Hasta La Creative!

Yes, disposing of bombs is stressful. So is operating on someone’s brain, or rocketing into the endless void of space. But none of those things require quite as much courage as advertising, where only the truly fearless succeed.

That’s according to Wieden + Kennedy’s amusing call for entries campaign for the 2015 Andy Awards, which is seeking your bravest work for its next show. Check out three films below, in which practitioners from supposedly daunting fields tip their hats to advertising people—the world’s real heroes.

There are also display and social media ads that show extremely courageous ad creatives Gerry Graf, Dan Wieden, Susan Hoffman and Jeff Benjamin being mock-congratulated by people who are almost, but not quite, as courageous as they.

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The point, of course, is that this is just marketing—no one is saving lives. And yet, in less dramatic form, you do need courage to do breakthrough work, even if scientists, scholars and soldiers aren’t going to pat you on the back and salute your valor.

W+K’s Colleen DeCourcy is the 2015 Andys chair. “Colleen and the talented team at W+K captured the spirit of bravery by using humorous situations for creatives to be inspired,” says Gina Grillo, president & CEO of The International Andy Awards. “Caring about the work and approaching it with passion and bravery is what we want to see more of, and with that comes fame, glory and quite possibly an Andy for your award shelf.”

You can also test your bravery over on the Andys website.

If you’re excited by rumors of a Salt-N-Pepa reunion album, you’ll thoroughly enjoy this Geico ad where Salt, Pepa and DJ Spinderella don their famous jackets and tell everybody to push it.

Divorcing the song from its sexual connotations, the ladies are now here to help anyone who needs some encouragement with their pushing. They help a man who tries to pull open a door that needs to be pushed. They help a lady in an elevator who needs to select a floor. They show up at a Lamaze class, then on a football sled, and finally they dance after a poor man trying to mow his lawn.

It’s pure silliness. But it certainly is memorable. And since Geico doesn’t have to use its ads to tell you what it does (save you 15 percent on car insurance, as everybody knows), it might as well have fun with it.

Also, you’re not going to be able to push “Push It” out of your head for the next few hours.

CREDITS
Client: Geico
Vice President, Marketing: Ted Ward
Manager, Broadcast Production and Agency Relations: Amy Hooks
Marketing Planner: Amy Ruddell
Marketing Coordinator: Katherine Kalec
Marketing Coordinator: Tom Perlozzo 

Agency: The Martin Agency, Richmond, Va.
Chief Creative Officer: Joe Alexander
SVP/Group Creative Director: Steve Bassett
SVP/Group Creative Director: Wade Alger
SVP/Creative Director/Art Director: Sean Riley
Senior Copywriter: Ken Marcus
VP/Agency Executive Broadcast Producer: Molly Schaaf
Bid/Prep/Shoot/Edit Producer: Alex Scheer-Payne
Vfx/Finishing Producer: Sam Tucker
Agency Junior Producer: Emily Taylor
Business Affairs Supervisor: Suzanne Wieringo
Senior Integrated Production Business Manager: Amy Trenz
VP/ Group Account Director: Brad Higdon
Account Supervisor: Parker Collins
Account Executive: Meg Ingraham
Senior Project Manager: Jason Ray    

Production Company: Hungry Man
Director: Wayne McClammy
Director of Photography: Bryan Newman
Executive Producer Mino Jarjoura
Producer: Nate Young

Editorial Company: Mackenzie Cutler
Editor: Ian MacKenzie
Assistant Editor: Nick Divers
Executive Producer: Sasha Hirschfield
Editorial Producer: Evan Meeker

Telecine: The Mill
Colorist: Fergus McCall

Audio Post Company: Rainmaker Studios
Engineer: Jeff McManus

Push It:
Conform: Running With Scissors
Conform Artist: Chris Hagen
Executive Producer: Scott Friske
Producer: DeeDee Ray

Talent:
“Push It”
Cheryl “Salt” James Wray
Sandra “Pepa” Denton
Deidra “Spinderella” Roper
Door Guy – Sergio Cilli
Elevator Woman – Suzy Nakamura
Lamaze Wife – Chala Savino
Lamaze Husband – Lonny Ross
Lawnmower Guy – Mike McCafferty
AVO – Jon Curry
Music – “Push It”

Data storage and cloud computing company EMC, which sponsors Formula 1 racing, recently sent an 18-wheeler careening over a racecar in an epic, world-record setting jump … because awesome.

