, wearing a collar decorated with clues to the decision written on replicas of California vanity license plates. Some of the clues: "W8ZOVR," for "Wait's over" "GR8JOB," for "Great job"; and "RURED E," for "Are you ready?" - to take on the account. The final mock license plate invited the agency's employees to join the Mini USA executives at a nearby restaurant for a party." Really? Sounds gay. The bulldog should've also had one of those barrels around the neck filled with M&M minis. That'd be even more precious. Just like the cuter, Mini Cooper! As Adpulp says, "After being left at the prom by the prettiest agency in class, it looks like Mini wants to prove they're a fun client to work with."

W&K Recruits for School of 12 With Secret Book

In an Up Your Budget kissing cousin stunt, Wieden + Kennedy 12, a hands-on advertising school, has conspicuously hidden 300 copies of their year 1 yearbook with creative types around the U.S. Instructions for application are inside the book and can be gotten no where else. Says Adrants: "Those that aren't lucky enough to be friends with Sagmeister or John Stewart (apparently two of the folks the book hidden with) can visit the school's website and get clues as to the location of the hidden copies." Or you can visit the message board here and nicely email any of the people offering to share copies.

Don't Read This

"You probably shouldn't read this if you're spending millions on advertising, okay?" So opens "The Advertising Agency" blog, a series of dramatizations of the tragicomedy that is advertising work. To wit: "ELLIOTT, A WRITER, HAS MADE A TYPICAL WRITER'S ENTRANCE BY DRIVING THE POINTY END OF HIS SPORTSCAR THROUGH THE ROUNDED PLY EDGING OF THE STUDIO FLOOR/WALL" or,  "I struggled down the corridor and found my way into another dark room. It wasn't a kitchen, it was yet another meeting room, entitled 'Filonia'. They all have titles." While sometimes overly self-conscious and never quite hilarious, The Advertising Agency is worth a grin and as far as I know, unique in its class.

Cocaine Advertising

"Voted most creative ad agency of the year." Self-promo for BDDP & Fils, Paris, spotted at Ad Hunt. If they're so creative, why do they all snort up the same nostril? Maybe BDDP & Fils only hires right- nostriled people - the secret to their success? Irregardless, they won't be the most creative next year if they keep cokeing. Oh wait, it's voted most creative, perhaps they're very generous...

Ad Agencies Will be Nicer

Next year will be better.  Your salary rises 4-5%. If you're looking for a new job, turn that grin a little tighter, there's enhanced sign-on bonuses and 25% more agencies hiring. Starting on New Years, a marked rosy glow emanates from 85% of all agencies (surveyed), as they predict greater income growth. Yes, the hallways will fill with the wafting scents of butterscotch and cinnamon, especially if you are a man on the East Coast. Full story at Ad Age.

Publicis: Revealed!

I discovered the secret of Publicis. As you recall, I saw an odd Sitemeter referral hit from their network yesterday, one that I could not travel to. Victor Houghton of Publicis Limited, self-described "Grand Fromage de Savoir" raised the gauzy veil and whispered that it was from a hidden page on their intranet . What's more amusing is the warning they use for staffers sneaking glances on their fish n' chips break: "Presented for you, and in no particular order, are the latest internet viral video ads and other interesting morsels. The sources are viral charts and seeding sites, advertising blogs and our mate Dave down the pub. Whatever you find there only stays there for a few weeks and is then deleted. Warning: some of this material is so below the line it's on the seabed and may be a bit dodgy. But it's being used to sell stuff, and that's what we're all here for, after all....." I suggest, Publicis, let loose your inner exhibitionist and host the same as a public blog. It could help your fledgling operation at least get the word out?

Hire Us or We'll Shoot this Cow

Ad agency The Gate placed this ad in Monday's New York Times. Snarky comment #1: They're not as transgressive as they think they are. #2 Maybe they should should shoot the sacred cow called "starting many sentences with conjunctions is exciting." Dead. And with a gun. Or worse.

Visa drops BBDO for TBWA

NYT: "VISA USA is unexpectedly dismissing its creative agency for the last two decades, the flagship New York office of BBDO Worldwide, part of the Omnicom Group, and shifting the account to another Omnicom shop, TBWA/Chiat/Day."

Agency Confessions

So you've got your advertising blog. You want to vent but your clients and co-workers already read your blog and maybe even you've established a certain "elevated discourse" tone. In this case, submit your snark over at Why Advertising Sucks. They've got the pot but are running low on piss and vinegar.

Jolly Green Giant Back From the Dead

NYT: "After a decade-long hiatus from national advertising, the Jolly Green Giant, an 80-year-old character, returns in a campaign beginning today in print ads and broadcast commercials from General Mills. Saatchi & Saatchi in New York, a division of the Publicis Groupe, created the campaign, which carries the tagline "For the Love of Vegetables" and will encourage consumers to eat vegetables not simply because of their health value, but also because consumers like them. The print ads will run in several magazines, including Good Housekeeping and Ladies Home Journal. Also, a billboard bearing the image of the Jolly Green Giant will be installed in Times Square this week."