‘Advertapps’ are exactly that – freeb iPhone apps that advertise a company or product. Of course, they need to be useful (why else would someone download it).

My favourite – the app that takes the ‘flash red eye’ out of iPhone photos – for an eye drop.

The website creativebits.org has posted a few for your viewing pleasure.

Posted by Dana Minter

Lovely.

Click here to see the full campaign.

Posted by Dana Minter

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

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

Posted by Dana Minter

One of the interesting aspects of our job is the experience of meeting a wide variety of people, from all walks of life. People who usually have a great deal of knowledge about their particular line of work, but need some help from us to help sell their services to others.

Needless to say, we can only do this effectively if we can quickly grasp the essence of their business and determine what messages will need to be communicated to their target market, whoever they might be – from geeks   looking for new tech, lawyers looking for rich pickings, women in search of beauty, or fat folk looking for new waistlines. That’s just a few of the audiences we needed to reach in the last week alone.

How can we make this possible? It’s not copywriting, art direction, or graphic design, but something much harder to grasp and far more valuable – an idea. A creative concept, in our parlance.

For some reason, we have a really hard time persuading clients that we can’t really start on their project until we have one. We can’t start writing headlines, or body copy. We can’t create visual identity or think of an image that represents them. The idea is everything.  Starting work on any job without forming an upfront creative direction is like writing a novel without giving it any considered thought . Or, crossing the road without looking first.

I would have thought this was just commonsense. Assuming we have been well briefed, we need to take stock of what kind of company/product/people we’re dealing with and decide on the right approach. Very often, we find that existing marketing communications fail to capture the core truths about an organisation, or at least the most compelling reasons to believe what is being said about it.

It’s our job, as experienced professionals, to advise our clients and make recommendations. Writing words or making things look beautiful are easy, coming up with a brilliant creative concept that makes a client stand apart from all of their rivals and to grab the attention of their customers, now that’s hard.

The trouble is, most clients don’t understand this. And, because they don’t understand it, or grasp how important an idea is, they don’t want to pay for it.

I’m thinking of keeping my creative ideas up my sleeve from now on, on the opposite arm to the one I use to display fake Rolexes. If I can’t persuade anyone to pay for good creative concept, maybe I can try flogging them a dodgy watch.

Sadly, I think it’ll be a lot easier.

Posted by Ian Minter

As the nominations for best Animated Short Film were announced during the Academy Awards, I was drawn into the enchanting world of ‘Logorama’. Thankfully, this French film was awarded the Oscar, and the Producer gave a charming acceptance speech, reassuring everyone that ‘no logo was harmed in the making of this.’

I rushed to my computer to find the film in full. After viewing it on YouTube, I had one question – how on earth did it get made? Swearing Michelin Men, a hostage taking Ronald McDonald, a camp Mr. Clean and a Jolly Green Giant flasher are the nightmare of every brand manager. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed it immensely, it just took me on a journey that I didn’t expect.

Still, it would be a shame if the brand gatekeepers were to pull the shutters down on this clever film. Unfortunately, with an Oscar under its belt and more publicity, it could happen.

The day after the Oscars, I could find the full film easily on the internet. Today, it’s been pulled from YouTube and consequently other sites due to ‘copyright’ reasons.

However, I’ve found it here – but be quick, it’s bound to be pulled soon. If that disappears, you can always see the 46 second trailer here.

Posted by Dana Minter

Posted by Ian Minter