It’s one of those records you have to see to believe because large trucks are not known for their grace, outside of Jean-Claude Van Damme videos, or their jumping capability.

EMC is a technical partner for the Lotus F1 team. And it’s made a ton of pretty videos about its role in designing the E22 car that meets the new F1 regulations and the technical services it provides the team. It’s pretty good content.

But the big rig jumping over an F1 car? That’s been viewed 10 million times in just a few weeks. Not to mention there’s a behind-the-scenes video where you learn fun facts like how they gutted the interior of the semi to make sure it wouldn’t catch on fire, and get to watch the door fly open on the big rig while the driver, who is in some awesome space-age bungie harness almost falls out.

You can even see stunt driver, Martin Ivanov, spin the F1 car out after the jump and say it was scary. But also, joy and happiness.

EMC is no stranger to the world record breaking model of viral advertising. In 2011, it fit 26 people inside a Mini Cooper. In 2013, it sent Parker Liautaud on a record-breaking walk—he became the youngest man to walk unsupported 397 miles to the South Pole.

Neither of those stunts received nearly as many views. I guess it just goes to show that when it comes to world records, not all are created equal.

House hunting can be an unpleasant experience. But in the Netherlands, they’ve found a way to make it much more entertaining—indeed, as fun as going to an amusement park.

The Dutch bank ABN Amro is running a promotion all through December to help home sellers advertise their properties. To advertise it, it pulled off a hilarious stunt—building a mini roller coaster inside a home, which prospective buyers can tour while riding.

Sadly, the attraction will have to come down after the place is sold. But if home buying is always a bit of a roller coaster ride, at least this literal take on it eases some of the pain.

Via Today.

Click on CC for English subtitles.

Carson loves trucks and gets way more excited about UPS deliveries than most other 4-year-olds. So the company decided to go ahead and make him part of the team.

Carson befriended Mr. Ernie, his neighborhood’s UPS driver, when he started delivering a special formulation of milk to Carson’s door three times a week. 

As part of the shipping company’s Your Wishes Delivered campaign, Carson wanted to be a UPS driver for the day. So UPS made him one, with his own truck, brown uniform, packages and even signature pad.

Ogilvy & Mather made the two and a half minute spot, and it’s a big old pile of cute wrapped up in brown paper. Carson is simply adorable. When he sees the miniature UPS truck, which is obviously a modified Power Wheels vehicle, he slaps his cheeks with his hands like Macaulay Culkin and runs around in a circle shouting, “Oh my gosh!” Then, he packages up cookies and dog bones to deliver to his neighbors.

But the best part of all, is Carson’s ability to make Mr. Ernie, a 25 year UPS veteran, get all choked up. You might even get choked up too.

CREDITS
Agency: Ogilvy & Mather
Alfonso Marian: Chief Creative Officer
Eric Wegerbauer: Group Creative Director
Ingrid Hanson: Sr. Writer
Jenny Wagstaff: Writer
Mike Cicale: Art Director
Alicia Zulaga: Senior Content Producer
Mae Flordeliza: Director, Project Management
Micardo Celicourt: Account Supervisor
Jethro Ferguson: Global Engagement Leader

Designers always eagerly await Pantone’s December announcement of its Color of the Year, predicting which hue will be ubiquitous in the year ahead. The 2015 Color of the Year, unveiled Thursday, is Marsala—a deep reddish brown. And it has some critics seeing more red than brown.

“It’s a color that makes you want to go to Olive Garden or order Tampax in bulk,” says New York Magazine’s The Cut blog in perhaps the most scathing critique.

And for its part, Olive Garden seems elated.

