Love the Economist banner ive just seen on Reuters.
Odd zooming hover buttons... but the text is absolutely excellent; it makes you think about a complex Economic issue without making it seem difficult or boring (as economics often can to people not part of it).
The text is simply:
The gap between the rich and poor is growing. But if the poor are getting richer does that matter?
Wonderfully simple and engaging copy.
Friday, May 12, 2006
Monday, May 01, 2006
Something to learn
Having just got back from a 2 day music festival, I noticed something that has become increasingly prevalent in the clothing market: artist owned clothing labels.
Now whilst the 50 cent range of clothing seems to sell fairly well, im talking about labels such as (and specifically) Atticus, started by a member of Blink 182. This label seems to keep growing and growing in terms of design, availability and popularity.
So what is the lesson here?
This brand is being happily bought by and worn by 16-30 year olds who (very often) are anti big brands or corporations. People who won't buy Nike and hate McDonalds, people who are very often Vegetarian or Vegan. They have strong views, yet these brands have something that appeals to them.
I believe its two things:
1. Credibility
2. Ethics
These labels are run by and often advertised by members of bands that have a lot of credibility with the target audience. The kids and young adults buying them respect those people, and very often the causes and ideals they stand for. This is translating into a lack of usual cynicism with these brands.
The ethics are very important for this set of people, and the backing of credible people, as well as a seemingly anti-corporate image is selling clothing at a very corporate rate.
Maybe the point is, ethics and credibility can pay off. Its been seen before, for every Walls there is a Ben and Jerry's. Being a responsible company doesn't have to mean losing money, and by being more responsible and appearing (at least) more trustworthy; maybe new markets will be opened up.
It was a tired thought at 11pm after 9 hours in Earls Court, but I think the point is there or thereabouts. Id love to know any thoughts on this...
Now whilst the 50 cent range of clothing seems to sell fairly well, im talking about labels such as (and specifically) Atticus, started by a member of Blink 182. This label seems to keep growing and growing in terms of design, availability and popularity.
So what is the lesson here?
This brand is being happily bought by and worn by 16-30 year olds who (very often) are anti big brands or corporations. People who won't buy Nike and hate McDonalds, people who are very often Vegetarian or Vegan. They have strong views, yet these brands have something that appeals to them.
I believe its two things:
1. Credibility
2. Ethics
These labels are run by and often advertised by members of bands that have a lot of credibility with the target audience. The kids and young adults buying them respect those people, and very often the causes and ideals they stand for. This is translating into a lack of usual cynicism with these brands.
The ethics are very important for this set of people, and the backing of credible people, as well as a seemingly anti-corporate image is selling clothing at a very corporate rate.
Maybe the point is, ethics and credibility can pay off. Its been seen before, for every Walls there is a Ben and Jerry's. Being a responsible company doesn't have to mean losing money, and by being more responsible and appearing (at least) more trustworthy; maybe new markets will be opened up.
It was a tired thought at 11pm after 9 hours in Earls Court, but I think the point is there or thereabouts. Id love to know any thoughts on this...
Monday, March 13, 2006
Bang! - Xbox 360
Well allegedly this advert was deemed to risky to air by Microsoft executives.
Which is a shame as its an amusing twist on the lots of guns movie joke.
Its pretty amusing, but the key thing about it for me is that it really puts across a sense of fun and bonding that is exactly what Microsoft is pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into Xbox Live to achieve.
Banned 360 Ad
I can understand why they dont show it... but the idea works very well.
Which is a shame as its an amusing twist on the lots of guns movie joke.
Its pretty amusing, but the key thing about it for me is that it really puts across a sense of fun and bonding that is exactly what Microsoft is pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into Xbox Live to achieve.
Banned 360 Ad
I can understand why they dont show it... but the idea works very well.
Monday, February 20, 2006
Renault Megane
Someone thought it was a good idea to (almost) parody their own ad by laughing at how people only notice the rear thanks to the "ass shakin" ads.
Unfortunately, despite a good idea and end thought, someone kind of forgot to make the middle bit work. It ends up just feeling messy and clumsy, with none of the style or charm of the other ads.
Shame.
Unfortunately, despite a good idea and end thought, someone kind of forgot to make the middle bit work. It ends up just feeling messy and clumsy, with none of the style or charm of the other ads.
Shame.
Monday, February 13, 2006
Nike - The Beautiful Game
Interesting new ad/viral from Nike leading up to the World Cup 2006 (Soccer world cup for all you Americans out there!)
