High Five UK: November 2020
The High Five channel on LBB is a space for the advertising communities in various countries to showcase the best work from their markets.
Each instalment of High Five focuses on five great pieces of work from a specific country or region, selected by a key local figure in the creative landscape there.
Today is the turn of the UK, with selections coming from Merman joint MDs / executive producers Spencer Dodd and Siobhan Murphy. Both deeply embedded in the British commercial production community, the pair are passionate about strong ideas, expertly crafted. With the Christmas ads already in full swing they were spoilt for choice, but managed to narrow it down to five inspiring pieces of recent British work.
TK Maxx - The Lil’ Goat
This cute little Christmas number certainly appeals to my silly side and that’s exactly what one needs right now. From the little goat strutting her funky stuff across the snow to a nicely judged performance by two extremely familiar actors who for the life of us we can’t place (answers on a postcard please), it's seamless. Interestingly and cleverly shot with some great post work and a great track. Something sweet, simple, perfectly judged and executed in a Covid climate.
Epilepsy Research UK - A Life Interrupted
Bleak, dramatic but beautiful shots of the Northern-most part of Scotland (it looks damn freezing that water) are the setting for this where Doug, the young chap featured, talks to us about life and his love of surfing. We’re led down a certain path only to learn in rather dramatic fashion that he suffers from epilepsy, a disease often overlooked by advertising.
This film has such an unexpected, dramatic and shocking end, it really cuts through and gets you thinking. Which of course is its purpose. The relationship between him and his father is heartwarming and set up well. It's no mean feat finding them via tireless research through the charity and it sets up the rug pull effectively.
A beautiful and affecting film that really left a mark on us.
Amazon - Opera
Amazon - Ironing
Amazon and Droga are striking up quite the partnership together. They set the bar pretty high last year with a series of very funny films for Amazon Prime and these two films don’t disappoint.
It’s the kind of smart idea we’ve come to expect from Droga5 and it’s very well executed by Andreas Nilsson and Biscuit with a high level of craft across all departments. Hats off to the entire crew. Covid or no Covid this stands up and clearly demonstrates what can be achieved when we put out thinking caps on.
Like all good ads it stands up to repeat viewing and we never tire of watching it. The product is intrinsic to the idea whilst demonstrating one of its key features and the ideas brought a smile to our faces. We don’t mind being sold to when we’re being sold to like this.
It's just the tonic as we head back into lockdown and having pretty much exhausted Netflix last time around we’re eager to see what Amazon Prime might have to offer.
Very.co.uk - Jodie
This is probably our pick of the Christmas ads so far although we appreciate there are probably a few more on the way.
Christmas as we know it rather than the Christmas we’re so often presented with hits the right tone. Encouraging us to live life in the moment, it's memorable for all the right reasons.
The rug pull at the beginning grabs your attention and that’s carried all the way through with a charming performance from mum and the other family members. There are some lovely touches throughout and the product is seamlessly integrated into the fabric of the film without feeling forced.
It actually got us excited for Christmas, whatever that might look like this year.
