All the new, noteworthy or just plain weird stuff that’s happening around Elias Arts.

An exotic and eclectic mix of advertising industry executives recently gathered at Jungle Island in Miami for the 2008 Addy Awards Bash. THE ADDY awards, billed as “the world’s largest and arguably toughest advertising competition” yield over 60,000 entries … but, it was no surprise (at least to us) when Avenida Acceso’s work on Pontiac “Escape” was awarded a Golden Addy for sound design work. Avenida, Elias Arts’ Latino music company is proud to have collaborated with Accentmarketing/Miami on this spot. ¡Felicitaciones! to our very own Dean Hovey on his great sound design as well as Danny Decespedes, Producer and Juan Carlos Piedrahita, Creative Director from Accentmarketing.

Elias Arts CEO Martin Pazzani spoke at the 2008 TED Conference in Monterey, CA on The Power of Music. The TED Conference, an annual gathering of more than 1000 is committed to the sharing of ideas and innovative thinking on subjects including Technology, Entertainment and Design and features "inspired talks by the world's greatest thinkers and doers." Mr. Pazzani delivered a talk at TED University challenging the listener to fully appreciate the exceptional ability that music has to overcome language barriers, stimulate emotion, unite communities, serve as therapy to stroke victims and depression patients, and essentially capture the essence of a culture and/or civilization. Mr. Pazzani encouraged attendees to contemplate more actively, the true power of music and its potential to impact humanity in positive and memorable ways.

Jonathan Elias's ability to consistently attract, mentor, develop, and constantly refresh a roster of top composers was proven once again with the hiring of indie composer/guitarist Mike Semple as Senior Composer. Former bandmate in Giant Sand and Campfire Girls, brainchild of Secretary Bird, partner in Friends of Dean Martinez, and co-composer, performer and producer of the soundtrack for Richard Linklater's film, Fast Food Nation, Semple is highly regarded in eclectic music circles for his "undeniably sincere" songwriting and "hypnotic" style. Most recently he has garnered praise for scoring Autism: The Musical which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival to critical acclaim and will make its world television premiere on HBO March 25th. In his new role at Elias, Semple will continue to score for film and television, working out of the Company's Santa Monica studio. Ann Haugen, Elias Arts' Executive VP & GM in Santa Monica comments, "Mike's unique approach, style and virtuosity will complement our already amazing pool of talent. Having him on board broadens our creative range and strengthens our indie credentials."

Kenny Segal, Elias’ composer, producer and DJ whose specialty is hip hop/electronic and experimental music, today launched Ken Can Cook, on indie label Decon/Project Blowed. According to Decon label manager, Laurent Masset, “Kenny Segal is the latest producer talent to emerge from the Project Blowed scene, one of the most exciting breeding grounds on the West Coast.” Featuring underground legends such as Abstract Rude, Aceyalone, Nocando, Busdriver, 2Mex and more there is a great deal of excitement surrounding the release. “We at Decon have watched Kenny grow over the years and it is testament to the trust his fellow musicians have in his production skills that he has been able to surround himself with such an imposing cast of emcees for his debut album. There hasn’t really been such a collaborative Project Blowed album in a few years and we are confident this will hit all the right notes with the fans all over the world.” In addition to having just been named winner of the “Urban Underground 2008 Battle Invatational,” and the rigors surrounding the debut of his album, Kenny is collaborating on a daily basis with company founder Jonathan Elias on a variety of innovative in-house Elias projects that combine orchestral sound with an electronic/hip-hop/rap edge.

On January 17th, Elias' ID Group, headed by our very own Susan Aminoff, moderated an Audio Identity Panel entitled "Ears to You" at the Argyle Executive Forum in New York City. During what proved to be a highlight of the CMO leadership conference, Susan presented an overview of the benefits of Audio Identity, and then led a panel of experts in a discussion about leading edge applications of music and sound in branding. The panel included Elias' business partner in London, Julian Treasure (Founder of The Sound Agency and author of "Sound Business"), Peter Vaughn (VP of Branding at American Express), and Paul Greco (Executive Music Producer at Young & Rubicam). Outstanding discussion and debate in front of 250 Chief Marketing Officers and Executives punctuated the symposium as savvy minds were captivated by the continued growth and interest in the innovative area of Audio Branding.

