With numerous London 2012 sponsors, both major and minor, all competing to piggyback on the UK's imminent sporting spectacle, it is sometimes hard to see the wood for the trees. One Olympics themed campaign however, has really stood out for us.
adidas launched their 'take the stage' campaign on April 7th with a 60sec TV ad featuring some very famous faces including David Beckham, Example, Wretch 32 and Stella McCartney as well as Team GB athletes Victoria Pendleton, Louis Smith and Tom Daley.
'Take the stage' is the brand's biggest UK Advertising campaign to date. adidas is inviting the public to apply for once in a lifetime experiences such as the opportunity to photograph David Beckham, perform with rapper Wretch 32 on his tour, or play basketball with star Derrick Rose.
Why does it work? The campaign refers to impossible dreams, achievement, rising against all odds to succeed. It's inspiring, emotive and patriotic in a very contemporary way. Combining UK stars of sport, music, fashion and even comedy (Keith Lemon can be seen in the TV advert!), the German born sportswear giant has managed to come across as not simply a Sports brand but also as a British heritage brand and an aspirational lifestyle choice.
In the battle of Olympic sponsorship advertising, we think adidas are Gold Medal winners for sure.
'Loves' may not be strong enough a word to describe our fascination with this Pictionary style app, completely addicted may be more apt! The new big fish in the social gaming pond that has over 50 million downloads has got us spending all of our free time trying to perfectly draw David Beckham’s face. The addictive App allows you to “attempt” to draw a choice of things that can be guessed by friends or other random players. Draw Something users have reportedly created over 6 billion drawings with favourite words such as pregnant (easy to draw a round bump) and starfish another easy shape which makes us feel like a master illustrator. (CNET)
Here are some of the Draw Something illustrations we have found:
The Good:
*sings* “It’s the circle…the circle of life” (Mashable)
The Bad:
David Beckham with added grey hairs perhaps? (Huffington Post)
A creative agency in Amsterdam had potential interns compete with each other on Draw Something to fight for a position within the company. As DigitalBuzzBlog points out, it’s a great way to get a potential interns attention through a social platform that many of them are already talking about.
Draw Something vs Angry Birds
Draw Something has outdone Angry Birds and become the number one app on the App Store. As Betabeat points out, it has become an ever spreading phenomenon that even the celebrities are getting involved with. Notably Ryan Seacrest drawing Lady Gaga.
Now that Draw Something is the number one App we think that an experiential event involving the game will not be far behind. We saw how Angry Birds got users involved in its life-size version of the game.
If you haven’t already signed up then what are you waiting for? But please remember to read the small print:
Draw Something participation results in lack of social life and ability to put your phone/ tablet down.
Yes, we know, another post on the same topic? Apologies for sunding like a broken record but we really, really love it!
Animation is not what it used to be. 2D animations resigned to the screen have given way to immense, immersive, animation experiences that can engulf entire buildings. 3D Projection mapping is an innovative way of transforming even the most mundane buildings into a giant canvas for any brand. Even though this is still a relatively new medium it’s still all about the level of creativity to really engage the audience and make that connection with the brand. From buildings being seemingly demolished to a giant projected stripping man, 3D projection mapping is a sure fire way to engage people and make them stop and stare.
A stunning 3D mapping activity is also a perfect way to create an online noise about your brand, with the most spectacular examples going viral on YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook and Twitter. The more exciting the performance, the more likely fans are to share and massively boost WoM about your brand.
Here are some more of our favourites:
Ralph Lauren 4D Experience
In celebration of 10 years of digital innovation, Ralph Lauren took the fashion show to the next level by creating the world’s first 4-dimensional experience featuring 3D projected animation, digital sound effects and they even scents from their fragrance line. A stunning, jaw dropping display of cutting edge light mapping technology infused with the history of the building and brand. Using real products, people and even animals Bond Street in London as well as the New York women’s flagship on Madison Avenue in New York is manipulate into a 3D canvas transforming before your eyes.
What is most impressive is the sheer scale and the work that had to go into creating this epic display and combining advertising with a giant art instillation. Here’s a sneak peek behind the scenes of how it’s done.
Samsung: 3D Projection “Face” Mapping
Samsungs “Explore Your Dual World” was launched as a way to be a little different for a new Samsung phone that supports dual sim cards. This time on a much smaller scale but with just as much of a wow factor as Samsung transforms a real persons face into a canvas for projection mapping. They transform everything about the person from skin tone, outfits, location and even at one point turning him into a map!
Not too sure about the white face paint that you have to put on first but we love this new form of projected animation.
Contrex – Contrexperience
Contrex have developed an interactive light mapping instillation where participants cycle to ‘charge’ the projection. To give a little more encouragement to its female target audience the 40ft projection is a cheeky neon stripping man teamed with some funky music. The faster they pedal, the more he reveals. An ingenious way of getting audiences to engage and interact with the brand.
It does make you wonder what would happen to people’s waist lines if this was in homes and gyms!
The Tourist in Dallas
We love this for its simplicity in the manipulation of a building and a new way to promote an up and coming release.
Adidas France - 3D Mapping Projection
Another 3D spectacle on a building again transforming historic buildings into works of art.
Hot Wheels Secret Race Battle
Hot Wheels lit up Circular Quay in Sydney, Australia with this stunning showcase. Featuring footage of the world's fastest vehicles in a stunt ridden challenge, travelling through the Customs House facade and into a fantasy world. Hot Wheels fans of all ages, were kept on the edge of their seats as the racers smashed their way through one of Sydney's most historic buildings.
Cocoon Sculpture given new life by artist Rabarama
It’s amazing with what can be done with 3D projection. This art instillation was exhibited in Florence giving new life to art in an exciting marriage between technology and art.
