High Five: Campaigns That (Probably) Made Brands Feel a Bit Scared
Here’s a bunch of campaigns that probably frightened clients, and hopefully from this article, even more clients will see it, realise that frightening is good and allow us to frighten them in turn...
Hornicultural Society - 'Advice for When...'
Agency: Ogilvy UK
As a lover of both gardening and innuendo I couldn’t help but be charmed and titillated by this campaign - I was also happy to learn that even though you might consider 60 + to be overripe, they’re still sowing their wild oats (despite being a bit careless..).
Zijkant - 'Equal Pay Day'
Agency: mortierbrigade
Production: Czar Belgium
Production: Czar Belgium
Director: Lionel Goldstein
As a bit of a fan of old-school TV advertising, I loved this return to form of glorious peculiarity and using the ridiculous to communicate something insidious and, frankly, shitty about the world of work, namely - the power a penis has (that it shouldn’t).
Surreal x Numan x cheesegeek x Gymbox - 'Harder Feta Faster Stronger'
I’m probably a bit biased as I met the bloke who did this the other day, but I think combining a load of incongruous brands (gym, cereal, cheese, erectile dysfunction pills...) together as a bit of a laugh to generate a pay-off for all parties is a particularly bold gamble which actually paid off.
Future Farm - 'Burger 4.0 Trainer'
Agency: Here Be Dragons
Wow! What an amazing idea. I wonder who came up with this...!? But I think for a vegan meal alternative to have the courage to launch its new burger with a trainer is testament to the brand - and agency.
Led By Donkeys - 'Michelle Mone’s Yacht'
Not a brand, but this fearless campaign highlights the potency of intelligent simplicity driven by purpose. Led By Donkeys is one of my favourite activist groups, not only for its ability to hone in on the issues that really matter, but by delivering the message in such a way that it becomes irresistible to engage with it. This particular stunt does everything a good campaign should do - tells a story, gives it a hook, and gives a gloriously pithy and satisfying pay-off.
