Jeffrey Darling's Ad Campaign For South Australian Tourism. (All 3 Spots)

The third but no means final installment of the ads by KWP! for South Australian Tourism Commission (SATC) launched earlier this month. Following on from the highly successful Kangaroo Island, Let Yourself Go and Barossa, Be Consumed (both shown in this post) campaigns comes Adelaide, Breathe.

All three have been the result of a partnership between the South Australian Tourism Commission, KWP! Advertising and Moth Projects. In particular director Jeffrey Darling and KWP! creative director James Rickard.

The most recent, Adelaide. Breathe is 1:46 seconds of stunning imagery with a fabulous cover version of INXS "Never Tear Us Apart" sung by Australian singer /songwriter Emma Louise.

Adelaide Breathe:


When embarking on the third ad in the series, the group were very conscious of the fact other advertisers, particularly but not exclusively in the tourism category were not only taking note, but also beginning to emulate what they had done. It became imperative to step things up again and the team has done so with Adelaide, Breathe.

"What I was interested in is how we could create a new language and a new ground swell instead of resting on our laurels. This is where the success of the previous pieces has come from: to dictate the game, not be a follower - even if it is the swell we created." says Darling. "Above all I wanted the piece to be entertaining. An appreciation of entertainment and art seems to sit at the very core of Adelaide's soul."

Barossa. Be Consumed (Music: Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Red Right Hand):


Adds Rickard: "Like many cities, Adelaide is a multilayered proposition, but what sets it apart from others is its creativity, youthful entrepreneurialism and freedom that are attributes of its DNA as a freely settled colony. It is the combination of space and pace that enhances that sense of liberty."

The spot, featuring singer Emma Louise and her astronaut alter ego discovering and exploring the city and its close regions, is set to her cover version of the INXS classic, Never Tear Us Apart. The track was produced by record producer, composer and engineer Nick Launay and Midnight Oil's Jim Moginie.

Kangaroo Island, Let Yourself Go (2012):


To date the campaigns have achieved record results, along with a number of awards including the Grand Prix at Cannes Corporate Television & Media Awards, and for Cinematography at LIA Awards.

Credits for Adeliade, Breathe:
Agency: KWP! Advertising
Creative Director/Writer: James Rickard
Art Director: Michael Gagliardi
Agency Producer: Di Willson
Account Manager: Tristan Glover
Production Company: Moth Projects
Director: Jeffrey Darling
Executive Producer: Sarah Blair
Producer: Kate Sawyer
Editor: Adam Wills
Post Production: Kojo
Compositing & Colour Grading: Marty Pepper
Music: Never Tear Us Apart, INXS
Performer: Emma Louise
Producer: Nick Launay

information courtesy of campaignbrief

Newcastle's Mega Huge Super Bowl Ad Campaign For The Mega Huge Super Bowl Ads They Didn't Make.

In a clever twist on being clever, Newcastle Ale (which is owned by Heineken) has launched a Mega Huge anti-Super Bowl Ad campaign mocking the fact that they didn't create a mega Huge Super Bowl ad campaign.  With tongue-in-cheek banners, a website and a series of videos, they manage to make fun of everything related to Super Bowl advertising through the creative process, the focus group research, the teaser/trailer/making of phenomenon, the would-be pitchmen: Anna Kendrick and Keyshawn Johnson and of course, the prohibitive cost.

Here is the full campaign (thus far) followed by the press release:

The banner:


Their Facebook Page cover photo:


Their website home page:


The 9 funny videos below are shown in the order in which they were released:

1,. The Ad Newcastle made to prepare you for the ad they didn't make:


2. Newcastle's Cheap Ad they made for the pricey ad they didn't make:


3. The Teaser for the Trailer for Newcastle's Mega Huge Football Game Ad.
It's so epic, they made a trailer for the trailer:


4. The Official Stock Footage Trailer for the Mega Huge Football Game Ad they didn't make:


5. Newcastle's Mega Huge Football Ad Focus group:


6. Actual focus groups react to the Mega Football Ad they didn't make:


7. Keyshawn Johnson: Behind The Scenes of the Mega Huge Football Ad they almost made:


8. Anna Kendrick: Behind The Scenes of the Mega Huge Football Ad they almost made:


9 IT'S OFFICIAL: Real Focus Groups gave Newcastle's Mega Huge Football Game Ad a Mega Huge Score:


A 10th video is expected soon:


The Press Release:

Newcastle Brown Ale taps Anna Kendrick and Keyshawn Johnson to star in the greatest Big Game ad never made

Actress and singer Anna Kendrick has racked up an impressive string of triumphs: Oscar, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild nominations for her performance in “Up in the Air;” a starring role in the hit film “Pitch Perfect;” and most recently with her 2013 triple-platinum single, “Cups.” But she will never get the chance to play what might have been her greatest role yet: the lead in an epic, Big Game spot for Newcastle Brown Ale.