Yes, yes, we know... we must be the only ones who do right? It would appear not! Now that Facebook has made the timeline feature compulsory, people have been going out of their way to create the most original and often funny timeline covers.
It's just another way to sell yourself and show off your creativity using social media. Many timeline covers feature recognisable faces from places such as film, the gaming world and even history making them another great tool for brands to encourage social sharing.
There are many timeline takes on the Sistine Chapel but this one has to be our favourite. We love anything featuring a cat and this one made us giggle whilst also making us slightly fancy a burger...
Another 80’s friend that we are always happy to find is Where’s Wally. Here we see his wannabes using the classic puzzle book to stand out from the crowd.
We have all wasted hours of our lives inexplicably killing pigs with small birds(?!). Here's one fan's Facebook based homage to the addictive Angry Birds.
But it’s not only individuals…
On demand music site, Spotify, has taken its Facebook timeline one step further and is giving its followers up to 1000 years of music history!
From posh seating to the smell of freshly baked potatoes, brands have been making fantastic and creative use of bus stop advertising recently. Ambient advertising undoubtedly creates a much higher impact than traditional poster advertising, dwell time is high and so there is a great opportunity to get passers by noticing your message. Here's some of our faves...
McCain Ready Baked Jackets
The innovative use of 'scent marketing' meant that the reach McCain achieved with this campaign was huge. In order to create a buzz around the launch of their new frozen Ready Baked Jackets, ten bus stops across the UK were fitted with 3D, fibreglass jacket potatoes which gave off heat and the aroma of a spud cooking in the oven. The shelters also dispensed money off coupons redeemable across multiple and independent retailers.
Absolut Vodka
Absolut Vodka went about re-designing bus stops in Chicago. Each one represented one of their newest flavours – Absolut Twist, Absolut Bloody and Absolut Lemon Drop – and the design reflected each flavour's specific style and personality.
Fitness First
Those who chose to sit whilst wait at this bus stop in Rotterdam were surprised by having their weight displayed! The bench in the shelter is in fact a large weighing scale that then displays the individuals weight onto the electronic display embedded in the adjacent billboard. A great way of embarrassing people into joining your gym!
Coca-Cola New Grip Bottle
A great way to 'grab' attention... This bus stop used velcro which would get caught on peoples clothes, they would then turn around an be confronted by the Coca-Cola new grip bottle messaging.
Mr Kipling
Surely the winner? Taking the whole ambient advertising concept to new heights and turning it into an unmanned sampling activity is Mr Kipling and his generous bus stop ad that gave away thousands of Angel Slices to some very happy passers by. creating a brand experience out of a traditional advertising medium- genius.
It’s that time of year and everyone is a little weary of the news they read on April 1st. Is it an April fools? Is it not? Here are some of the best April fools by brands that we’ve seen around the web.
Innocent Smoothies: Mangoes and Marmite
Innocent Smoothies reveal plans to launch a twist on a classic with their limited edition flavour: Mangoes and Marmite. With it being 2 of your 5-a-day what better way to start your day then with this classic twist.
Nicky Waymark from Marmite, said: "The idea of having Marmite and fruit together is a constant talking point on our Facebook page so when fans began calling for an Innocent smoothie, we decided to create something you would yeast expect".
Hungary Hippos for iPad
“In the late 1970s, a phenomenon swept the sporting world. A new game fell on the scene, one that created an international stir, world exhibitions, and a fever that can only be described as a "feeding frenzy." And that game was Hungry Hungry Hippos. Well, it's time to update this classic into the now with the Electronic Hungry Hungry Hippos iPad Game. Fully endorsed by the IHHHA (International Hungry Hungry Hippos Association), this game is the Hippo event of the century!
Sadly this isn’t real, although looking at ThinkGeek’s previous April fools such as the Chocolate Zombie Bunny it might not be too long before this could be a reality.
Google Maps 8-bit edition
We’re loving Google Maps 8-bit Nintendo Entertainment Systems (NES). According to the official Google blog “With Google Maps 8-bit, you can do all the things you already do on regular Google Maps. Search for famous landmarks and sites around the world. Take an epic journey with 8-bit Street View. Get detailed directions to avoid dangerous paths, and battle your way through a world of powerful monsters and mystic treasures. As the first NES cartridge to be released in nearly 18 years, we’re working hard to make Google Maps 8-bit for NES available in the Google Store as soon as possible. A mobile version for Game Boy is also under development.
Lush’s new limited Edition ‘Golden Showers’ Shower Gel
So then, 'Golden Showers' anyone? Apparently it’s a refreshing, tangy and glittering gel (golden lustre) that leaves a unique scent on the skin! They recommend to really enjoy this product to share your shower with another. Remember what your mum told you about yellow snow... The same applies here!
Although it seems there maybe a few others out there from this picture with such products as ‘You’ve Been Banged! (You’ve Been Mangoed and Fizzbanger scented lotion with copper lustre)’ and ‘Strip Your Stockings (Black Stockings scented lotion with lustre and glitter).
Kodak’s 3D Printer: Print live kittens!
3D printing is a reality, but if you fell for this one on Sunday morning we think it might be best if you head back to bed for some more sleep! Apparently you can choose from 12 breeds and have your own cute little kitten in your hands in store in minutes.
Kodak have also already expanded this idea with “Select locations will soon be featuring a limited Easter promotion (Buy 2 Bunnies, get 10 free!). A nationwide launch of Bring a Puppy Home for the Holidays! is slated to begin on November 1st." There’s even talk of large format printing with polar bears and elephants...
Jessops Balattro noPod – the worlds ‘first’ hover tripod...
And last but not least, defying the laws of gravity isn’t a leap to far with Jessops new ‘noPod’ hover tripod which hovers above its base whilst you take photos. Apparently it uses the same technology as high speed trains!
