Wednesday, October 31, 2007

99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall

You take one down, hand it to an orchestral artist...

Brilliant brilliant stuff from VB beer in Australia:

Bottle Sounds

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

[adopt Cilla voice] Suuuurprise Surpriiiiiise

Well, sometimes it takes bad days to learn things about yourself.

After what would frankly be deemed a horrible day by anyone's standards I am actually in quite a good mood. This is for two reasons:

1. Apparently black clouds do have silver linings.

2. (and more importantly) I came out of a bad situation with the knowledge that when I put my trust in someone I really respected (even if I disagreed with them often) they didn't let me down. For that reason I'm pretty happy.

Monday, October 29, 2007

Beware Cameron Change

The UK is preparing for possibly its biggest threat in 30 years, a threat that could decimate the country in an unstoppable wave of destruction. That threat is David Cameron.

After he supposedly (according to what Ive read today) announces support for devolution of Scotland to win votes it clear that here is someone who will do and say anything to win votes. A man so devoid of ideas and belief that it seems nothing is beyond doing if it win him power. Even bringing back hunting for fucks sake.

After all, as an Eton boy with his rich pals it doesnt matter to them if he screws up the country. At least Thatcher had major issues to fight against. Cameron has very few major problems to fight against, and most of those he has are hangovers from Blair.

Problem is, like people who welcome climate change because its a little chilly... there are those who really think he is an answer. Not to any question I ever heard...

I am under no doubt, Cameron wins the next election; we are screwed.

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Good Things Come to Nancy Drew

No i'm not talking about the awful looking film... but about a new "internet based investigative ad" hunt that's just starting.

Normally I don't bother with these, but this one looks interesting for two reasons:

1. Its for a brand that generally has good ads.
2. There appears to be a lot of work gone into the story and production.

Here is the opening video, and I love some of the more subtle touches like the domino colours.
I look forward to where this is going, and I hope the end ad/result is worth it!

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Dont Forget

A conversation a minute ago with a work colleague helped me discover their opinion of the homeless is that they are all lazy druggies who should get a job.

Grr.

Which reminds me. Dont forget about helping them.

Monday, October 22, 2007

Shiny Happy People

On the radio recently i've been repeatedly forced to hear the same 5 ads over and over again. Its teeth grinding stuff. As much as I think blood donation is a brilliantly worthwhile cause, hearing Gabby Logans story 20 times a day for two weeks is really irritating.

Also, there is constant repetition of an ad fresh from the bad old days of advertising.

Regaine Hair ...stuff.

As a future member of the bowling ball head planner club (hi NP!!), this ad is incredible. Its literally saying that being bald makes you feel worthless and useless. Which is funny, as thats never been a thought i've had on the subject.

I find the ad offensive, patronising and downright ignorant. I would rather become shiny gracefully than ever give a company with ads like that a penny of my money.

Supportive

Being a fan of any sport is a nightmare for anyone in Britain (or Ireland). Ours teams and sportspeople promise so much but just never quite get there.

Since Wednesday:

England football team defeat put them probably out of Euro 08
Scotland football team defeat makes it hard for them to reach Euro 08
Wales defeat
Ireland embarrassing draw
Northern Ireland defeat
England rugby team bravely lose Rugby World Cup final
Lewis Hamilton makes first real mistake of year and then suffers engine cutout to lose the title despite leading the championship most of the year.

Honestly. What IS it with our country???

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Different Angles

Whilst thinking about looking at things from different angles and peoples perspectives; I remembered these pieces of genius. What a great way to remember how your perspective may look right, but it may just be wrong.



Friday, October 12, 2007

What Nonsense...

Rob of agency Nonsense London sent me their pre-website website link the other day, and I liked it so much I thought you might want to see it.

You can help them to pick one of three brilliant site ideas (go Grannies go!). If their creative output is as good as their web concepts then we may hear more of them in the future**.

Its High Time Nonsense had a Website.

[**and then hopefully they will need more planners... ;) ]

The Giant Bunnies Will Kill Us All!!!

