Should Be Good

Looking forward to Phoenix & The Dirty Projectors at Madison Square Garden tomorrow. Not the ideal venue, but I'm excited nonetheless.

Lucky

I've felt lucky this week that I sincerely like my job. A lot. I don't know if the average American can honestly say that. This VW ad from New Zealand helped me realize that. This is such a unique industry, advertising. Sure, it's the big, bad monster that claims to be part of the "creative" world, but that's why I love it. I've heard it put that advertising is the grease on the gears upon which the American machine runs. God bless America, and God bless capitalism. Although I'm sure many will point out my flawed thinking, I personally love our consumer culture. Advertising makes the American world go 'round. I feel lucky to be a part of it. Thank you Volkswagen of New Zealand for reminding me of that.

This spot is beautifully shot, very well executed, based on sound strategy, relevant consumer insight (even for a non-coffee drinking guy), and put over some amazing music. That recipe equals a winning ad in my mind. VW is a great brand, doing a lot of great things - internationally at least. VW America needs to step it up like their Kiwi cousins. Like I said, pretty lucky to work in the industry.

Study Like A Scholar

As far as parodies go, I've got to say that this isn't half bad! Made me laugh at work, so that's saying something.

Brigham Young University / BYU - New Spice | Study like a scholar, scholar

They Just Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To...

UP THERE from The Ritual Project on Vimeo.

I recently ran across this wonderful expose and was completely fascinated by this old school niche that has found itself left in the dust of modern day advertising. I personally would love to see more of this stuff around the city.
The Album Leaf soundtrack makes it especially enjoyable as well. Very well done!

Stanley Cup Time

I'm not the biggest of hockey fans, but I'm big fan of this new ad from Young & Rubicam. Go Blackhawks.

The Brothers Perlorian

Admittedly, I don't know much about this insanely out-there duo, but I find their work to be immensely creative and refreshingly original. I think there's a lot to be said for authenticity these days, and this stuff is real. Every advertisement they've directed over the past few years breaks through the clutter and makes you laugh. Rock on Perlorian Brothers.

The Perlorian Brothers is allegedly comprised of art director Ian Letts and copywriter Michael Gelfand, who, as you may have guessed, aren't really brothers. Check out their originality on display on their website and vimeo page.

One of my favorites featuring Bruce Campbell covering DuranDuran:

The Sandpit NYC

The talent level of people in this world can, at times, be downright depressing. There are days I like to convince myself that I too have a shot at creating something genuinely creative and beautiful, and then I come across projects like this one. I've never seen anything like this - one of those times that I was left awestruck wondering, "how on earth did they do that?"

Director Sam O'Hare apparently shot this little beauty with all still photography, time lapse style. He then beautified the images in post-production to make the final product look as magnificent as it does - somehow turning real people and their surroundings into small toys and models ("in miniature," as he calls it.) The soundtrack also really brings this short film to life. Impressive work.

To read more, check out this post on the Aero Film Blog

(Says Sam the Director: "Please view in HD and full screen for best effect." Please obey Sam.)

The Sandpit from Sam O'Hare on Vimeo.

What Type Are You?

Pentagram has done a really neat interactive personality-based quiz that determines what "type" you are. It's extremely well executed and actually super informative. Makes me want to be a printer.

How about me? Well apparently I'm Pistilli Roman.
(hint) password: character

The Creative Struggle

Amen Ira Glass. I've had similar thoughts/feelings several times, but I've never heard it spoken quite like that. I love his take on the notion of taste as well. Fascinating & inspiring

via Kyle Monson