It’s too bad Newcastle doesn’t believe in spending millions on a Mega Huge Football Game ad because it would have been amazing. Instead, Kendrick and football legend Keyshawn Johnson are taking center stage in a tongue-in-cheek marketing effort dubbed “If We Made It” that pokes fun at the ridiculous excess, overused schtick and over-the-top antics found in traditional Big Game commercials.

Newcastle may not be making the ad, but fortunately fans will be able to see all the trailers, storyboards, focus groups and behind-the-scenes interviews with Kendrick and Johnson at www.IfWeMadeIt.com. There also will be fresh content posted in real-time on the day of the Big Game.

“We think the formula for creating the most epic Big Game commercial of all time is pretty simple, but when it comes down to it, we’d rather have people drink our beer while watching other companies’ ads,“ said Charles van Es, senior brand director for Newcastle Brown Ale. “And to be honest, we don’t really have the money or permission to advertise on the game either.”

What did the world miss when Newcastle decided to keep its focus on making great beer instead of spending millions on making outlandish ads? Giant robots, beach babes and crazy celebrity cameos – as well as Kendrick starring as Hot Party Girl #1 and Johnson voicing a skateboarding cat.

“It’s a shame Newcastle didn’t have the budget to actually produce and air this ad. I was really looking forward to a huge paycheck for doing no real work at all,” said Anna Kendrick. “Indie cred from award-winning films is great and all, but I can’t buy a new car with indie cred.”

“Newcastle asked me to be in its Big Game ad, and I wish they would’ve made it, because I truly believe it would’ve been the greatest football-related thing I’ve ever done,” said Keyshawn Johnson. “For years, I’ve dreamed of voicing a skateboard-riding cat in a beer commercial, and thanks to Newcastle, I nearly achieved that oddly specific goal.”

Fans can join in on the fun at www.IfWeMadeIt.com or by following Newcastle on Facebook and Twitter, where they’ll find a variety of humorous content related to the astonishing Big Game ad that would have blown the world’s mind – everything except the ad, of course.

The program was created in partnership with Droga5 and is part of Newcastle’s long-running “No Bollocks” campaign, which takes a lighthearted, no-nonsense, honest approach to marketing by shining a light on the silly, stale and sometimes deceptive clichés often found in beer advertising.

www.IfWeMadeIt.com

A Driveable Truck Made Of Ice Makes For One Cool Product Demo.

Here's a product demonstration that will leave you cold...  -49°C to be accurate. Canadian automotive parts retailer and manufacturer, Canadian Tire, constructed a completely drivable truck made of ice on the frame of a Chevrolet 2500HD to test the limitations of their MotoMaster Eliminator AGM battery. The truck was then used in a Canadian television commercial (shown at the end of this post).



They froze this battery to -49°C (-52° Farneheit) , then used it to start up the ice truck built out of more than 11,000 lbs of ice.





The project had numerous challenges. To put 14,000 pounds of ice on a regular truck frame, it had to be welded rigid because if it moves even a fraction of an inch it will crack the ice. And while your ice cubes at home may have a white center because of the air trapped inside, they had to remove all that air so the blocks were crystal clear.




The Canadian Tire Ice Truck even has an ice engraved vanity plate:



And an ice sculpted rear view mirror with an Ice Pine Tree Air Freshener hanging from it:


And ice sculpted side-view mirrors:


More pics:




The television commercial that aired in Canada:


And a look Behind The Scenes:


The tools that went into constructing the Canadian Tire Ice Truck:


Once it was all said and done, the ice truck had to be melted, which required a blow torch:


And here's an artsy time-lapse video (in reverse) of the ice truck....
Melt Video of the Canadian Tire Ice Truck (Extended):


Learn about the car batteries here

information courtesy of Canadian Tire;

Poetic TV Ads For Visa and Apple Borrow From Dead Legends.

Two new spots, both of whom quote deceased legends in their copy - Visa quoting Amelia Earhart and Apple double quoting (from the movie "Dead Poet's Society" in which there is a quote from Walt Whitman) - have recently broken on American television. Beautiful and inspiring cinematography accompany the goose-bump inducing copy in both spots.

Visa Olympics "Flying"
This lovely and inspiring spot is the first major work from BBDO since the agency, which lost Visa as a client in 2005, won back the lead creative duties from TBWA Chiat/Day in September, 2012.

