McKinney Buys Back Agency From HavasDURHAM, N.C., June 27, 2008 -- The management of McKinney has acquired 100 percent interest in the Durham-based ad agency from Havas, the Paris-headquartered global advertising and communications services group, which encompasses such entities as worldwide networks Euro RSCG Worldwide and Havas Media.

Ross Stewart Joins Carat As Group Creative Dir.SAN FRANCISCO, June 27, 2008 -- Integrated media and marketing services agency Carat has brought Ross Stewart on board as VP/group creative director. He will work out of the global shop's San Francisco office, overseeing work for such clients as adidas and Seagate.

Saatchi LA Ups Huebscher To Creative DirectorTORRANCE, CALIF., June 27, 2008 -- Scott Huebscher has been promoted from an associate creative director to creative director at Saatchi & Saatchi LA, Torrance. In addition to driving the interactive concept work for key client Toyota Motor Sales, he will continue to oversee design for Toyota.com and other related interactive advertising, including interactive media and emerging technology.

Saville Productions Enters Into Stateside Representation Deal Under ConstructionBEVERLY HILLS, CALIF., June 27, 2008 -- Bicoastal Saville Productions has entered into an agreement with Auckland, New Zealand-based production house Film Construction to exclusively represent four of its directors--Steven Saussey, Perry Bradley, Jesse Warn and the mono-monikered Eden (a.k.a. Eden Diebel)--for spots in the U.S.

The Best Work You May Never See: Nurofen Pain Reliever's "Ned Kelly" From Euro RSCG, SydneyJune 27, 2008 -- This period piece takes us to an old wild west era as soldiers hunt down fugitive Ned Kelly who's wanted dead or alive. Clearly his pursuers have opted for the former as they fire a rapid fire succession of bullets at him. But Kelly is wearing a full metal suit as protection, including a metal mask/hood which covers his head. The bullets ricochet off him as he finds shelter in a cabin.

The Best Work You May Never See: Dr Pepper's "The Last Dr Pepper" (spec commercial)June 27, 2008 -- Dr Pepper commercials are famous for their elaborate musical/dance numbers but this one--in the form of a spec spot from director Kerry Bellessa--has a certain finality to it. The spot opens on a young man in a post-apocalyptic, desert-like world...

Top Spot of the Week: Orbit's "Labyrinth"June 27, 2008 -- Sport is in the eye of the beholder--or the gambler who is eager to wager on anything and everything, in this case which of two cockroaches will win a race navigating through an elaborate maze.

Director Mehdi Zollo Joins Zero 2 SixtyNEW YORK, June 27, 2008 -- Director Mehdi Zollo has signed with Zero 2 Sixty (0:2:60), a New York-based production company headed by president/owner Doug Robbins, for exclusive spot representation.

Daryn Okada Re-elected As ASC PresidentHOLLYWOOD, CALIF., June 27, 2008 -- Daryn Okada, ASC, has been chosen by his peers to serve a third one-year term as president of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC).

Emerging Media Become Merging Media At Cannes Lions Ad FestWinning Work Defies Categorization As Underscored By Grand Prix Results
By A SHOOT Staff Report
CANNES, June 27, 2008 -- The term "emerging media" has fast become obsolete as new media have already graduated from a state of emergence to one of growing prominence. Perhaps more reflective of today's evolving landscape would be the slightly altered yet quite different in meaning two-word description "merging media" as underscored by the results of the recently concluded 55th Cannes International Advertising Festival.

19 Make 18th Saatchi New Directors' ShowcaseCANNES, June 27, 2008 -- Unveiled last week during the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival, the 18th annual Saatchi & Saatchi New Directors' Showcase featured the work of 19 directors (with the agency counting teams as individual entrants).