ALEX CHARNOCK
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Spotlight Review: Toyota 'Move Ahead' by The & Partnership

9/1/2019

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Released 6 months ago, this Toyota Corolla ad has recently caught my attention and not for a good reason. I can't really fault the storyline here, it's practically a John Lewis Christmas ad compared to a lot of other automotive commercials. What I can't help feel really lets this ad down is the accompanying soundtrack. The voiceover at the end of the ad asks "As the world moves forward what will your choice be?', and whilst I can't hear Toyota shouting 'stay in the past', their choice of the 1930s Jazz track 'Sing Sing Sing' answers their own question for them and not in a good way. Does familiarity sell? Maybe. But the reality is this song has been done to death with previous ads for brands including Knorr, Guiness and Virgin all opting to play it safe with a well known classic.
​I should say, I have nothing against this track; Benny Goodman is a Jazz legend and the song itself is packed with energy. Which is why brands should give it the respect it deserves. Instead of plonking it behind a moving picture, craft it to create something which actually complements the content it's accompanying. By all means, Toyota could have started with the 1930s instrumentation but then morphed the track from classical to synthetic creating a modernised electronic revamp of the classic. A style which I think would marry perfectly with the promotion of an electric vehicle and make an initially unoriginal choice into something really authentic. 
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#ThrowbackThursday: Thinkbox 'Harvey and Rabbit' by Red Brick Road- 2012

8/22/2019

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One of the best ads I've ever seen came out when I was 13 years old and I can still remember all the words to the song today. The Thinkbox campaign 'Harvey & Rabbit' was created by Red Brick Road and illustrates its point perfectly; a TV ad should speak for itself. The ad gives very few details about what the brand can offer the consumer but there doesn't really need to be any. The best ads I've seen are engaging enough to draw your attention quickly but won't prattle on about how they can offer you a 0% APR variable. This ad sticks in your mind and gives you just enough information that you can go and research it as soon as you've seen it. Clever not cluttered. Job done. 
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5 Tips for Creative Wannabes like Me

7/20/2019

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Picture
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Having recently completed a two week work experience placement with AMV BBDO in London, I don't want to pass up the opportunity of a blog post with what I've learnt from my time there. I was lucky enough to spend the 10 days in Account Management with the brilliant Mars Pet team but the highlight of the week for me was a chat with a creative team who gave me some really helpful advice when starting out in the industry:

1. Ideas start with Insight
Example: the fabulous Marmite 'Neglect' campaign by Adam and Eve DDB. 
What's it called when people forget about Marmite?
Neglect. 
What do you associate with the word 'neglect'?
the RSPCA. 
Job done. 

2. Get used to ideas being rejected
The more ideas you come up with the better. Don't dismiss ideas before you've given them a chance- a Creative Director will happily do that for you. 

3. Ask for feedback
Or how will you know if what you're doing has legs? Enter portfolio competitions- Cream is a good place to start.

4. Follow people
Find out the names of people on Creative Advertising courses like SCA and Watford. Look at their websites for the work they've done and how they've displayed their portfolios. Aim for 8/10 projects in a book. 

5. It's what's on the outside that counts
Yep. That's right. Show people what you do outside of creating work. Whether you're a part-time snake wrangler or secret trapeze artist, having interests aside from being a creative is a great way of becoming a culturally-aware, well-rounded egg. 
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  • Home sweet home
    • CV
    • Life Goals
  • What I've been up to
  • Noel and Mr. Bloggy
  • Word on the Street
  • Get In Touch