It's a year later, and the Nationwide "Rollin VIP" spot we worked on for last year's Super Bowl featuring K-Fed rappin’ his way from playa to fry cook is still all the rage. Ad Age just published an article that names this the most talked about Super Bowl Ad of 2007, and according to market research firm Cymfony , the spot has garnered "about 8 times the 'buzz' of other Super Bowl ads". Generating daily hits on YouTube and the topic of many a blog, is it any wonder that Elias' Kenny Segal composed the addictive track and David "Witty" Wittman acted as Music Creative Director on the project?

Elias Arts has joined forces with Pangea Day organizers, in their call for amateur and professional filmmakers to submit short films that will make people from all over the world laugh, pause and think.  With our 27-year track record of adding voice to film, television, advertising and brands we’re huge believers in the fact that powerful images and themes deserve powerful music and sound to match.  No surprise then that we’ve also created and donated a Pangea Day Music Library filled with cinematic music tracks created by our very own Jonathan Elias and our in-house composers. Filmmakers who register will be able to use any of our music from the library for their Pangea Day film entries.  Finally, on May 10, 2008 we’ll be hosting screenings at both our NYC and LA studios during which time we’ll feature 30-40 of the Pangea Day film entries. The program will be broadcast live through the Internet, television, digital cinema, and mobile phones.  To read more click here or contact pangeaday@eliasarts.com.

Months after receiving a Latin Grammy nomination, Avenida Acceso Creative Director, Andres Levin has been nominated for yet another. This time for a general market Grammy in the “Latin Pop Record of the Year” category as producer on the Miguel Bose album “Papito.” This album was an amazing collaboration recorded in four countries and featuring Bose singing duets with Latin artists Shakira, Ricky Martin and Alejandro Sanz as well as Michael Stipe from R.E.M. Many of the sessions took place at Elias Arts’ N.Y.C. studios. Congrats to Andres on this much deserved honor.

Elias Arts is pleased. No, thrilled. No, ecstatic to announce the addition of Dana Anderson to the Elias Arts board of directors. Dana is an ad vet and expert in all things branded. With an agency career that has spanned from creative to account management to global planning, Dana’s experience is unparalleled. Most recently she served as CEO/President of DDB Chicago. Her vast knowledge of global branding will be a huge asset to Elias’ growth in the audio branding arena. Welcome Dana!

The Mint was rocking hard as six bands from the LA ad community took the stage for AMP’s “Battle of the Ad Bands.” The event was a huge success playing to a packed house and raising money for the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, a charity that supports public school music and gives instruments to talented musicians who otherwise couldn’t afford them. Elias’ Scott Cymbala was one of the esteemed judges and our own Tina Reyes (AMP’s Secretary and Treasurer) presented the winning band, “Crash Kings” from S! Studios, with the $500 1st Prize. Of course, in our eyes, everyone who attended was a rock star.

In this quirky and funny RPA spot for the Honda Civic, two men on opposite ends of the “green” spectrum go about their daily lives. One is a careless trash-dropping slob. The other a conscientious trash picker-upper…er. For his part, Elias composer Chris “Kimo” Kemp, arranged a slightly chilled version of the “The Odd Couple” theme. Obviously, there was nothing odd in the pairing as Shoot magazine awarded it “Spot of The Week” and ranked the music as one of their Top 10 tracks for Fall 2007. Kudos to Kimo and everyone at Honda and RPA.

Honda and Telemundo recently turned to Avenida Acceso to help launch the newly redesigned 2008 Accord to the Hispanic market. The result -- a partnership that debuted the Accord with the the new solo album by Latin female singing sensation, Cucu Diamantes (who also happens to sing for Andres Levin’s band, Yerba Buena.) Cucu was featured in Honda’s TV, radio and online advertising in 7 major U.S. Hispanic markets and the promo itself drove people to a Honda microsite where they entered a sweepstakes to win a new 2008 Honda Accord and tickets to see Cucu and Yerba Buena live in Hollywood. All in all, a seamless promotion and a truly successful collaboration between Honda, Telemundo and Avenida that still has everyone talking.

