The Monkeys (Creative Agency)
Encyclopedia
The Monkeys is an independent creative business based in Sydney
. Founded in 2006 by Justin Drape, Scott Nowell and Mark Green, they now employ over 70 full-time staff including Writers, Art Directors, Designers, Filmmakers, Musicians, Photographers, Strategic Planners and Artists.
In 2007 The Monkeys were named Adnews and B&T emerging agency of the year. With B&T stating “The Monkeys (Three Drunk Monkeys) has carved out its own niche through the development of entertaining ideas, bypassing conventions and using the best medium for the job.”
In 2010 they were named Australian Creative Hotshop of the Year, B&T Advertising Agency of the Year, B&T Grand Prix Communications Agency of the Year and ranked Adnews No. 1 Advertising Agency of The Year (7) .
The Monkeys have also been awarded at international award shows including Cannes
, D&AD
, The One Show
and Clio
.
The Monkeys current clients include Parmalat
, Telstra
, AUSTAR
, Sydney Opera House
, YouTube
, IKEA
, BBC Knowledge
, UBank and Diageo
.
, The Monkeys collaborated with musicians Neil Finn
, Kev Carmody
, Sarah Blasko
, John Bell
, Martha Wainwright
, Katie Noonan
, Paul Kelly
, Teddy Tahu Rhodes
, The Temper Trap
and Daniel Johns
, along with Opera Australia
, the Australian Ballet, Bangarra Dance Theatre
, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra
and the Australian Chamber Orchestra
to perform and record a reinterpretation of "The Ship Song" by Nick Cave
The performances were filmed by award-winning director Paul Goldman and music director and arranger Elliot Wheeler in the rehearsal rooms and backstage areas of the Sydney Opera House and edited into a seamless journey through the Opera House.
The Ship Song Project was released globally as an online film on 26 July 2011, and shared across traditional and social media channels.
The Ship Song was released as a single and reached number 34 on the iTunes
Pop Charts.
A making of documentary filmed by Greg Appel, director of Australian documentaries Long Way to the Top
and Bombora and voiced by Guy Pearce
and aired on Foxtel
on 11 August 2011.
and produced by Andrew Denton
’s production company Zapruder's Other Films Pty Ltd,:30 Seconds is an Australian comedy series which satirises Australian advertising companies and the advertising industry. It first aired on Foxtel
’s Comedy Channel
in 2009.
The cast included Stephen Curry, Peter O’Brien, Joel Tobeck, Gyton Grantley
and Kat Stewart. :30 seconds received AFI
, AWGIES and Logie Award
nominations.
to create a simple melody that is now played at beaches, schools, sports grounds and pools, reminding people to protect themselves from the sun.
The Gruen Transfer
The Gruen Transfer
is a TV show about advertising created by Zapruder's Other Films Pty Ltd and broadcast on the ABC
. The Monkeys created three TV commercials for fictional products: Gruen Beer, Gruen Bank and Gruen Beauty that also aired on Australia’s commercial-free, taxpayer funded channel ABC. There was an immediate public outcry.
BBC Knowledge
The Monkeys teamed with US based mixed-media Director Sean Pecknold from Grandchildren to create two brand identity commercials: Eat Up Brain which featured the voice of actor Richard E Grant and Honk If You’re Human which was voiced by comedian Stephen K. Amos
.
, Jacques Cousteau, Pablo Picasso
, Amelia Earhart
and Martin Luther King who overcame difficult odds and inspired generations of young people.
I Can Do Anything is sold in leading Australian bookstores including Dymocks and Collins
. It has also been placed in the National Library of Australia
. 100% of profits from its sale go to the children’s charity Kids for Life.
, the world’s largest outdoor sculpture exhibition. Created by Simone Brandse and Justin Drape it is constructed from 450 kg of steel and PVC. The 13 metre large-scale bendy straw stuck out from the ocean beside Bondi
’s popular coastal walk.
Filmmaker George Miller and Screen Australia
have since created a short film from the uploaded footage. The film premiered at the 2011 Sydney Film Festival
in June 2011
The Map My Summer film was featured at the Tropfest
short film festival.
in 2009 and features the lives and cooking traditions of Australian immigrants and their families.
