Hasta La Creative!

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Sweden's One Hour Agency is the brainchild of interactive art directors Ben Langeveld and Ingmar Larsen, who, along with a half-dozen other creatives from the Hyper Island program, want just 60 minutes of your time. "You give us one hour. We generate quality ideas," they say.

At typical client-agency meetings, awkward pauses and efforts to reboot PowerPoint can last longer than an hour, but this startup remains undeterred. "It's not that you deliver a final solution," says Larsen, who believes 60 minutes is plenty of time to "build relationships by showing how you work, who you are and what you can do." OHA's approach seems more genuine than some previous gimmicky models—like "World's Fastest Agency" or "Pay What You Want"—because it doesn't overpromise. "If the meeting works from both sides, then we offer different kinds of packages depending on the brief," says Larsen. The crew is currently working on a project for Swedish Public Radio.

OHA has a handy pie-chart that breaks down the first hour: 10 minutes each for greetings, evaluation and presentation, and 30 minutes for ideation. That's pretty packed. Demands for bigger logos and "guaranteed viral" videos presumably require buying more time.

I just did a search for "working woman" on a popular stock photography site, and got photos of women in pantsuits wielding brick-sized cellphones, photos of women pouting sexily while adjusting their glasses, and not much else. Stock photography is easily accessible and way cheaper than hiring a photographer to produce images for a brochure or an ad or a website, but it is rife with stereotypes.

Getty Images and Sheryl Sandberg's LeanIn.org have partnered to produce a collection of images that represent women and families in more empowering ways. Sure, you've got the woman in the pantsuit, but there's also a tattooed mom holding her baby and typing on her laptop. There's a woman mountain climber, a dad holding his daughter in a baby carrier, and—get ready to clutch your pearls, stock photography users—a woman wearing jeans in the office.

The jointly curated Lean In Collection has more than 2,500 visuals "celebrating powerful images of women, girls and the communities who support them," Getty says in a statement. "The collection will serve as a resource for marketers, advertisers and media for use in their campaigns and communications. It arrives in time for Women's History Month and the one-year anniversary of the publication of Sandberg's best-selling book Lean In."

While stock photography may seem like a nonissue, Sandberg notes, "You can't be what you can't see. In an age where media are all around us, it is critical that images provide examples that both women and men can emulate."

More photos below. (Credits: Andreas Kuehn; Thomas Barwick; Betsie Van Der Meer; no credit; Cavan Images; Image Source.)

Here's a fun neighbor-shaming McDonald's billboard from DDB Stockholm.

Sitting right at the border between Sweden and Norway, the billboard displays comparative pricing for Big Macs in the two nations—egging on Norwegians to take advantage of Sweden's cheaper burgers. In other words, it's the rare fast-food ad that doubles as fodder for exchange-rate geeks.

The Economist's Big Mac Index has for decades used McD's staple burger as an international benchmark for measuring relative prices around the world. Norway's Big Mac was, in fact, recently declared the most expensive anywhere (and not for the first time). That's due to the country's oil-rich, inclusive economy, where generally high wages (even for burger flippers) help drive up prices. (Some observers, meanwhile, are claiming all the extra money is making the country's workforce too lazy.)

DDB points out that Norwegians are already crossing the border for bargains in droves. So really, the agency is just reminding them to stop for a more affordable heart-stopper.

How much will they save? In Norway, a Big Mac costs the equivalent of about $14.41, says the billboard. In Sweden, it's only about $9.08. Of course, that's still way too much for a Big Mac—especially if they're made in any way like the brand's Chicken McNuggets.

Sumedha Sah is a self taught artist and illustrator and hails from the beautiful hill station of Nainital. Having completed her Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from MIT Manipal, She is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Sustainable Architecture from CEPT University in Ahmedabad. Her artwork is inspired by mundane life experiences, her travels and her innate love for nature. She enjoys spending time with her pets, 3 dogs and a cat. As well as travelling to the unexplored parts of the world.

Some of her clients include, The National Geographic Traveller Magazine India, TED x India and Full Circle Publishing based out of Delhi.

