Russo's Agent/Mgr David Goldman was able to present Russo's "Absolut Amazement" to the legendary Arnie Arlow at TBWA thanks to his childhood friend + uber-copywriter Jeff Linder. Arnie totally freaked out over this 3D "Drop-Thru" Maze concept featuring the Absolut Vodka bottle and bought it on sight. This was the 2nd most expensive print ad placement for a singe placement in the famed Absolut Artist Series and ran as a double gatefold in The Atlantic Monthly mag in March of 1992. It ran as a challenge to reader to complete the maze, and 1100 respondents did just that! "Mazemaster" Russo was well on his way establishing himself as one of the greatest interactive artist's of all time once thisad was published.
RUSSO was on 5th Ave in a major bookstore window creating 4' x 8' black marker mazes in view of the public passing bye on the street, when John Ficarra the managing editor of MAD saw his work and told him that he'd try to figure out a way to use him in MAD. As Russo can create any shape, font, or portrait w/his maze motifs, the cover featuring Alfred E. Newman (above) is the idea Russo/Ficarra conceived for their coveted Collector's Edition of over 1 million units, which totally sold out. Russo went on to create posters, double page spreads and more for MAD over the years. Special thanks to Nick Meglin as well for his endless support.
BBD+O Advertising commissioned Russo to create a series of 3 ads for their Mars client which ran in magazines throughout the US. This futbol/soccer shoe really popped off the page into consumer's minds thanks to Russo's impactful maze art.
Russo's 2nd of 3 ads done at BBD+O for their client Mars' Snickers bars. The animated feel of the maze art is undeniable in this very powerful design. As far as we know, Russo is the only artist in the world able to use the maze motif this way. Every maze is a challenge to the viewer to complete w/a "start" and "finish"
I was introduced to the powers that be up at American Showcase thanks to John Bergstrom and "The Empress Herself" Connie Shannon and they loved the idea of using Russo's brain maze as the featured part of their promotion. They challenged their readers to complete the maze and return it in order to enter a drawing for a 3 day trip.
Kellogg's called on Russo to adorn millions of Raisin Bran boxes with an original brightly colored maze. We later learned that they boxes flew off the shelves at retail and people were clamoring for more boxes with mazes. The mazes appeal to all ages, nationalities, income demos and education demos. Mazes are trend resistant and set advertisers apart in a very unique way.
The US Postal Service contacted Russo to create a fun maze for kids through their directing marketing agency in NYC. Being a dad of 4, this was right up his alley and in line with his "Go For It" series of children's maze books at Simon + Schuster's Books For Young Readers division. S+S is "the" company responsible for first publishing maze books in the US.
Mazemaster Russo Promo at Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fx-RUSEGY1U
"MAZEMASTER" DAVID ANSON RUSSO'S FAMOUS STAIRCASE SERIES OF MAZES FEATURE 3D INTRICATE PORTALS, FOUNTAINS, PLANTS, WATERFALLS, DIFFERENT COLORATIONS, AND WOVEN TWISTS TO CHALLENGE (AND TRAP!)THE GREATEST OF MAZE ENTHUSIASTS. THE 3 ABOVE ARE: 1) THE BLUESTAIR MAZE 2) THE MAGENTA SPHERE MAZE & 3) THE VIA COMBUSTA MAZE-ALL PUBLISHED IN DISCOVER MAGAZINE AND LICENSED INTO SEVERAL PRODUCTS SOLD WORLDWIDE. INQUIRIES: REPRESENTED BY DAVID GOLDMAN AGENCY, #212 807 6627, OR, DG@DDAVIDGOLDMANAGENCY.COM
