Saturday, January 29, 2011

The Fun Gun !!!

Now what more do I say.. Enjoy the week end friends.. !

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Red tape - old style seduction !!!

Now this is my answer every time I find a marxist/anti liberalisation expert (self declared or other wise) waxing about how after the 90's with the influx of foreign ideas, the whole of India got corrupted, its values saw a fall and how marketing and advertising( foreign style) landed you up in your bed with strangers !!!

Last day as I was speaking on globalisation and advertising to a global world, the same allegation came up and this was my answer..!



Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Real Children - Heart touching !!!



A gut-wrenching commercial made for NSPCC (national society for prevention of cruelty to children) – UK by Saatchi and Saatchi UK in 2002 creating waves across UK and even outside. It escaped a TV ban narrowly despite receiving 127 complaints from all quarters.

The independent television commission-ITC then (and now Ofcom of UK), decided not to uphold complaints, including12 from victims of child abuse, which claimed the ad was ‘upsetting, shocking and had “overstepped the mark”.

ITC accepted that the ad was “extremely hard hitting” but agreed with the NSPCC’s defence that the particular imagery was “an effective means of communicating the seriousness of the issue and moving people to take action if they were concerned about a child”.

Few viewers complained  that the ad suggested that 'only men' abuse children and several other viewers said that, while raising awareness of child abuse was important, they felt the film’s treatment of the issue had overstepped the mark. It but went on to become one of the most decorated and awarded ads of its category….the rest is history.

Credits & Description:
Agency: Saatchi & Saatchi London
Production Company: Gorgeous Enterprises

Awards:
Cannes Lions - International Advertising Festival, 2002 (Gold Lion) for Fund-Raising & Appeals
BoB - Best of the Best Awards, 2002 for Best Commercials Director
British Television Craft Awards, 2002 (Winner) for Best Performance by an Actor
British Television Craft Awards, 2002 (Winner) for Best Animation
British Television Advertising Awards (BTAA), 2003 (TV Commercial of the Year)
The One Show, 2003 (Gold) for Public Service/Political Television Single
D&AD Awards, 2003 (Silver Award) for TV & Cinema Advertising Crafts: Use of Music
D&AD Awards, 2003 (Silver Award) for TV & Cinema Advertising: Public Service & Charities Individual & Campaigns
D&AD Awards, 2003 (Silver Award) for TV & Cinema Advertising Crafts: Direction
D&AD Awards, 2003 (Silver Award) for TV & Cinema Advertising Crafts: Animation
CLIO Awards, 2003 (Gold) for Product/Service: Public Service
CLIO Awards, 2003 (Silver) for Technique: Animation-Film
CLIO Awards, 2003 (Gold) for Technique: Direction
CLIO Awards, 2003 (Bronze) for Technique: Editing
Art Directors Club of Europe Awards, 2003 (Gold Winner) for Public Service & Charity
Kinsale Sharks Awards Advertising Festival, 2002 (Grand Prix Cinema)
Kinsale Sharks Awards Advertising Festival, 2002 (Worldwinner TV)
Kinsale Sharks Awards Advertising Festival, 2002 (Winner) for Best Sound Design
Kinsale Sharks Awards Advertising Festival, 2002 (Gold) for Public Services & Social Welfare
Advertising Creative Circle Awards, 2003 (Gold) for Best Idea in 60 Seconds or Over
Advertising Creative Circle Awards, 2003 (Gold) for Best Direction
Advertising Creative Circle Awards, 2003 (Gold) for NABS Charity Advertisement
Advertising Creative Circle Awards, 2003 (Gold) for Best Use of Animation
The Gunn Report, 2003 (02) for Most Awarded TV Ad

The team :-
Creative Director: David Droga
Art Director: Howard Willmott, Duncan Marshall
Copywriter: Howard Willmott, Duncan Marshall
Director: Frank Budgen
Producer: Paul Rothwell
Cameraman: Ben Seresin
Lighting Director / Lighting: Ben Seresin
Account Director: Norma Clarke, Stephen Corlett
Strategic Planner: Thea Tetley
Animation: Russell Brooke, Hugo Sands, Passion Pictures
Animation Effects: Chris Knott
Sound Designer: Nigel Crowley
Music Composer: Jonathan Goldstein
Actor / Celebrity: Johnny Harris
Brand Manager: Dugald McDougall
Animation Director: Russell Brooke
Animation Producer: Hugo Sands

Monday, January 24, 2011

Nescafe VS Bru - celebrity Parade !!!

