Oasis Pub
Oasis Pub was a supporter of the England team during the 2010 World Cup. They offered special discounts to England Supporters during games, and wanted a urinal ad that communicated as much.
Salvation Army – Halifax Centre of Hope
The Salvation Army’s Halifax Centre of Hope was looking for a print ad to raise awareness about homelessness. They had asked for existing materials, but seeing the opportunity we decided to give them something original.
World’s Longest Brainstorm
Nobody brainstorms like we do. And we went for a world record to prove it.
Demonstrations are still King
A product demonstration is when you simply demonstrate the product in use, and the effect it has. It’s the staple of the infomercial world (cue the car getting cut in half by the handsaw) and has been around as long as advertising itself. In fact I’m pretty sure when the first two cavemen traded with each other, the seller did so by demonstrating the effectiveness of his tool (“See this rock? I’ll crush your head.”)
Spec of the Devil
I don’t know a ton about Belgium. It’s between France and Germany. And they make good beer.
It would appear, though, that I could learn a thing or two from the Belgians. Last year a group of their agencies banded together in a virtual strike.
Judge not lest ye be a judge.
Well, we’re gearing up here for the Ice Awards again, and as part of that I’m helping judge the young creatives competition portion tonight at Cossette. Don Veinish, Mike Laird, Tyson Hynes, Iain Deans and Anthony Taaffe will all be joining me as we apply the very scientific approach of hanging the work on a wall and throwing darts.
All the hoopla has me revisiting what it is that makes an idea great. Here’s my take:
Preparing a brand for the digital age is not unlike preparing for a gunfight in the Wild West.
There are very few rules (so those used to more civilized or traditional methods may get shot first). You’ve got to be able to shoot from the hip (what worked yesterday may not work today). Reputations count for little (anyone can pull off a dramatic win). And victories today can go a long way in determining who runs the town tomorrow. Here are a few things to consider for the fight.
Breaking into advertising’s like being the hottest girl at the dance: people will say anything to get you into bed.
It ain’t easy breaking into the biz as a junior. I’ve been asked a few times by creatives what they should look for in an agency. Here are my suggestions. I’m sure there are exceptions and additions. But asking the right questions can mean the difference between enjoying your career or contemplating life as a plumber. Good luck, young Padewans.
How advertisers are going mobile
I remember being a kid and seeing one of the first mobile phones and thinking, “Wow, you could call someone from anywhere on that thing!” Never mind that its physical dimensions were akin to something you’d write an angry message on and throw through a window.
I wonder what the kid version of me would think if I could go back and show him an iPhone.