Brand New School + Fuel TV 4-EVA

Brand New School has been working with Fuel TV since it's inception in 2003. Their latest wave of branding is fresh and forward thinking without completely forgetting the past. They have rethought the station ID's by remashing a number of the previous ID's from other artists resulting in a compilation of identity that is lo-fi - full of digital noise, old and new at the same time. I love it. It reminds me of some of the original MTV ID's but with a new millennium twist. And the "surrealist Dollhouse" is well - surreal.

FUEL TV On-Air Brand Rethink from Brand New School on Vimeo.

FUEL TV: Surrealist Dollhouse from FUEL TV on Vimeo.

Grand Marnier Fun fashionable Animated commercials

I love everything about this world created by Grand Marnier. Can I be a silhouette on that balcony? A part of that party? Inspired by vintage french posters, the animation style is minimal and the bold colors can't help but grab your attention.

Animators at Studio 9K9 infused life into print materials of the same voice resulting in this enticing atmospheric animated spot.

Biscuit Filmworks Brings Les Grossman back to the Screen for the MTV Movie Awards

If you've seen Tropic Thunder you know that the Tom Cruise character Le Grossman was one of the highlights of the film, especially his celebratory dance moves that take us out of the flick. This year to help promote the MTV Movie Awards Les Grossman releases a slew of promos (word is also promoting his own approaching feature film) from director AAron Stoller of Biscuit Filmworks.

I love the mock of the famous Risky Business scene, also originally played by Cruise.

Ford Fiesta's Crazy Choreographed Commercial

I love filmmaking that you can tell took a lot of work in the choreography and preplanning, it just reveals the art form and brain power a bit more in my opinion than something made completely in post - i guess i'm just a lo-fi type of girl. this new spot for the Ford Fiesta where signage and other ambient elements start to communicate with the driver makes me smile.

The agency responsible is super agency Team Detroit, the song is called "Janglin" from Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.

Toyota Avalon Travels Back in Time

What do you guys think about these new retro kitsch Toyota Avalon commercials? They are part Mad Men, part vintage advertising, and part stepford wife creepy.

At first i thought they totally missed their mark, trying to be vintage but not going far enough with the aesthetic, lighting or film stocks, but the more i see them, and think about the two of them as a campaign rather than individual spots i get the kitsch factor much more and kinda really like them. I also like the idea of travel as a luxury rather than a given or a right, it's a nice change of perception. thoughts? Mr. Sandman bring me a dream?

AT&T Whisks us Into a World of Imagination

How can you not look up when this sweet lullaby from Gene WIlder and our childhoods breaks through TV noise? The first time it aired i was glued to the TV, smile on my face, ecstatic that someone was using the charming soundtrack from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and intrigued by the childish drawings that sprung to life, waiting attentively for the punch line - the brand.

AT&T. I was shocked and a bit disappointed at first it didnt seem to fit but i guess that was their intention, to begin to change the perception of the brand. I'm excited to see what comes next.

The new spot is part of the "Re-think Possible" campaign via BBDO, directed by Peter Thwaites.

For those who are feeling the impulse to watch the Willy Wonka scene, here it is!

Zappos.com - Powered by Puppets...err Real People

How can you not love these new ads for Zappos.com via their new agency of note Boston's own Mullen? Everyone loves some good puppetry, right? and if nothing else the lo-fi aesthetic stands out amongst the flashy car commercials and highly produced sport drink ads while staying making the simple point, Zappos.com has fantastic human customer service.

for those of you interested in some more about the creative process check out this video with thoughts from the creatives at Mullen, directors, character designers, and "zappet-iers."

Pirelli Commercial Directed by Kathryn Bigelow

To celebrate the historic wins for Kathryn Bigelow last night at the Oscars I wanted to share her most recent commercial work, this short film starring Uma Thurman and shot by Janusz Kaminski for Pirelli titled, Mission Zero.

and check out this peek behind the scenes for a scope of the production, the stunts, and the special effects.

Feeding America

How to create a good PSA.

1. take beautiful black and white footage of people

2. add Tom Waits

3. top off with fun creative gimmick such as reinforcing literal message with human body parts

These are actually a few years old but they were running the other day and i just liked them. They remind me of the found alphabet photos and spell with flickr. (both endless fun and inspiration, I think i might take this concept to make some DIY gifts for approaching weddings, what a good excuse to hit the city with the camera?)

Experimental Films for MAC Cosmetics from We Are Plus

MAC cosmetics, a brand not particularly associated with broad advertising campaigns, has been utilizing these complex, colorful and sexy brand films to help support the company culture and style for a number of years. The films are used in a range of ways from website and in store visual material to corporate messaging, supporting the brand in a visceral visual sense that has helped to define the voice of the company.

