Where's my black pen?

Courtesy of Clients From Hell 

Levis for workers

I have no idea how often the gears align for long enough to allow passers-by to read the headline on this poster.

But I love it.

It's the work of Sagmeister & Walsh. Who are very lucky to have such a brave and trusting client.

Apple stickers

Nothing shits me more than the amount of crappy stickers my son has plastered all over his MacBook. His sister has some too.

Obviously this new Apple spot is designed to appeal to them. Because it's making me all hot 'n bothered simply posting it to the blog. 

Maximum flexibility

I love a good product demonstration ad.

What we have here is not an ad exactly. But it is a brilliant product demonstration.

A Nike shoebox.

One third the size of a shoebox.

To show just how flexible Nike Free shoes are.

Pretty clever don't you think?

Music to my eyes

I stumbled upon this pic last night while trawling through some street art and graffiti websites.

It's the work of a Portuguese artist called Bordallo.

Now I don't about you but I can't believe nobody has thought of doing something like this before.

Which makes me wonder how long it'll be before it turns up as some kind of 'ambient idea' for noise cancelling headphones or something similar.

Keep an eye out for it at Cannes next year. I guarantee it'll turn up with a logo of some sort in the bottom right corner. 

Deliciously good

If you've ever had ribs slathered in Sweet Baby Ray's you'll understand how good this campaign is.

And if you haven't...

 Finger licking good work by MMB of Boston in the good old USA.

Two out of three

The king of posters?

Every once in a while I see a print ad or poster that communicates its message with a wry smile.

This is one of those.

Kudos to Zulu Alpha of Toronto. 

What's up pussycat?

It's been ages since I posted an 'only in Japan' TV ad. This one is a classic! 

Bullshit free beer

Good. But not as good as the mighty Moo Brew from Tasmania.

Shazamed ads on TV

Do people really Shazam ads?

I mean the media is constantly telling us that young people don't watch TV.

And apparently they don't trust advertising or brands either.

So why the hell would they be turning on their smartphones and pointing at the telly when adverts come on?

Oh dear...

People often ask me about the difference between a designer and an art director.

It's simple.

An art director's job is ensure an ad communicates its message clearly.

A good art director would never ever think using a citrus segment as a substitute for the letter G was a good idea.

At least I hope not! 

Brand talks brands

Russell Brand ponders some recent advertising as only he can. 

Provost on writing

Are you a digital sinner

The seven digital deadly sins is heaps of fun.

It's also easy to while away some time there.

So before you find out if you are a sinner be sure put aside a few minutes of time.

Have fun! 

Celebrating together

An agency celebrating on behalf of their client is something you don't see everyday. But I have to say I like it. A lot. 

Say it simple

This was in my Linkedin feed the other day.

Had to share because it sums up corporate wank so so beautifully. 

Three says sorry

Now this I think is a lovely idea.

A phone company apologising for filling up your Facebook feed with endless envy inducing holiday snaps.

Kudos to W&K London for yet again cracking a difficult brief with a charming idea.

FIFA versus the fans

As far as I am concerned corporate sponsorship is ruining modern sport.

Everything is 'official' this and 'official' that.

But what about the fans?

And what about the fans in the age of social media?

I've always argued that people playing with your brand elements should be encouraged. Not discouraged.

This is especially true when it comes to the World Cup.

Whilst FIFA are more than happy to turn a blind eye to constant cries of corruption and the death of workers in Qatar they don't do it to small scale things.

Like football lovers using FIFA brand elements for Twitter and other media.

Apparently cease and desist letters have been sent to footy fans using World Cup elements like in the pic above.

Now it's happening to people posting clips to Vine as well.

Honestly why do they bother?

Nobody gets harmed? No real revenue is lost by FIFA.

It's just corporate bullying at its worst. 

Where are the women?

Ever since I've been in the advertising industry there have been questions asked about where all the female creative directors are.

It's a fair question too.

Although having said that the CD who gave me my first opportunity was a woman.

As was the CD who interviewed me for my first job in London.

However the question still remains unanswered.

Today I saw stats from Facebook about their male to female employee ratio and it's not good.

Which is very surprising given the high profile of Sheryl Sandberg. Especially in the media.

Anyway almost 70% of Facebook employees are male.

Apparently the numbers for Google are pretty similar.

So why is this?

These are new companies. Started by young people.

Yet their hiring policies seem to be distinctly old school.

But where's the Marmite?

Here's how I picture a lot of clients these days would respond upon being presented these Marmite ads.

"Where's the logo?"

"But the product is almost completely obscured."

"They're a bit boring visually don't you think?"

So kudos indeed to whoever it was that gave this campaign the tick of approval.

Reasons to Ikea

Cute 'n very simple campaign for Ikea.

No idea who did it but seriously what's not to love?

Times New Roman

I've been a fan of the Bauhaus for as long as I can remember so Futura is always been my favourite font.

Lately I've developed a softspot for the clean lines of Helvetica too.

So as you can imagine I'm not that keen on Times New Roman. Not at all.

Nice little film though!