It has to be Heinz:

...and that is the truth. For me, not just the ad for the new Heinz beans fridge pack, but also the idea of the product is just brilliant. Beans in a bowl in the fridge? We've all been there. It speaks a logical truth to the consumer, recognising a key trait in the audience and making it a part of the brands language in the most simplest way. There is a beauty in delivering a successful concept that works perfectly, in a way that you would put it across to your friend in the pub or to your mum over dinner. Identifying a casual and engaging tone isn't always easy, but when it's done well, it looks effortless. Almost so obvious, it feels like the only answer. It'll make you want to ask, 'why didn't I think of that...?'

But if this is what determines the effectiveness of an ad, then why is it that so many adverts don't present the truth? As advertisors we have the power to make you want things you never even knew you wanted or needed, that infact, you probably don't even want or need for at all. During the D&AD workshops Leanne & I learnt to sell expensive notepads on the notion it will say much more about an individual than if they were to have a cheap jotter. We also tried our hand at convincing you it's a great idea to swap houses with total strangers for the odd week at a time...

Advertising is a subjective media, but one that I personally wish to develop by opening honest lines of communication with the audience... and if I can make people smile in the process, like this advert did for me, then i'mma be pretty happy.

Resealable Pack for ..
Watch the ad...

London Calling:

To celebrate the past few months of workshopping, Don & I headed to London-town to exhibit some of the work that we had produced from our stint with D&AD. We opted for our 'Co-operative presents the BME' that we did for Dinosaur.

Thanks to TBWA London for hosting, to Rebecca & Rhiannon for all of their organising, and to everyone who took part... it was good to check the competition!! I'd also like to thank anyone that didn't judge me for the hiccups and tipsy banter...

Leanne & I spent the next day at Piccadilly Circus dreaming about burgers, chicken nuggets and sheltering from the rain!

Taste the Experience:

In the name of researching a brief, Don & I took one for the team and totally humiliated ourselves infront of the viewing public at the British Music Experience. All I can say is, I promise that our design and art direction skills are somewhat stronger than our dance ability. We had a great giggle. Enjoy.

Our First Booky Wook:

Completed, and safely deposited at McCann Erickson!

KFC to celebrate...

Update to follow.

Dinosaur - It's Alive:

The Co-operative -

by Dinosaur.

This week, Leanne and I move on to our two week stint with Dinosaur. The Co-operative is one of their biggest clients and the work done for them displays some simple but well executed art direction and copy, setting the tone for what is expected of us and our Co-op brief. The line of communication is clear and straight to the point.

In short, our brief is to design a campaign that develops a new concept for the Co-op's sponsorship of The British Music Experience, the existing 2010 work (below) is a humorous approach that engages with a younger audience.

Research underway, Leanne and I are in search of the 'big idea' - something that is widely experiential and can be pushed out across a variety of medias.

Momentum (Wk 2)

The reality of industry is that you will get some briefs that are made for you... and unfortunately some that most definitely aren't. When William Hill meets The Ryder Cup... sadly, for us it was the latter. Leanne & I tried our hardest to answer the brief, to make decisions and to speak with conviction about an idea that we thought was absolute bollocks.

On the plus side, it was a learning curve and if anyone is in need of outrageous golfing puns... please contact either Leanne or myself, we now have the art of golfing lingo down to a tee.