The Television Bureau of Canada celebrated the best in the biz as the Bessie awards were handed out in Toronto yesterday. The evening kicked off with a quirky and insightful In Conversation-style peek into what makes Douglas Coupland tick. The show-opening interview, conducted by Terry O’Riley, was sponsored by www.stimulantonline.ca.
Best of Show honours went to a Random House campaign for Douglas Coupland’s new novel The Gum Thief, while the same distinction for best single spot went to Pepsi’s 7up brand’s ‘Emoticon Susan.’
Gold-winning campaigns included ‘Camp Okutta’ for Warchild Canada, from John St., ‘Elevator Small Talk Tony’ for 7up, from BBDO Canada, and ‘The Gum Thief,’ produced by Crush.
Gold awards for singles went to Parmalat Canada’s ‘Stairs’ (BBDO Canada); ‘Dave’ for the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (BBDO Canada); Habitat for Humanity’s ‘Electricity for Rent’ (Cossette); ‘New Guy’ for McDonald’s (Cossette); Blockbuster Canada’s ‘Christmas Dinner’ (DDB Canada); ‘Buckets’ for Vancity Savings Credit Union (TBWA Vancouver); Workers Safety and Insurance Board’s ‘Top Chef’ (DraftFCB Toronto); Unilever Canada’s ‘Onslaught’ (Ogilvy Mather); ‘Camp Okutta’ for Warchild Canada (John St.); and 7up’s ‘Elevator Small Talk Tony’ and ‘Emoticon Susan.’