Why are you an Illustrator?
I draw because it gives me immense joy. I draw for this simple reason everyday. With a sketchbook and a box of travel watercolours, I doodle and create. I find inspiration in the happenings of everyday. I strongly believe in the simple joys and know that many of our lives go by, doing things for the head rather than the heart. My sketchbooks are a way to document my life and record the thoughts that cloud my mind on certain days. On others they are a mirror to what I feel.

Did you attend school for fine art or design?
I am currently pursuing my Masters in Sustainable Architecture. I am an Architect by profession and a self taught artist.

You have a distinct style of illustration. How long did it take you to develop your style?
I draw with a fountain pen (Lamy) and use of lot of dots and dashes in my artworks. The fact that I am not a trained artist, I consider this as my main strength as I have come to evolve my own style over a period of 2 years.

Were there any particular role models for you when you grew up?
When I was young, my Mother was my biggest strength; I admired her in every way. Even though she is not here with me now, I feel her presence everyday. That gives me immense strength.

Who was the most influential personality on your career in Illustrations?
My sister, Preetika has been pillar of support for me. She is a graphic designer by profession with a background in Fine arts, over the years she has been my best critique and guide. I’ve learnt a lot from her. Another dear friend who’s always been there by my side is Kartikeya. If it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t be what I am today. My family has also played a major role in making me an artist. Their undying trust gave me new confidence in myself.

What made you decide to become a freelance illustrator? When did you start freelancing? Do you illustrate for advertising?
Freelancing just happened for me by chance. On the advice of one of my friends I created a blog of my artwork. That’s how I got noticed and work started pouring in. I have done from commissioned Paintings, illustrated booklets, and tattoo design to Wedding invites. I started freelancing about a year ago; I haven’t yet got a chance to work for advertising.

Are many advertising agencies getting illustrations made these days? Do you work more with agencies or publishers
I’ve seen lots of projects that have been going on where illustrators are involved in advertising. I have worked for a publishing house as a freelance illustrator at one point of time.

Was there any time when you wanted to quit Illustrations?
For me Doodling has become a regular habit, It’s always at the back of my mind. It’s something I have to do everyday. Such a thought for me, will be like for a musician not to play or a performer not to act. Its in my nature, It will never change.

Have you considered turning your illustrations into toys?
Not until now, But now that I think about it, It sounds like fun!

Any other Indian Illustrators who you admire?
I really admire the works of Prashant Miranda, his style and ability to draw just anything is astonishing. Maheswari Janarthanan is another illustrator that I really love. She is just excellent with her little beings and colour palette. She’s got a real talent.

Do you have any favorite fellow illustrators or resources relating to your fields?
Malota , Yelena Bryksenkova from New England , Geninne Zaltkis from Mexico city and Oana Befort from Romania are a few all time favourites of mine. As for resources I refer to a lot of books for inspiration. ‘An illustrated life ‘by Danny Gregory featuring private diaries of some of the world’s best illustrators is my favourite book.

You have such a wide experience as a top working professional. What advice do you have for aspiring creative professionals? Would you advise them to take on Illustration as a career option? Is it paying well enough?
To have an open mind and heart for inspiration and to create with joy is an advice I’d give to new artists. The most important thing is to find happiness in your work, never do anything for money, if you do it with your heart and soul, Money will surely follow. If it doesn’t make you happy; it’s not the thing for you, I believe.

In India, Illustration is slowly being recognised at an important art form, since it can be used as multiple things, be it advertising, books, invites, maps and even magazine art works, the possibilities with this kind of art form are endless. It is definitely a wonderful career choice and if you are a hard worker, it does pay well.

Mac or PC?
Since I am a traditional illustrator and work by hand, it hardly matters what computer I use. Although it’s a PC that I own right now, changing to a Mac in the near future wouldn’t hurt that much I guess!

Who would you like to take out for dinner?
I would like a combination of my most admired artists in the world. The Exceptional Author Ernest Hemingway for the simple truth in his words, Members of the Swedish band called Koop, because they make some fantastic music, and my most favourite painter of all time, Gustav Klimt, for the magic he created on the canvas. I think with a group like that, it would be a more than ‘memorable ‘dinner with some lovely conversations and great music.

