Dad brings home his work. Delightful

Sick Beats

When you see so much work throughout your career and as a Creative Director you see a lot - the good, the bad and the dam right ugly and then, a couple fall out of the bucket that come under the title; 'fuck me that is so bloody brilliant, oh my God what a fucking brilliant idea' title. 

Kids with cystic fibrosis have to go through a daily chore of airway-clearance therapy, it's not nice to say the least. 

So some smart people have created Sick Beats which is the world's first music-powered airway clearance vest. The prototype, a redesign of Woojer's consumer vest, syncs with a smartphone to pull therapeutic 40Hz frequencies from music and send them to the chest. Which helps clears the patients lungs of mucus. Bloody amazing.

Rightly it won awards but if I was the creative who came up with this idea, would I care it won? Not really but seeing the joy on the little girl's face after her treatment through Sick Beats, now that's worth its weight in gold. #hatTip team at Woojer and Area 23 FCB 

Neymar and Pokerstars shaking up poker

New office pool

Had the chance to go back to the office and collect some mouldy running shoes that had been left in my draw since lockdown suffice to say it wasn't pretty but hey I did get a chance to look at the new office across the road and look at the new pool, now that is a cracker.

 

#InternationalWomensDay

For all the women out there #InternationalWomensDay 

I'm drawn to Heinz

How about this for brand recall? To be fair it’s a bit like Hoover. Top draw work though from Heinz.This is also another great example of true 360’ thinking. Love the fact they also used the research as part of the actual campaign output.

So cute

this is the best thing, ive ever seen, on twitter dot compic.twitter.com/UfSr50uxRj

— shiraz (@shiraz) August 18, 2020

Something so nice about this which popped up on my Twitter feed, why do I like it? The creators apply the same principles as those pesky marketeers like me who use storytelling, emotional hooks and music to pull the viewer to carry on watching. I now can't get the tune out of my head. Very clever. #HatTip

Wow!! I need a cigarette after watching this

Wow. When advertising is done right. An incredibly powerful new campaign from Bodyform developed by a female led creative team out of AMV. #WombStories Truly magical story-telling. Serious #HatTip.

Lovely design

Bit of Retro

These vintage fast food ads by TBWA\Paris for McDonald's are a classic and noteworthy example of clever advertising. To celebrate the restaurant chain's iconic burger — the Big Mac. Loved the art direction and I'n noticing a trend at the moment for comfort during Convid19 lockdown many of us are resorting to watching old films as kids and teens. Call it comfort food in this instance. Nice work.

Caples Awards

Caples Awarads was announced last night 13/4/ some really lovely work all announced via Zoom in these strange times but two things that never change and always remain, one, creatives will always have a drink in their hand and the two; there's even more importance in the value of the creative idea, like I said, even more so now. On a side note you might rightly question why do awards while this is going on? Well it was this year free to enter and I think it was good to bring many creatives together from all over the world via Zoom, creatives from Sydney, NZ and LA all coming together, much better I think than some gaff in London, seemed more inclusive. Anyway clients need to be brave, innovate, explore new ways of doing things. Companies regardless of size or sector need to stand-out combined with creating ideas/products/approach that is aligned with the reality of Convid19. Create work as John Hegarty mentioned at the start of the Zoom presentation that all great creative must adhere; be memorable, motivating and truthful. The work tonight I saw some real corkers. />

Be A Hero. Be Boring.

Love these posters by the designer Noma Bar an Israeli graphic designer, illustrator and artist, based in London. Bar's work has been described as "deceptively simple" yes it is and so beautiful with it. I love in particular as creative people how he plays with us and is such a joyous treat to our visual receptors especially his use of negative space. Great posters with a great message. Job done.

#Convid19 A Gentle Reminder.