My Family Feast received awards at the 2010 World Food & Wine Festival and a 2010 Logie
nomination.
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
. Founded in 2006 by Justin Drape, Scott Nowell and Mark Green, they now employ over 70 full-time staff including Writers, Art Directors, Designers, Filmmakers, Musicians, Photographers, Strategic Planners and Artists.
In 2007 The Monkeys were named Adnews and B&T emerging agency of the year. With B&T stating “The Monkeys (Three Drunk Monkeys) has carved out its own niche through the development of entertaining ideas, bypassing conventions and using the best medium for the job.”
In 2010 they were named Australian Creative Hotshop of the Year, B&T Advertising Agency of the Year, B&T Grand Prix Communications Agency of the Year and ranked Adnews No. 1 Advertising Agency of The Year (7) .
The Monkeys have also been awarded at international award shows including Cannes
Cannes
Cannes is one of the best-known cities of the French Riviera, a busy tourist destination and host of the annual Cannes Film Festival. It is a Commune of France in the Alpes-Maritimes department....
, D&AD
D&AD
Design and Art Direction is a British educational charity which exists to promote excellence in design and advertising...
, The One Show
The One Show
The One Show is a topical magazine-style daily television programme broadcast live on BBC One and BBC One HD, hosted by Alex Jones and Matt Baker. Chris Evans joins Jones to present the programme on Friday...
and Clio
Clio
thumb|Clio—detail from [[The Art of Painting|The Allegory of Painting]] by [[Johannes Vermeer]]In Greek mythology, Clio or Kleio, is the muse of history. Like all the muses, she is a daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne...
.
The Monkeys current clients include Parmalat
Parmalat
Parmalat SpA is a multinational Italian dairy and food corporation. Having become the leading global company in the production of ultra high temperature milk, the company collapsed in 2003 with a €14 billion hole in its accounts in what remains Europe's biggest bankruptcy...
, Telstra
Telstra
Telstra Corporation Limited is an Australian telecommunications and media company, building and operating telecommunications networks and marketing voice, mobile, internet access and pay television products and services....
, AUSTAR
Austar
Austar is an Australian telecommunications company. Its main business activity is Subscription Television but it is also involved with internet access and mobile phones...
, Sydney Opera House
Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre in the Australian city of Sydney. It was conceived and largely built by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, finally opening in 1973 after a long gestation starting with his competition-winning design in 1957...
, YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
, IKEA
IKEA
IKEA is a privately held, international home products company that designs and sells ready-to-assemble furniture such as beds and desks, appliances and home accessories. The company is the world's largest furniture retailer...
, BBC Knowledge
BBC Knowledge
BBC Knowledge was an early BBC digital television channel, available by cable, satellite, or terrestrial digital broadcasting, providing a programme of documentary, cultural and educational television.-Launch:...
, UBank and Diageo
Diageo
Diageo plc is a global alcoholic beverages company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the world's largest producer of spirits and a major producer of beer and wine....
.
The Ship Song Project
To celebrate and promote the cultural importance of the Sydney Opera HouseSydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre in the Australian city of Sydney. It was conceived and largely built by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, finally opening in 1973 after a long gestation starting with his competition-winning design in 1957...
, The Monkeys collaborated with musicians Neil Finn
Neil Finn
Neil Mullane Finn, OBE is a New Zealand Pop recording artist. Along with his brother Tim Finn, he was the co-frontman for Split Enz and is now frontman for Crowded House...
, Kev Carmody
Kev Carmody
Kevin Daniel "Kev" Carmody is an Indigenous Australian singer-songwriter. His song "From Little Things Big Things Grow" was recorded with co-writer Paul Kelly for their 1993 single; it was covered by the Get Up Mob in 2008 and peaked at #4 on the Australian Recording Industry Association singles...
, Sarah Blasko
Sarah Blasko
Sarah Elizabeth Blaskow , is an Australian singer-songwriter and musician. After fronting Sydney-based band Acquiesce from the mid-1990s, Blasko developed her solo career from 2002. In 2007, she won the 'Best Pop Release' for What the Sea Wants, the Sea Will Have at the ARIA Music Awards, which...
