The Comedy Focus

Ready your ribs for a-tickling as we present our Comedy Focus. Expect chats with the adland folk who make your bellies ache with laughter, insights from the finders of your funny bones and inspiration from masters of mirth.

Talent

Sharon Horgan: The Way I See It

The writer/director/producer/actor/co-founder of Merman/Mermade and all-round comedy hero talks to Jamie Madge about turkey farms, terrible advice and perfect creative partnerships.

Talent

The real Old Spice guy

From Smell Like A Man, Man to running his own agency, Eric Kallman speaks to Jamie Madge about creating one of the most defining comedic voices in advertising.

Talent

Breaking comedic boundaries with Hamish Rothwell

The New Zealand director discusses how his idiosyncrasies have helped propel his career, and why challenging expectations is key.

Craft

On Reflection: Bryan Buckley hits the (Orange Gold) spot

As part of our Comedy Special, shots hauls the Hungry Man director back into the boardroom to discuss the evergreen wit of his award-winning Orange campaign.

Talent

Mike Maguire takes a bite out of comedy

Former creative and previously one half of a successful directing duo, Mike Maguire is now a high-flying directorial king of comedy in his own right. Here he talks about his work, inspirations and why he owes everything in his life to advertising.

Insight

Send in the (lady) clowns

Since This Girl Can jiggled its way onto our screens in 2015, there’s been some improvement in how women are portrayed in ads, but though we’re seeing more images of wobblier, tougher lasses, where are the funny ones? Carol Cooper investigates.

Insight

It's a funny business

Is humour still a crucial part of advertising? Has the Trump/Brexit axis of twattery and other woes of the world nudged mirth off the menu? Has snowflakery pushed us from joke to woke? Carol Cooper and industry pros take a look at lols in adland.

Inspiration

My Comedy Hero

From The Far Side's dad jokes to Joan Rivers' liberating loud mouth, who (or what) tickles the funny bones of adland's top talents?

Talent

Editor Saam Hodivala cuts to the comedy chase

The Work Editorial editor on cutting for comedy and fostering a funny partnership with Jeff Low.

Insight

Where's the sugar? In defence of funny ads

Veteran art director Dave Dye reckons there's commercial sense behind ads that make people smile. So why have they fallen out of fashion?

A comedy of (good) manners On My Radar: Shimmy Ahmed Mark Denton: A few of my favourite things

Insight

Too punny for words

From the Economist's classic print ads to Domino’s cheesy pun-generating bot, Tim Cumming explores the weird and wonderful world of wordplay in advertising.

Inspiration

On My Radar: Max McKeon

The Colenso BBDO New Zealand Creative Director reflects on his soft spot for westerns and Richard Ayoade, and wishes advertising was called something else.

Talent

Ben Gregor's funny bones

Director Ben Gregor, left, with comedian and actor Greg Davies, has been at the heart of humour his entire career, whether through short films, commercials, TV shows or features. Here he discusses comedy, confidence and knowing when something is funny enough.

How To... Cut Comedy Ads Becky Martin on funny bones, female directors and formulas for LOLs Jordan Brady: A few of my favourite things

Inspiration

On My Radar: D.A.D.D.Y.

Mike Ahern [right] and Enda Loughman [left] are directing duo D.A.D.D.Y. Here, the self-described ‘two youngish Irishmen with big noses' relay what's on their creative radar, including a film regarded as "one of the worst ever made".

Insight

Don’t bulls**t purpose, make us laugh

Two time Comedy BAFTA nominee and one time winner (for The Revolution Will Be Televised), and the co-founder of Don’t Panic, Joe Wade, gives us his opinion of why comedy sells.

Inspiration

On My Radar: Paul & Jono

Johannes Leonardo associate creative directors Paul Gregson [right] and Jono Flannery [left] reveal what's on their inspirational radar.

Insight

When it comes to 'branded comedy', fortune favours the brave

With the 'digital guillotine' poised to fall on brands who stick out their necks for laughs, Hughie Phillips, co-founder and MD of MindsEye, argues that risks are nonetheless worth taking.

Inspiration

On My Radar: Benjamin Green

MindsEye's Emmy award-winning director - whose comedy credentials include Carpool Karaoke, An Idiot Abroad, and British Airways' safety video - reveals why comedy is going through a tough time and why Larry David is a legend.

The Sustainability Focus

It’s the burning question – with humanity facing an existential threat more potent than war, famine or disease, how can an industry full of world-class communicators talk about the climate crisis? shots discusses low-carbon film production, greenwashing and the paradox of consumerism vs planetary survival.

The Neurodiversity Focus

With growing awareness that an estimated 20 per cent of the global population is neurodiverse - the fact that advertising needs to get on top of the spectrums is a no-brainer. This month, shots speaks to experts, commentators and ADHD/ASD-powered adfolk about battling stigma, enhanced creativity and making more ND inclusive campaigns.

The Music Video Focus

Since the 90s, when their budgets ran to millions, the internet and tech advances have made music videos easier to view, cheaper to produce and, possibly, more disposable. But is the medium a dying art, or still the best way for a director to get noticed? shots probes the state of the promo nation.

The Photography & Cinematography Focus

In a cacophonous digital culture that bombards us with a stream of personal image-sharing and branded visuals, it can be hard for photography to stand out. This month, shots pulls focus on the DPs and photographers whose work sets the optic nerves a-tingle and considers the input of non-human image generators.