Hockney lives

29 November 2008 – 8:37 pm

Konami - November 2008

This David Hockney approach to advertising which is coming back in, is bright, well used, fun and engaging.


Old learns from new

29 November 2008 – 8:34 pm

Beberana - November 2008 (2)

One of the Old World wine producers (Spain), takes a New World approach to marketing.


Much covered

29 November 2008 – 7:25 pm

Mars - September 2008

This one from Mars got the marketing media excited.

No reason not to combine house brands, and keep media space spend down. But, what is actually looking to achieve?


Take one advert…

29 November 2008 – 7:20 pm

Vandals

… and scruff it up. Noticeable, memorable and slightly different.


Mixing it up

29 November 2008 – 7:17 pm

The Times - 2 - Octoeber 2008

This Times advertising campaign, although not too exciting, demonstrates a good use of both real life and animated characters.


IMA Awards 2008

5 November 2008 – 12:02 pm

P1000145

AMC Network in lights!

P1000194

Maryam wins/borrows an award!

P1000186

Mark Kermode, having fun.

P1000140

The lawyers!

P1000138

Mike Nutley, doing the rounds.

P1000152

Seskin and Glynn looking happy.


Kleinwort Benson & AMC Network Dinner

5 November 2008 – 11:50 am

P1000237

Derek looking dapper!

P1000247

Tucking in.


London 2012

5 November 2008 – 10:43 am

Olympics - September 2008

Coming recently from a breakfast at the IPA, Institute of Practitioners in Advertising, I was interested to hear some sly marketing people looking to infringe the good sponsors of the London 2012 Olympics.

With marketing packages reputedly in the millions of pounds, it is easy to see why even big brands are looking for a coat tail ride, circumventing the status of Official Sponsor.

LOCOG, who are looking after the legal aspects of the event, are not having any of it. Even touting the, ha, ha, unofficial sponsor line, will land marketers in hot water.

Legislation is now so strict, that anything one does to tap in to the public psyche can be deemed in contravention of the new rules.

Faster, quicker, better and such words, are all that are needed in advertisements around the time of the games, to hear from the legal team at LOCOG.

My stance is, this hard line action needs to be communicated well, otherwise London 2012 are going to look like total meanies. Preventing little local organisations from sharing in the Olympic fun. This is tabloid heaven.

The reality is, without such legislation, self policing by marketers just does not work. I know, as I have seen many unofficial people look to profit from high profile projects we have been involved with.

What do you think? Are LOCOG meanies? Or, are these the steps which must be taken to prevent Olympic brand exploitation by major brands? Who incidentally can usually afford the Olympic ratecard.

BT, above in the photograph, is of course an Official Sponsor. It would have to be, or LOCOG would not tolerate its City building being dressed in a branded wrap!

However, even for me, confusion now sets in. Is BT a bid, or, actual games sponsor? What are they sponsoring? So the athletes all use BT phones? Confusing isn’t it.

This confusion was not helped by the bid team, who it appears were happy for all the support possible when pitching (sic) for the games, but are now are keen to micro-manage even the smallest of enterprises.

Finally, after reading the official marketing booklet issued by LOCOG, which is actually quite humorous. I would advise that encouraging such action as the playing of the National Lottery to support the games, is far from good public relations.


Cactus Kid

24 October 2008 – 11:04 am

Cactus - October 2008

Cactus Kid

This one is quite good fun. If done a little too often before to be wholly original. What do you think of UGC? Is it working?


Are leaves and animals over?

18 October 2008 – 9:00 am

Camper - September 2008

At one of our design agencies this week. We were speaking about the leaves, animal and swirl look of the last 36 months. This was cool. Now it is looking over used.

Camper, is a fairly cool brand, so can probably pull it off.

However, the more lower end high street chains which adopt this look and feel, the less brand value it holds.

The ubercool b.TWEEN summit of 2006 in Bradford, was an early adopter of this look. It has since moved on with its subsequent event branding.

Do you like leaves and animals? Has the look had its day? What do you predict the next trend will be?