Came across these little beauties from Carl Richards which really struck a cord with me. I'm sure with all of us in these strange and surreal times we look for answers. Without having a meltdown in overthinking I recently returned to my comfort zones a mix between Mr.Kipling Cherry Bakewells and yoga both have helped in equal measure. Perspective and calmness that wonderful balance captured. Thank you Carl for the reality check. #HatTip

Interactive tech gaming

View this post on Instagram

drawing some lines, playing with some balls - interactive line drawing . . . . . #mixedreality #creativecoding #mediaart #madewithunity #unity3d #code #multimediaart #new_media_art #interactiveinstallation #projectionmapping #projectionart #projection #physics #installationart #creativetechnology #codeart #interactivemedia #interactiveart #creativecode #animation #touchdesigner #videomapping #computergraphics #newmedia #opencv #artxcode #interactive #twentytwohalo #creative

A post shared by Roelof Knol (@roelofknol) on Mar 2, 2020 at 8:05am PST

How lovely is this? This interaction is so fluid and with this tech you can see the potential from a creative perspective for brands either in-store or at a PR event.

Virus becomes Viral

Made me laugh even in dark times. Sometimes laughter is the best cure.

The Pain Creatives Constantly Feel

This is a little gem of a video by Ze Frank who dryly asks many questions about our creativity or lack of it. It's long but try to watch till the end as it's beautifully written and his observation on how creative people feel and think on a daily basis is spot-on. In parts it made me feel uncomfortable as the thinking creative side of our brains taunts us and if we don't feed this curious part of our brain, it throws its toys out of its pram and when you call on it; nothing is forthcoming. Creativity is a blessing for us but also in equal measure a curse. I wouldn't have it any other way. Just go with the flow my creative brothers and sisters.

100% Flaming savage

Any social media folks out there look at what Burger King are doing - love their response and the tone of voice- cheeky and so right for their target audience. #hatTip

Drinking Horror Story This Halloween

Don't let Halloween haunt you forever. Budweiser and DAVID Miami worked with real people arrested for irresponsible drinking, turning their mugshots into reminders that drink driving can easily turn into a horror show. Be warned.

Unbelievable in this day and age.

This was aired on my Facebook feed from a female colleague bemoaning in this day and age this type of work is been produced. It’s shocking really and when you work in the industry you feel quite embarrassed even when you had thankfully nothing to do it with it. As I’m in the industry I also know that ‘creative’ work and I use the term loosely here, has to go various rounds of sign off, from internal sketches and finally mock ups to present back to a team of marketing directors. SO at what stage did anyone question this headline: ”You look like you would fancy a 50 year old..’ In an industry I know from colleagues at various agencies the sly bullying and ageism is rife in our industry. This type of work just encourages that behaviour further. I also noticed today the new Campaign Faces to watch what was so refreshing was the vast majority were female, so change is happening I just hope that the change will also come when it comes to hiring mature and experienced talent. How refreshing would it be when the day comes when you have a creative team one in their 20’s and one in their 70’s in a top ad agency. - now that’s something that I would raise a drink to. Time for change let’s as creative’s not encourage work like this if we want to attract the best talent into the industry.

Blah Blah Bollocks

Thursday Thought: Filling in the blanks with a formulaic approach in writing creative briefs produces formulaic creative solutions. We need to think and dig deeper into out clients needs beyond marketing jargon. (The solution might not even be an advertising campaign). Think differently and make a real difference.

The Formula To Writing A Manifesto

I came across this and it shows you the tricks writers use when writing that powerful manifesto.After much crafting and late nights they finally stand in front of a suite of clients as they all turn and stare. He or she pushes play, the film begins with the exact formula as the poster below, same pace, same bullet points with a big final one word headline which is a bit random, it gets them all the time. High-fives as we see grown men with tears rolling down their faces as they hug one another. You take the glory but in your heart you know it’s just not really that creative it's a trick. So why do we all do it? Because it bloody works when it comes to winning pitches. Sad really that it will come down to the 'best' choice of accompanying music and footage.Most clients fall for this trap, but the good ones, pause after seeing this and say; 'Very good internal mood film now show me how that idea comes to life for our audience that they will react in a positive way?' 'How is that going to solve our business problem?' Wise words, maybe we should put that in all our future manifestos? Now that would be creative.