, John Bell
John Bell (musician)
John Farmer Bell is the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the American rock band Widespread Panic, where he is known for his raspy southern drawl that hits a variety of octaves. He is frequently called JB by fans...
, Martha Wainwright
Martha Wainwright
Martha Wainwright is a Canadian-American folk-rock singer-songwriter. She is the daughter of American folk singer and actor Loudon Wainwright III and Canadian folk singer-songwriter Kate McGarrigle...
, Katie Noonan
Katie Noonan
Katie Anne Noonan is an Australian singer-songwriter. In addition to a successful solo career encompassing opera, jazz, pop, rock and dance, she sings in the groups george and Elixir, duets with her mother, Maggie Noonan and is currently playing with support from the group The...
, Paul Kelly
Paul Kelly (musician)
Paul Maurice Kelly is an Australian rock music singer-songwriter, guitarist, and harmonica player. He has performed solo, and has led numerous groups, including the Dots, the Coloured Girls, and the Messengers. He has worked with other artists and groups, including associated projects Professor...
, Teddy Tahu Rhodes
Teddy Tahu Rhodes
-Early life:Teddy Tahu Rhodes was born in Christchurch, New Zealand, on 30 August 1966, to a British mother and a New Zealand father. The Maori word "Tahu", which means "to set on fire", was added to the family name soon after they settled in New Zealand...
, The Temper Trap
The Temper Trap
The Temper Trap is an Australian indie rock band which formed in 2005. The core members are Jonathon Aherne on bass guitar and vocals, Toby Dundas on drums and programming, Dougy Mandagi on vocals and guitar, and Lorenzo Sillitto on guitar, keyboards and vocals. They are supplemented on tours with...
and Daniel Johns
Daniel Johns
Daniel Paul Johns is an Australian musician, vocalist, composer, guitarist, and pianist, best known as the frontman of the rock band Silverchair. He is also part of The Dissociatives...
, along with Opera Australia
Opera Australia
Opera Australia is the principal opera company in Australia. Based in Sydney, its performance season at the Sydney Opera House runs for approximately eight months of the year, with the remainder of its time spent in the The Arts Centre in Melbourne...
, the Australian Ballet, Bangarra Dance Theatre
Bangarra Dance Theatre
Bangarra Dance Theatre is an Indigenous Australian contemporary dance company founded in 1989 by Carole Johnson, an African-American and founding director of National Aboriginal Islander Skills Development Association . Bangarra is the Wiradjuri word meaning "to make fire".Stephen Page has been the...
, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Sydney Symphony Orchestra
The Sydney Symphony Orchestra , commonly known as the Sydney Symphony, is an Australian symphony orchestra based in Sydney...
and the Australian Chamber Orchestra
Australian Chamber Orchestra
The Australian Chamber Orchestra was founded by cellist John Painter in 1975. Richard Tognetti was appointed Lead Violin in 1989 and subsequently appointed Artistic Director....
to perform and record a reinterpretation of "The Ship Song" by Nick Cave
Nick Cave
Nicholas Edward "Nick" Cave is an Australian musician, songwriter, author, screenwriter, and occasional film actor.He is best known for his work as a frontman of the critically acclaimed rock band Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, established in 1984, a group known for its eclectic influences and...
The performances were filmed by award-winning director Paul Goldman and music director and arranger Elliot Wheeler in the rehearsal rooms and backstage areas of the Sydney Opera House and edited into a seamless journey through the Opera House.
The Ship Song Project was released globally as an online film on 26 July 2011, and shared across traditional and social media channels.
The Ship Song was released as a single and reached number 34 on the iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
Pop Charts.
A making of documentary filmed by Greg Appel, director of Australian documentaries Long Way to the Top
Long Way To The Top
Long Way To The Top was an Australian Broadcasting Corporation documentary on the history of Australian rock and roll from 1956 to the modern era.-Production:...
and Bombora and voiced by Guy Pearce
Guy Pearce
Guy Edward Pearce is an English-born Australian actor and musician, known for his roles as Leonard Shelby in Christopher Nolan's Memento, Lieutenant Ed Exley in L.A...
and aired on Foxtel
Foxtel
Foxtel is an Australian pay television company, operating cable, direct broadcast satellite television and IPTV services. It was formed in 1995 through a joint venture established between Telstra and News Corporation....
on 11 August 2011.
