In A First, NKorea Airs Beer Commercial On TVBy Kwang-Tae Kim
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (AP), July 03, 2009 -- In an apparent first, North Korea - a country that struggles to feed its 24 million people - has aired a beer commercial on state television. The advertisement, which lasted nearly three minutes after a news program on Thursday, showed a grinning Korean man with sweat on his face holding a glass of beer, with a caption that read, "Taedong River Beer is the pride of Pyongyang."

Beyond The Award Show Tallying: Video Insights At Cannes Lions International Advertising FestCANNES, FRANCE, July 01, 2009 -- Besides the marquee Lions derby, the Palme d'Or and the trends reflected in the honored work (SHOOT, 6/28), the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival, which wrapped this past Saturday (6/27), also offered food for thought via seminars, panel discussions and other sessions. Some of the observations made at these events provided insights into jury rationale for award selections, advertising in the Chinese marketplace, and Google's vision of the future from its chairman/CEO. Here are links to clips from several sessions...

Anonymous Content's Commercial Division Signs Sundance-Honored Director Cary FukunagaCULVER CITY, CALIF., July 03, 2009 -- Filmmaker Cary Fukunaga--whose feature Sin Nombre, won U.S. Dramatic Directing and U.S. Dramatic Excellence in Cinematography Awards at this year's Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah--has joined the directorial roster of Anonymous Content's commercial division.

Director Rick LeMoine Signs With ChelseaNEW YORK, July 02, 2009 -- Director Rick LeMoine, formerly with Biscuit Filmworks in Los Angeles, his roost for the past nearly four years, has joined bicoastal Chelsea.

Cedric Gairard Takes 180-Degree Turn, Will Join Nexus As Executive Producer On Sept. 1LONDON, July 02, 2009 -- Cedric Gairard--who's been with Amsterdam-based ad agency 180 since 1998, most recently serving as head of production while co-managing the day-to-day running of the shop--is now set to join Nexus Productions, London, as executive producer effective Sept. 1.