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Scotch whisky Chivas Regal and ad agency Euro RSCG London tasked 2010 Academy Award Winner Joachim Back with shooting two films based on friendship.

The shorts have been posted on Facebook, Chivas.com and the Chivas YouTube channel. The first Here’s To Big Bear, follows Joe, Sammy, Nicolas and Emilio as they find themselves stranded at a train station in the middle of nowhere after getting off at the wrong stop.

Mercedes-Benz has teamed with music streaming outfit Grooveshark to create the Coupe Remixes campaign to mark the launch of the 2012 C-Class Coupe from the high-end car brand, says Mark Terry.

The initiative, which runs through to 8 December, enables consumers to select their top eight out of 12 songs to be remixed as part of an exclusive album showcasing the new car. Included in the track list are two Johnny Cash songs – Cry! Cry! Cry! and Walk The Line – which have never before been remixed.

Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac and singer-songwriter Nicole Atkins are the first acts to front the Off The Record music conversation series from Cabo Wabo Tequila on the brand’s YouTube channel. The duo came together in Fleetwood’s hometown of Maui, at his new bar Fleetwood’s, to talk career beginnings, nights on stage, song inspirations, tour secrets and rumoured band romances.

American Express has launched the Amex Entertainment channel on Facebook to provide music fans and cardmembers with access to exclusive ticket offers, insider updates and ‘innovative experiences’ with some of the biggest names in music, says Mark Terry.

Close to 90% of marketers surveyed by video ads outfit smartclip say that online video is more effective than, or as effective as, linear/banner advertising, up from the 66% who thought so this time last year, writes Steve Mullins. Respondents also say they most associate digital video advertising with entertainment (66%), sport (64%) and social media (40%).

Almost half of those surveyed have embraced digital video advertising in their campaigns, and close to two thirds say that they will be considering it as an option over the next 12 months.

By Maria Stadtmueller. Online games platform Coke Zero Gaming Zone On MSN, which launched in nine European markets earlier this year, has racked up more than 2 million visits to date.

“The natural link that gaming provides to our brand positioning of ‘making the impossible possible’ ensures it is the perfect arena for Coke Zero to venture into,” says Zoe Howorth, market activation director for Coca‑Cola Great Britain. “The Coke Zero Gaming Zone will give us potential to continue developing a common and ambitious approach with MSN to reach our audience.”

Clarins has launched a casual game on Facebook. Spa Life challenges consumers with running a spa, and players need to create a luxurious atmosphere and deal with a flow of demanding customers looking for manicures, pedicures, facials et al.

By Maria Stadtmueller. Grolsch has tasked three directors – Harmony Korine in the US, Alexsei Fedorchenko in Russia and Poland’s Jan Kwiecinski – with shooting 30-minute films to be stitched together to make a full-length feature. Each film maker will follow the a brief designed by project director Eddy Moretti, executive director of Vice Films, who will oversee continuity.