Stop Motion

This is such an easy technique of making short films. With a bit of time, effort and thought it can be such a clever and unique way to advertise. An idiots guide to the process is: taking loads of photos of objects that you move slightly in every picture, then add all the frames together in a film. I'm sure every British person has seen episodes of Pingu as a child!? Here are a few stop motion videos that are worth seeing:

Something that is a bit less dreamy and more trippy is this music video. The Swedish band Rymdreglage produced this '8-bit trip' that consists of a gazillion hours of footage and countless lego bricks. (I lie...it was actually 1500 not a gazillion) Be warned - it is reeeally trippy!

This music video Her Morning Elegance by Oren Lavie was created on a larger than usual scale moving objects on a bed as someone sleeps. There is also an equally amusing and far less graceful 'fat guy' parody.

This Western Spaghetti video took a bit of doing involving household objects as ingredients to cook up a pretty tastey looking dish! This won several awards including being voted #2 in TIME Magazine Viral Video of the Year.

I have made a few including one 40 second drink aware advert including sausage rolls, dancing wotsits, beer and a tin of vegetable soup - it was a bit messy!

Got some moves.

To most people, dancing is just throwing some pretty snazzy shapes on the dance floor, but it can be a powerful way of communication and influence.

In previous blogs, I've ranted on about: how amazing the 'Do the Labrini' campaign was; the pure awesome-ness of how 'Brains peform best when they're hydrated' (Drench); the equally exciting and similar 'lets observe the effect of evian on the body'. These examples of viral campaigns show that dance can be more than just the movement of the body, but is a form of performance, expression and more importanlty to ad agencies, enjoyment and interaction.

The Lynx Pulse advert from the boffins at Bartle Bogle Hegarty of 2003 will always be an earlier example. In all fairness they could have made more of the advert but it was followed up by a good tutorial website. Another successful campaign was last years T-Mobile 'Life is for Sharing' at Liverpool Street Station. This video literally dramatises the advert into 'the making of ...' and gives you an insight into what agency Saatchi & Saatchi put into creating just this short 2 1/2 minute advert. A more recent event promoting a Belgium reality show was recently staged at Antwerp Station, and used the same idea.

All these campaigns carry that feel good factor that does the brand some serious credit. By broadcasting a message by using social media and through viral advertising, was the right move for the respective companies. Talking of moves - I got some! Visit my website or get in touch if you want to find out about my creative talent

I haven't blogged for ages!

Today I hear BBH have said goodbye to their 28 year long account with my second favorite (my first being Lucky Brand) denim company Levis. They'll be in the market for a new agency but I'll see if I can't get busy and create some clever concepts to send their way before hand.

On the subject of clever concepts, that amazingly put together Old Spice viral ad', I blogged about a while ago, has taken itself up a notch by continuing to create brand awareness through follow up social media. Via @oldspice twitter page anyone can ask the handsome 'Old Spice Guy' something and in return large cooperations and celebs have received personal video messages from the strong scented actor!

As I said before Old Spice has always been something your dad would have in his bathroom cabinet. Today however thanks to the work of agency Wieden + Kennedy’s and this genius campaign, Old Spice will now considered as being "hip, funny and cutting-edge".

Heineken

On the subject of 'Swinging London' in the last blog, I came across a global viral marketing + advertising agency called Go Viral, who have an office just outside Camden. 'Viral' is the buzzword that describes all activity that creates awareness around a product/brand through messages. The message is spread by word of mouth or these days by the glorious powers of social networking.

It was on their website, that sparked todays interest in one of my favorite beers - Heineken (...due to all my time spent in Holland). If you are not a fan of the following: Britains Got Talent; Dancing on Ice; X-Factor and how each new series sweeps the nations, you will appreciate Go Virals Heineken ad, 'Men With Talent'. It's truely wonderful! Heineken have put a lot of time and money into their advertising with many including some big Hollywood stars. Here are some other amusing ad's including Zoolander, the walk in fridge, Brad Pitt & Enter the world of Bond. The Bond ad is great + wonderfully put together. Starting out like a normal advert, it soon changes after buying a six pack of Heineken, slipping into the world of the famous secret agenct. The lighting changes, along with the camera angles + camera shots so it really does give off Bond-like vibes. Think about all the effort the creatives + copywriters, have put into the Heineken brand over the years. Next time you're at the bar, order a tall glass of that wonderful beer...but as the ad says, make sure it's not shaken!