[press release from Well Above]
Visual effects and animation studio Oktobor had one of their most successful nights ever at the recent 29th Axis Awards held at the Vector Arena in Auckland, winning in the categories of TV/Cinema/New Media – Visual Craft (includes Animation/Design & Motion Graphics) and TV/Cinema/New Media – Visual Craft (includes Visual Effects & Cinematography).
The first of two Golds was for their work on National Foundation for the Deaf – ‘Deaf Awareness’ (Agency: DDB Auckland, Design/Animation: Sean Dekkers, Design Director: Jonny Kofoed, Producer: Amanda Chambers) which won in the category of TV/Cinema/New Media – Visual Craft (includes Animation/Design & Motion Graphics)
Oktobor Head of Motion and Design Jonny Kofoed commented, “Toby Talbot (ECD of DDB) selected Oktobor for this project on ‘deaf awareness’. The goal of the commercial was to create some understanding around some of the common issues faced by the hearing impaired. We are delighted with the success of this TVC which also received a bronze at ‘AWARD’ in Australia.”
Oktobor’s second Gold came in the category of TV/Cinema/New Media – Visual Craft (includes Visual Effects & Cinematography) for the Positively Wellington Tourism – Spoil Yourself TVC. (Agency: Clemmenger BBDO, Production Company: Robbers Dog, Colourist: Pete Ritchie, Flame: Stefan Coory, Flame Assist: Hannah Kim, Producer: Sonali De Silva).
Oktobor General Manager Patrick McAteer said, “This ad was part of a $2million domestic marketing campaign. The central premise of the commercial is that Wellington has unique gifts for everyone and is a great destination to ‘spoil yourself’ – the tag line of the spot. All the wrapped up buildings which feature throughout the ad were either shot as miniatures or as photographed paper in the studio and compiled into the spot, along with all the ribbons and curtains in the theatre scene.”
Oktobor also went on to win Silver in TV/Cinema/New Media – Visual Craft (includes Animation/Design & Motion Graphics) for their work on VW’s Tiguan commercial (Agency: DDB Auckland, Director: Jonny Kofoed, Animation & Design: Rhys Dippie, Jonny Kofoed, Producer: Steen Bech) where the challenge was to create an entire ad using the VW logo as tyre tracks. The commercial follows the path of a VW over buildings, through swimming pools and down elevators. Tiguan also received a Silver Axis for Typography and Art Direction and a gold at the recent Best Awards – New Zealand’s design awards.
Oktobor’s final award of the evening for in-house creative was for the Mac’s Beer – "Common Sense" TVC (Agency: Shine Ltd, Design/Animation: Jonny Kofoed, Matt Von Trott, Producer: Steen Bech) where they won bronze in TV/Cinema/New Media – Visual Craft (includes Animation/Design & Motion Graphics). Kofoed said, “Shine approached us to create these spots earlier this year for Mac’s Beer. The brief was take Mac’s ‘garden shed’ attitude to motion graphics and create a piece that describes (visually) their ‘disregard for common sense, since 1983’ in their brewing process.”
The final award and one of the most talked about of the night, that Oktobor was involved in was "Turd Polisher" which won silver in Direct Marketing for Draft FCB who came up with the idea for Oktobor’s 2008 Christmas marketing campaign.
McAteer concluded, “We are very happy to have won so many AXIS awards. As ever, the competition is fierce and the level of creative exceptionally high. At Oktobor we are fortunate to get a healthy mix of commercials where our talented team can truly excel.”
To view all of Oktobor’s AXIS successes please click on the links here.