Episode #119 features Ellis Verdi, Co-Founder and President of legendary New York agency DeVito / Verdi.
Ellis is a born and bred New Yorker, who prides himself on a ‘No Bullshit’ attitude to work, which we realised is the perfect mindset for OOH. No time for waffle – get to the point!
Ellis’s started his own agency as a one-man operation out of his living room in 1989, after previously working client-side at PepsiCo. In 1993, he partnered with creative director Sal DeVito to officially form DeVito/Verdi, which grew into the renowned New York institution it is today.
Under his leadership, the agency has been named Best Mid to Small Agency for General Excellence six times by the American Association of Advertising Agencies.
We started with the controversial ‘straight jacket’ work for Daffy’s, which caused uproar, with protests and boycott around the work. Job done!
Next up another much talked about campaigns for New York Magazine on the side of NYC buses, which irritated Rudy Giuliani so much he demanded the ads be removed and he sued …. an historic First Amendment legal battle followed and many awards. Job done again!
The controversial theme continued in campaigns for Pro-Choice and Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE).
The tone was lightened with Legal Sea Foods “Really Fresh Fish” that started on the tops of taxi cabs and buses, and eventually to the side of subway cars in Boston which managed to upset the train conductors
We also covered the funny (sacrilegious?!) campaign for Empire Kosher Chicken, Time Out and the the NY Organ Donors work, removing the Heart from the I Heart New York graphic. So simple and so effective, highlighting a shortage of organ donors.
Ellis thank you so much for coming on. One of our greatest hours in New York! You were so generous with your time and stories. Keep up the good (controversial!) work. The industry needs this. Thank you too to Kelly Durcan for all your help in making this happen.
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