The best of 2016.

Every year, I make a top 10 of the best ideas in the agency. It's a tough list to make, especially this year where we did a lot of stellar work. I'm most proud of the strides we made outside of TV. Talent added in social and digital is starting to pay off. We can be SO much better, but a great stride in the right direction across the board. Congrats all. See the reel here: https://wdrv.it/5fc99555a

Raccookin'!

Our goal for anything we produce for GEICO is to put them in the very top consideration set when someone is shopping for insurance. In other words, create as many leads as possible with the content we make. The more leads, the higher the close rate for GEICO. And social content is becoming a sure-fire way to open doors to more leads. These crazy Facebook videos are one of my favorite extensions of the year. Gross. But damn funny. Check them out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-3LD1JRmuc

Sam.

Craft is the most important thing a creative can bring to any idea. A script can be great in script form but until it's made, it's only words on paper. This film was ok as a script. But the execution raised it at least three levels. From good to great. Get the Kleenex ready. Here is Sam for Purina Feed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Kk79NJtC_k

The Chevy Positivity Pump.

Go online anytime and it's amazing how much hate is out there. Chevrolet is a brand that believes being positive is the mindset we all need to see possibility in everything. In other words, being open is how we FIND NEW ROADS. Chevy asked us to create some content to promote this mindset around the globe. Our idea? The world's first gas pump that takes online positivity for payment. The more positive you are, the more gas you receive. So far, the pump has appeared in Argentina, America, South Africa, South Korea and Dubai with more to come. How positive are you? Find out: http://creativity-online.com/work/chevrolet-the-positivity-pump/49032

Travel posters for Hillary.

I never thought when we created these that leaving the U.S. was even going to be an option to consider. But then the election happened and now living abroad sounds attractive. After initial shock, we keep going, praying for the best. We used actual vintage art to make these and then Will Godwin added his typography magic. Thank you, Neel and MM. Onward.

The Secret Weapon. (Not much longer.)

Hue&Cry is our very own world-class animation and design studio right in the building. When I say very own, I mean we own H&C, but they can work for anybody in the world. As one example of their amazing talent, check out the making of Creativity's Top 5 intro and the Tic Tac Little Adventures. Well done, Magnus and team. http://hueandcry.tv/

The world's biggest asshole.

Sometimes, it all just aligns. An amazing idea, executed with perfection. And the best thing of all? It's working. Over 70 million views online and a daily increase of sign ups of almost 700%. Special shout out to Brig and Wade who led this thing from script to finish. Spread the love: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeVLxcekEsw Congrats.

Rewarding awarding.

It's been over a month since presiding over the 2016 Film Jury at Cannes. The week is still very much in my mind. Everything about it was rewarding, from the work to the process. But I think the best part by far is the connections I was able to make with peers from Sweden to Sydney. We all had a special week. I hope the work we chose to honor is worthy of hard work and passion of this group. I think it is.

Here's to the Cobblestones.

The rocks of the agency. Time we gave them the award they deserve. http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/need-award-people-pave-cannes/1399141

Creffective.

Yes. Creative + Effective = Creffective. I know. The video explains it all. Well done, team.

Looking into the future.

Presiding over the 2016 Cannes Film Jury this week and it's been an eye-opener even before we get to the shortlist. Such a fun, funny, cool, smart, talented jury from around the globe. Eye-opener: we are all different and that is what makes this job so fun. The staff at Cannes is number one. Eye-opener: they are 100% buttoned up compared to most festivals. The work is hard to find but it's there. Eye-opener: VR and it's potential to change film forever. Whoa. Honored to be on this jury and serve. Stay tuned.

You'll need that beard to wipe away your tears.

Fact: guys like fruity drinks but are embarrassed to order them at the bar. All great insights lead to great ideas - or should I say - most do. Here's one for Stoli. Great writing by Neel. Link to Adweek:http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/new-stoli-campaign-aims-break-stigma-against-men-who-enjoy-fruity-cocktails-171939

Paint the town crafty.

Great idea, beautifully executed from the Ben Moore team. Provocative in a very boring category. Intelligent because the audience is. Nice.

Humbled. Excited.

Still feeling a little sheepish to be named the Jury President for Film at Cannes this year. http://www.canneslions.com/awards/the_juries/#festival-1/detail-1-15/ Looks like a great crew to preside over. Can't wait to start the debates. Grateful to have the chance. Thanks to my team for giving me the opportunity.

Our latest pre-roll for GEICO. The second album.

Unskippable last year won the Film Grand Prix at Cannes. Now the daunting task of following up maybe the best campaign in the agency's history. Enter Fast Forward, a very different idea, but still built on the premise of disrupting the pre-roll. I think it's a pretty damn good second album.

Keeping the bar high.

Some new work for GEICO continues a good run of work I'm proud of. Both campaigns are primarily online and pull social levers as well. Business is good for GEICO and hopefully our work is a big reason. Car insurance has never been more competitive. Advertising is a powerful way to stay in the consideration set. The case study for Brocabulary.

Being emotional is hard.

Creating emotional storytelling in film is hard. You have to get so much right. This new work for Experian does a lot right. The idea - credit isn't a score, it's a skill - is rock solid. But then so is the casting, edit and camera work. Would have been easy to make this script soft and expected. Nice job.

B2B print. What the agency was built on.

Our first campaign for Purina feed. Reminds of the kind of print that put Martin on the map for FMC, Mobil, GE Locomotives and so many more. Simple, crafty, powerful.

The world's first pre-loader.

Tic Tac. So simple like all the best ideas. Go little. No, go big.

Rolling along.

The Oreo Wonderfilled campaign is now in 55 countries and growing. Love the latest animation from BUCK and music by Adam Lambert. Craft, craft, craft.

One thread.

It's great to see this beautiful site come to life and go live. Created entirely in-house by our team. So good. A simple, elegant idea. One thread goes through all our work - from the very first to the most recent. Enjoy: http://fifty.martinagency.com/

Mackenzie.

The Big Brain has always been a very curious one. Right now, I'm not sure where she is. Somewhere on the African continent. Hopefully, safe and sound. Very proud of your courage and resolve to see the world and explore things unfamiliar. Ace would be proud. I love you.

Resolutions 2016.

That time of the year. The agency resolutions. We put them up for all to see and hopefully, achieve.
I'm feeling good about 2016. Time will tell. All you can do is come in and do your best. Design: Will Godwin.

"Your father..."

For over 20 years, the agency has enjoyed an amazing partnership with GEICO. It's based on what the very best partnerships are always based on: mutual respect. The result has been some of the most effective work in any category. The latest is right here and makes me smile. Hi, Mom.