A little credit

Please excuse the delayed reaction, but one advert that DFWMF has been meaning to comment on for a while is 

TalkTalk 'model Britain' by CHI & Partners.  Every now and then an advert comes along that, whilst maybe not breathtaking or earth shattering in its take on trying to sell us goods, is just darn sweet. And this advert is a case in point. So here's a little credit due to this ad's miniature world. Set on a wintry British eve in a model village which comes to life, it  follows the journeys home of average (miniature) Britons who then curl up with their loved ones by the cosy glow of the tv.  With the addition of the decidedly so uncool it's cool soundtrack of John Denver's Annie's song, this advert has the cosy factor like a cup of hot chocolate or a buttery piece of toast. I’ve always loved model villages, dollhouses and all things teeny tiny so it’s no surprise that this ad struck a chord with me, however, I think this ad has fairly universal appeal. Whilst on the teeny weeny front I was quite thrilled to discover this ad was filmed at Bekonscot model Village – a favourite childhood (and adulthood, if I’m being honest) destination.

I even thought that the mixed race couple was rather sweet and almost progressive in an age when despite its normality it’s still fairly rare to see a mixed race couple on Tv. Though this clearly still doesn’t please everyone, as one online commentator swiped that no doubt the mixed race coupling of the ad was “a white woman’s ideal” and bemoaned the absence of a black female. Well, in a brief snapshot they've done quite well to represent different cultures and Britons on the whole here.   But I guess you can’t please everyone! Where's the gay couple? ( Out on the town? They only stay in for the Great British Bake Off ) The lesbians?  (Out at an antenatal class?) The eastern european immigrants? (Out at the second of their 3 jobs?)  What else can we have a dig about here? Well, I suppose it’s pretty middle-classed in its representation of “model” Britain. Sure, the black guy looks like he lives in potentially a council tower block, there’s a street sweeper and a fisherman, but on the whole it’s a very middle-class Britain represented.  I guess it would lose the cosy factor by showing desolate local high streets with a multitude of closed down independent shops punctuated by thriving bookies, their desperate clientele puffing on fags outside, whilst their debt broken families at home stare at the empty space where the tv once was,  menacing looking sink estates, or park benches full of drunk homeless Eastern Europeans. Then again, that rather sounds like a model village I'd like to go and see! 

 

  

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?