Steve and Alfie - Creative Advertising Team

knife crime film

2010-07-22T01:33:00.000-07:00

This is the last thing Alfie and I had made together, a knife crime film to highlight the risks involved in carrying a knife. Inspired by the artist BLU, we painted on walls around the parts of Glasgow with worst knife crime and used stop animation to bring it to life. The music is by Pllum, a local artist who is also a part of the ever growing Leith Records. Was a few months of blood sweat and a few tears (mainly alfie's) but we're pretty happy with the result. Thanks to Ink animation in Dundee for all their hard work n all.

The link to it on youtube is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdyBsMnzy_A

Barr's Idents

2010-06-09T08:11:00.000-07:00

More idents! This isn't all we do, honestly.

After several months in production, hoops jumped through and compliance issues overcome (sort of), our Barr's idents finally saw the light of day yesterday. They're sponsoring 'The Hour' show, a magazine tv show presented by the 'cuddly' Michelle Mcmanus.

There are several different variations on these, all for different flavours/occasions, all of which have been tweaked and tinkered with for what seems like eternity. I've only just stopped waking up in the middle of the night screaming about my kaleidoscope-induced nightmares.

This is an example of one of the 15 second openers, of which there are numerous combinations. This one is The Park/The Beach/Ice Cream Van.

Going to try and blog more as it's the 'cool' thing to do apparently. Have some pretty exciting work which will hopefully be released soon.

Enjoy!

PS. Probably best not to look at it if you're epileptic or easily excited by bright spinny colours.

IRN-BRU Idents

2010-02-03T08:24:00.000-08:00

Well... This is our first post for 8 or 9 months I think... (you can make a new person in that amount of time). Just thought I'd post a bit of work we've recently finished. This isn't the only piece of work we've done in the last 9 months I'd hasten to add, just been far too lazy to blog AND work. These are two 15 second idents for IRN-BRU sponsoring the Rugby Super League on Sky Sports, incase you didn't twig that from the voiceover at the end. There are 8 other 5 second idents but didn't think anyone would really want to see them...

Finally hired!!!!

2009-03-20T04:43:00.000-07:00

After pretty much the quickest and most hectic 3 months of our lives, we got called into the meeting room by the Creative Directors this morning... after the usual brief small talk we got offered a job. Cue shocked silence not knowing how to react, just huge smiles like a couple of gormless clowns. Absolutely chuffed, love it here at Leith and it's a massive weight off to actually be taken on permanently!

Best shop sign ever?

2009-03-02T08:16:00.001-08:00

House of cards ad

2009-02-16T02:52:00.000-08:00

A cool idea by Leo Burnetts for Shelter. I hope they did a big ambient version as well.

thesaurus.com encourages adultery

2009-02-11T05:05:00.000-08:00

type 'marriage' into thesaurus.com and these are the first ads that come up... wonder why the divorce rate is so high?

Don't forget your plastic bags

2009-02-01T07:00:00.000-08:00

A TV idea we did for a Scottish Government campaign aimed at getting people to recycle their plastic bags by reminding them to take their bags to the shops with them. We wanted to make something fun and as non preachy as possible, so came up with this. It's pretty rough but shows the general idea.

For some reason the timing of the music isnt working very well on here, the images go in time with the 'rabbits' in the music.

'Don't leave it up to your kids'

2009-01-25T09:34:00.000-08:00

Here is the TV ad we made in response to a brief that McCann Ericksson set us. Its for the BWEA to try and endear people to the thought of putting up wind farms. It didn't exactly float their boat but we'd love to know what you think. It's based around the thought that we're going to have to switch to renewable energy at some point so why not do it now instead of leaving it up to your kids..

Sometimes I feel like doing this

2008-12-07T15:58:00.000-08:00

Where Alfie and I grew up

2008-12-05T03:34:00.000-08:00

Need I say more, we grow well down 'ere in the South West innerr

Are you a knock off Nigel?

