We were recently discussing simple ideas, and this wonderful UK television commercial (designed to entice more students to consider teaching) came to mind.
It speaks for itself (in very few words).
UPDATE: The YouTube Account to this ad no longer exists – we’ll try to find another example (though it’s proving hard).
Posted by Dana Minter
If you work in any kind creative employment, or even if you’re “resting”, as they say in Hollywood, you are probably aware of what others in your field might be up to. “Looking for inspiration” is the usual excuse for not getting on with your work, but seeing good ideas always perks me up and that’s good enough for me.
With three other creative partners sitting next to me, inevitably we tend to down tools whenever we see something halfway interesting. There’s always some great work to admire, but sometimes it’s almost impossible not to become envious - “how come they got a brief like that”? “Huh, well anyone can do a decent charity ad, can’t they?” Anyone who’s worked in a creative department could continue this line of thought easily, I’m sure.
So, putting all petty jealousies aside, I thought about the one piece of advertising work I would most have wanted to have thought of myself. My choice is a brilliant “one off” idea for British Airways that blew me away when I first heard of it and, as this YouTube clip reveals, it certainly stopped cinema audiences in their tracks when it appeared.
Original, clever, funny, and so captivating, the audience gave it a standing ovation. It’s enough to make you sick. Anyway, I’m over it now – just. Watch and enjoy (or curse, cry or scream with envy).
Posted by Ian Minter
Smokey the Bear is the longest running public service campaign in America. I’m originally from Canada and so I am very familiar with the character. Smokey is a cartoon….well, bear of course. And he teaches children (and hopefully adults) how to prevent forest fires.
Smokey seems to have been born in 1944 after a series of rather menacing ads and posters (“Death Rides the Forest when Man is Careless!”) His gentle, tutorial manner of teaching fire prevention has proven to be extremely successful and is one of the best known characters in advertising history.
I’m all for evolution (and occasionally revolution) of a brand. However, I love the fact that this icon has remained true to character for over 60 years.
Visit Smokey’s website to see how the campaign has changed.
Posted by Dana Minter
I love this series of commercials from AT&T in the US. Made in 1993, it boldly predicts everything from the everyday use of GPS to automatic paying of tolls (E-Tolls) to the everyday use of the internet .
(Although faxing from a beach and video/telephone from a phone booth seem a bit passe.)
Still, it’s a trip down memory that’s a trip to the future (just watch them and you’ll see what I mean).
