ARCHIVE
A few things found on U-matics and Cromalins...
VOLKSWAGEN POLO. The script was written
WALKERS. This was the second script made in the long-running campaign and cemented the campaign in the public mind. It won a gold arrow at BTAA and was voted 9th in the Channel 4 / Sunday Times 100 Greatest TV ads.
VOLKSWAGENThis commercial went from script to air in just over six weeks. The track, found just 48 hours before playout,
earned a D&AD nomination for use of music.
It also won a BTAA bronze arrow.
PHILIPS GLOBAL Persuading such a traditionally conservative client to buy a script featuring a transvestite wasn't easy. Their bravery was rewarded when the commercial picked up a silver and two bronze in different categories at Cannes
CRAVENDALEThis was the first commercial for the "So good, the cows want it back" campaign, which boosted sales from £250K to £43m in just one year, making Cravendale a top 50 brand in the UK. It was a Cannes film finalist.
ESSO EUROPEIntended for a pan-Europeanaudience, this simple story was written to be easily edited so that particular gifts ('Driver Rewards') could be featured within the narrative. The spot ran all over Europe (but not in the UK) and was a film finalist at Cannes.
EXPEDIA EUROPEA dialogue commercial for a pan-European audience that uses subtitles to reinforce the idea that Expedia is "Powered by people who travel". Everyone in the office speaks a different language, but they all understand each other.
SONY MINIDISC The clients wouldn't buy the script as they held the view that anyone featured in their advertising should be in their target market of young, early adopters. This was shot as a test to convince them otherwise. While the commercial won their hearts it unfortunately didn't change their minds.
VW POLO For may years the brief for Polo remained the same: Small but tough. The key-fobs commercial, with the line: "We all find strength in something", was one iteration of this idea. This script took the idea into hyperbole, made more credible the commercial's understated tone. It gained a BTAA diploma and was a film finalist at Cannes.
CRAVENDALE This script, for a flavoured Cravendale, built on the "The cows want it back" idea. The spooky mood needed leafless trees and cold grey skies, but the shoot was scheduled for July. Perhaps the first ad shoot ever to go to Australia to avoid sunny skies.
THOMSON (TUI) The proposition was basically 'Trust Thomson to take care of your holiday". The script reminded people of just how precious time away is. It came from a calculation of how much time the average person spends at work to earn a day's holiday and an observation on the ritual of sun worship.
BARCLAYCARD The launch of the "Don't put it off, put it on" campaign. The line inspired many scripts, but the client insisted on beginning with one themed on DIY. The commercial was a film finalist at Cannes.