BBDO

Looks Fast. Even in Park.

When I first saw this I thought it was some nice Photoshop work for a concept/proposal for Mercedes. After looking at the images I realized that BBDO, Toronto, actually built the props and created the blurred wall and sidewalk. That is pretty impressive. I’d like to see this in person to see if looks as good as it does in the photos.

According to the copy on the image, “To launch the Mercedes-Benz 2012 C-Class Coupe, one was parked in front of a motion blurred wall, sidewalk, and billboard that read: “Looks fast. Even in park. The 450hp 2012 C-Class Coupe.” To complete the motion-blur illusion, real 3D models of a motion blurred fire hydrant, parking sign, and mailbox were created to be part of the street scene.

Agency: BBDO, Toronto, Canada
SVP Executive Creative Directors: Peter Ignazi, Carlos Moreno
Art Director: Jonathan Guy
Copywriter: Frank Macera
Photography: Philip Rostron, Instil Productions Inc.

Starbucks Interactive Storefronts.

I have been a big fan of interactive window displays for some time now. When they are placed in the right location with a proper amount of foot traffic the results can be really positive. So I am sure that this new campaign for the Starbucks rewards program being tested in Toronto and Vancouver will be a hit. Both cities have good urban density with high volumes of foot traffic. Conditions that are ideal for interactive storefronts and interactive widow displays.

The interactive windows provide a touch screen experience that is built around the the Starbucks Stars. When the stars are touched various deals and rewards are surfaced to promote the new rewards program, and hopefully drive traffic into the store itself. The interactive window provides communication about the program, and also extends brand reach by using the stars from the famous logo to help reinforce the brand.

By the look of the video, the interaction is pretty much single sided, and really functions as high tech advertising. This isn’t bad, but I do think that BBDO could have pushed this with a smartphone application that interacts with the signage, or provides immediate rewards. I’m also surprised that there isn’t a direct hook into social networking applications like Foursquare, Facebook, or Twitter.

None the less it is a really piece by BBDO Toronto, Blast Radius and The Media Merchants.

The rise & fall of Esteban Ortega, The Dip Desperado.

Over the weekend I saw both the 30 and 15 second versions of this TV spot for Doritos. While they both sell the call to action, (the iPhone, Android, and Facebook game) they don’t sell the story as well as this 2 minute version that will be running in movie theaters before the coming attraction segments.

This TV Commercial was created by BBDO UK for the Doritos brand, and is really a set up for an advergame that is played on smartphones or in the social network space owned by Facebook. The TV commercial centers around the story of Esteban Ortega, a professional Dorito flicker, his rise and fall, and inevitable comeback. The production quality and look is really well done, and the story is pretty engaging. As for the free game, well it is pretty addictive itself. Trust me, I am not a huge gamer and I spent a couple of hours playing it yesterday evening. The game is a pretty simple idea but it is well executed and it let’s users see how they compare to their Facebook friends which is a nice social networking hook that directly promotes the brand. If you are interested, you can get the Facebook game here. The iPhone and Android apps are available through their respective stores.

BBDO Brazil for Bayer. Clever Copy Driven Advertising.

I love this series of ads from BBDO Brazil for Bayer Asprin. Clean effective editorial combined with a very simple graphical touch. The headlines say it all summing up the source of the pain. The graphic quickly points out the added relief from the stronger “Cafiasprina”. And the whole page is punctuated with Bayer’s tag line and logo. So simple and so effective.

Agency: BBDO, Brazil
Executive Creative Director: Marcello Serpa
Copywriter: Marco Giannelli (pernil)
Art director: Ary Nogueira