thINK

Solidarités International and its agency BDDP Unlimited released this beautiful spot to build awareness of the scourge of undrinkable water. To evoke the silent and invisible threat of unhealthy water, BDDP Unlimited opted for a minimalist approach that is both visually appealing and surprising, using water and ink exclusively. The spot shows the power of ink to reveal the invisible.

CHIP SHOP AWARDS

if people didn't complain
advertising would be so much better

JAZZ

another epic animated spot for Honda. although the core message may not be as convincing as 'Grrr', W+K have once again combined fantastical animation with an enchanting and charming narrative to great effect.

FBK. LIKE?

it has taken over. taken over social lives. taken over the web. and definitely taken over advertising.

Mark Zuckerberg has borne what is essentially a social documentary, containing details and images of our daily movements. where once a spontaneous snap could be tucked away and kept as a welcome reminder of a moment in our lives, it now acts as a potentially friendship ruining, relationship ending, employment terminating and reputation destroying piece of evidence. the flash of a camera is now immediately greeted with panic... 'don't tag me in that'. facebook terminology has even inserted itself into our vernacular; like, dislike, poke, detag... it hardly induces eloquence.

this online phenomenon does however have its obvious and real benefits. having spent a few months traveling in recent years i came to the realisation that without facebook communication, my family and friends wouldn't have had any real idea what i was up to; where i was going, where i had been. people we met along the way would just be past memories, email addresses on pieces of paper that would never be contacted.

it has become the perfect medium for direct advertising allowing specific targeting, apps, discussions, viral, and interaction. The visuals have even become iconic enough to use in offline advertising, as fantastically demonstrated in the above press campaign.

WITTY PRINT

two recent print ads that have brought on a smirk. the tag for Curly Balls reads
"No luck at all? Have a curly ball."

WHAT A WEEK

through cheery illustrative visuals and well justified positivity, DDB have managed to eulogise and romanticise every working day of the week. a perfect tone for Tropicana's daily dose of sunshine campaign.

these would make for great decorations around the office...

THE NIKE OF MILK

i was always a big fan of the original Cravendale "miiiiilk" ads featuring the plastic pirate and die-cast cow. they instantly created a very strong brand image in what threatened to be a new branding war for another fairly innate product - much like the bottled water game. moving on from this initial success Wieden & Kennedy have taken a completely different approach, but to equal acclaim. their slightly more product-related "cats with thumbs" TV spot is fantastic; comical, cleverly narrated, and worryingly thought-provoking for any cat owners out there who are au fait with 'the stare'.

RIO SMILES

fantastic stunt.
just watching the video evokes happiness!

A NEW TARGET

these great press ads approach the subject of sexual assault awareness differently to most others i have seen. the usual target for such ads is the victim, in this case inebriated women. these awareness campaigns typically urge women to restrict their behaviour, suggest they be more vigilant, or detail how they should best deal with the aftermath.

this campaign addresses alcohol-facilitated sexual assault without blaming the victim, through stark, striking imagery and succinct, hard-hitting copy. targeting potential offenders surely makes much more sense, as they are responsible for the assault and ultimately responsible for stopping it.

after all, drink driving awareness ads don't target innocent pedestrians, telling them to watch out for the pissed-up idiot veering down the road...

ONE OF THE BREAST

INEVITABLE WRINKLING

if ever a series has seen deterioration through progression, it has to be skins.

that being said, after the encapturing arcade-fire-endorsed trailer for the latest series i must say i was tempted, but this temptation rapidly subsided on viewing the early teasers hailing lines such as "i'm metal!" and subsequently, i decided to give it a miss.

however, flicking over tonight and settling on E4 for the latter half of the aforementioned 'current' teen drama, i was gripped. the portrayal of debauched late teen life is pretty spot on (depending on perspective of course). raw, honest, and indulgent.

upsettingly, the only feeling left lingering on the end credits was one of; shit. i've grown up.

DELIGHTFUL DIGITAL

M&M's.

SUPERBOWL

following in the footsteps of Old Spice's 'the man your man should smell like' was never going to be an easy fete, and i think it's safe to say noone came close to toppling said TV bit during this years most viewed airtime slot.

just the two stand outs from superbowl 2011 for me, and both of them car ads.

HOW TO GET PEOPLE TALKING. STUNTS

some absolute gems in here.
this method of advertising always seems to inspire some of the most creative thinking.

LOOSE MEN

andy gray and richard keys.
any worse than this lot?!
this daytime TV drivel sees the haggle of middle-aged misandrists spout out endless sexual innuendo's and slate the opposite sex. the only difference between this and graykeysgate is that for this sad show, the conversations are meant to be aired. for entertainment!
it seems odd that a group of guys sat around chatting during half time of a football match should be chastised for voicing an opinion, or making a laddish, if slightly lewd comment... off camera!

EPIC EXPERIENTIAL

Y&R London's infused with imagination campaign for Bombay Sapphire is a fantastic piece of ambient experiential. captivating and almost hypnotic, i imagine such a display would have driven a fair few of the guests to gin-based cocktails at the ensuing event.

SKY STUNNER #2

the gorgeous panning shots across the new york skyline, enhanced by the flashes of sun glare and coupled with a mesmeric narrative makes for another incredibly enchanting advert from sky.

PRINT OF THE WEEK

a couple of stand out print ads i have come across this week.
TOP Feel like a star. for Dr. Tint, a glass-tinting service for cars.
BOTTOM Extends Life. for Sekunda Glue.

ANECDOTAL METAPHORS & METAPHORICAL ANECDOTES

dave trott's blog.
always a great read.

REQUIEM FOR A NIGHTMARE

a loose recommendation lead to myself and 3 pals watching Requiem for a dream on a "relaxed" friday night in. we were not expecting what has to be one of the most forceful and abrasive anti-drug narratives ever. the film presents the darkest take imaginable on a story of hopes and dreams shattered by drug addiction. there was no preaching or sermonizing, just a hypnotic and almost-clinical depiction of lives laid to waste. Aronofsky's chillingly graphic vision succeeded in giving us a nightmare not lightly forgotten.