Two local agencies vie for Mobius Best of Show awards

TWO CHICAGO AGENCIES, Energy BBDO and Havas Worldwide, are Best of Show nominees in the 2015 International Mobius Awards, to be announced at the awards celebration March 5 in Hollywood’s McCaddenSpace Studio. 

They are among 11 nominees selected by judges from among first place winners in 50 categories submitted by agencies worldwide, including several winners from various Leo Burnett’s overseas branches. 

Energy BBDO was nominated for its “Bud Light Coin Integrated Campaign,” a first place winner in the Branded Content category. CCO, Mark Taylor, ECD, Sam Bergen; production company, MJZ, New York; post, Company 3, Chicago. 

Havas Worldwide was selected for its “El Streaker” spot for DishLatino, Denver, a first place winner in the category of Integrated Campaigns.  CCO, Jason Peterson; CD, Bernie Gomez; production company, Red Creek, Brooklyn.

Both agencies also received Certificates for Outstanding Creativity in the Food, Beverages-Product category: Energy BBDO for “Bud Light Coin” and Havas for “Endless Table,” for Reynolds Consumer Products, Hoffman Estates. 

FYI: Now in its 45th year, the Mobius Awards have Chicago roots, having started here in 1971 as part of the US Television and Commercials Festival.

It changed ownership in 2001 when Chicago commercial producer Lee Gluckman, of Producers Group, Ltd. acquired it and moved the competition to Redondo Beach, Calif., where it has been thriving ever since.

A CHICAGO ACTOR making his mark in Hollywood is Tyler Young, a client of Gray Talent Group  http://graytalentgroup.com/. He was cast as one of two young leads in “Eyewitness,” a USA Network’s 10 episode drama.  Director/EP is Catherine Hardwicke (“Twilight”).

Young, who has had roles in “Empire” and “Chicago Fire,” having trained at top theatre schools and performing in theatrical productions. He stars in The Avatars,” a youth sitcom currently airing in European cities. 

KARTEMQUIN’S 50th ANNIVERSARY will be celebrated in many entertaining ways this year, starting with the free streaming of a new Kartemquin film every Friday at http://www.watchkartemquin.com.

This week’s free KTQ50 film until Feb. 12 is “Marco,” about a woman who decides to give birth using the Lamaze natural childbirth method and is confronted with disbelief, superstition and hostility.

On the festivity calendar are an upcoming art exhibition at Expo 72 Gallery in conjunction with DCASE, special events around town to be announced, and the big 50th celebration event June 24 at the Harris Theatre, with Kartemquin’s award-winning filmmakers and special guests. 

June 24 is, of course, the date U of C grads Gordon Quinn, Jerry Temaner and Stan Karter started their “cinematic social inquiry” doc company, soon joined by the late Jerry Blumenthal. 

DEADLINE ALERT: Feb. 16 is the last extended date for entering the 2016 AICE Awards.

in 23 categories, such as Product, Technique and Genre and recognizing the Best of Show winner. The 15th annual Awards presentation will be held at Navy Pier May 12.

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