Austin, Revisited.

By Tom Gabriel, CEO of GdB, Minneapolis, 2007 Austin ADDY Judge

When I was asked to reflect back on the Austin judging experience, I worried about what and how much I’d remember. After a month filled with the usual distractions, I would hate to inadvertently leave out something worthy. So I did the prudent thing, and sent for a list of the winners.

However, just as the cheat sheet arrived, it occurred to me that those passing weeks might serve as a pretty good test—a sort of unaided recall—to see which work was powerful enough to survive. Here then, with apologies in advance, are the winners of my four-week memory test:

I remember a television commercial for the American Legacy Foundation, in which a woman in a second-floor apartment watches a man on the street below carelessly toss out a cigarette before suddenly and desperately leaping through the window to retrieve it.

Yes, it’s public service, and an anti-smoking message is expected to be terrific, but someone still had to live up to those expectations. Or, in this case, surpass them.

I remember another public service spot, this one with an anti-drug message, featuring animated bunnies. The specifics are fuzzy (pun only slightly intended), but I liked the off-beat approach. And it stuck with me.

I remember a charming little Yellow Pages spot, in which a young man sweeps the floor with what turns out to be a live dog. Simple, funny, surprising. I remember, and hope to see again, a totally unexpected jingle parody for AARP with near-perfect pitch, appealing on so many levels.

I remember the corporate idea killers from the BMW campaign, strikingly produced in black and white. And a stick-shift pattern of exclamation points on an outdoor board for the same client.

I remember a long form video, again for the American Legacy Foundation, featuring a page-turning scrapbook. It had the kind of riveting art direction and flawless craft we all aspire to achieve.

I remember banners and a terrific microsite for the Air Force with the theme “Do Something Amazing.” They did.

Along with all the big budget work, I thankfully remember two wonderful little birth announcements; one a take-off on fad diets, the other for a new little fellow named Owen.

I remember last year’s Addy Show materials, richly photographed and cleverly based on ritualistic behaviors. The voodoo doll ticket was particularly smart.

I vividly remember a print ad from the Student Competition. For the Austin Aquarium, it showed a suspicious-looking cat (literally a cat) in a hoodie, eagerly waiting at the ticket window.

Finally, I remember the unique and wonderful spirit of Austin. I remember the rain, the Roller Derby girls, too much delicious, spicy and fattening food.

And most fondly, I remember all the dedicated, fun-loving and hospitable Ad Fed people who made the whole experience, well…truly unforgettable.