Volkswagen’s Dark Side

29Jun/110

Volkswagen’s Dark Side

One of this year’s most popular adverts is Volkswagen Super Bowl ad with the little Darth Vader and the new Passat. This advert has now been taken up by one of Volkswagens “opponents ”, Greenpeace. The film acts as a spoof but the childlike and playful expression has a far more important agenda. Greenpeace wants to bring peoples attention to the large sum (apparently millions) Volkswagen spends on lobbyism every year to work against laws on CO2 emissions that will affect corporations.
The main point in this debate is that it would be in everyone’s best interest to make more environmental friendly cars. However it is debatable if this can be done overnight. Innovation, R&D is expensive and it takes time to produce good results. Volkswagen wants to produce better, and environmental friendly cars, but the money to do so is required to come form somewhere – it is after all a business, not a whish-fulfilling factory. Greenpeace is known for a hard tone and sometimes extreme methods in communication, and it is present in the debate-generating spoof. See Episode II on the Greenpeace campaign site where you can choose to “join the rebellion”.

Tagged as: Darth Vader, Greenpeace, Star Wars, Volkswagen, Volkswagen Passat No Comments

28Jun/110

Movie Posters & Hip-Hop

The latest album from the Canadian hip-hop artist Buck 65 (Richard Terfry) “20 Odd Years” holds (perhaps) this years coolest music video. Buck 65 is, besides being a radio host, known as an experimenting and at times avant-garde member of the hip-hop culture. Buck 65 teamed up with freelance designer Travis Hopkins and the result is a tribute to old movie posters and grindhouse films. Hopkins has created 60 fictive movie posters / trailers where the title matches the lyrics from the first track on the album “Superstars Don’t Love”. Many movie genres are represented, everything from horror to westerns, romance to sci-Fi. The music video is short and it only illustrates the first verse, but one could hope for a full version?!

BUCK 65 "Superstars Don't Love" from Travis Hopkins on Vimeo.

Tagged as: 20 Odd Years, Buck 65, Richard Terfry, Superstars Don't Love, Travis Hopkins No Comments

27Jun/110

Karlovy Vary International Film Festival

What is the best way to promote a film festival in the Czech Republic? Most people would think that Cannes, perhaps even Park City, Utah (Sundance), is a far more chic location. But this is about to change – John Malkovich is the answer.
The scene is set: Malkovich is returning from the film festival in Karlovy Vary and on the way from the airport the stereotypical cabdriver is asking about the prize in the back seat. The rest is pure Malkovich! The film was shortlisted for a Cannes Lion and maybe more people will visit the festival, even though it’s the 46th festival. Maybe people will find it as a relief that the festival is about films and not extravagant parties?

Tagged as: John Malkovich, Karlovy Vary International Film Festival No Comments

20Jun/110

Unleash Your Fingers

The competition in the market for smartphones is intense and the many competitors must constantly try to keep up with the market leader Apple. In this attempt Samsung has come out with their new smartphone Galaxy S II that has a powerful processor and touchscreen. Galaxy S II is fast due to the processing power and this allows optimal use of a touchscreen. So, how do you show this? Samsung has chosen to fly the YouTube sensation JayFunk from Los Angles to Paris and use his unique fingers. JayFunk is known for the phenomenon known as “finger tutting” where you perform a finger dance and resembles electric boogie. JayFunk shows a wide variety of graphics and apps while his fingers fly though the air. If this will help Samsung to gain on Apple is too early to tell, but the advert will make you want to use a touchscreen at once!

Tagged as: Finger Tutting, Galaxy S II, JayFunk, Samsung, Samsung Galaxy S II No Comments

15Jun/111

T-Mobile & The Angry Birds

When talking about big marketing stunts one have to mention T-Mobile. The German company have done everything from flash mobs, sing-along even the British royal wedding! This time they have created a huge version of the popular game: Angry Birds.
The Finnish company Rovio Mobile launched the game in 2009 and since then it has been purchased more than 12 million times – while holding the unofficial status as the most addictive smartphone game.
In short, the objective of the game is to shoot birds (using a slingshot) into a house-like structure with the purpose of smashing green pigs – yes, that is apparently all you need to sell more than 12 million apps.
T-Mobile built a big version of the game in Barcelona and invited people participate in what must be the biggest version of any smartphone game ever created. Using an iPhone to shoot people could shoot giant (sometimes exploding) birds. Entertaining, effective (has reached more than 4 million views) and interactive – once again T-mobile makes a hit marketing stunt.

Tagged as: Angry Birds, Barcelona, Rovio Mobile, T-Mobile 1 Comment

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