Taking on the guise of a ficticious cause promoting the honest and beautiful way of playing the game, its interesting and entertaining. It also has a big message for those of us who love the game and are fed up of people diving and cheating.
Not only that, it features the legend himself, Eric Cantona.
This is the first in a series of 8, and apparently they hit TV very shortly.
And hopefully, thanks to their marketing agency considering this blog important enough to email me; I really would like to think that maybe, just maybe, you heard it here first!
:D
Taking on the guise of a ficticious cause promoting the honest and beautiful way of playing the game, its interesting and entertaining. It also has a big message for those of us who love the game and are fed up of people diving and cheating.
Not only that, it features the legend himself, Eric Cantona.
This is the first in a series of 8, and apparently they hit TV very shortly.
And hopefully, thanks to their marketing agency considering this blog important enough to email me; I really would like to think that maybe, just maybe, you heard it here first!
:D
http://www.nk6.com.br/jogabonito
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Re-branding
What the hell is going on with company logos in the past 12 months?
Walkers (the UK brand of Lays) is undergoing a logo change. Basically they are replacing the long running typeface with something that looks awful.
WHY?!
What purpose could this possibly serve? It doesnt make the brand feel any better. Its not more modern. Its just change for the sake of change, why pay good money for that?
All this after Intel, AT+T, UPS, Kodak, etc, all change their globally known brand logos for stuff that is nowhere near as good!
Has the world run short of good graphic designers or what?!
Walkers (the UK brand of Lays) is undergoing a logo change. Basically they are replacing the long running typeface with something that looks awful.
WHY?!
What purpose could this possibly serve? It doesnt make the brand feel any better. Its not more modern. Its just change for the sake of change, why pay good money for that?
All this after Intel, AT+T, UPS, Kodak, etc, all change their globally known brand logos for stuff that is nowhere near as good!
Has the world run short of good graphic designers or what?!
Back from holidays!
Ah yes. Hong Kong adverts are mostly rubbish, but I did see a few absolute gems.
The best being an MTR (underground) ad for the discovery channel.
They basically created a flick book advert that was posted and lit up for a stretch coming into Causeway Bay station. You look out of any window on that side of the train and you can watch the ad as you move.
Fantastic creativity and placement. Seriously brilliant. Id love to see that concept on the Underground here!
The best being an MTR (underground) ad for the discovery channel.
They basically created a flick book advert that was posted and lit up for a stretch coming into Causeway Bay station. You look out of any window on that side of the train and you can watch the ad as you move.
Fantastic creativity and placement. Seriously brilliant. Id love to see that concept on the Underground here!
Monday, January 16, 2006
Honda - Civic Choir
Anyone who knows me knows that I am a big fan of the Honda work by Wieden + Kennedy. This is the highly awaited new ad in the series, and unfortunately for other agencies its still fantastic.
The full version is 2 minutes!
Ive heard a few mixed thoughts on the ad, but there is little doubt that it leaves a lasting impression. Its so nice to see that original creativity still has an important place within advertising.
Watch it at WK London's site here
The full version is 2 minutes!
Ive heard a few mixed thoughts on the ad, but there is little doubt that it leaves a lasting impression. Its so nice to see that original creativity still has an important place within advertising.
Watch it at WK London's site here
Monday, January 09, 2006
JCB on the ball
Nice piece of timing and awareness from JCB over Christmas:
As the JCB song hit number one (if you arent aware, its a song about a 5 year old riding on his dads JCB to get away from school bullies) JCB placed a nice reminder ad in the national papers.
Not only did the song get them lots and lots of brand awareness, this ad helped to absolutely cement the image of the song with the product itself.
Someone at their ad agency was totally on the ball that week. Kudos.
JCB song / video
Monday, December 05, 2005
Adidas Intelligent Shoe
This isnt a specific ad here, but just a mention that the online PR folks for Adidas felt that my little blog was worth emailing with details of their new intelligent shoe after I praised the ad a while back.
Whether my blog is big enough to make any impact at all I doubt, but it shows that Adidas' online agency (www.elementalcomms.co.uk) is definitely doing a good job on knowing where the action and influence is online. Blogs. Its the future, deal with it!!
And for making me feel all happy about the impact my 20 odd regulars have, here is the link to the nifty 80s style video for the new shoe.
Whether my blog is big enough to make any impact at all I doubt, but it shows that Adidas' online agency (www.elementalcomms.co.uk) is definitely doing a good job on knowing where the action and influence is online. Blogs. Its the future, deal with it!!
And for making me feel all happy about the impact my 20 odd regulars have, here is the link to the nifty 80s style video for the new shoe.
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