Aviva TV ad kick starts communication of Norwich Union name change

Aviva have launched a new TV campaign to announce the name change of Norwich Union to Aviva, as part of a global brand alignment. This has been done using an all star cast including Bruce Willis, Ringo Star, Alice Cooper, and Dame Edna Everage, all asking "Would this have happened if my name had been...?".



According to Brand Republic the campaign is due to run across TV, print, outdoor and online media for six months.

Heineken Know The Signs Campaign

Over the last few months Heineken have carried out a piece of World Wide research into the characters people experience when people drink a little too much. To help us spot the signs before its too late Heineken have put together the Know The Signs Campaign, which highlights this to us, in a video rich online game.



Once on the Know The Signs microsite, users are asked to play the part of a security guard, and given to task to seek out the troublemakers in the crowd, before its too late.



The characters - The Crier, The Fighter, The Sleeper, The Exhibitionist, and The Groper, are each given their own videos once spotted on the security camera, with the player given the chance to send the clip to a friend in the form of a widget for their Facebook or iPhone etc.



This is a nice site, and a good way of showcasing Heineken's corporate social responsibility in an engaging way which is both interactive, and entertaining. It was also quite interesting to read about the campaign, which apparently highlighted America as the most emotional bunch, with 68% saying they saw The Crier in their friends on a night out.

PG Tips Monkey gives alternative Queen's Speech on Christmas day

This Christmas we will see a slightly different take on the usual Queen's Speech on Christmas day, with PG Tips this year releasing their own version, given by the PG Tips Monkey. Monkey's speech is due to air on Christmas Day, with a feature length PG tips advert with comedy partner Al played by Johnny Vegas, on ITV1 between 9.05pm and 9.25pm.

To give everyone a taster of what is to come, PG Tips have put together a prelude to the Christmas Speech which can be viewed below...



Enjoy!!

X-Men Origins: Wolverine - Trailer

The Marvel fanatic inside me may have just wet himself a tiny little bit after seeing the new X-Men Origins: Wolverine trailer. For all of those which are yet to see this, here it is...



Right that's my little outburst of excitment contained. Enjoy!

BBC Breathing Places campaign viral aims to help UK wildlife this Christmas

To promote their new Breathing Places campaign, the BBC has put together a site encouraging the public to create a refuge in their gardens, and support wildlife this Christmas giving them somewhere to hide away out of the cold. People are driven to the site by a viral music video which sees our fury little friends taking centre stage, including robins, squirrels, and mice.



The site also includes a host of information for schools, as well as downloads, other facts about the animals the campaign wishes to help out, and a postcode finder. This is a nice campaign to see at this time of year, and fits perfectly with other BBC programs and initiatives such as Autumn Watch.

Alexandra Burke wins X Factor 2008

As many of us thought, Alexandra Burke has been crowned the X Factor 2008 champ, a title which has not only seen her win the top prize of the coveted £1m recording contract, but also seen the show obtain its highest viewing figures in its five year history.



Alexandra Burke ‘Hallelujah’ – Winner’s Performance


Brand Republic reports that the show achieved a peak audience of 14.6m viewers, and captured a 54% share of the total viewing public between 9.40-10.40pm, according to unofficial overnight figures.



Alexandra Burke ‘Hallelujah’ – Single


Alexandra Burke now looks set to enjoy Christmas safe in the knowledge that her single 'Hallelujah', is bookies favourite to take the Christmas number one spot.

Campaign publishes Top 10 turkeys of 2008

Continuing the theme of the best, and the rest of 2008, Campaign have put together their Top 10 turkeys of 2008. So for all of you who want to reminisce over all of those cringworthy ads which made us change channel, or decide that it's time to put the kettle on, here they are:

1. Gillette



2. Specsavers



3. Renault



4. Warburtons
(Sorry no clip available)


5 Country Life



6. Kellogg



7. Orangina



8. Premier Inn



9. Samsung



10. DFS



For the full article please click here: Campaign's top 10 turkeys of 2008

Top 10 Viral ads 2008

As a break from the barrage of Christmas ads we are now awash with, I am happy to see lists such as the Top 10 virals for 2008. The Top 10 virals for 2008 list as compiled by GoViral based on compiling numbers of views from Youtube, Dailymotion, Metacafe, Break and Vimeo, with the rankings adjusted by taking into account a "people's verdict". Enjoy!

1. Wassup 2008 - Obama presidential campaign



2. SFW XXX Party Invitation - Diesel



3. Kobe Bryant jumps over an Aston Martin - Nike



4. Extreme Street Football - EA (FIFA Street 3)



5. Take it to the next level - Nike (Directed by Guy Ritchie)



6. "Jesus Shot" - EA (Tiger Woods 09)



7. Bean Counter - Apple



8. Unboxing - Samsung Omnia i900



9. Fate – Leave Nothing - Nike



10. Adam and Eve - Centraal Beheer




Via - Guardian

Pepsi Max drives consumers to mobi site via QR Codes

This morning whilst carrying out my morning browse around the web, I noticed a new campaign by Pepsi which seems to be pushing QR codes to the UK public via online display. The banner ad shown below features the QR code with a message to click through and find out more.




