Android: ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors’ (starts at 00:04) - US
The game “rock, paper, scissors” is the inspiration for an uplifting story of misfits forming unlikely friendships to underline the brand’s “together, not the same” philosophy. From the opening chords of St Elmo’s Fire – with its iconic 80s bratpack association – to the trio’s triumphal jump at the end, this lovely film presses every emotional button and then some.
Director: Conor Finnegan
Paddy Power: ‘Complaints Line’ (starts at 01:07) - UK
Having turned prank calls into an award-winning art form with both Fonejacker and Facejacker, comedian Kayvan Novak is the ideal fit for Paddy Power’s funny look at its “complaints department” – one smooth-talking chap in a green blazer. Alas, it seems not everyone is taken with the bookmaker’s generosity.
Agency: Lucky Generals
Director: Traktor
The Chapar: ‘Changing Room’ (starts at 01:41) - UK
For the gentleman who regards clothes shopping as a journey into the heart of darkness itself, The Chapar announces itself as the light at the end of the sartorial tunnel via this well-scripted launch film. As a Lloyd Griffith turns a changing room into his second home, Elis James offers fashion advice of varying degrees of helpfulness. Well, not that varying, actually.
Agency: The Garage Soho
Director: Elliot Hegarty
Booking.com: ‘Battle’ (starts at 02:46) - UK
Booking.com kicks off a new campaign proclaiming that holidays can be the perfect time to indulge our most beloved pursuits. A gravelly voiceover lends an aura of seduction to the proposition while a couple are shown getting medieval on each other, as it were. A neat reminder of the variety of activities which can shape our time away, and how the advertised website can help us get closer to them.
Agency: Wieden + Kennedy (Amsterdam)
Director: Matthijs van Heijningen
Klarna: ‘Fish’ (starts at 03:21) - Sweden
In this Swedish advert for internet payment company Klarna, a large fish is poised at the top of a children’s slide before gliding down and crossing a polished floor. It appears in no discomfort at all: on the contrary, the whole scenario appears as frictionless as if the fish were happily submerged. Add to this a distinctive electronic music bed and you have a film that perfectly expresses the idea of a smooth service.
Agency: DDB Stockholm
Director: The Perlorian Brothers
McDonald’s McCafé: ‘Coming Out’ (starts at 03:55) - Taiwan
This sweet Taiwanese advert featuring a young man coming out as gay to his father has provoked quite a controversy on the Asian island where some have perceived it as a Western multinational encouraging homosexuality. The catchily named Alliance of Taiwan Religious Groups for the Protection of Family are so incensed that it is leading calls for a boycott of the fast-food chain.
Agency: Leo Burnett Taiwan
Director: Ya-Chuan Hsiao
Jason Stone is the editor of David Reviews
