Hasta La Creative!

BBDO New York launched a new campaign for Lowe’s, timed to coincide with spring cleaning and painting season and announce the arrival of HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams.

The roll0out marks the first time Sherwin Williams will be sold outside its own stores in the company’s forty year history. To illustrate that “The most legendary name in paint is now at Lowe’s,” BBDO New York made the announcement in front of several famous historical painters: Andy Warhol, Bob Ross, Vincent Van Gogh and Leonardo da Vinci. The agency’s portrayal of Warhol is the best of the bunch, as the Pop Art maestro asks, “It’s me isn’t it?” and then when he finds out it isn’t decides “I must paint him” and is (appropriately enough) undeterred to learn it is actually a can of paint. Other 15-second spots provide a typically cartoonish version of Van Gogh (complete with oversized ear bandage) and Leonardo, and a mild-mannered Ross who tries to hide his disappoint at not being “the most legendary name in paint” right after objecting to the label. It’s a memorable way to introduce the product roll-out, with the comical portrayal of Warhol especially winsome, and each spot makes its point with welcome brevity. The spots will broadcast through September, as well as running on Lowe’s social media channels.

Credits:

Agency: BBDO NY
Client: Lowe’s

Chief Creative Officer, Worldwide: David Lubars
Chief Creative Officer, NY: Greg Hahn
Executive Creative Director: Lauren Connolly
Executive Creative Director: Tim Bayne
Creative Director: Molly Adler
Creative Director: Mike Sweeney
ACD / Copywriter: Matthew Page
ACD / Art Director: Carolyn Davis
Executive Producer: Ashley Henderson
Producer: Alexander Loubek
Senior Director: Jim Reath
Account Director: Andrew DeBenedictis
Account Director: Heather Linde
Account Executive: Karen Madera

Production Company:Anonymous Content
Directo: Joachim Back
Director of Photography: Pawel Edelman
Line Producer: Tim Kerrison

Editorial: Dave Anderson / Arcade Edit
Sound Mix: Peter Holcomb / Sound Lounge
Color Correct: Tim Masick / Company 3
Animation: Sibling Rivalry
Finishing: Spontaneous

Lowe’s must have known its human-size robotic “shopping assistants,” which are rolling out this holiday season, would be mocked, right? They couldn’t possibly have believed that people would just let that slide.

Enter John Oliver and Nick Offerman.

The Last Week Tonight host, who expertly skewers corporate buffoonery of all kinds, smartly posits that employees at home improvement stores aren’t just there to sell you stuff—they’re there to referee the impending nuptial doom that such stores cause.

Check out Oliver’s fake ad below—showing the nonrobotic, personal touch of rival chain Home Depot’s employees, as epitomized by macho do-it-yourselfer Offerman.

It’s a great bit, with hilarious performances, too, by Louie guest star Sarah Baker and Archer/Bob’s Burgers genius H. Jon Benjamin.

Oliver isn’t wrong about these stores and the tension they cause, either. There’s even a scene in He’s Just Not That Into You where (2009 spoiler alert!) Bradley Cooper reveals to Jennifer Connelly that he’s been cheating on her in a Home Depot.