What’s on your iPod?
I am a big fan of this band called Florence and the Machines, they make wonderful music apart from that I have Bonobo, Thievery corporation, Karsh Kale, Amit Trivedi, Goldspot, Radiohead, Fink ,Coldplay, Porcupine tree, Koop and the good old Pearl Jam.

To get in touch with Sumedha, reach her blog here.

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Once again, a snack-food brand learns why it should carefully stage-manage any attempts to crowdsource flavor ideas on the Internet.

The latest round of Lay's "Do Us a Flavor" campaign, which launched last month, has predictably brought out the trolls, who've suggested, among other things, flavor ideas like Disappointed Parents, Orange Juice 'N Toothpaste and Sinus Infection.

You might recall Mountain Dew going through something similar when their "Dub the Dew" campaign was hijacked by nerds who filled the online ballot with Gushin' Granny and Fapple, among other uncouth suggestions.

Say what you want about the immaturity of the Lay's trolls, but at least they aren't bringing out the Hitler jokes. Not yet, anyway.

And of course, Lay's is surely eating it up.

Advertising Agency: McCann, India
Executive Creative Director: Ashish Chakravarty
Creative Directors: Mayur Hola, Vineet Mahajan, Sudeepa Ghosh
Copywriter: Prateek Suri
Art Director: Gourav Verma
Photographer: Manav Parhawk
Production: Ars Thanea

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Advertising Agency: Metal Communications, Cochin, India
Creative Director: Satish Bhasakran
Dust Artist: Jithin Kumar
Art Director: Prasad Te
Copywriter: Parvathi Rajmohan
Photographer: Subhash Maheshwar

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Every region had its own odd selection of local ads during last night's Super Bowl, but Utah surely takes the prize for most uncomfortable viewing-party moment.

In an eerily quiet and hypnotically rotating road-safety PSA, the Utah Department of Transportation depicted a dead child lying in an overturned car. A dead kid. During the Super Bowl.

"Sam looks like he's sleeping, but he's not," the narrator explains. "He's not thinking. He's not breathing. He's dead."

Unlike many of the evening's ads, this one makes a very clear point: Unbuckled adults can pose a huge risk to other passengers, including children, in the event of a crash. According to a statistic in the ad, unbuckled motorists increase the risk of injury or death to other passengers by 40 percent.

The state's Zero Fatalities microsite seems strangely pessimistic (or maybe just realistic) about the ad's impact: "If this doesn't inspire you to buckle up, we hope it at least shows you how your actions can threaten the lives of your friends and family members who are in the car with you. Seat belt use isn't just a personal decision; it affects everyone in the vehicle and others on the road."

A state spokesman admitted to the Salt Lake Tribune that the ad may be a bit dark for a festive event like the Super Bowl, but that safety officials "hope this commercial will spark a conversation and maybe inspire someone who doesn't typically buckle up to do so."

Lorde is a humble, homegrown New Zealand star, and she's taken out a full-page ad in the New Zealand Herald to make sure everyone back home knows she hasn't forgotten that.

Ahead of her performance at the Laneway music festival on Wednesday night this week (apparently her only summer show in New Zealand, where it's summer, Yankee suckers), the singer of anti-materialist anthem "Royals" penned a handwritten note for the ad celebrating her performance Sunday night at the Grammy Awards in L.A., not to mention the two awards she picked up there, for Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance.

"hiya if you're reading this, Joel & I won. HOLY CRAP," reads the letter, referring to her producer Joel Little. "I just wanted to say thank you for the time you've given me over the past 14 months… without your support there's no way I would've ever gotten to stand in the middle of the Staples Center and perform in my school shoes."

It's a classy, charming statement of appreciation that fits nicely with her acceptance speeches, and broader down-to-earth positioning—a nice example of when marketing can perfectly align with honesty. Or at least, with an exceptionally convincing illusion of it.

See the full ad below.