@Joepardavila @Pantone We couldn’t be happier with the choice! We are lobbying for a new shade for 2016 called “Freshly Baked Breadsticks”.

— Olive Garden (@olivegarden) December 4, 2014

Not all of the reaction to Marsala has been negative, but it does feel muted—perhaps appropriately so—compared to previous COYs like Tangerine Tango (2012), Emerald (2013) and Radiant Orchid (2014).

Marsala, meanwhile, is “a naturally robust and earthy wine red,” Pantone says.

The executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, Leatrice Eiseman, further elaborates:

“While PANTONE 18-3224 Radiant Orchid, the captivating 2014 color of the year, encouraged creativity and innovation, Marsala enriches our mind, body and soul, exuding confidence and stability. Much like the fortified wine that gives Marsala its name, this tasteful hue embodies the satisfying richness of a fulfilling meal, while its grounding red-brown roots emanate a sophisticated, natural earthiness. This hearty, yet stylish tone is universally appealing and translates easily to fashion, beauty, industrial design, home furnishings and interiors.”

Pantone’s agency of record, experience design firm Sub Rosa, created the brand’s overarching “Make It Brilliant” platform—and did the creative for the Color of the Year campaign, including all of the images here.

“To bring the color to life, Sub Rosa was tasked with creating a series of images that were as bold and exciting as the color of the year itself,” the agency tells AdFreak. “To do this they created a print and social campaign that makes Marsala the star. The creative team worked closely with Pantone to ensure the tone and energy would drive the mood of an imagined ‘place.’ Sub Rosa organized this story through food, drink, cooking and friends coming together at various stages of an evening meal: appetizers, dinner and dessert.”

“In each vignette, Sub Rosa meticulously planned details to create multiple layers that speak to the broad design audience. As this party moves from appetizers on the deck to dessert by the fireplace, Sub Rosa played into varying elemental associations and feelings that Marsala evokes by appropriately adjusting the character and contents of each ‘room.’ “

So, what do you think of the choice of Marsala?

You can basically rattle off a Bubba Gump-inspired list of stuff that’s great with Huy Fong’s Sriracha hot sauce: Sriracha shrimp, Sriracha wings, Sriracha corn, Sriracha burgers, Sriracha fries, Sriracha eggs. Even Tabasco has made Sriracha.

What the Pho would you do without it?

Inevitably, though, you need to wash down whatever spicy conconction you’ve inhaled with a bottle of beer. Well, now you can get your Sriracha fix with that beer, too.

The beersmiths over at Rogue have made this dream a reality with their Sriracha Hot Stout Beer, available for $13 a bottle. Orders start shipping Dec. 8. 

According to the product page: “Rogue Sriracha Hot Stout Beer, made from Huy Fong original hot chili sauce and sun ripened Rogue Farms ingredients, is ready to drink with soups, sauces, pasta, pizza, hot dogs, hamburgers, chow mein, or anything you’d like to wash down with a spicy kick.”

Oh man, oh man, oh man. 

McVitie’s Victoria, the British biscuits brand, has been using puppies, kittens, tarsiers and owls in ads over the past year. Now, Grey London expands the baby-animal menagerie dramatically for McVitie’s first Christmas ad in 30 years.

The 60-second ad shows a family’s understandable surprise when Dad opens a box of McVitie’s Victoria biscuits and a bunch of adorable animals crawl out of the pack. The interlopers include an Alaskan Malamute puppy, a micro piglet, a Persian kitten, a baby rabbit, a duckling, a ginger kitten, a Pug puppy, a baby hedgehog, a baby reindeer and a tiny narwhal hiding in the punch bowl.

Turns out they’re talented animals, too, as they join together to sing a Christmassy rendition of the ’80s hit “Only You” by Yaz (or Yazoo, as they were known in the U.K.).

The spot breaks Thursday night on British TV. As in past ads, the baby animals are meant to reflect the cuddly, snuggly feeling you get when you open a box of McVitie’s.

“We’re delighted to introduce the latest additions to our McVitie’s Sweeet family, and hope that it brings chocolatey cheer to biscuit loving households across the UK for the festive season,” says marketing director Sarah Heynen.

