DGA Nominations 2012

Forget the Oscars hype – the DGA has unveiled the nominees in the commercial category for the Guild’s 64^th annual awards, taking place at the end of the month.

Park Picture’s Lance Acord, MJZ’s Dante Ariola and Fredrik Bond, @radical.media’s Steve Miller and Biscuit Filmwork’s Noam Murro have all received nods from the Directors Guild of America in this year’s commercial category.

shots Director of the Year Acord’s inclusion comes off the back of a standout 2011. His second nomination from the DGA, the four spots credited are VW The Force through Deutsch LA, Nike Basketball Paint the Town via W+K, NBA Sweetest Moment from Goodby Silverstein & Partners, and Nike The Chosen with 72andSunny.

Two of MJZ’s directors, also named shots Production Company of the Year, make the shortlist. 2006 winner Dante Ariola receives his sixth nomination, this time for three pieces of work - Jim Beam Parallels via Strawberry Frog, VW Black Betty through Deutsch LA, and Nissan Leaf Gas Powered Everything from TBWAChiatDay. Fredrik Bond is also nominated for the fourth time for his two films through W+K Amsterdam for Heineken, The Entrance and The Date.

The only first-timer in the category is @radical.media director Steve Miller, who is nominated for his Dos Equis campaign with Euro RSCG NY and two Geico spots through The Martin Agency, as well as his Cheetos Fort ad via Goodby Silverstein and Partners and Ortega Parking Lot spot through Grey.

Rounding out the 2012 nominees is Biscuit Filmwork’s Noam Murro, making his sixth appearance on the list. Crowned the winner in 2004, this time two pieces through W+K, Heineken Light Handlebar Moustache and EA Battlefield 3 Is It Real?, are mentioned, alongside DirecTV Hot House via Grey NY and VW Tiguan Piñata, again from Deutsch LA. 

The awards ceremony will take place on Saturday 28 January at the Grand Ballroom at Hollywood and Highland in Los Angeles, and for a full list of nominees in all categories visit the DGA website.