Pepsi Banner Advert


Once on the site the user is educated as to what QR codes are, and how they work. There are also pointers on how to enable your mobile to recognise QR codes, and the benefits of doing so. In the case of Pepsi, the benefits to visiting their mobi site are games, videos, and other free content.



It is good to see another example in the UK of a brand trying to push consumers to use mobile to engage with their brand, but I can’t help but think that we as advertisers should be doing more. Although in the current economic climate it is challenging to encourage brands to ‘try something new’, there are brands which are proving that mobile can be a cost efficient media, and an effective branding tool.


http://www.comscore.com


The use of the mobile Internet has seen massive growth since the release of the iPhone in the UK, in early November 2007 (above), offering unlimited online access as part of their monthly package, and has shown how a simple technological movement can have such an effect on users browsing habits. As we are already seeing brands capitalise on this trend, it could again illustrate why it is so important for brands to test mobile sooner rather than later.


Related stories:
Street Art, QR Codes and Google Maps

Ben & Jerry's Christmas Cowal aims to beat x-factor to the number one spot!

I apologise from the outset as I fear that you may be hearing this a lot in the coming weeks. Ben & Jerry, the Ice Cream company, are releasing their very own song Ben & Jerry's Christmas (with all proceeds going to the RSPCA), with the aim of taking on the X-Factor winner for the Christmas top spot this year. Have a look below to make up you're own minds...


Ben & Jerry's Christmas


The track has been released one week before the X-Factor final, to be shown next week (13.12.08). The X-Factor final will see the three remaining finalists competing for the life changing title of X-Factor champion 2008. It is rumoured that the winning act, Alexandra Burke, Eoghan Quigg, or JLS, will be releasing 'Hallelujah' - the song written by Leonard Cohen.


Alexandra Burke - X-Factor Finalist


So will Ben & Jerry's Christmas be able to do it? Well the number of views on the Ben & Jerry YouTube Channel have started off slowly, but as we have seen in the past with the likes of 'Bob the Builder', and 'Mr Blobby' anything can happen.

If you wish to download Ben & Jerry's Christmas here is the link: Ben & Jerry's Christmas

'The Game' is back in my life - Thank you Metro

Roughly two years ago, on the way back from a rather messy night out, my best mate and I were told about a game which can be played anywhere, but will stay with you forever! This game, named 'The Game' has one simple objective... to forget about the game. As you can imagine it's not quite as easy as it sounds, hence why I am writing this blog entry.



As I flicked through the Metro this morning, imagine my horror when on page 3, I saw an article reporting about the cult following which is 'The Game' along with all the details of how it's gathered its worldwide following over the years, leading to some schools in the US suspending children caught disrupting lessons by playing it.



'The Game' was apparently created by two sound engineers, Dennis Begley and Gavin McDowall, who after missing the last train, decided to create a game to keep them entertained. ‘The Game’ was born, and has snowballed ever since, which can easily been seen on the website, www.losethegame.com, which includes forums, maps, pictures, and even a strategy page. Apologies to all those players which have read this, but I wasn’t going out on my own.

Oohgle mystery posters hit the UK

Do you Oohgle? Do you even know what oohgling is? Well neither did I, until I started my online search the same way the majority of the online world now does as a matter of course… through a search engine. Upon typing Oohgle into Google, I was introduced to a PPC advert asking me if I’d seen the ad, and to click through if I wanted to find out more.



Oohgle is apparently the term coined for those of us which see an out-of-home advert, and follow it up with an online search (as most of those visiting the site would have done). The site put together by Posterscope, promoting their Prism Search tool, goes on to explain everything, and there is an optional short survey to enter a competition.



This piece of research will probably make its way to the agency world soon, and I’m hoping will give us some insightful knowledge of the way out-of-home is evolving people’s brand journeys and experiences. One of our increasing challenges as planners is accountability, and any research showing how media can work together is very welcome.

YouTube – now in widescreen

Just a quick note, for those like me, who have unbelievably neglected YouTube since yesterday… YouTube is now widescreen! That’s right, you can now view YouTube videos in a larger environment allowing for higher quality viewing when watching trailers, films etc.



This new 960 pixel layout has already had mixed reviews for the community however, and even though standard videos play just as well on the new format, it seems that some would still like the player size to be optional. Personally I think it looks great!

‘One Spring Away’ latest single by ‘From’ – Can you spot the adverts featured?

The band: From, have released a video for their latest single ‘One Spring Away’, which takes the form of a 41 commercial mash up.





Via Adverlab

Grandma's Dead: Breaking Bad News with Baby Animals

Need I say more… well probably a little more. ‘Grandma's Dead: Breaking Bad News with Baby Animals’ is a book by Amanda McCall and Ben Schwartz, and according to the New York Daily News is tipped to be the popular stocking filler of 2008.



The book is full with adorable animals next to captions such as ‘Dreams don’t come true’, and ‘I’m banging your wife’, officially went on sale on the 28th October, and already has a supporting website and Facebook group (Grandma's Dead: Breaking Bad News with Baby Animals Facebook Group).



