TODAY PROMAX, TOMORROW THE WORLD!*

In a moment of what might possibly have been high drama at the 2005 PROMAX North American Awards, animator Joel Trussell rocked the mostly inebriated audience of marketing, promotion, and broadcasting professionals when he was awarded one of its top prizes.

Trussell’s animated short for Jewelry Television, “Gemstones on the Loose,” triumphed in the highly coveted “Consumer Promotion” category for Cable Channels & Networks. Overcoming such powerful competitors as the Food Network and the Family Channel, Trussell’s whimsical tale of a gemstone skipping its way through people’s hearts captured the imagination of judges—and the Gold. (Disclosure: Comedy Central and Hallmark somehow also won Gold awards in this category.)

This was the first of three successful spots Trussell directed for Jewelry Television.
http://www.abacuscreativemanagement.com/artists/trussell/commercials/acn2.htm . The following two spots were an integral part in producing the single highest sales day in the history of Jewelry Television.

The PROMAX & BDA Awards are the most prestigious accolades to be earned in the field of marketing and promotion in electronic media, presented by a non-profit association with over 4,000 members in 60 countries. Encouraged by this vindication from his peers, Trussell has vowed to use this mandate to further his bold mission of spreading great animation into promotional TV spots.

“This might help get me some more work,” he declared. “That would be really cool.”

As many of the PROMAX & BDA conventioneers undoubtedly asked themselves as they left the New York Marriott Marquis ballroom that night, “Who the heck is Joel Trussell?”

He is one of America’s hottest (somewhat unknown) animators and illustrators working today. As the former animation director for Smashing Ideas, Inc., he produced work for clients such as Coca-Cola, Disney, and Madonna. As a freelancer, his music videos for Atomic Swindlers and kid606 have been accepted in film festivals from Brooklyn to Barcelona (see attached list.) Meanwhile, his illustrations have appeared in the NY Press, Houston Press, Portland Mercury, San Diego City Beat, Zink Magazine, Portland Mercury, Boston Weekly Dig, Charleston City Paper and many more.

According to PopCult Magazine, “Trussell draws and paints and animates in a variety of different styles, creating some rather bizarre yet oddly familiar imagery. Processing the artistic and cultural influences of his youth, he fuses them into arresting confluences of cross-generational icons from the pop culture landscape. In other words, they're really cool pictures.”

Really cool pictures: What our nation’s broadcasters need most, and what Joel Trussell can supply in abundance. Call now.

* The world of reasonably priced animation and/or illustration projects.

About PROMAX & BDA:
PROMAX & BDA are the world's foremost organizations working on behalf of those involved in the promotion, marketing, and design of all electronic media. They represent more than 4,200 member companies and individuals in over 60 countries.

PROMAX & BDA members work in television, radio, and digital media. They include senior executives, producers, and designers involved in the creation of advertising, graphics, and marketing materials for their companies. Together they build huge audiences, generate enormous revenue, administer massive budgets, and exert immense cultural influence.

Current work by Joel Trussell:
Atomic Swindlers’ “Float (my electric stargirl)” animated music video has been accepted by:
HypeFest film and video film festival 2005
Hollywood, California http://www.hypefest.com/

4th annual Indie Music Video Festival
Victoria, Vancouver, Seattle, Toronto, New York and Calgary http://www.imvf.com
VIDFEST International Digital Festival 2005
Vancouver http://www.vidfest.com
Animation Block Valentine Film Festival 2005
Brooklyn, New York http://www.animationblock.com
Image out Film Festival 2004
Rochester, New York http://www.imageout.org

kid606’s “The Illness” animated music video was shown at:
NYUFF Audio/Visual Music Video Competition, 2003, Brooklyn, Finalist
Sonar Festival 2004, Barcelona
NEXT Festival 2004, Toronto, (One of 16 to be selected)
HypeFest 2004, Los Angeles, Honorable Mention Animation Award

Links:
Joel Trussell’s personal website: http://www.joeltrussell.com/
Joel Trussell’s web page at Abacus Creative Management:
http://www.abacuscreativemanagement.com/artists/trussell/default.htm
“Gemstones on the Loose” video:
http://www.abacuscreativemanagement.com/artists/trussell/commercials/acn2.htm
“Float (my electric stargirl)” and “The Illness” music videos:
http://www.abacuscreativemanagement.com/artists/trussell/videos/
About Abacus Creative Management:
Abacus Creative Management represents a diverse range of artists. Representing talent on a national level, the agency promotes commercial artists in graphic design, film production, photography, and music.
http://www.abacuscreativemanagement.com
####