The Art Complex

Most of us are familiar with the lovable mini Darth Vader spot, created by Deutsch for Volkswagen earlier this year. It gained rapid popularity after its initial airing during the Superbowl and went on to pick up a few awards at Cannes this year. However, it doesn’t end there. Environmental group, Greenpeace, took a strategic maneuver and used the momentum Volkswagen has gained, and turned the Star Wars story to something a little bit more sinister.

As much as I’m annoyed with the antics of Greenpeace over the years, I must say their Star Wars tactic is a step-up. The new “VW Death Star” spot, features a legion of mini Star Wars heroes (from a mini Obi-Wan Kenobi to a kid dressed in a R2D2 box), confronting a mini Vader as he tries to start up his Passat again; Little do they know there’s a VW-branded Death Star looming over their heads. This spot is Greenpeace’s way of taking a shot at Volkswagen, by saying VW refuses to cut CO₂ (Carbon Dioxide) emissions; I have yet to find the AOR for Greenpeace (if any).

This should be interesting if VW chooses to retaliate; or at least go about exercising good PR. Why? Because you can’t completely ignore something like this. As lame as Greenpeace is for taking this route, it’s a hit at your brand and it’s followers. But what will VW do against Greenpeace if they choose to fight back? I have a hunch that this might blow over if it doesn’t gain momentum. But for now, I think Greenpeace can safely say “Checkmate”.

Read more about the campaign here

This spot was made by Clemenger BBDO for the Melbourne International Film Festival. Pretty funny way of poking fun at Polish cinema. Not to mention, 100 points to MIFF on landing a cameo from Australian native, Geoffrey Rush. This spot speaks in honesty that some Polish indie films are boring but still contribute to the culture that makes the festival. If MIFF is reflective of the kind of humour and wit encompassed in this spot, then I think I have a lot more to research into this film festival!  

Take that Chemists! Art Directors have better periodic tables! … even though it’s still not fair that you have “Kryptonite” as a gas.

Major kudos to the creator of this!

Thanks for sharing this link w/ me Michael Potash!

Makes great reference!

Originally tweeted by @BLACKBAGtweets

Whimsical way of advertising the new Star Tours at Disneyland!

".. to join the ranks of the likes of George Lois, Marvin Israel, or Gail Anderson you have to sneak out of the office from time to time. Catch a matinée showing the latest animation film. Have lunch with friends who work in other fields such as biofuels, taxidermy, or restaurant management. Pursue hobbies that do not relate to your job (beekeeping anyone?). Hang around antiquarian bookstores. Go surfing. As Vince Frost, one of our contributors, puts it: ‘Don’t get stuck on a computer … take care and tread lightly.’"

Veronique Vienne, Art Director

"… let me tell you when I might demand that you take my name off the door. That will be the day when you spend more time trying to make money, and less time making advertising; our kind of advertising…"

Leo Burnett, “When To Take My Name Off The Door”

December 1st, 1967

Three is a company. Love the TV spots from DDB Canada so much that I had to add these guys to my collection… Well I had Salty and Pep for a long while now; I’ve only recently ordered and received Eggy the timer.

anthonykalamut:

I once said if Jay-Z ever wrote a book on his success and his marketing ability I would likely teach from it… seems there will be an addition to the “recommended” reading list.

There I was standing at the lineup as I held a few design books in one hand and flipping through a magazine that had pictures of Jessica Alba with the other. As the person ahead of me moves forward, I noticed the distinguishing face of Bill Gates piercing the depths of my soul. That’s when i realized it was a magazine. Not just any magazine by the way, it was MACLEAN’S magazine. The only thing different though, was that it was in a completely different format. It read, “MACLEAN’S THE RETHINK ISSUE”. I had to purchase it.

 On my way home, I was reading through it. I was very engaged as this particular issue solely revolved around, as the subhead puts it, “The people and ideas that are changing the world”. FASCINATING content. But what I found even more fascinating was the fact that GM Motors paid for EVERY advertising space in this magazine. I did further investigation into this and found that, MACLEAN’S was trying a new magazine format and a new look for this month as a precursor to the launch of their up coming iPad app. They’re Rethinking the way their brand operates, so why not Rethink the way it looks?

So what does General Motors have to do with this? According to Marketing Magazine, GM wants the public to rethink their brand. On behalf of General Motors, agency M2 Universal prepared this full-magazine campaign that had only GM-branded advertising. From Chevrolets to Cadillacs, MACLEAN’S “Rethink” issue now not only demonstrates how people and ideas are changing the world, but it sells GM’s brand as rethinking the way of the motor vehicle. The campaign displays GM’s popular selections of vehicles, selling them based on their unique traits. Not to mention, this campaign also took into consideration digital media, such as the use of QR codes and social media.

This is the first time I’ve seen a campaign take full coverage of a magazine and I must say, I’m impressed at the strategy behind it and the overall campaign itself.

To read more, you can check out Marketing Magazine’s article:GM GETS SIDEWAYS IN LATEST ISSUE OF MACLEAN’S