2008-12-03T04:25:00.000-08:00

Just seen this TV ad trying to get people to stop people downloading pirate DVDs and I bloody love it. So much better than the usual dictating ads that do absolutely nothing. Especially the one from the start of DVDs, "You wouldn't steal a car.." etc, don't know if anyone else knows what I mean but these are totally ineffective in my eyes. After all, who would want to be a knock off Nigel?

Good News!

2008-12-02T08:06:00.000-08:00

Finally some good news! After a two week trial period at The Leith Agency, we have been offered a three month placement with a view to being extended to a year. This is a huge relief after several weeks of Jeremy Kyle and Judge Judy, especially with the current state of the economy and the chances of employment at the moment. We very much look forward to starting in Edinburgh in the first week of January.

2008-11-20T09:35:00.001-08:00

So after our two week trial at Leith, we are awaiting a decision as to whether or not we can return for a placement. We finished the trial at the end of October and are expecting a decision at the start of December. In the meantime I have been putting together an illustrated book about the stuff we have learnt so far on placements, just to keep the creative juices flowing if anything. We have only been on three placements so far but the list is already quite long.

I intend to make it an ongoing thing until we get our first job and probably beyond, hopefully becoming a useful guide to creatives who have to do the placement trail in the future.

Working on a title and front page at the moment and have a list of tips as long as my arm, would welcome any other tips that people have picked up. what do you reckon to this as a title page for starters?

Which types have you encountered?

2008-11-03T09:44:00.000-08:00

Found these great cartoons by Tom Fishburne. Haven't met all these types by any means, but some definitely seem familiar!!!

Love it.

2008-10-24T08:42:00.000-07:00

Our creative process

2008-10-20T06:04:00.000-07:00

Worst. Ad. Ever.

2008-10-15T04:02:00.000-07:00

Call me an alcoholic with skyhigh standards, but this 1920's campaign just doesn't do it for me

HFRS campaign

2008-10-01T04:52:00.000-07:00

Just seen the HFRS drink driving ad that has been created after they took on our idea. We created the 'blood on your hands' concept during a unit in the 3rd year. You can see our original work in an earlier blog post.

Hours of fun

2008-10-01T04:25:00.001-07:00

While in Mcdonalds recently, I discovered this ingenious idea for promoting Star Wars. One piece of cardboard from the Happy Meal box can be torn off to turn your straw into a light sabre. Brilliant.

Office creativity

2008-10-01T04:20:00.000-07:00

Bored in a menial office job? To try and keep the creative juices flowing while stuck at a desk in a mind numbing job, I like to doodle. This piece I have entitled 'helicopter saving a man from sharks after his boat has sunk in the sea'. It needs some development but I think it has massive potential.

Ambient poster for Knocked up

2008-10-01T04:16:00.000-07:00

Really cool idea to promote Knocked Up film, but what happens when they turn into frogs??

I heart Banksy

2008-10-01T04:15:00.000-07:00

Love Banksy's work, especially his latest creations in New York..

GPS Drawing

2008-09-25T12:03:00.000-07:00

Really cool idea by BMW, encouraging people to draw pictures by driving around using their GPS, getting interactive with their motorbike journeys..

http://gps.bmw-motorrad.com/drawings/explore

Unbelievable clever use of online media for Burger King

2008-09-25T11:40:00.000-07:00

Sponsorship of the New Indiana Jones movie by Burger King might be a great brief to get, but still amazing execution. Should be annoying but it somehow isn't...

http://www.bannerblog.com.au/2008/07/bk_banner_of_doom.php

GPS Mission

2008-09-25T11:29:00.000-07:00

This GPS game looks like a really cool way of using the GPS that is included in loads of new phones, especially the new 'gphone' from Google. The 'missions' that people set for each other could be used for some sort of advertising surely...? Brands setting consumers missions which lead to one of their outlets maybe...? More info on the game at http://gpsmission.com

Really cool idea for poker magazine

2008-08-28T07:41:00.000-07:00

2008-08-07T14:29:00.001-07:00

2008-07-24T08:32:00.001-07:00

Relentless Energy Drink

2008-06-09T05:52:00.000-07:00

Objective: Simplify the Relentless brand image by conveying a more straightforward message about energy.

