In the midst of the stick-to-your-panties dog days, Spy Films maintained its cool with its annual indoor/outdoor summer bash. The music served up by cfny’s Chris Pack was great, the food was abundant, and there was an overall it’s-good-to-be-alive vibe in the air, especially as the evening progressed.

Among the throngs, which liberally represented all segments of the industry, the usual Spy suspects circulated including just back from London Javier, as yet unsuspecting First Cut winner Jeff Eamer and still glowing from Cannes William Cranor.

Cranor recounted the increasingly warm reception the Spy contingent is finding internationally, with Javier involved in a pitch for Heineken Beer out of South America and Pete Henderson in consideration for bmw and Renault.

Cranor says while the company continues its effort to build its talent, international efforts will be top of mind in the next several months.

‘Now that we have a few guys with reels that can go overseas and get interest, we have to parlay that interest into some work while the buzz is still hot here,’ he says. The more good ideas shot by the company, says Cranor, the more recognition on the Cannes front for Canadian production companies as well as agencies.

And if response to Henderson’s reel at the Saatchi & Saatchi New Directors Showcase in Cannes is any indication, things will continue to look up for the shop and the man. The New Directors program cover depicts an up-close and unforgiving look at a slab of red, quivering meat, and apparently it’s a pretty accurate description of events at the youngsters showcase where the audience isn’t shy about whistling its displeasure in the presence of the cringing artists.

However, after viewing Henderson’s reel one interested audience member made a quick cel call to his London agency contact, who in turn called Spy Films, who in turn forwarded the call to the cel of Carlo Trulli, seated in the Cannes screening room. Now that’s instant gratification.

-Speaking ofŠ

It was a healthy-sized Canadian contingent making the Cannes trip this year and a slow but steady raising of the profile of Canadian work. The young’uns once again figured significantly in the show, following last year’s Young Creatives Competition win by bcp’s Mike Leger and Taxi’s Jacqueline Zegray with a second place showing this year for Heather Vincent and Mark Hesse of Palmer Jarvis.

The Lion roared in the print and poster category for Ogilvy & Mather creatives Janet Kestin and Nancy Vonk, Gold Lion winners for their Timex Indiglo work and for bbdo’s Zak Mroueh and Scott Dube winning the Gold Lion for the Fed Ex campaign.

The all-important film short list also turned up more than a mouthful of Canadian names, with Bates Canada and Avion Films’ ‘Famous Wads’ for Bubblicious listed in the Confectionery and Snacks category; Leo Burnett and Radke Films’ Pizza Pops ‘Alarm’ in Savoury Foods; Bates and Spy Films’ Waterpik ‘Fast Hands’ in Toiletries/Pharmaceuticals; Leo Burnett and The Players Film Company’s ‘Monkey’ spot for Visa in Banking; Palmer Jarvis and Avion’s ‘Slide Show’ and ‘Manager’s Special’ for Save-On Foods in Retail; o&m and Spin Productions’ ‘Relay’ and ‘Rower’ for Timex Indiglo in Personal Effects; and Axmith McIntyre Wicht and Players’ ‘Motel’ spot for Labatt in Corporate Image.

Advertiser of the Year went to Japan-based Nissin Food Products, whose oddball ads have helped to move, if you can believe it, more than $10 billion of Nissin Cup Noodle.

Agency of the Year was captured by bbdo usa, with second place also going to a u.s. agency, Goodby Silverstone & Partners.

-New faces

Cactus Productions has added a new comedy talent to its roster in the person of Mark Sawers.

Sawers has directed a number of darkly humorous short films as well as a comedic feature entitled Skyscraper.

Viewing Sawers’ work one can surmise he’ll be bringing the right-of-center attitude to the commercial game; his short films take an unsettling look at the lighter side of some ordinarily very unfunny events, like a man attempting to rescue himself after having a stroke, and what could happen if you leave your baby and your dog alone near the pool.

Aviator Picture’s newest director Cliff Skelton has made it official with his first commercial job. The former music video guy just completed his inaugural ad project for the pne.

-Chase at the wheel of $5M Nissan push

Meanwhile, down south, Steve Chase is working toward a new feature project with Billy Bob Thornton. Thornton (Slingblade) wrote the script in question and both are waiting for a studio go-ahead on the film, which is set to star Ice Cube. Chase is also working on a script for Sony Pictures, with which he has a development deal.

On the commercial side, Chase just completed what he calls the ‘biggest job of my career,’ a campaign for Nissan out of Chiat Day. The $5 million beast for the launch of a new Nissan model was shot in New York, Washington and Calgary.

Chase reports a long haul on the three-month project. The shoot was weathered everywhere including the four days in Calgary which presented the climatic spectrum from blistering heat, through rain and finally, snow.

-Generator opens in Gastown

Generator Promotional Marketing, the spawn of the merger of The Gaylord Group’s western office and mcc this year, has officially opened its door in Vancouver’s Gastown. The 15-person, full-service shop includes Dog’s Eye, a large creative studio, and clients include Molson and BC Tel.

-A fifth for Keith’s

In Halifax and parts of New Brunswick last week, the newest spot for Keith’s beer hit the airwaves, bringing the unconventional beer campaign into its fifth year.

The spots are shot as a continuing series with recurring characters and an ongoing story line that started off with a bunch of lost ships from the British admiralty.

When the admiral ventures off to Halifax to see what happened to his men, he finds them all having a good time in Nova Scotia with some Keith’s.

The series began in 1993 and won a London International Advertising Award in the beer category for best campaign or series.

Radke Films’ Martin Shewchuk and dop Andre Pienaar shot the new spots, on a healthy budget, through Corporate Communications, Halifax, in various locations around Toronto, which captured the look of the East Coast during the 1800s.

Although two spots were shot during the four days only one is on air; the other is in the cooler until next beer season.