30 Seconds (TV series)
Created and written by Justin Drape, Scott Nowell, Tim Bullock and Andrew KnightAndrew Knight
Andrew Stephen Bower Knight is a journalist, editor, and director of News Corporation.-Career:He joined The Economist Magazine in 1966 on the international business and investment sections...
and produced by Andrew Denton
Andrew Denton
Andrew Christopher Denton is an Australian television producer, comedian, Gold Logie-nominated television presenter and former radio host, and was the host of the ABC's weekly television interview program Enough Rope. He is known for his comedy and interviewing technique...
’s production company Zapruder's Other Films Pty Ltd,:30 Seconds is an Australian comedy series which satirises Australian advertising companies and the advertising industry. It first aired on Foxtel
Foxtel
Foxtel is an Australian pay television company, operating cable, direct broadcast satellite television and IPTV services. It was formed in 1995 through a joint venture established between Telstra and News Corporation....
’s Comedy Channel
The Comedy Channel
The Comedy Channel is an Australian subscription television channel available on Foxtel, Austar and Optus Television.-History:...
in 2009.
The cast included Stephen Curry, Peter O’Brien, Joel Tobeck, Gyton Grantley
Gyton Grantley
Gyton Grantley is a Logie Award and AFI Award-winning Australian actor, best known for his portrayal of convicted murderer and drug trafficker Carl Williams in the hit Australian television show Underbelly, for which he was nominated for both Most Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series and Most...
and Kat Stewart. :30 seconds received AFI
Australian Film Institute
The Australian Film Institute was founded in 1958 as a non-profit organisation devoted to developing an active film culture in Australia and fostering engagement between the general public and the Australian film industry...
, AWGIES and Logie Award
Logie Award
The TV Week Logie Awards are the Australian television industry awards, which have been presented annually since 1959. Renamed by Graham Kennedy in 1960 after he won the first 'Star Of The Year' award, the name 'Logie' awards honours John Logie Baird, a Scotsman who invented the television as a...
nominations.
The Cancer Council - Sun Sound
To promote skin cancer prevention The Monkeys worked with musician Ben LeeBen Lee
Benjamin Michael "Ben" Lee is an ARIA Award winning musician and actor. Lee began his career as a musician at the age of 14 with the Sydney band Noise Addict, but focused on his solo career when the band broke up in 1995. He appeared as the protagonist in the Australian film The Rage in Placid Lake...
to create a simple melody that is now played at beaches, schools, sports grounds and pools, reminding people to protect themselves from the sun.
The Gruen TransferThe Gruen TransferThe Gruen Transfer is an Australian television program focusing on advertising, which debuted on ABC1 on 28 May 2008 and has run for four seasons...
The Gruen TransferThe Gruen Transfer
The Gruen Transfer is an Australian television program focusing on advertising, which debuted on ABC1 on 28 May 2008 and has run for four seasons...
is a TV show about advertising created by Zapruder's Other Films Pty Ltd and broadcast on the ABC
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
. The Monkeys created three TV commercials for fictional products: Gruen Beer, Gruen Bank and Gruen Beauty that also aired on Australia’s commercial-free, taxpayer funded channel ABC. There was an immediate public outcry.
Guide Dogs NSW/ ACT
A multi channel campaign created with Curious Films and Director Paola Morabito featured interviews with human candidates applying for a role that requires the same job dedication that is expected of a successful guide dog. BBC KnowledgeBBC KnowledgeBBC Knowledge was an early BBC digital television channel, available by cable, satellite, or terrestrial digital broadcasting, providing a programme of documentary, cultural and educational television.-Launch:...
The Monkeys teamed with US based mixed-media Director Sean Pecknold from Grandchildren to create two brand identity commercials: Eat Up Brain which featured the voice of actor Richard E Grant and Honk If You’re Human which was voiced by comedian Stephen K. AmosStephen K. Amos
Stephen Kehinde Amos is a British stand-up comedian of Nigerian origin. A regular on the international comedy circuit, he is known for including his audience members during his shows...