Shahid Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra fans world can soon see the star couple together on the small screen as they are going to be brand ambassadors of Bru Coffee… it is told that the shoot is on and soon the bubbly duo will sell Bru to us..


The two are on board because the company feels that the couple can do total justice to the brand (!). “Bru has been under  pressure” to bring in some star endorser because Deepika Padukone, Director Karan Johar and actor Purab Kohli were brand ambassadors for Nescafe… Now it is a strange but true reason to hire stars to endorse brands .......So the final picture is that while Deepika is busy Nescafe-ing for KJo and Purab, Priyanka will be Bru-ing it up for Shahid…or is it that picture abhi baaki hai?

And the logic from HUL which owns Bru- (it sounds the usual clichéd stuff which goes on air, whenever companies sign up a star to endorse)  “We are delighted to have Priyanka and Shahid on board as our brand ambassadors. We feel that the duo best brings alive Bru’s philosophy of 'Coffee livening-up every moment by stimulating conversation'." ……..

 “A great cup of coffee is my constant companion whether it's at work or at play” said Priyanka and not to be left behind Shahid says - “I am a coffee addict and Bru is my favourite ”… Now isn’t that picture perfect? 

Bru is my favourite as well, not because I am a “coffee addict” but because of the marketing intelligence that it has displayed in the past.. The innovation and push with which it pushed a leading Nescafe to number two position , the new packaging, the price points that came down with the new small packets that anyone would buy, the good ads that made the brand look happy, the product up gradation ( flavour-lock for instance) were all admirable.. Guess Nescafe when it finally woke up from its classic slumber and roped in Deepika and co, Bru was caught unawares (?) and now want to respond… 

In spite of Deepika and Purab, Nescafe ads were dull and not so great..And that makes the tough coffee war even more interesting... I hope and pray that Bru brings us some great ads, just like a hot cup of Bru coffee..!!!

Saturday, January 22, 2011

The Fun Gun!!!

Should I say more?... Week end again...  have fun people... !!!!!!!!!!

Friday, January 21, 2011

Jag - Viagra in print !!!

 

This Print Ad titled 'Jag' was done by M&C Saatchi for you know whom.... Its an ad from New Zealand and got released just some days back.... It exhorts people to see the world differently !!!!Stunning creative - stunning because it follows the KISS rule in all sense ..Simple and sweet !!!

 

Credits & Description:

Advertising Agency: M&C Saatchi, Auckland, New Zealand
Executive Creative Director: Dave King
Art Director: Dan Fastnedge
Copywriter: Olivia Wagner
Retoucher: Lightfarm Studios
Photographer: Mat Blamires
Account Director: James Johnston
Account manager: Amy Ivancic
Via: bestadsontv

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

No Idea? ....then 'all are welcome'...!!!

Once upon a time, when idea just meant idea , life for folks in advertising was much more simpler...Now when idea is not JUST idea but IDEA life has gone a bit tough for sure..

The MNP (mobile number portability) advertising brouhaha that Idea has launched with its “ No idea?,…then get idea” campaign and the Vodafone response(?) with the “All are welcome” ad is the point of discussion today……

Vodafone ads always meant class and this time as well they lead in class and style.. Simple stuff, inviting everyone, PLUS the pug making a come back…. I am sure there are many people who would any day love to sit and watch this one than the Small B cheekily asking people to get IDEA if they have NO idea why their existing network is not good….. Having said all that one should also state that it wouldn’t be sufficient enough reason for people to stick on or change to Vodafone…


Idea and Lowe should however be given the credit ( for pioneering, for being mischievous and funny , for this IDEA and idea linking up, and for making the whole MNP important ) 

Its campaign of four ads highlighted :-

  1. Idea’s strong network connectivity even inside lifts and buildings;
  2. Customized tariff plans to ensure affordable mobile communication;
  3. Transparent balance notification ( which again is questionable , but then,,,,,)  
  4. Available and gentle customer care where one doesn’t need to wait for long to talk to an agent
I would be glad to get one person to disagree with me if I say that each one of the above point shows the worries of mobile consumers in India….hence the request to Switch to Idea is completely cool and hitting them there, right at the spot…!!!

See one here and the rest there


Before the national launch of MNP service on January 20th (tomorrow that is) another series of Idea ads (launching a Toll Free Number 1800-270-0000) are on air to guide the multitudes of mobile subscribers on various aspects of number portability…. …


Again the first mover advantage is guaranteed and sure shot this direct action ad, as per some industry sources is again making waves…

Vodafone on the other hand wants people to join them for what they are and not for what some one else is not... Now it is a good idea by IDEA to compare and contrast but too much of it can be giving annoyance to the TG .In case of idea the 4 ads and the constant bombardment of them on the TG (also from the  micro site www.getidea.co.in) makes people squirm in discomfort, when we do not have an IDEA connection..Vodafone scores for being positive but is that enough?