CREDITS
Cient: McVitie’s
Marketing Director, United Biscuits: Sarah Heynen
Creative Agency: Grey London
Creative Director: Hollie Newton
Copywriter: Hollie Newton
Art Director: Hollie Newton
Account Team: Nicola Wardell, Kate Ilott
Agency Producer:  Thea Evely
Assistant Agency Producer: Jen Gillen
Creative Producer: Lucy Dunn
Planner: Daniel Sherrard
Media Agency: MEC
Media Planner: Nicola Tracey
Production Company: Smuggler
Director: Randy Krallman
Editor: Mark Edinoff at Work
Production Company Producer: Gustav Geldenhuys
Designer: Chris Chapman
DoP: Jean Noel Mustonen
Postproduction: Framestore
Soundtrack Composer: Vince Clarke
Audio Postproduction: Wave

Wherever you travel around the world, you’ll always find Canadians gathering together, sharing stories and racking up an impressive bar tab. But this batch was especially lucky.

Last week, Air Canada dropped by “Canada Night” at London’s Maple Leaf pub to surprise a bustling crowd of ex-parts with a holiday gift they certainly couldn’t have expected.

Organized by agency JWT Canada, the stunt took place Nov. 27 and sparked some fantastic, emotional responses from the unsuspecting Canadians who’d gathered together that night. And while these holiday videos often feel staged, everything from the crappy hand-held camerawork to the off-key anthem singing make it clear that this one’s legit.

CREDITS

Agency: JWT Canada
Chief Creative and Integration Officer: Brent Choi
Vice President, Creative Director: Gary Westgate
Vice President, Associate Creative Director: Don Saynor
Vice President, Integrated Broadcast: Andrew Schulze
Art Director: Alex Newman
Copywriter: Patrice Pollack
Producer: Caroline Clark
Brand Engagement Director: Victoria Radziunas
Account Team: Scott Miskie, Gavin Wiggins, Lindsay Hill
Client Team: Craig Landry, Selma Filali, Dani Bastien, Annie Couture, John Xydous
Production Company: The Solidarity Union / Soft Citizen
Executive Producer: Rob Burns
Director: Shaun Anderson
Producer: John Scarth
Director of Photography: Byron Kopman
Editing House: School Editing
Editor(s): Chris Van Dyke and Brian Wells
Editor Assistance: Mark Lutterman, Nicole Sison, Steve Puhach, Drew MacLeod and Lauren Piche
Editorial Producer: Sarah Brooks
Online: Online: Fort York VFX
Audio: TA2
Audio Director: Steve Gadsden

Media Agency: Mindshare

If your once-loved, coldly discarded belongings could share their feelings of loss and exile, what would it sound like? Like Foreigner, that’s what.

In this Leo Burnett spot for British TV service Freeview, a bunch of “left behinds”—mainly unsold toys and figurines—spring to life after a parish rummage sale and sing along with Foreigner’s 30-year-old power ballad “I Want to Know What Love Is.”

The church’s janitor looks appropriately amazed, and kind of horrified, at this unexpected display of free entertainment. A voiceover attempts to explain the brand proposition: “Ninety-five percent of the nation’s top TV, no monthly cost. Entertainment—it’s even better when it’s free.”

The memorably offbeat clip was directed by Sam Brown through Rogue Films. It’s both charming and slightly unsettling, much like Freeview’s singing cat and budgie a while back. This vague creepiness, noted by several YouTube commenters, is actually a big plus. It makes the spot more compelling than if it had been only cute or sentimental.

The #SingingToys, as they’re known, really are a rag-tag lot. You’ve got, among others, a tattered teddy bear (cousin to this scruffy scamp, perhaps?), a worse-for-wear baby-doll, some menacing pro-wrestling action figures, a weird ceramic schnauzer (or maybe it’s a Scottie; here, it’s green) and what appears to be a wounded G.I. Joe.

Frankly, it’s not hard to see why they’d get left behind. Thankfully, at this magical time of year, there’s always hope that misfit toys can find a home.