Elias Arts CEO, Martin Pazzani recently sat on a high-profile panel at the Hollywood Reporter/Billboard Film & TV Music Conference held at the Beverly Hills Hotel. The conference was attended and presided over by the many of the industry's most creative and influential talents including Sean Penn, Eddie Vedder, Sondre Lerche, Judd Apatow, Lia Vollack and Robert Kraft. The panel explored the role of agencies, the business of licensed music and spot music/sound design house entrepreneurs. Diversification within and beyond advertising was also looked at. Elias’ score on Nike’s “Breath” was showcased as pinnacle work within the industry.

Avenida Acceso hosted some of the industries most creative minds at a party held on the heels of the Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies’ 23rd semi-annual conference. The conference itself challenged and provoked creative thinking while the afterparty... well, let’s just say it made for the perfect ending to a truly great conference. No puede esperar hasta el año próximo.

Big beat pioneer, musician and producer Norman Cook aka “Fatboy Slim” dropped in on Elias NYC to work on a new solo project with our very own Andres Levin and Cucu Diamantes, singer from Levin’s band, Yerba Buena. As if that wasn’t enough, David Byrne (Talking Heads, Luaka Pop label founder) stopped by for a visit. He’s also playing on Norman’s long awaited new album. With involvement from Yerba Buena and David Byrne, expect another world shaker from “Fatboy Slim.”

On October 20th, our own Nic Harcourt returned to his home of ten years, Woodstock, NY, to emcee Levon Helm’s “Midnight Ramble.” As you may know, Levon was drummer/singer in “The Band,” one of the most amazing and influential rock groups of all time. He continues to hold intimate concerts in his barn/recording studio with special guests and friends. This time Joan Osborne showed up and raised the roof off the barn. As a long time friend of Levon’s, Elias was fortunate to be in attendance with invited guests from Y&R, BBH, Saatchi & Saatchi, Euro RSCG, Wunderman and Draft FCB. As anyone who was there can testify, it was the party.

Just two weeks after getting Shoot's “Spot of the Week”, Honda, RPA and Elias have done it again. This time for “Eyes” for the Honda Fit. In this surreal spot, the nimble Fit is pursued through city streets by gigantic, bulbous eyeballs. The Elias score is an urgent sci-fi techno meets retro spy/cop theme. It works perfectly as the soundscape to the spot’s mind-tripping chase scene visuals. “Eyes” also grabbed Adweek's “Spot of the Day” on Oct. 3. Maybe it's time for a sequel titled, “Ears.” Er, maybe not.

It’s already been a hot year for Elias Arts Featured Artist, and Avenida Acceso Creative Director/Composer, Andrés Levin. Now he’s been nominated for a Latin Grammy, including “Album of the Year” as producer on Miguel Bose’s abum “Papito.” Dan Dzula was the engineer/mixer extraordinaire on the album and shares in the honors. This is a huge honor for both of these talented men. We’re ecstatic for them!

Elias Arts has a long running history of work in the cinema. One of our more recent collaborations was with the frenetically cool Elevate Film Festival. Elevate challenges directors to produce a short, documentary, music video or narrative with a message of hope for environmental or social change — in a daunting 48 hours or less! This year, Elias provided Elevate’s directors with tracks from our massive music library which were used as scores for their film entries. The festival, held at the illustrious Kodak Theater on September 15th, received loads of attention due to backing from environmentally active celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio and Daryl Hannah. “I see Elias being our primary music source for all Elevates to come. I cannot thank them enough.” cheers Founding Director for the Elevate Film Festival, Mikki Willis. All we can say is, the honor was all ours.

