When packs become brand stories

Two packaging posts in two days.

But given how rare it is to see truly great packaging it's hard not to share when you find some.

This one is for online spectacles retailer Warby Parker.

The pics were pinched from Faris Jakob's blog where he shared his love for the packaging too.

What really excites me about this stuff is that the warmth and charm starts on the outside and runs all the way through to the last thing you read.

Really nice and very well thought out.

Much like a great direct mail pack.

There's a definite contrast between how Warby Parker mail things compared to most other online retailers.

Who seem quite content to simply squeeze their products into boring brown cardboard and then pop them in the post.

Food meets brand

Someone shared this neat bit of typographical humour on Twitter the other day.

I downloaded it so I could share with the design team at work.

But then I came across these very chic minimalist brand meets foodstuff designs by Israeli artist Peddy Mergui.

So clean. So simple. And so very well branded.

Lessons for new creative leaders

 

Utterly brilliant presentation by Matt Zucker of OgilvyOne in New York.

Wish I'd had something like this when I got my first Creative Director job.

But I didn't. So I learnt things the hard way.

Although I suspect maybe Matt did too. 

The creative process

Marcus has summed up life as a creative better than anyone I know.

Brilliant. Just brilliant.

Best job ad ever

Click the pic for a better look. Trust me it's worth it. 

Mad Men meets Blaxsploitation

As a kid raised in the 70s I've always had a soft spot for Blaxploitation films. So you can imagine how much I'd love for Don-O-Mite to be a real film rather than just a brilliant spoof. Enjoy!

Feel real

Nice to see a condom ad that's neither risqué or smutty. Well done to all involved. 

Need I say more?

If it ain't broken break it anyway

A few years back I was approached about an ECD role with a digital agency.

I was CD at Wunderman at the time and loved working there. So I wasn't all that interested in the job.

But they were very interested in me.

So I went for the interview which took place over beers.

Then another. And another.

At the third interview the MD ask me about my ideation methodology.

That was when I knew the agency wasn't for me.

I liked the guys and their agency but I knew from that question that I wouldn't be the right fit for them.

Yes there are many proven techniques for having ideas. But sometimes you just have to be prepared to show up and break things. 

Silence on ANZAC Day

It's ANZAC Day in Australia next Friday.

A day where we stop to remember the sacrifices of brave young people during times of war.

This year is particularly significant at it is the centenary of the beginning of the First World War.

Every year I buy a badge or something similar to help raise money for returned soldiers.

Not sure I'd buy a minute of silence on my iPhone though.

Yes it's a clever idea.

Yes it raises money for a good cause.

And yes the minutes of silence were recorded by Australian Defence Force members and their families from conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan and Vietnam.

But the idea of listening to your phone as a mark of respect or quiet contemplation just doesn't sit well with me.

Yes we need to get the kids involved.

But seriously.  Why can't we just take a moment on this most solemn of days to be alone with our thoughts, rather than our phones?

Old and new skills

This very clever idea has already been recognised at a few award shows.

What I love about this little video though is it shows the handmade nature of the idea.

Woodwork. Soldering irons. And computer programming.

A coming together of old and new skills. Beautiful.

Trouble in mind

One of the most frustrating things about life as a creative (and even more so as a Creative Director) is constantly disagreeing with people.

You have to stand your ground.

You have to argue your point.

And you need to know that what you are doing will make a difference despite not making less visionary people happy. 

Farewell Friends

My daughter is mad about the TV show Friends.

In fact she has the entire series on DVD.

Which is great 'cause I'm fond of it too.

On the w/e she emailed the ad above for the final screening of Friends on Britain's Channel Four.

It's brilliant don't you think?

Obviously not a campaignable thought. But a damn fine ad none the less.

Nicole and Jimmy

I'm not generally a fan of fashion advertising. And I'd like to tell you how much I love this new Jimmy Choo ad with Nicole Kidman. But I can't because it's little more than smoke and mirrors with a catchy soundtrack. Love to know how much Kidman got paid! 

Thought for the day

Fruit swirl

There's absolutely no sign of a so called big idea in these press ads for Queensberry Fruit Swirl.

But gee they're beautiful. And clever.

Which is enough to get them a fruity thumbs up from me.

Cereal box psychology

Obviously America has way more sugary kids breakfast cereals than we do in Australia.

But that doesn't mean we don't have plenty.

Last night I stumbled on this great infographic on kids cereals by Cornell University.

I know there's a lot (and I do mean a lot) of science behind the placement of goods in supermarkets.

But I never pictured it was a seriously sinister as the infographic shows.

Click the pic if you want a better look. 

Lighting up the city

I've loved neon signs ever since I was a kid. I think it's why I love Japan so much. It's neon heaven.

I hope you enjoy this 10 minute doco on neon signage from the Hong Kong Museum of Visual Culture. I know I did! 

Advertising on Pinterest

Like all the other popular social media sites Pinterest is looking to advertising as a revenue source into the future.

And recently they've been visiting media agencies to showcase their planned advertising platform.

The pics above and below show how an ad would look on a typical Pinterest page/board.

Those red boxes are to highlight the ads. They won't be a part of the advertising.

I like the fact that ads on Pinterest will look just like the pics pinned to a Pinterest board.

But I can't help wondering why you'd pay good money (and it ain't gonna be cheap) to put ads on a page that don't stand out.

This is surely wallpaper advertising at its finest.

Or should that be worst?

Born gentle

It's easy to cringe at cigarette ads from the so called good old days.

But they really were different times.

How the hell this ad got made however is a whole 'nother story.

A cigarette ad. Aimed at new mums.

New mums!

Yep yep yep. 

Nike up and running

What you see before you are the first ads created for Nike. The creative team was Dan Wieden and David Kennedy.

So in essence these humble ads launched two of the most influential brands of modern advertising - Nike AND Wieden & Kennedy. 

Old Spice on Instagram