Aussie director Kim Gehrig and NZ-founded agency Special US score Emmy nominations

The 77th Emmy Awards have announced the six contenders for Outstanding Commercial, with this year’s shortlist boasting standout work from both Australian and New Zealand creative talent.

Special US, the American outpost of the celebrated New Zealand-born independent creative group, has earned a nomination for ‘Brian Cox Goes To College’ for Uber One for Students. The campaign, starring the acclaimed Succession actor, was directed by David Shane through production company O Positive.

Flying the flag for Australian directing talent is Kim Gehrig, whose Nike spot ‘So Win’ through Wieden+Kennedy is also in contention. Gehrig, who has previously helmed iconic global work for the likes of Libresse and Apple, brings her distinct storytelling flair to the inspirational sports ad, produced by Somesuch.

Rounding out the list of nominees is ‘The Boy & The Octopus’ for The Walt Disney Company, directed by New Zealand filmmaker Taika Waititi, further cementing the dominance of Antipodean creativity on the world stage.

FULL LIST OF NOMINEES:

Brian Cox Goes To College – Uber One for Students
Ad Agency: Special US (founded in New Zealand)
Production Company: O-Positive
Director: David Shane

So Win – Nike
Ad Agency: Wieden+Kennedy
Production Company: Somesuch
Director: Kim Gehrig

The Boy & The Octopus – The Walt Disney Company
Ad Agency: adam&eveDDB
Production Companies: Hungry Man / Untold Stories
Director: Taika Waititi

Batman Vs. Bateman – State Farm
Ad Agency: Highdive
Production Company: Hungry Man
Director: Bryan Buckley

Flock – Apple Privacy
Ad Agency: TBWA\Media Arts Lab
Production Company: Smuggler
Director: Ivan Zacharias

Heartstrings – Apple AirPods Pro
Ad Agency: TBWA\Media Arts Lab
Production Company: Smuggler
Director: Henry-Alex Rubin

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