Honda UK sparks new Civic.

I can relate to this.  Naturally ;)

Best TAC advert. EVER.

I remember when I was a final year student in RMIT, our class had the opportunity to visit Grey Melbourne.  We were seated in their swanky boardroom, complete with refreshments and a huge bowl of Lay's and the Creative Director shared some of Grey's best ad campaigns.  One of the most memorable adverts for me was the ones produced for TAC (Transport Accident Commission).  The films were realistic and poignantly captured to show real life drunk driving situations and the unimaginable consequences that follow.  I remember taking an extra 'Right-Left-Right' look when crossing the road on my way home that night.  And I also fell in love with the song 'Everybody Hurts' by REM which so poignantly tells the story and touches the heart.

Fast forward today, TAC compiled some of its best TVCs and made it into a 5 minute commercial (YouTube viewership to-date, 13 million and counting).  And this is really the best advert I've seen from the series.  It really makes you think twice about drinking and driving - shows you everything that you don't see unless an accident happens.  And then it's really too late for any remorse.

Warning: Contain disturbing images.

You know, I wish the Ministry of Transport of Malaysia will be a little bit more consistent in its strategy and effectiveness tracking.  I wish they would just stop all this 'kickback' nonsense (IF it's happening, ahem), and really do something for the people.  Even public service announcements such as this can help rebrand the government.  Awhile back, I read from The Star that the Ministry of Transport will join hands with the Ministry of Health to get new drivers to sign up for organ donation upon receiving their license.  Seriously, are you that grim that you're prepared to have these people will die young on the road already?  That really tells you something about this government's value.  Sigh*

Seriously seriously, I sometimes wish I could do something about this.  Beyond a vote.

I AM.

I have to post this here and RT it.  Because I just. love. the. film. so. much.

Epic moment at 0:57s ;)

And view the making of here. Powerful powerful human stories that spark that bullseye connection with people and brand.  I think I'm in love with Nikon ;)

 

Always a tear jerker for me - my all time favourite commercial :) Thanks to Saatchi & Saatchi.

:(

The New Honda Jazz commercial in the UK.

Integrate.

And integrate.

New commercial for CR-Z by W+K. And it strikes again!

Before I go 'huh'? Then I get it.

That's what I enjoy about ads like this. The execution detail is brilliant (no pun intended). No matter how much the envelope is pushed, it's always Honda.

Mixed feelings.

Usually I don't blog about political propaganda here but I came across this video while surfing and feel that I have to put it up here and talk about it. Because I have mixed feelings. Like serious mixed feelings.

First of all, I question the intention. It sounds like a great motherhood statement. 'We hear you. We are here for you.' but once in office, they're no where to be found. That's quite a generic proposition, no? I mean, how does that differ the current office from the opposition? Aren't all politicians required to do that? I mean, otherwise why on earth are they in office for?

My second question would be, couldn't they have found a better advertising agency? This really makes me wonder. With so many 'award-winning' advertising agencies around with kick-ass creative directors (and strat planners :), why on earth aren't they commissioning better work? At least better than ripping off Nike's swoosh and tagline? The funny thing is, isn't whomever in office, supposed to tell us not to plagiarize? Changing the swoosh to look more like a tick (that's a visual pun for you) and from 'Just do it' to 'Just change it', uh. C'mon! Open your eyes! Go to the Kancils! Flip through the award books! Take a look at Campaign Brief! Watch Petronas ads! If they're still not getting it, then I know what's the problem. They're right after all. They should listen more.

Plus + I spotted a typo ok. That is so not funny.

Recharged.

Just got back from Greece, the land of the Intelligent and once upon a time. a great empire. It strikes me as odd that many countries which once were great empires seem to dwindle in the area of modernization. But then again, it really depends on how we define modernity. Is it the development of skyscrapers with hundreds of floors, our modern version of Babel? Or the number of people who can afford to live 'unlived' lives in the virtual world? Athens lack what major metropolis consist of, monolithic metallic structures of all sorts but not its charm. It may seem like a poorer cousin of Italy but its picturesque countryside and islands are bountiful. I would never exchange that kind of natural attraction with any modern architecture - tallest or no. From my short two-week experience, Greeks tend to oscillate between two extremes. On one hand, they're the friendliest, nicest, warmest, sweet as honey type of people you'll ever meet. And on the other hand, they could be the ones ripping apart your holiday mood; arms folded, eyebrow raised with an 'I-hate-Asians' kind of look. I was partly amused and partly confused. Thank goodness I met more amusing Greeks than I did with the latter type. For a moment I somewhat recalled what a friend told me shortly before I left: There's no reason why anyone should be racist. Maybe there are. Maybe because we conversed too loud? Laughed too loud? Belched too loud? I don't know. Maybe we were just plain LOUD? :)

Anyway, it's time to tune myself back to work mode. It's been a good two weeks, a great start to a great year and I'm already thinking about my next adventure. But before that, you need to see this:

Message: To all of you who once told me that I can't change the world, or to the person in the mirror or to anyone else for that matter, simply because you were sceptical about the power of one to a world of 6 billion. Think again. Because Apple now says I (we) can :)

*Thanks Rae

Hyundai is 'Inspire'd.

Got this photo from Paul Tan's blog. The front reminds me a lot like Honda's Inspire in Japan, no? Except Inspire's headlight juts out a little giving the entire front a more muscular jawline.

But I thought the commercial was really well done though. What's with the whole world Transforming? Optimus really made his mark huh. Very nicely executed and very nice soundtrack. I don't remember Koreans looking like this though...