Soaring Above the Commission

This advert 'Just Another Day' for the Post Office is really well shot and edited, but the crown jewels, the element that turns something bordering on ordinary into something sublime, is the music. A beautiful, haunting piece created by Soundtree Music specially for the advert. This music is so moving and powerful, turning the mundane into the majestic, you could almost forget it was someone trying to sell us something for a moment, and bask in the poignancy of our every day lives. Kudos to all those involved at Soundtree; a truly powerful piece

When the Seduction Falls Flat

We know that adverts are supposed to seduce and present a glamorous and unreal version of our reality but sometimes the enticing set-up they have so beautifully put together falls apart when it comes to the product they are trying to pass off as fitting this beauteous scenario.  Our suspension of disbelief is totally destroyed by the arrival of a crappy product. Like watching a prima ballerina give her crotch a good scratch in the middle of Swan Lake.

The case in point here is this lovely scenario...Twilight at a beautiful coastal crofter’s cottage. This is the sort of romantic rural escape that so many of us dream of; all olde worlde simplicity and hand crafted furniture. A phone call signals unexpected guests. We glimpse a faithful family mutt sticking its head out of a car’s window as the car wends its way along the rugged landscape. The cottage inhabitants prepare to make the visitors welcome with an impromptu feast. Rugs and wool blankets are grabbed, a rustic table is held aloft and carried outside and a fire is lit, as a night time alfresco feast is prepared to be served in the chilly night air. How welcoming.  How enticing.  You want to be there. And what delights can we expect at this sumptuous and romantic feast...?

A nice, watery bowl of canned soup.

Now, I have nothing against Baxter’s soup; they’ve got me through many a lunch time.  They have a wholesome appeal and are a relatively healthy and low calorie choice, but if I’d slogged hours in the car to join friends at their charming cottage and delightful night-time picnic I’d be pretty disappointed to receive a watery bowl of tinned soup. Ooh, they push the boat out with a whole tin each! Tightwads. Won’t be staying with them again.

Carling Zest - British Summer Bottled

Unfortunate tagline for this new product from Carling. If they want their beer to bring to mind wind-whipped trees, soggy lawns, and people clutching their winter jackets around them whilst side-stepping puddles in their optimistic summer sandals then well done Carling, you hit the nail on the head. I suppose, like the rest of us, they were hoping for sun, barbecues and the embracing of outdoor drinking in the all too short summer season. But their launch sadly coincided with the wettest, greyest summer for some time. Bad luck, Carling.

Most Disturbing Set of the Week (also known as: What were the advertisers thinking? TV's supposed to be glamorous, doncha know)

OK so this ad has been around for a while, but it always strikes me as somewhat disturbing. Just look at the Seven-style serial-killer-esque apartment they have lured and blindfolded these poor unsuspecting MOP*s into! Even that poor dog should be taken into RSPCA care for his own safety, "it shouldn't be allowed". And yet, when they remove their masks, not one of them looks fearfully around like its dawned on them that the blindfolding and tv crew thing was a bit suspicious and that they are actually starring in their own version of The Silence of The Lambs. I'd be looking around for that tell-tale stonewalled well device of Buffalo Bill's and no mistake.

 (*members of the public hahdehah).

Just for childishness that seems suitable for this ad's level, we're calling this post Farte Noire

Holy shite! Where to start with this piece of crap? I'll just start with the phrase double standard.... Mamma mia! If the roles were reversed here and blokey said, "Love, got the guys coming round in a min." And, hey presto, dowdy missus turned into supermodel stunner there would be a bloody outcry, surely? Carte Noire. you're on my shitlist.

Harvey & Rabbit

Not all adverts are rubbish. Some, in fact, are downright brilliant. There's certainly a lot of creative talent and brilliance out there in agencies and the adworld, which is why perhaps we are so scathing here at DFWMF when advertisers and their brands choose to create and transmit some downright shite. Thinkbox in 2010 gave us this endearing little beauty of an ad.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7NmOa9q5Xs

And they're back at it again with the return of the adorable Harvey and his lovable friend, Rabbit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F0QwmkN5WI

Great ad made perfect by an amusing song from by the brilliant, prolific and under-rated  Adam Buxton* (anyone who listens to the Adam & Joe shows on Radio 6 will be familiar with Buxton and Cornish's musical compositions for the always entertaining Song Wars. Their compositions are so hilarious in their accuracy of impressions, pastiche of genres and knowing naffness). An endearing dog (who must pull on the heart strings of every dog lover out there who recognizes his imploring stare) set off by his goofy choice of beloved friend ("F-R-I-E-N-D-S. Do we really need them? Yes."), and slightly clueless yet ultimately enlightened owner. These ads capture essential Britishness and "realness" perfectly - ordinary people in unglamorous homes, our sentimentality for pets, the goofiness and uncoolness of our friend choices, the unbreakable bonds between us our loved ones, be it a dog, the missus or a stuffed toy. Yep, that's us - Norman Normal - not glam, not cool, sometimes bumbling and clueless, but ultimately an OK guy.   More ads like this, please - sweet, funny, effective - as good in 30 seconds as a very good sitcom.  And more high profile jobs for Mr Buxton's unique brilliance, please.

* The popularity of the Radio 6 show, and its following,  is substantial, and the track record of  Adam & Joe is  proven, as is Adam Buxton's versatility as a creative (actor, composer, programme-maker, etc) so, why oh why, have they not had another TV show commissioned?

Double newsflash! Vinnie Jones in something good!

Vinnie jones's latest contribution to the acting world is an advert. And its his best work in ages. The Vinster appears in typical gangster form with a couple of meathead types as his crew. Off he goes in his usual mockney banter ("shut it", "muppet", "mug", etc) with that menacing and mischevious twinkle in his eye, but this time it's different- it's for a good cause - the British Heart Foundation. It's a very well done ad - message simply and effectively got across with humour and entertainment value. Nice one, Vinnie! Let's hope a few decent agents are watching to help get that career out of its straight-to-DVD doldrums, eh? I'd propose  a role in  the newly revived Ab Fab - cast against type and utilizing that self-deprecating humour and comic touch there could be a career revival...