I don’t need two hands to hold a Gold Cannes

Came across this belter this morning and I had to share. Yes yes I know you could write this script for any beer brand and my response would be; yes you could but bollocks! Why? Because they did it first and to be frank this has everything in my book; a simple idea, art directed and the cast are spot on, and the cherry on the top is the writing of the lyrics, pure class as is the production, it’s off the chart. I watched the full version, transfixed and laughed at each scenario, really lovely work and when I finished viewing I thought to myself;that should do well at Cannes this year. ‘I’m drinking this for you’ with their classic line; 'I don't need two hands to....' Apparently didn’t win anything, please correct me if I’m wrong but I just read it on the forums. If that is the case then something is seriously wrong there, this is a piece of old (maybe that is the problem) school approach but goes one step further in treating the viewer with intelligence that entices you in, rather than a quick blunt gag. One thing that I do know; if I was the creative behind this work; I wouldn’t need two hands to hold a Gold Cannes, to know this is a cracking piece of creative communication. View this gem here

So few words but says so much

I saw this and it literally stopped me in my tracks, like all good design and creative ideas are suppose to do. (Let’s not discuss BT’s new logo redesign shall we). I do however I love this quote as it’s beautiful clear and to the point. So many people in our industry who over cook briefs and presentations, I wonder why this is? Does it make them feel by rambling it makes them smarter? Here my friends and colleagues is what you must always do; be clear, keep it simple and outline the business objective/opportunity. Simples as a meerkat once said.

IKEA Game Of Thrones

IKEA does it again. Whatever the medium, no matter what, they can make any space creative. You know too people will take selfies. So this isn’t just a display unit, this is branded viral content. Great stuff #HatTip

Ecom Mobile Utility Ideas

Here's a free scamp of ideas that really could apply to any online shopping portal, this was done for Sendo Vietnam which has some local ideas that only work in VN like TET but most of the ideas could work in most parts of the world. Shopping online is more that just a well executed UI, pick and click is vital as always but more and more shopping sites are interlinked with their social marketing or CRS programs, take for instance the idea here for Sendo, where during TET families come together, some people are alone, so during this very important gathering wants stopping Sendo as a shopping portal to bring people who have no one together. Just a thought but more and more brands will be judged not just on words but their actions. That is why each silo in companies and agencies are brought together as the thinking and experience has to be seamless and truly connected.

Instagram Good Time To Post

Well said and true

Beautifully Sad

These ads from Refuge have been popping up in my feed over the last week or so, you would have thought this type of behaviour from men would have been a thing of the past, but sadly if anything it's on the increase :( but this is wonderful work from a creative perspective to the work they do in supporting women in abusive relationships. Very well written and art directed. #HatTip to work like this McCann Bristol.

Poor Marketing By Tiffany's

I saw this on my feed and it struck me as to why this object made me feel sad? It made me sad for the world we live in where 500,000 kids in the UK leave home for school without a breakfast or where 4.5 million kids are living below the poverty line in the UK, terrible statistics in the modern age. So what has that got to do with a silver can? For many people it's a daily struggle just to put food on the table, and I remember a stat when the country goes into a recession the biggest selling items are cans of beer and baked beans. This silver can reminded me of a baked bean can but this one is priced at 945 pounds. When I was an art student, a 20p can of beans went a long way, beans on toast, the next day, jacket potato and beans, it was and sure still is the stable diet for many students and working class families up and down the country. So for many this everyday object is an object of existing rather than seen as an object of luxury. People need to be reminded that even if they have wealth there's a lot of people who haven't and showing some form of empathy and compassion is required not rubbing their faces in it by wearing stuff like this. Peace and goodwill to you all, especially this time of year

Tech Jargon Flowchart :)

Creativity DeConstructed

Constructvism and disequilibrium I discovered this and I really thought it was gold and worth sharring in gaining undertsanding when it comes to the creative process or the journey we as creatives we have to go through. I agree withthe post in to get the best work you have to go as I call it; the 'dark zone' where there's confusion and unease. And if you look at the theory of learning in Constructvism, it's about experiences of what we have gone through that makes us who we are and how we decode things. I love this graph that shows the process and the feelings we feel duriing the creative process. Disequilibrim should be embraced no matter how uncomfortable it makes us feel.

Love this, sums it up.