The commercial celebrates Sarah Hendrickson and the Olympic debut of Women's Ski Jumping with the words of a great woman who loved to fly.



The social media segment will use the hashtag #everywhere; a sample post for the Visa Facebook page, referring to the Hendrickson spot, reads: "That's her #everywhere. Imagine yours." They further encourage you to "Get inspired with more athlete content at visa.tumblr.com."

Apple, iPad Air "Your Verse"
With a voiceover by Robin Williams taken directly from the movie "Dead Poet's Society", this one and a half minute spot from TBWA\Media Arts Lab combines the features and use of the iPad with stunning imagery and ends with "The powerful play goes on, but you may contribute a verse. What will your verse be?" asks the campaign.



They then encourage you to share your own "verse" at http://www.apple.com/your-verse/

Foot Locker's Week Of Greatness Is Introduced By "All Is Right", A Hilarious TV Spot About Making Wrongs Right.

"I kept that in formaldehyde" says Mike Tyson of Evander Holyfield's ear, which Tyson partially bit off in a Championship fight 16 years ago, and now returns in a gift box to the former Heavyweight fighter.

Sound funny? It is. And it's just one of the brilliant moments in Foot Locker's new tv spot to promote the stores' Week Of Greatness and the premium shoe releases which begin on November 23rd.


above: Kyrie Irving's dream brings together some of the most eclectic stars past and present to proclaim once and for all that “All is Right” during Foot Locker's Week of Greatness.

The minute long television commercial by BBDO New York and directed by Jim Jenkins brings back NBA's Kyrie Irving as a spokesman, dreaming of righting the world's wrongs - which also include sending Dennis Rodman to North Korea permanently, seeing Brett Favre finally walk away, and Craig Sager's decision to finally change his wardrobe.



CREDITS
Client: Foot Locker
Spot: "All Is Right"
Agency: BBDO, New York
Chief Creative Officer: David Lubars
Senior Creative Directors: Chris Beresford-Hill, Dan Lucey
Senior Content Producer: Tricia Lentini
Creative Director, Copywriter: Alex Taylor
Creative Director, Art Director: Jason Stefanik
Executive Music Producer: Melissa Chester
Senior Account Director: Troy Tarwater
Account Director: Janelle Van Wonderen
Account Executive: Nick Robbins
Assistant Account Executive: Samuel Henderson
Production Company: O Positive Films
Director: Jim Jenkins
Executive Producer: Ralph Laucella
Executive Producer, Line Producer: Marc Grill
Director of Photography: Ramsay Niokell
Music House: South Music
Edit House: Mackenzie Cutler
Editor: Ian Mackenzie
Assistant Editor: Nick Divers
Visual Effects House: Schmigital
Sound Mix: Heard City
Sound Mixer: Keith Reynaud

Creepy Space Age Film for Prada: The Future Of Flesh Directed by Luke Gilford

Commissioned by Prada for their Autumn/Winter ’13 collection, Los Angeles-based writer, director & photographer Luke Gilford collaborated with Document Journal, actress Jane Fonda, and Jake Shears, formerly of Scissor Sisters, to create an chilling space-age short film, entitled The Future of Flesh.



The blog, One small seed writes "With Jake Shears’ eerie music score creating an almost sci-fi horror atmosphere, Gilford – in only just over a minute – manages to indulge us in a discourse of age, mimicry, the future and and high fashion. Faces elongated and latex as skin, the models are far from stereotypical in their aesthetic, perhaps serving as a metaphor for Prada’s new collection: typically that there is nothing mediocre or ordinary when it comes to Prada. The director also opens up the discussion of the industry moving past traditional standards of beauty, allowing room for new intellectual thought processes and denying the age-old idea of fashion being equivalent to mindlessness."





The New York Times Magazine reports that 'The eerie, evocative video features an original score by Jake Shears of Scissor Sisters and is narrated by Jane Fonda — not coincidentally, another complicated feminist icon. While the clip is not the usual terrain for Fonda, she was easily convinced to lend her voice.'


above: Jane Fonda at LACMA, 2012 (image courtesy of zimbio)

“When Jake asked me to collaborate on the video I thought, For Jake, anything. He’s so out-of-this-world creative and cutting-edge, I knew it would be exciting. I was right,” she said, describing the project as “just wild and unique and Pedro Almodovarish.”

Director: Luke Gilford
Score: Jake Shears
Voice: Jane Fonda
Wardrobe: Prada
Cast: Rosalie Gilford, Rya Kleinpeter, Peggy Noland, Renata Raksha
Jewelry: Lynn Ban

sources: One small seed,  Luke Gilford, Document Journal  and the New York Times' T Magazine

Disgustingly Cute. No, Wait.. I Mean Disgusting AND Cute. Halloween Treats Gone Wrong.

