Audi Quattro: ‘Candide Thovex’ (starts at 00:06) - France
Adventurer Candide Thovex doesn’t allow the absence of snow to affect him in this exhilarating advert for Audi. The French skier and film-maker directed this himself and demonstrates an impressive eye for spectacle as he hurtles down down a naked hill via a combination of bravado, stunt work and special effects.
Agency: Lowe Stratéus
Director: Candide Thovex
Bosch: ‘Stop The Roadkill’ (starts at 02:03) - US
Bosch and the Humane Society of the United States join forces to create a public service announcement with a difference. Like an unholy union between Pet Sematary and Michael Jackson’s Thriller video, a cast of unfortunate critters rises from the roadside to describe how they met their respective demises ... in song!
Agency: Grey (New York)
Director: Peter Zluszka
Tele2: ‘Because I Can’ (starts at 04:46) - Netherlands
This eye-catching commercial from the Netherlands appears to recognise that technology has got a little ahead of our needs. Our mobile phones are now so packed with cleverness most of us never use and our only reason for using some of its features is “because we can” as the main figure in this advert colourfully explains.
Agency: INDIE Amsterdam
Director: Henry Scholfield
Belgian Lottery: ‘Snowman’ (starts at 05:50) - Belgium
Much like Raymond Briggs’s Father Christmas, the snowman in this advert for the Belgian lottery could do with a holiday in the sun ... even if his complexion suggests he won’t survive an encounter with ultra-violet rays. He believes his Hawaiian dream is worth crossing his twigs for and when it becomes clear he isn’t going to make it, his woodland friends decide they’ll have to bring paradise to him instead.
Director: Parabella
Ikea: ‘Best Toy Ever’ (starts at 06:54) - Australia
What’s the best toy ever? According to this heart-warming commercial for Ikea, it’s extra time with your parents. It is a touching conceit but young children rushing excitedly down the stairs to see what lies beneath the Christmas tree next Friday will be fiercely disappointed if all they receive is a nebulous promise from mum and dad to make more time for them.
Agency: The Monkeys (Sydney)
Director: Louis Sutherland
Three: ‘Christmas Birthdays’ (starts at 08:51) - UK
According to this funny ad for Three, those unfortunate enough to have their birthday clash with Christmas know from birth they’ve been given a raw deal. Brought into the world by a tinsel-wearing doctor, poor Noel – obviously – endures the same festive birthday mash-up year after year.
Agency: Gravity Road
Director: Chris Faith
Jason Stone is the editor of David Reviews