Elias Arts was recently honored to participate in the Challenged Athletes Foundation benefit held at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. The CAF supports athletes with physical disabilities of all ages in their pursuit of active lifestyles. For the event, Elias composer, Matt Fletcher, composed “The Heart of a Champion,” an inspiring anthem that pays tribute to the undefeatable spirit of these courageous individuals. The anthem, unveiled at the event, provided a musical foundation to the night’s proceedings. It will soon be available as a ringtone as well. In addition to the original composition, Elias Arts’ Head of Music Supervision, Nic Harcourt created a custom soundtrack for the evening. The playlist was chosen to reflect the empowering and motivational message of the CAF. Click here to read more about the CAF event and Elias’ contributions.

For two hot days in July, our Head of Music Supervision, Nic Harcourt, brought his KCRW show, “Morning Becomes Eclectic” to the Elias Arts New York City Studios. These special shows were broadcast LIVE over the airwaves and online. In addition to Nic’s always impeccable and diverse mix of music, the shows featured fantastic live in-studio performances by emerging Latin artists, Pecker and Ceci Bastida. Needless to say, no one from Elias NYC called in sick those two days. For more info, click here.

When the Latin Alternative Music Conference returned to New York for its eighth consecutive year, Elias Arts & Avenida Acceso were thrilled as both fans and participants. LAMC is to Latin Music as Sundance is to indie film. The event featured five full days of concerts, films, artist showcases, speakers and panel discussions. This year’s panelists were considered the event’s strongest ever and included Avenida Acceso’s Creative Director/producer/musician, Andres Levin on a panel titled “Class of ‘97 Reunion: A Look Back at the Last Ten Years in Latin Alternative Music.” Elias’ Head of Music Supervision, Nic Harcourt joined the panel titled “Selecting the Music: How Programmers, Marketers and Music Supervisors Make Their Decisions.” It was truly a great week to be a New Yorker.

Once again, Elias has been recognized by SHOOT Magazine for its work with Lexus. This time for the spot, “Best”, which was just picked as SHOOT’s “Spot of the Week.” The spot created by Team One Advertising of El Segundo, CA, was scored by Elias’ Nate Morgan. This latest accolade comes on the heels of Nate being picked by Boards Magazine as “Best New Composer” of 2007 from a field of global contenders. No stranger to the high standards set by Lexus ads, Nate and Elias have always enjoyed the opportunity to work on such great projects. To see the winning spot and our full roster of work for Lexus, click here.

SHOOT Magazine has just picked the offbeat Nevada Power spot, “Hamlit” as the “Best Work You May Never See.” The spot, created by R&R Partners of Las Vegas and directed by Sean Mullens of Uber Content, features a hilarious stand-off between a hamster on a treadmill and body builder on a stationary bike as they each power a lightbulb. The hamster kicks butt because he’s hooked up to an energy efficient CFL. Dean Hovey of Elias created the perfect sound design mix to accentuate the subtle, quirky humor of the lopsided scenario. To see the work for yourself, click here. And while you’re at it, go change a few of your lights to CFL’s and help save the planet.

While our fellow Elias Arts associates were busy "toiling" on the beaches at Cannes, (and of course introducing the ad world to our cutting edge music and sound work) news of our Cannes Showcase and new media initiatives hit the jumbo screens in Times Square, New York City. Take a look! To read more about Elias Arts' at Cannes, click here.

Elias Arts sets up shop in Cannes with new media partners to showcase the future of music and audio ID. Click here to read this back issue of Elias Arts news.

The Elias Arts booth this year at Cannes featured an exciting partnership between Elias and two cutting-edge companies: MobiZone, innovators in personalized content delivery and Undisclosed Location, content creators, like us, that specialize in bringing mobile creative to life. At the booth, visitors could download the "Elias Arts Cannes Survival Translator" and custom ringtones via their Bluetooth devices. The "Translator" provided an excellent example of the sort of turnkey applications the new partnership is able to provide. And it translated such vital Cannes phrases as "Is it 8 in the evening, or 8 in the morning?" and "Are you guys hiring?" Elias Arts CEO, Martin Pazzani was also interviewed for an article in the Cannes Lions Daily on the future of music in marketing. To read the full article, click here.

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