This Christmas Saatchi & Saatchi is giving an alternative kind of gift, which harnesses the creativity within the Network. We have invited musicians and bands working at Saatchi & Saatchi offices around the world, to create original songs for a Holiday album, as our offering to clients and friends globally. In keeping with the Saatchi & Saatchi philosophy of creating not copying culture, we are tapping into the abundance of talent within the Network, that exists outside of our day jobs.
The album contains an eclectic mix of styles; Dance, Indie, Country, Folk, Bhangra, Ambient, Calypso, Ska and Guitar. Songs selected by a panel of judges from the Saatchi & Saatchi Network, on the themes of Love and Hope, will make up the double album that can be downloaded via a dedicated url.
Musicians from South America, North America, U.A.E., Europe and Asia have submitted tracks, proving that the Saatchi & Saatchi Network is truly global.
Tom Eslinger, Digital Creative Director Saatchi & Saatchi Worldwide commented, «We don’t often get the opportunity to recognise the depth of talent around our network. The idea of creating and distributing ‘hand-crafted’ holiday greetings and gifts, inspired over 20 bands and performers to work up original songs. It’s a challenge to get a single idea which can be sent and shared across all of our offices and various countries. Giving the gift of original music around the themes of Love and Hope, and crafted by our own ‘family’ immediately felt like the right thing.»
Saatchi & Saatchi clients will soon be receiving an intriguing invitation in their inbox, containing a link where they can view a bespoke Holiday message in their local language, and ‘open’ a virtual present: a free downloadable album. The gift will also contain a personal message from Kevin Roberts and a digital booklet about the bands and the songs. All tracks will be available for individual download as well. In keeping with the concept of promoting emerging creative talent, the album’s artwork was designed by students from Miami Ad School; Victoria Walter and Oscar Müller.
Andy Parfitt, Saatchi & Saatchi Executive Director of Talent across Europe, Middle East and Africa, who finds and sustains creative talent within the Network, feels that this not only encourages network-wide creativity, but can be a way to attract new talent by showcasing our various skills. He commented, “For any organization to have such a range of musical talent among its people is extraordinary—in terms of genre, performance and production polish, I was knocked out. Some of the more commercial tracks wouldn’t be out of place on radio stations around the world—and there are some lovely ambient surprises too. It’s a great way to showcase our creativity”.
We are also collaborating with BUG Music Videos (consultants on the 2011 Saatchi & Saatchi Music Video Challenge) to create a video for the album’s lead track ‘Cosmos Baby’ by Russian band The Don’t Tell. BUG Creative Directors Phil Tidy and David Knight sourced new directorial talent Matthew Walker to shoot the video. To listen to ‘Cosmos Baby’ click on this link.