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Monkey!!!!!

Jamie Hewlett and Damon Albarn have created three characters for BBC's coverage of the Beijing Olympics. The three characters are based on 'Monkey', a dubbed programme from my youth - BBC2 at about 6.30 if i remember right - and have been animated for the intro sequences. The journey from BritPop to Title Sequences seems to have been relatively straightforward for the ex-Blur frontman. Look forward to seeing them in a couple of weeks.

Is nothing sacred?

'Designer' is now applied to a multitude of things - from sunglasses to jeans and furniture. It reached a nadir in the 90s as it was so loosely banded around even musicians wanted a piece of it (Design for Life by Manic Street Preachers, Design of a Decade by Janet Jackson). But even with the glory that design seems to bestow upon any product, I am bemused with a new sanitary towel ad - Tampax - that highlights the features by using sketches, blueprints and even the designer themselves. Obviously, I am not the target market, but a quick straw poll in the Sales residence revealed it to be rather over-egging the pudding. All products have to be 'designed' and I guess the agency/client thought that if it works for shavers and toothbrushes, it will work for sanitary towels. But what next? The science of absorbency of toilet rolls? The chemical reactions of shampoo? Er, ok, point made...

Jump! Quick!

Though I didn't actually witness the ad spot that will change the face of UK tv advertising (damn clients and those deadlines) the jumping skydivers can be seen again on Honda's website - see link above. I imagine seeing it out of context won't evoke the same suspense as watching those guys live doing the difficult within their alloted 3mins 20 secs. However I did receive txt messages from colleagues and family who were literally moved to tears at witnessing history in the making. Most certainly an exaggeration, but advertising will become more targeted, and responding to audience behaviour in real time, much as web 3.0 is promising to do. For example, there is currently a bet365 ad that aired during a break in the European Football Championships which offers odds on the next scorer 'as of 30 seconds ago'. These real-time odds offer a tantalising glimpse of the future. Maybe this is the beginning of the end of the ad epic....

Mad Men through and through

This engrossing series finished last week, about the only thing i set a reminder for on tv. Of course I blindly relate to the Creative Director of Sterling Cooper, Donald Draper - effortless charisma, the bravado to turn a client away at an introductory meeting, drooling respect from everyone in the industry and the beautiful suits and accessories (maybe not the adultory). All fiction of course, but the vision of imagining campaign ideas for Lucky Strike, Richard Nixon and Kodak over an afternoon chaser - if only it was that easy - is so romantic and intoxicating, all delivered through a haze of cigarette smoke. Subtlty is key to this programme's success. Sexism is delivered through dry smiles, and the delicious irony is well hidden until the series plays out it's full set of plot twists. Can't wait for season two.

Four wheels for me

I need a new car but I can't find one. I mean i can find a car, any car that is practical for what i need. But i can't find a car brand that i am.

Despite all the of car brands, from alfa romeo to volkswagon, from bmw to yamaha, none of them reflect me and my aspirations. I can find clothes (Paul Smith), food supermarket (Sainsburys) or even department store (John Lewis) but a car? I am floundering. I think I might like a Ferrari, but even in that hypothetical situation (i assure you), i'm not sure, it's just a bit crass. I prefer something a bit more understated and dare i say 'cool'. But what car is cool below fifteen grand? Mazda MX4? Poor man's Porsche. A mate who's opinion on these things i value for more than any other says Renault Scenic. Really Jo? I'm not 40 quite yet, though i do have two kids.

Austin Healy or a Triumph, now you're talking. But i don't think you can get two car seats in those let alone a wife. I am going to have to grit my teeth and buy something with more plastic than my local recycling centre. That's why i am being led down a 4x4 track by my wife, and i have no resistence...

Exploding fruit

Love this - makes me salivate. By DDB London.

Atishu! Atishu!

Another series of The Apprentice, another 'branding' challenge, this time for a box of tissues, plus a tv and press ad. The team that lost did a marginal better job visually, but even I know that Sir Alan is not a sophisticated soul when it comes to advertising and it needed to be product, product, product. And theirs was just a bit too subtle as the sorrowful pack shot was relegated to being a bit-part player. Both brand names were appealing, but of course I spend significant parts of the show drifting off to imagine what I would do. But what do I know? I'm a bloke who just won't understand the market (apparently).

Dramatic pause or over-complication?

Our future. It's in our hands.

Or

Our future is in our hands.

The former is a campaign tagline is for a government skills initiative. I find it annoying every time I see it spat from my tv – it's clunky (though admittedly it has the same number of words as the alternative) and awkward. Grammar is sacrificed for a dramatic full-stop as 'Our future' is not a sentence. Just lazy copywriting imho.

80s film posters reborn

The new Indiana Jones film is being promoted with a huge dollop of nostalgia, looking like it could have been produced in the 80s. A montage of heads and exotic locations in an affected illustrative style – Indy has aged well. Aahh, reminds me of the Star Wars posters I had on my bedroom wall.

Guilty pleasure...

I have just voted in the local elections (as I live in London, one of the votes is for London Major) and wish I was involved with the design of the forms, posters and supporting POS. Not glamourous, even a little dour, but the simplicity necessary is refreshing. Any way, I have a soft spot for pastel coloured papers when used together.

Note: As this is my first post in about 10 months, I must write shorter posts. Above is 62 words. In future, I will see if i can keep it to under 60.