When up in London at the weekend, I spotted an excellent billboard for Inception, displayed on the Odeon Leicester Square tower (the same as the top left billboard below). The concept of blurring realities works fantastically throughout the suite. Beneath it is a poster comparison with The Dark Knight – hmmm, there appears to be a trend forming with Christopher Nolan films…
(Opinion: Jon Price – Designer)
After doing some recent research for one of our clients, I came across some advertising produced for BMW. Believe it or not, these adverts were actually used, but mainly in Greece. I’m not sure that we would get away with them in the UK. If you dig deeper into these campaigns and read forums and blogs, they have been causing outrage and controversy for years, with claims that they are ‘demeaning’, ‘sexist’, ‘chauvinistic’ and ‘degrading’. However, whether we like them or not, BMW must be having the last laugh. The very fact that people are talking about these adverts all over the world, whether in a good light or bad, can only be more publicity for BMW. As the old adage goes, their is no such thing as bad publicity – however, not quite sure BP would agree with that statement at the moment.
Opinion – Paul Mabin (Creative Director / Managing Director)
You’re never sure what’s real and what’s computer aided trickery when watching television advertising any more. It’s easy to be fooled by high-end CGI and the artists behind it will undoubtedly say that it’s the biggest compliment that you could give them. On the other hand, there is a general presumption that anything that might have presented something a physical, logistical conundrum is most probably CGI (and that it’s actually a doddle to do in Maya). It’s a shame that the most difficult hands-on route, with the biggest pay-off, is often left under appreciated – well, as long as it gives the desired affect… That’s why I was pleased to see that for the most part, the latest Samsung LED 3D TV advertising, much like the Sony Bravia (bouncing balls) ad, was done for real.
Take a look at the making above or see the full video here.
I had a genuine double-take when I drove past this!
Advertising Agency: DDB London, UK - Creative Directors: Jeremy Craigen, Feargal Ballance, Grant Parker - Art Director: Victor Monclus - Copywriter: Will Lowe
Photographer: Sarah Maingot - Designer: Peter Mould
See more from the Marmite Advertising Campaign series here…
I saw two remarkably similar adverts from banks recently, both had building blocks on a beach in their national advertising. Above is an example of their campaigns – unfortunately I didn’t get a pic of the adverts in question. Coincidence, a new design trend, or the same agency running out of ideas? No, my guess… a mole deep under cover in their marketing team 
As recently published in Design Week, you can play the Santander Red Brick Game for some lunch time fun.
(Opinion: Jon Price – Graphic Designer)
This is the first advert we’ve produced for our new luxury brand client, Ettinger. The ad was designed specifically around Ettinger’s range of luggage and was placed in the travel section of Country & Town House magazine.
Our initial intention was to photograph the luggage against a fairly plain background, thus focussing the attention on the quality and detail of the product; however, as an alternative, we printed out a large format version of an antiquated world map – not only giving the image some context, but also alluding to the heritage and traditional values of the brand. This was the preferred option.
The advert is essentially a brand builder, although it incorporates clear calls to action – driving potential customers to Ettinger’s e-commerce site and London showroom. Both worth a visit if you’re into English luxury with a twist!
It used to be that an advertising agency was simply that – an agency that you would go to if you wanted to advertise. You would expect to pay them to create a message, devise a look and then put it in front of as many potential customers as you could afford.
In recent years, however, the boundaries have become increasingly blurred between advertising agencies, marketeers, design groups and digital agencies. Pressure is increasing on all of these to create ‘integrated’ solutions – campaigns that work across all media. Hence advertising agencies are having to diversify into areas once exclusive to digital or design agencies, and vice-versa.
That’s not to say that there are no longer any specialist agencies out there. There are. But the service offering for each type of agency is becoming more integrated. Where the agency can’t deliver something internally, they will almost certainly have a relationship with someone else who can. This is great for the individuals working within the agencies. Being able to work in areas that we would not previously have experienced makes the job more fulfilling and more enjoyable; it also gives us more opportunity for learning and personal development. For the client, it is perhaps not always clear which type of agency they should be working with, but it is also true that their agency (however they label themselves) is now more likely to understand how to satisfy their clients’ broader commercial and marketing objectives, using a broader palette of communications. Surely that’s good news for everyone?
(Opinion: Paul Mabin -Creative Director)
For Tibits, a large vegetarian restaurant chain in Switzerland, oversized forks have been produced to be fixed to trees in major parks and outdoor shopping areas all over Switzerland. In a surprising new matter, the freshness of Tibits food could be demonstrated to people walking by. “Very, very vegetarian food”.
(Opinion: Jon Price – Designer / credit – ibelieveinadv)
I’m a massive fan of Japanese ethics, design principles and aesthetics. In this case it’s their eccentric and off-the-wall sense of humor that caught my attention. Not only is this advert amusing and memorable, it’s also skillfully produced and typical of the often surreal Japanese comic sensibility. The Advert was produced by Ogilvy & Mather, Japan.
(Opinion: Jon Price – Designer)
I was watching telly last night and in the commercial break I was surprised to see an ad for Kelly’s ice cream (possibly one of Cornwall’s best-known brands), by Devilfish. The new 30 second advertisment is part of a £2million television campaign to market the ice cream nationally. The ad was filmed locally and features some really simple, nice photography. It makes a refreshing change to see a company close to home making the leap to go national, especially in these financially trying times.
Take a look for yourself here…
(Opinion: Deborah Jones – Designer)
This adshel however is quite the opposite of the one featured below. Very much an unsubtle approach in an attempt to grab your attention, and failing to deliver a complete message in the process. In these times, the negative header is controversial for it’s own sake and the supporting copy that completes the sentence (giving it a positive spin) is so small in proportion, there is very little chance of you catching it from a distance or at 30mph. Standing at the bus stop it’s another matter – but how many members of senior management, entrusted with the authority to send their staff on courses, get the bus? A small percentage I would hazard a guess. Sorry to bash local, Devon advertising – but for me, it left quite a pessimistic, bad taste in my mouth.
(Opinion: Jon Price – Designer)
This ad caught my eye yesterday. I was amused by the unconcious irony in how wholesome and morally healthy the product appears. The pint glasses were quite subtle at first glance, which drew my attention for a closer look. The message is quite clear, but whether the typical target lager consumer would really care where their barley comes from is another matter. It’s often difficult to find clever yet subtle advertising on adshels as there is always an underlying pressure for the viewer to ‘get it’ in the blink of an eye – but this one made me smile.
(Opinion: Jon Price – Designer)
Why not put your feet up, have a cup of tea, read a magazine? The next time your flicking through ‘Ideal Homes’ – Britain’s best selling homes magazine, you might spot one of our newly released retail ads for Laura Ashley. Promoting their elegant tiles produced by British Ceramic Tile, they can be seen in most interior design and homes publications. Be warned though… you may feel inspired to redecorate!