There's nothing like seeing little kids in costumes. Cute. There's nothing like seeing little kids spit out food and throw up. Gross. And in this "Halloween" commercial for Crest & Oral B, you get both. Effectively.

Directed by J.J. Adler and dreamt up by ad agency Publicis Kaplan Thaler, a panel of unsuspecting trick or treaters are tricked rather than treated when offered 'healthy' Halloween treats.

See what ensues:

The reactions are priceless:


Long Live Candy!



CREDITS
Client: Crest and Oral-B
Spot: "Halloween Treats Gone Wrong"
Agency: Publicis Kaplan Thaler
Chief Creative Officer, President: Rob Feakins
Executive Creative Directors: David Corr, Tony Gomes
Creative Director, Copywriter: George Logothetis
Creative Director, Art Director: Xavier Rodon
Executive Producer: Noelle Nimrichter
Account Team: Angela Pasqualucci, Cheryl Loo, Carine Johannes, Alex Andrial, Dani Winter
Production Company: Tool of North America
Director: J.J. Adler
Editing: Fluid Editorial
Editor: John Piccolo

"The Developer", A Beautiful Samsung Gear Spot Celebrates A Real Project by The Messi Foundation.

More and more, traditional :30 and :60 second spots from large marketers are paling in comparison to their branded content that they are calling "short films" - if you can call a two minute digital video a short film. The latest is this beautifully produced musically-inspired spot for Samsung (who also recently released "Dreams," a 2:57 minute digital short for the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, that was cut down to a minute long tv commercial for air, and is shown at the end of this post).



Told from a child's perspective, "The Developer" is a musical short film by Samsung featuring world-renowned footballer and Unicef Goodwill Ambassador, Lionel (Leo) Messi, and the hit single "Royals" by hot New Zealand Pop Star Lorde.


above photo of Lorde by Simeon Patience.

The beautiful 2 minute branded content was created by Leo Burnett, Chicago and is a dramatic retelling of an actual project completed by the Leo Messi Foundation. Directed by Adam Hashemi the film has wardrobe designed by Paco Delgado, who was the costume designer for the film version of Les Misérables.



In case you didn't understand what's happening in the spot (and I'm not trying to be pedantic here), a mysterious stranger arrives in a low income neighborhood and captures the imaginations of the children who live there. He is "The Developer" and the children view him with a deep suspicion.

Together with his Samsung GALAXY Note 3 and GALAXY Gear, The Developer effortlessly masterminds a secret construction project. Using the latest in Samsung technology including Action Memo, Pen Window, Scrapbook and hands-free call capability on the Gear, The Developer orchestrates and executes his mysterious mission.

The children watch in awe. They reflect on their current situation by singing New Zealand Pop star Lorde's breakout hit "Royals," a song about overcoming her own humble beginnings.

The spot concludes with a beautiful new pitch that has been constructed in the toughest part of town. The Developer is revealed to be the world's reigning football star, Lionel Messi, fulfilling his personal mission* to help under privileged children.



The events in this story are a dramatic retelling of actual projects completed by the Leo Messi Foundation.

* The Leo Messi Foundation

CREDITS
Client: Samsung
Spot: "The Developer"
Agency: Leo Burnett, Chicago
Executive Vice President, Creative Director: Shannon McGlothin
Senior Vice Presidents, Creative Directors: Brandon Rochon, Adam Kennedy
Creative Directors: Guy Seese, Brian Murphy
Senior Vice President, Account Director: Radim Svoboda
Account Director: Benjamin Haynes
Account Executive: Cameron Zick
Senior Vice President, Executive Producer: Jen Dennis
Producer: Keith Jamerson
Vice President, Music Director: Gabe McDonough
Senior Music Producer: Chris Clark
Senior Vice President, Global Strategy Director: Huw Gildon
Senior Vice President, Strategy Director: Steven Yuan
Senior Strategist: Marton Harsanyi
Production Company: Furlined
Director: Adam Hashemi
Executive Producer: Eriks Krumins
Editing: Rock Paper Scissors
Editor: Mikkel EG
Executive Producer: Carol Lynn Weaver
Music Supervisor: George Drakoulias
Sound Designer: Gus Koven, Stimmung
Mixer: Loren Silber, Lime Studios
Music Production Support: Amber Music
Postproduction: The Mill


"DREAMS"
In case you haven't yet seen the complete cut of Dreams, here it is:


Credits for Dreams:
Advertising Agency: Leo Burnett, L.A. / Chicago, USA
Global Chief Creative Officer: Mark Tutssel
Creative Directors: Shannon McGlothin, Brandon Rochon, Adam Kennedy
Designer: Luis Farfan
Creative: Sarah Kraus
Account Director: Radim Svoboda
Account Director: Benjamin Haynes
Account Executive: Cameron Zick
Executive Producer: Jennifer Dennis
Producer: Sean Pinney
Production Company: Prettybird
Director: Roc
Editorial: Peepshow London
Editor: Andrea MacCarthur

For more information about the GALAXY Note 3 and Gear, click here.