Not really made my mind up about the new Sony Bravia ad (you know, the one with the bunnies that everyone is trying to clainm was nicked from 27 other sources)... I've only seen it once.

But, theres a pretty decent set of behind the scenes footage and interviews here:

Thursday, October 11, 2007

The Branding Race

If you asked any racing fan to tell you the most amazing driver of this year, they would without question point to Lewis Hamilton. A guy who at just 22 (i think) has taken the Formula One world by storm, leading the current world champion Fernando Alonso into the last race of the championship. Not only is he the sports first ever black driver, he is possibly about to be its youngest champion AND the first ever rookie champion.

Now. There is also a HUGE lesson in branding going on before our eyes.

In one season Hamilton has gone from a promising young newcomer to being seen as the epitome of poise and reliability. With a sense of openess but also with a huge sense of confidence and appreciation , always thanking those who work with him.

In one season Alonso has gone from being the fan favourite to public enemy number one. His relucance to be equally treated with a rookie, his threats to the team, AND the way he has made more mistakes than a newcomer.

When looking at the rise and fall of brands, how new brands need to position themselves, and how old brands should react to newcomers...there are a million and one possible lessons here.

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Vote Brooker for PM

Thanks to Scamp again for reminding me...

Charlie Brooker's Screenwipe, THE best show on TV is back.
This episode featured some of his traditionally accurate looks at ads...

Tuesday, October 09, 2007

Zoom Bloody Zoom

Im sure anyone who sees car ads on tv will remember just how irritating it was when you first saw Mazda's Zoom Zoom ads.

Well, if that affected you look away now, because things are about to get worse.

The new Mazda 2 ad is possibly the most soul destroying, brand sapping, cliche'd, youth pandering, contrived piece of shit I have ever seen.

Its the 2007 equivalent of Pans People dancing badly in leotards around a Vauxhall Nova. Its 2 parts rubbish dancing, 1 part gymnastics, 5 parts terrible writing, 6 part terrible planning, and 25 parts bad production.

Oh and don't forget possibly the worst tagline of the 21st century. "It's Fit".

What?

Did I just hear that right?


Yep. Its Fit apparently.

Ok, so its clearly aiming at the 17 year old fresh driver market, but please please Mazda/JWT , credit them with a modicum of brain ability. Just because you say "It's Fit" in retro faux ironic fashion doesn't mean they will suddenly upend everything to get one. We are back to ads saying "This is way cool dudes."

And that sadly ruins an entire brand from being in my consideration list when I buy a car.

Oh dear.

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Got to Run, For Your Life, Do or Die

I am so impressed by the number of ethical and responsible clothing ranges springing up. My best man Steve had trainers made entirely from recycled old clothing; they were ridiculously impressive, and if I find out who made them I'll let you know.

But I REALLY want some Jinga's. They are ethically made, with no animal products, low produced trainers from Brazil, with a percentage of the profits going to social projects in Rio.

I really want the Purple and Gold ones that match my music colours, and thanks to them being an entirely reasonable £35. I may just buy two.

Jingas

Tuesday, October 02, 2007

And from there,,,

Having mentioned TV's worst ads in my last post, I'd like to post about an ad I saw on there that I somehow missed on TV in my post-wedding haze of busyness; and also one I saw last night.



Everybody knows a bloke like Mickey. No. No I don't. Oddly enough, contrived characters of stereotypical vain anality hardly exist in the real world. I thought it would be hard for Head and Shoulders ads to get any worse. But good grief this is poor.

Secondly, a new Ocean Finance ad (you know where this is heading... thats right, financial metaphors!) which shows financial services as lanes in a swimming pool. It looks low budget, its badly shot, its badly written, badly voiced over, as patronising as David Cameron claiming to understand a gun crime teenager in Hackney, and FAR too long. I mean fuck, it just drones on and on and on and on and on and on and on... and then it cuts to an Ocean. HAHAH! I see what they did there, genius.

No. Just yet another bloody awful financial ad on UK tv.