Last Minute Assignment:
Digging for Grubs,
Gary Parker for Bayer’s Merit

If you’ve ever had an infestation of grubs in your yard, you know they’re no laughing matter, but that’s not how this art director saw it. Merit’s agency tends to see a humorous side to everything, as they did with this “Head-In-The-Dirt” layout for Bayer’s Merit brand, a systemic insecticide which helps in the control of grubs, as well as a laundry list of other lawn and ornamental pests.

 

 

After a day of scouting on Saturday, digital pics were sent to the AD, who then flew in on Sunday. The location scout spent all day Monday with the AD in Santa Cruz, the perfect lawn was found.

The pdf’ed layout made Gary Parker laugh, always a good sign that he and the AD are on the same page. The only problem was time. The ad had been approved at the last minute, it was Friday, and we had only a couple of days for location scouting, casting and propping. Fortunately, Gary knew just who to call.

 

 

Tuesday morning the AD, the model, two assistants, Gary and crack stylist Cracko showed up early with shovels, rakes, a wheelbarrow, a rack of clothing, and a very large urn of coffee. The model is a very good physical actor, to boot, and he provided two hours of poses in every conceivable position, including many standing on his head. That night Gary and his wife, Kimberly, took the AD to a favorite French bistro and after dinner Kimberly took over the piano to show off some of her original compositions.

On Wednesday, the AD and Gary spent the half the day editing and scanning. By lunch the client had figured out that not only had he picked the right photographer, but he had a great post-production resource, as well. By 1:00 PM he had dropped one of Gary’s scans into his Quark layout as an FPO and was on his way to join his family on vacation. On Thursday, the agency and client made the final selection and gave Gary the go-ahead to put the finishing Photoshop touches on it. The final film was delivered Friday. Sometimes last-minute decisions work out fine. It’s all in knowing who to call. (Our phone number is here...)