Target Audience: 12-25 exercise enthusiasts

media: Press/print

Lastminute.com

2008-06-09T05:49:00.000-07:00

Objective: Show the wide range of activities on offer at lastminute.com and how they can be booked with very little notice.

Target Audience: 18-35 young professionals.

Media: Press/print/adshels

Barclays Student Account

2008-06-09T05:35:00.000-07:00

Objective: Position Barclays as a bank that understands students.

Media: Press/print

Agency Simulation Executions

2008-05-30T04:00:00.000-07:00

We were asked to create a campaign for our clients, Campbell Rowley (a photography agency in Bournemouth), to generate extra business through advertising agencies.

Proposition - 'Campbell Rowley has the space and skill to let your ideas grow'

This proposition was based around the fact that the agency has a large studio as well as skilled photographers.

The campaign centres around three phases. The first two are direct mail packages that would be sent to agencies, and the third involves a press advert and viral email to invite agencies to an exhibition being held at Campbell Rowley.

Phase One - In order to create a feeling of growth, the first direct mail package was created to look like a seed packet. Once the packet is opened, a small sheet comes out with 'plant your ideas' written on it. The sheet then folds out to a large A3 size, with the line ' and watch them grow' at the bottom. The fact that it folds out emphasises the feeling of growth and space that we wanted to reflect in the campaign. The whole sheet once folded out shows examples of CR's work as well as contact details.

Phase Two - This direct mail package includes a postcard with a pencil. It encourages the receiever to draw something mundane and post it onto CR's site. CR then photograph the object in an imaginative way and post it back onto the site. This shows the audience the skill that CR possesses as well as providing them with a sample of unique work. The pack also drives people to CR's site so they can see existing work and get in touch.

Phase Three - In order to get the potential clients to come to the studio and build relationships that way, we created invitations to an exhibition that CR would host. This would involve young photographers exhibiting their work, with the growth theme continued through the idea of 'growing young talent'. To generate interest in this event, we designed a press advert in the form of an invitation, as well as an animated version that would be emailed to potential clients (see below)

For some reason the quality of this video is terrible. If you want to see the actual flash application just give us an email

Drench TV Ad

2008-05-30T03:48:00.001-07:00

The best TV ad in a long time

We should have done this with our website!

2008-04-24T03:29:00.000-07:00

cartoon strip

2008-04-23T03:53:00.000-07:00

Easter Chick!

2008-04-23T03:48:00.001-07:00

'stomach butterflies' - match.com idea

2008-04-19T13:37:00.000-07:00

Just an idea for a TV ad for match.com

Cadbury Dairy Milk - Trucks

2008-04-19T12:25:00.001-07:00

Any good or not? Not in my opinion!! (Steve)

What's not to like I say; Stunts: check. Matrix-y slo-mo: check. Queen: check. Reminiscence of my last trip to Turin airport at about 1:08 mins in: check. (Alfie)

'Do you want their blood on your hands'

2008-04-19T11:05:00.000-07:00

This is the campaign that we pitched to the Hampshire Fire and Rescue service to deter drink driving. Posters along with ambient beer glasses placed in bars and clubs. The glass would be supported with a beermat explaining the dangers and statistics of drink driving causing fatal accidents.

We also pitched this campaign to the university's Employee Advisory Committee as the example of work the university is producing.

'skidding lines'

2008-04-19T10:45:00.000-07:00

An initial scamp for a drug-driving campaign. Two lines of cocaine on a toilet seat skid over the edge.

Fit Club Ideas

2008-04-19T10:31:00.000-07:00

These are some initial ideas that we had for Fit Club. Basically showing how if you join this gym, you will need to adapt your clothes accordingly.

Self-promotion idea

2008-04-19T03:21:00.000-07:00

Absolutely no way this could go wrong.

Sony Bravia spoof

2008-04-19T02:02:00.001-07:00

Inconsiderate Bravia people...

Smirnoff tea Partay

2008-04-19T01:59:00.001-07:00

Brilliant viral ad for Smirnoff. Really well produced, could so easily have gone wrong.