The newest brand film, "Spring Color Forecast" is true to it's title in that it is a visual montage color study incorporating and playing with the key colors of the new spring line. Much more of an experiment in sound, color and filmmaking than an advertisement, you can see how the typical responders and target audience may not be the Cover Girl wearers of the world.

MAC Cosmetics "Spring Colour Forecast" from We Are Plus on Vimeo.

We Are Plus has been the production company of note for MAC Cosmetic's branding video for the last seven years and have amassed quiet the portfolio of work for the brand. This piece, "d'Bohemia" speaks to me with it's vintage sea side holiday aesthetic, i love the postcard writing that leads you through the story, and the subtle animation used to bring the vignettes to life.

MAC Cosmetics "d'Bohemia" from We Are Plus on Vimeo.

Animated Commercials of the Vancouver Olympics

Like much of the world i have fund myself glued to the Olympic coverage this weekend, more concerned with luge results and biathlons than i even knew possible, and i gotta say, where the Super Bowl spots might have fallen short i think the Vancouver Olympic Games commercials have been rather impressive. Feeling overwhelmed i thought I'd start to tackle the list with some of my favorite animated spots of the 2010 Winter Games.

To start it off, i found this spot for BBC Olympic coverage from AKA and thought it was a must see.


These spots for Diet Coke, directed by Pistachios via Blacklist and W+K are so simple, but i've been really drawn to the simple lately, with so much photoreal, and VFX skill a sweetly animated line drawing is what i find cuts through the clutter to reach me.

Honda Crosstour, i love these throwback animated spots from director Andy Hall of Elastic, though the campaign began late last year the spots are all over the Olympic coverage.




Visa "Julia Manscuso" , a lot of the Visa Go World spots are fantastic for different reasons, (the Dan Jansen spot makes me misty every time i see it) but i love the minimal hand made feel the brand went with for this animated story of drive and accomplishment.

Super Bowl 2010 Spots

Though no one spot jumped through the screen and had be laughing on the floor, but there were a few i liked more than others...

Coca Cola Sleepwalker


VW Punch Buggy


The Throwbacks...

The Griswald's


The Super Bowl Shuffle 2010

...and the original for those that need a refresher


and because i love the Simpson's and my sock monkey

Shilo Makes a Perfect Little Community out of Clay

Shilo has made this lighthearted animated spot for the 2010 Census using the classic "claymation" look to bring a little girl's dream community to life.

Census "Community" - Director's Cut from Shilo on Vimeo.

...and they even put together a little making if piece for a look inside the creative process, definitely worth checking out. I'm always blown away when the end product looks so much like the initial story boards, i guess it's just the work of true professionals who are able to deliver their vision on target but i think it's so impressive.

Making Of 2010 Census "Community" from Shilo on Vimeo.

Salty's Back and Now He's Online Dating and Standing in for Salt Shakers

still...very very cute.

Happy Birthday Elvis

In honor of Elvis' would be 75th birthday i thought i'd remember him through some of the advertising appearances that help keep him alive.

Energizer



Lipton



Audi



ipod

Folger's Brings Home the Holiday's Year After Year

Inspired by my dear friend Sue who will be spending this Christmas away from home I wanted to post this classic Folger's Christmas commercial that ran, pretty much my entire life.

Peter Comes Home for Christmas


And then there is this new revitalized version which began running this year. I guess if it's not broke...

Arnold Brings the Mystery of Old No 7 to Life for Jack Daniels

This whimsical, but slightly dark and reminiscent of a ghost story or an ancient tale being told throughout time (appropriately) is one of my favorite ads on the air at the moment. The story of the Old No.7 on the Jack Daniels facade.

Jack Daniel's "Label Story": "Old No. 7" from Brand New School on Vimeo.

the animation comes from Brand New School, another favorite design firm of mine, if you haven't watched their reel - go do that now!

Ellen Von Unwerth Personifies for Absolut

With the help of Kate Beckinsale and Zooey Deschanel, photographer Ellen Von Unwerth brings classic cocktails to life for Absolut Vodka. I love the parallel between the Bloody Mary and the classic ghost story i was brave enough to test out in the bathroom mirror at a slumber party or two as a child.

Michelin Man Saves the Day

The classic tire brand and icon gets a bit of an attitude makeover in new animated commercial "Saddest Road". Michelin Man saves roadkill from what may have been the inevitable. I file this under creepy but somehow - still cute.

A Tilt Shift Makeover for Colorama

Tilt shift filming and stop motion animation are used to create a fantasy, miniature feel for Colorama. The aesthetic leaves the viewer wondering whether they are looking at some thing real, or is it a model? The question alone does a great job at engaging the audience, and personally - it reminds me of Mr. Rodgers and the land of make believe, the nostalgia alone draws me in.

Colorama - Makeover from Upper First on Vimeo.

project via Upper First