Thunderhead: “The Thunderhead Way” (Starts at 00:06) – UK
After years of watching commercials, it’s not often that Ad break is prompted to stare at the television in open-mouthed astonishment, but that’s exactly what happened when this ad for a cloud-based business support service flashed up on the screen. A lacklustre salesman is given new impetus when the mythical Thunderhead intervenes, but you’re really not going to believe how the muscle-bound hero imparts his wisdom!
Agency: Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO
Director: Rocky Morton
Pizza Hut: “Imposter” (Starts at 02:08) – UK
When Tom comes home, he discovers an imposter sharing pizza with his girlfriend and is understandably astonished she hasn’t noticed the intruder is a fake. It’s the absurdity of the disguise that makes this funny … as well as the way he crashes through the wall when the game’s up.
Agency: Ogilvy & Mather
Director: Jeff Low
BNP Paribas: “Love” (Starts at 02:42) – Belgium
It’s rare to see a film that combines comedy and contemporary dance, but director Koen Mortier has done just that. A love-struck couple can’t keep their hands off one another and, at first, this appears quite romantic as they writhe sexily as if joined at the hip. Soon though, it becomes clear that this level of devotion has its drawbacks.
Agency: Publicis Brussels
Director: Koen Mortier
Lurpak: “Freestyle” (Starts at 04:01) – UK
When you watch this superbly crafted commercial, you perhaps won’t be surprised to hear that advertisers have taken to asking their agencies if they could create something that looks a little ‘Lurpak-y’. This film was directed by Juan Cabral – who once created Cadbury’s drumming gorilla – and, in the words of Gregg Wallace, it “takes cooking to a whole new level”.
Agency: Wieden + Kennedy
Director: Juan Cabral
Luvs: “Shopping” (Starts at 05:05) – USA
This isn’t just funny, it’s clever. By drawing attention – albeit in comical fashion – to the contrast between the nervousness of a first-time dad and the casual confidence of a dad who’s done it all before, this manages to persuade viewers that the advertised brand is the favoured choice of experienced parents … the very people whom first-time parents rely upon for advice.
Agency: Saatchi & Saatchi (New York)
Hertz: “Cleaned Out” (Starts at 05:39) – UK
This starts off looking like a sentimental piece of work about youngsters leaving the nest. But there’s a surprise in store as mum and dad wander back into the house abandoned by their teenage son and discover he’s used the huge van provided by Hertz to redefine the phrase ‘home clearance’.
Agency: adam&eveDDB
Director: Guy Shelmerdine
Mumsnet: “999 For Kids” (Starts at 06:46) – UK
Mumsnet has become a powerful lobbying group over the past few years and in this superb piece of communication, they’re using their clout for extraordinary good. It uses bits of video, photographs and an audio recording of a 999 call to demonstrate how important it is for our children to know what to do in an emergency.
Agency: Grey London
Director: Frédéric Planchon
Jason Stone is the editor of David Reviews