It is still debatable whether the MNP will change the backdrop of the industry. My humble reading is that there will be noticeable churning in the beginning but with time it will wane and die down...The players seems to have realized this... grab the cream as much and as soon as possible seems to the mantra ..One thing is sure- the customer may get better service centers and better service, now that this is a reality that -if I am happy only I stay with you, if else… Hmmmm !!!

Now to end this,I am amused that other major players are silent……. Airtel, Reliance and the likes….

Is it that they are happy with what they have?
Is it that they don’t have space for OTHERS? Others are UNWELCOME?


Tail piece:-  

When you’re right, very few remembers. When you’re wrong, no one forgets.

Monday, January 17, 2011

The Fun Gun!!!


One day God came to Adam for a brief discussion. "I've got some good news and some bad news." God said.

Adam looked thoughtfully at his maker and replied, "Please give me the good news first."


Smiling, God explained, "I've created two new organs for you. One is called a brain. This organ will allow you to be very intelligent, create new things, and carry on productive conversations with Eve. The other organ is called a penis. It will allow you to reproduce your intelligent life form and begin populating the planet. Eve will be very pleased that you are now equipped with this organ as she will be able to conceive children."


Adam, very excited, exclaimed, "These are great and wonderful gifts you have given me. What could possibly be bad news after such great tidings?"


God then looked upon Adam, and said with great sorrow, "The bad news is I only gave you enough blood to operate one of these organs at a time."

Like most agencies and their departments which process only one account at a time.... Have fun people... ! 

Saturday, January 08, 2011

The fun Gun !!!

Three men were standing in line to get into heaven one day. Apparently it had been a pretty busy day, though, so Peter had to tell the first one, "Heaven's getting pretty close to full today, and I've been asked to admit only people who have had particularly horrible deaths. So what's your story?"

So the first man replies: "Well, for a while I've suspected my wife has been cheating on me, so today I came home early to try to catch her red-handed. As I came into my 25th floor apartment, I could tell something was wrong, but all my searching around didn't reveal where this other guy could have been hiding. Finally, I went out to the balcony, and sure enough, there was this man hanging off the railing, 25 floors above ground! By now I was really mad, so I started beating on him and kicking him, but wouldn't you know it, he wouldn't fall off. So finally I went back into my apartment and got a hammer and starting hammering on his fingers. Of course, he couldn't stand that for long, so he let go and fell -- but even after 25 stories, he fell into the bushes, stunned but okay. I couldn't stand it anymore, so I ran into the kitchen, grabbed the fridge and threw it over the edge where it landed on him, killing him instantly. But all the stress and anger got to me, and I had a heart attack and died there on the balcony."

"That sounds like a pretty bad day to me," said Peter, and let the man in.

The second man comes up and Peter explains to him about heaven being full, and again asks for his story.

"It's been a very strange day. You see, I live on the 26th floor of my apartment building, and every morning I do my exercises out on my balcony. Well, this morning I must have slipped or something, because I fell over the edge. But I got lucky, and caught the railing of the balcony on the floor below me. I knew I couldn't hang on for very long, when suddenly this man burst out onto the balcony. I thought for sure I was saved, when he started beating on me and kicking me. I held on the best I could until he ran into the apartment and grabbed a hammer and started pounding on my hands. Finally I just let go, but again I got lucky and fell into the bushes below, stunned but all right. Just when I was thinking I was going to be okay, this refrigerator comes falling out of the sky and crushes me instantly, and now I'm here."

Once again, Peter had to concede that that sounded like a pretty horrible death.

The third man came to the front of the line, and again Peter explained that heaven was full and asked for his story.

"Picture this," says the third man, "I'm hiding inside a refrigerator..." 


Now for all the sinners who read this...Have a happy week end !!!!!!!!!

Monday, January 03, 2011

Thank u all !!!!!!!!

Thanks to the last decade...

The ups and downs, the international life, the big brands and big names, fighting fate and surviving, the crash landing, bachelorhood to marrying my lady love, mutation into a teaching career, SCMS Kochi and its wonderful people, IBS Kochi and the corporate environment, the huge student base with whom I learned, My two kids who make my life beautiful, pals and friends, Kochi life, Rotary club, Frames and what not...Thank u all... What more could one ask for..!!!


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