Alice Cooper and John Oates Ask, ‘What Are The AMP Awards?’ in Comic Promos

Imagine that you’ve coaxed iconic rockers Alice Cooper and John Oates to appear in short videos promoting the final entry deadline into your advertising awards competition for music and sound, only to learn that they have no idea what it is. On top of that, they’re a bit confused as to why they’ve been asked to do something for an event they’ve never heard of in the first place. Their managers will hear about this. 

So will the advertising community when they get a look at these two short comedy videos, released by the Association of Music Producers, sponsors of the AMP Awards for Music & Sound, and created and produced in partnership with Attic22, the in-house production studio of Johannes Leonardo. The videos were shot last week in Scottsdale and Los Angeles.

In each video, the artists proclaim to know nothing about the AMP Awards and have to be coaxed into providing this key bit of information: that the extended deadline for the ad industry’s only non-profit juried show for music and sound is coming up on Monday, March 18th. Full entry information and details can be found here.

“As advertising’s only award show dedicated to music and sound our goal is simple - shine the biggest possible spotlight on all the talented professionals whose work too often doesn’t get the attention it deserves,” explains Leo Premutico, co-founder and creative chairman of Johannes Leonardo and this year’s AMP Awards Show Chairperson. “We’re extremely grateful to John and Alice for throwing their weight behind this mission.” 

“The idea of having immediately identifiable rock stars helping promote an awards show they’re totally unfamiliar with gave us an opportunity for a little ironic humour,” adds Mitchell Wojcik, director and photographer of Attic22, who filmed both stars.

Neither artist needs an introduction. John is half of the best-selling duo in rock history, as well as an accomplished solo artist. He’s a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, The American Songwriters Hall of Fame, recipient of the prestigious BMI Icon Award as well as numerous American Music and MTV Awards, and multiple Grammy nominations.

Alice, also a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member, pioneered a grandly theatrical brand of hard rock that was designed to shock. Drawing equally from horror movies, vaudeville, and garage rock, the group created a stage show that featured electric chairs, guillotines, fake blood and boa constrictors. He continues to tour regularly, performing shows worldwide with the dark and horror-themed theatrics that he’s best known for.

Al Risi of Groove Guild, a member of the AMP Awards Steering Committee, says that once he explained the campaign’s premise to Alice’s and John’s managers, both were quickly on board. “These artists have created music that’s transcended generations and still strikes a chord today,” he notes, “forging immediate emotional connections, just like the best advertising does. We’re so grateful they decided to play along with us. They were both great to work with and happy to play a cameo role in the advertising music ecosystem, for the greater good of the music and sound community. For both AMP and the artists, this is a win win.”

Both Alice and John are busy with a variety of projects and new work, Al notes, ranging from Alice Cooper’s upcoming 'Freaks on Parade' summer tour, his latest album, 'Road', his popular 'Alice’s Attic' radio show and new music slated for release later this year. John, meanwhile, has a new single out, 'Get Your Smile On,' has a new solo album slated for release later in ‘24 and is touring across the country through the end of the summer. In a recent article (read it here), he talked about his new music and his approach to connecting with audiences.  

In addition to the videos promoting entries, both artists recorded video teasers designed to drive ticket sales for the AMP Awards gala presentation, which will take place on May 15th, 2024 at Sony Hall.

The extended entry deadline for the AMP Awards is now March 18th, 2024 @ 11.59 pm PT. To be eligible for the competition, work must have first aired or been released between February 27th, 2023 and February 12th, 2024. For full details on entering, along with fees, category descriptions and rules, visit the AMP Awards entry portal here.

The AMP Awards features 13 categories covering everything from original music and sound design to best use of licensed music, outstanding adaptations/arrangements, outstanding mix, best artist and brand collaborations and audio-only executions. Entry is open to work commissioned by a client for release via streaming or linear TV, digital, mobile, experiential and other brand-supported media. The event also features live performances by both established and up and coming artists, giving them an opportunity to showcase their talents in front of an audience of potential buyers of music and sound for brands.