Bewitching Promos For American Horror Story's Coven Are Spectacularly Spooky.

Two nights ago, the first real promo for the upcoming third season of the FX Network's American Horror Story: Coven began running. Preceded by five 20 second teasers (all of which are also shown in this post), the latest promo, Initiation, is the first to reveal the cast and is absolutely impossible to ignore. Beautifully shot and accompanied by an eerie rendition of House Of The Rising Sun, it is compelling enough to get just about anyone to tune into the premiere on October 9th.

Three Nice New TV Ads - For Cuervo, Cars and Carbs - Worth Noting.

It's been refreshing to come across this slew of nice tv spots in the past week. Given that 95% of commercials on the air are easily dismissed as forgettable, I thought I'd share this trio of well-produced, entertaining and engaging commercials for such common product categories as liquor, cars and food.

Advertising largely parody products that lack a distinguishing characteristic - booze, pizza and the vague history of a car manufacturer - it's not easy to do memorable advertising, yet these three have succeeded. All have a social media component as well.

Jose Cuervo Tequila


Keifer Sutherland has never been sexier as he encourages us to have a Cuervo and a story, but no regrets (albeit I know a lot of tequila stories that include regrets), in this new 60 second spot for Jose Cuervo Tequila by McCann Erickson New York:




The campaign includes TV, online and print advertising, and a social media effort inviting consumers to share their stories at #cuervostory.

Honda Branding Spot


Honda creates a worthy successor to their famous Cog Spot with "Hands" by Wieden + Kennedy, London. The 60 spot celebrates the curiosity of Honda engineers, which has led to some of the most successful Honda innovations over the past 65 years:




Discover the engineers notes, facts, insights and tales behind Honda's history in this embellished version shown here.

Dominos Pizza


And lastly Domino's newest spot and campaign by CP+B, Powered by Pizza, is a refreshing look at the common consumption of the convenient carb-laden pie by those burning the midnight-oil while celebrating innnovation:



Connecting with project and business owners who utilize Indiegogo, they will offer gift cards directly to individuals within the fundraising site who pledge support toward select projects reflecting great and innovative ideas.



In addition, the "Pizzavestors" program, where about 30 startup companies all throughout the U.S. were treated to a $500 Domino's Pizza gift card, will be an added part of the campaign – all in the spirit of fueling great ideas and encouraging organizations to keep up the good work. Share what you do when you're #poweredbypizza on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Now, back to your regularly scheduled mediocre advertising.

An Ad To Which We Can Relate. Tempur-Pedic's You Are How You Sleep (The :60 and the :30).

The best and most powerful ads tap into a reality to which people can relate. Minneapolis based ad agency Carmichael Lynch's debut creative for the Tempur-Pedic brand, "You Are How You Sleep" commercial, does just that.

A lousy mattress leading to a poor night's sleep may not be a genius insight, but it doesn't have to be when executed this well. Those who require solid slumber to be their best will certainly notice themselves in the big grumpy Mama bear when deprived of shut-eye.

The likeable and memorable television commercial has been cut as a :60 and a :30 (both are shown further down in this post).




Great casting of and performances by the twin actresses along with adept direction and excellent editing make the spot both poignant and funny simultaneously. Full credits are at the end of the post.



The 60 second cut:


The 30 second cut:





Full Credits
Agency: Carmichael Lynch
CCO: Dave Damman
Client: Tempur-Pedic
ECD: Marty Senn
Art Director: Brad Harrison
Art Director: Doug Pedersen
Director of Integrated Production: Joe Grundhoefer
Producer: Jon Mielke
Prod. Co.: The Directors Bureau
Director: Mike Mills
DOP: Kasper Tuxen
EP: Lisa Margulis
Line Producer: Youree Henley
Editing: Rock Paper Scissors
Editor: Grant Surmi
Producer: Joanna Hall
Producer: Marguerite Olivelle
Composer: Roger Neill
Sound Design: BWN Music and Sound
Sound Design: Carl White