.
Kids For Life - I can do anything
A story book featuring inspiring figures from history including Muhammad AliMuhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali is an American former professional boxer, philanthropist and social activist...
, Jacques Cousteau, Pablo Picasso
Pablo Picasso
Pablo Diego José Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno María de los Remedios Cipriano de la Santísima Trinidad Ruiz y Picasso known as Pablo Ruiz Picasso was a Spanish expatriate painter, sculptor, printmaker, ceramicist, and stage designer, one of the greatest and most influential artists of the...
, Amelia Earhart
Amelia Earhart
Amelia Mary Earhart was a noted American aviation pioneer and author. Earhart was the first woman to receive the U.S. Distinguished Flying Cross, awarded for becoming the first aviatrix to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean...
and Martin Luther King who overcame difficult odds and inspired generations of young people.
I Can Do Anything is sold in leading Australian bookstores including Dymocks and Collins
Collins
-General:* Collins class submarine* Tom Collins, a gin cocktail, and the Collins glass in which it is traditionally served-Given name:* Collins Injera , Kenyan rugby player* Collins John , Liberia-born Dutch footballer...
. It has also been placed in the National Library of Australia
National Library of Australia
The National Library of Australia is the largest reference library of Australia, responsible under the terms of the National Library Act for "maintaining and developing a national collection of library material, including a comprehensive collection of library material relating to Australia and the...
. 100% of profits from its sale go to the children’s charity Kids for Life.
The Big Drink
A sculpture that exhibited at Sculpture by the SeaSculpture by the Sea
Sculpture by the Sea is a major annual outdoor sculpture exhibition that is open to the public for no cost, featuring sculptures made by Australian and international artists....
, the world’s largest outdoor sculpture exhibition. Created by Simone Brandse and Justin Drape it is constructed from 450 kg of steel and PVC. The 13 metre large-scale bendy straw stuck out from the ocean beside Bondi
Bondi
Bondi could refer to:-Places in Australia:* Bondi Beach, New South Wales, a beach and suburb in Sydney, Australia* Bondi Junction, New South Wales, a suburb and commercial centre in Sydney, Australia* Bondi, New South Wales, a suburb in Sydney, Australia...
’s popular coastal walk.
Youtube - Map My Summer
People were encouraged to upload videos of their summer experiences to a website. Every upload was geo-located using Google API technology to create a map of summer where visitors could browse the video content.Filmmaker George Miller and Screen Australia
Screen Australia
Screen Australia is the Federal Government’s key funding body for the Australian screen production industry. Its functions are to support and promote the development of a highly creative, innovative and commercially sustainable industry....
have since created a short film from the uploaded footage. The film premiered at the 2011 Sydney Film Festival
Sydney Film Festival
The Sydney Film Festival is an annual film festival held in the Australian city of Sydney and is held over 12 days in June. The competitive film festival draws international and local attention, with films being showcased in several venues across the city centre and includes features,...
in June 2011
The Map My Summer film was featured at the Tropfest
Tropfest
Tropfest is the world's largest short film festival.Tropfest began in 1993 as a screening for 200 people in a cafe in Sydney but has since become the largest platform for short films in the world. Tropfest Australia takes place in February each year in front of a live audience of approximately...
short film festival.
My Family Feast
An Australian television program co-written and produced by The Monkeys, Hopscotch Films and Benchmark Films. Hosted by chef Sean Connolly, the show first screened on SBSSBS
-Banking:* Swiss Bank Corporation, previously one of the major Swiss banks, now merged into UBS* SBS Bank, a building society in the Southland region of New Zealand that is now registered as a bank* Skipton Building Society* Scarborough Building Society...
in 2009 and features the lives and cooking traditions of Australian immigrants and their families.
My Family Feast received awards at the 2010 World Food & Wine Festival and a 2010 Logie
Logie Award
The TV Week Logie Awards are the Australian television industry awards, which have been presented annually since 1959. Renamed by Graham Kennedy in 1960 after he won the first 'Star Of The Year' award, the name 'Logie' awards honours John Logie Baird, a Scotsman who invented the television as a...
nomination.