Jan 03

Paddy Power Favors Fools on the Pitch with ‘Fat Watch’

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The image of fat, overpaid athletes who don’t care about what they do as much as they should is an easy shot for fans to take. It’s occasionally true. But this angle almost never comes from the house, since gambling companies don’t need to take a stance one way or the other to make money. But in the UK, bookmaker Paddy Power has teamed with CP+B for “Fat Watch” a contest to the bottom that rewards soccer players who take the least shots or spend the most time on the bench. Fans who support the clubs of the laziest players (Fernando Torres) will win some undisclosed prize, which seems more like compensation for rooting for FC Shame.

The 30-second spot is pretty funny and plays more like a comedy sketch than a commercial. I don’t think this idea could play in America, but for the stodgy fans across the Atlantic, the campaign’s sneering tone feels like a great fit. Credits after the jump.

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Oct 23

Mcgarrybowen London Messes with Your Head to Hype Honda’s Diesel CR-V

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In its second project for Honda since winning a pitch for a certain piece of the automaker’s biz in July 2012, Mcgarrybowen London uses forced perspective and other illusory tricks to mess with your head, and to emphasize the Honda CR-V 1.6 diesel’s “impossible” qualities.

Regardless of the justification, we’re always glad to see visually striking spots, and this one certainly qualifies. Using optical illusions incorporating the new vehicle should keep viewers’ eyes glued to the screen for the duration of the ad, always something to aspire to. That they are able to justify the approach makes it all the better, even if the justification isn’t all that sturdy. The idea is that a fuel-efficient SUV is thought of as “impossible” but the new CR-V disproves that. “Let’s do those things that can’t be done,” a narrator says, “like less fuel in for more miles out.” Not the strongest concept exactly, but the execution more than makes up for it. On the other hand, touting a vehicle as fuel-efficient without any mention of the gas mileage is less understandable, and may make people think that description is all smoke and mirrors.

The spot, directed by Chris Palmer of production company Gorgeous, debuted in the UK on October 19th and is currently running across Europe. It is supported by print, outdoor, digital and direct executions. Credits after the jump.  continued…

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