CreativityMarionette Wives Feel Pretty Insecure in an Age of Wireless DirecTVGrey's odd new adsBy David Gianatasio|April 15, 2014ShareBy David Gianatasio|April 15, 2014Share If DirecTV is trying to position its Wireless Genie Mini device as a high-tech toy for doofy bros who view women as puppets—mission accomplished! Perhaps that's a tad harsh or too literal. Still, there's something unnerving about these new ads from Grey New York, directed by Bryan Buckley, featuring a life-size blonde marionette. In one ad, she struggles with her wires while pouring lemonade for a pair of DirecTV-lovin' dudes. In a second spot, our heroine dangles from the bedroom ceiling in a sexy negligee, concerned her human beau is more attracted to DirecTV. Self-conscious oddness is the obvious goal, and the campaign certainly works on that level. Even so, there's a touch of mean-spiritedness that doesn't sit right. The puppet is the most appealing part of these commercials, and it's easy to sympathize with her plight. This, in turn, kind of keeps me from feeling good about the Wireless Genie itself, which lets multiple TVs share HD-DVR programming over WiFi (so first-worlders won't trip over unsightly wires and fall flat on their Google Glass). Cut those cords and free yourself, my wooden sister! Today, there are so many ways for a marionette to be fulfilled—like rapping for JCPenney or blogging for Target. Don't let some half-wit string you along! CREDITS Client: DirecTV Campaign: "Marionettes" Agency: Grey, New York Chief Creative Officer: Tor Myhren Executive Creative Director: Dan Kelleher Vice Presidents, Creative Directors: Doug Fallon, Steven Fogel Art Director: Marques Gartrell Copywriter: Kim Nguyen Agency Executive Producer: Andrew Chinich Agency Producer: Lindsay Myers Agency Music Producer: Zachary Pollakoff Account: Chris Ross, Beth Culley, Anna Pogosova, Aaron Schwartz, Meredith Savatsky Production Company: Hungry Man Director: Bryan Buckley Executive Producer: Mino Jarjoura Producer: Rachel Curl Production Supervisor: Colette Findley Director of Photography: Scott Henriksen Editor: Tom Scherma, Cosmo Street Assistant Editor: Dave Otte, Cosmo Street Editorial Executive Producer: Maura Woodward. Cosmo Street Editorial Producer: Heather Richardson, Cosmo Street Visual Effects: The Mill Visual Effects Executive Producer: Sue Troyan, The Mill Visual Effects Producer: Anastasia Von Rahl, The Mill Casting Director, Los Angeles: Kathy Knowles, Kathy Knowles Casting Casting Director, New York: Fay Shumsey, Fay Erin Casting Audio Mixer: Tom Jucarone, Sound Lounge Adweek Adweek