Only time will tell whether this could be the next icanhascheezburger.com, famous for bringing us its collection of cat pictures with silly captions, which last month stepped into the offline world with its book 'Lolcat Colleckshun'.



The book icanhascheezburger.com 'Lolcat Colleckshun' was a media favourite last month when it sold out websites within the first day of release. The site icanhascheezburger.com currently receives over 10,000 captioned photos each day, and has grown into a global phenomenon since the site was created in January 2007 (sold in September 2007 valuing the site at $2 Million).

Dogs Trust, Nintendo, and Girls Aloud team up to promote responsible ownership

Animal charity Dogs Trust, and Nintendo have teamed up in an attempt to show potential dog owners the commitment needed to care for a dog before buying one. Using popular game Nintendogs, and with the help of Girls Aloud, the partnership will build upon the Dogs Trust’s existing educational programme within schools teaching children the responsibilities involved in owning a dog.



As part of the scheme, and starting in London, Nintendo will be donating Nintendo DS consoles and copies of Nintendogs to Dogs Trust for use in their educational outreach programme. Especially around Christmas this should hopefully teach children that there is a lot more to looking after a dog then meets the eye.



This is a great idea, and with the PR created around the use of Girls Aloud in the media this should be a great awareness driver for the campaign, and a brilliant way for the Dogs Trust to reach their target audience.

Classic Guinness ad given second chance to shine

Over the last few days you may have noticed that in the National Press there have been appearances from a few classic brands and their adverts of yesteryear. The ads are appearing in the latest campaign by the Newspaper Marketing Agency, which includes the brands Guinness, Volkswagen, and Heinz, all of which over the years have used newspapers to strengthen and grow their brand.

The adverts appearing are as follows:



Original 'Toucan' Guinness advert (1930s - 1980s) next to Newspaper Marketing Agency 'Iconic Ads - Toucan' version



Original 'Lemon' Volkswagen advert (1959) alongside Newspaper Marketing Agency 'Iconic Ads - Lemon' version



Original 'Ketchup' Heinz advert (2007) alongside Newspaper Marketing Agency 'Iconic Ads - Ketchup' version


This is a nice way during this time to remind everyone of the strengths of different media channels, and although the NMA focuses more and more on how Newspapers are evolving and moving forward. It is also important to remember the success stories, and showcase those historic campaigns which still look comfortable and at home in the National Press, perhaps the most traditional of advertising channels.

For more information on this campaign, or to test your knowledge with the 'Iconic Quiz' click through to the Newspaper Marketing Agency here: Newspaper Marketing Agency website

JCDecaux and Sky launch Outdoor News Channel

It was announced yesterday on the JCDecaux website that they have joined forces with Sky News to bring London commuters the latest news on their way to work via their PrimeTime network.



As of yesterday 18th November the 16 digital billboards, making up the PrimeTime network around London, will be able to provide the latest headlines, business news, sport, show business and weather, with content updated via a live data feed.



According to the article ‘55% of London’s commuters still travel to work by car’, presenting an excellent opportunity to for JCDecaux to reach them with relevant content. This is a brilliant idea, drawing on the strengths of outdoor as a media channel, and more importantly the new advantages that PrimeTime has demonstrated.

Digital as we all know is revolutionising advertising, across all media channels, and with the attraction of Transvision in our train stations over the years proving that this can work, I can’t see why this would not be successful on the roadside.

Banardo’s Advert provoking debate after recent study

A recent study released by YouGov has found that ‘more than half the population believe UK children behave like animals’. The study by YouGov, and commissioned by children's charity Barnardo's asked 2,021 adults a series of questions about today’s youth, with some less than favourable results. This in turn has provoked an ad campaign compiled of actual comments about the youth of today posted on online blogs, which has already caused quite a debate.

LEGO fashion show - By Jean Charles de Castelbajac

This is a new video for Jean Charles de Castelbajac, who has chosen to unveil his Spring/Summer 3001 collection with an animated LEGO-populated fashion show.




Via Adverblog

Hewlett Packard ‘Itkwando’ Viral

This is quite simply a scrolling beat em produced for Hewlett Packard, in the style of Streets of Rage 2, but set in the world of IT. You play Dave, with the task of defeating the foes of Network Security. Although slightly random, this is rather addictive, and so is exactly what we look for in an online game.

http://www.itkwando.com/

Sonny the Shrimp - Creature Discomforts viral game (4 of 4)

The fourth and final online game is here, as part of an ongoing awareness campaign for Leonard Cheshire Disability, starring a series of Aardman Animation’s hallmark plasticine creations.



Fishing Fiasco featuring Sonny the Shrimp requires the user to help Sonny save as many fish as possible by jumping in front of the bait. As previously mentioned with the earlier instalments players are competing for the chance to win one of five prizes (a signed and framed print of the Creature Discomforts character featured in the game), with an additional star prize given at the end of the campaign.



Earlier in the month I posted on Funkadelic Advertising stories relating to the other games which can be found here. The first featuring Callum the Chameleon (Creature Discomforts viral games launched as part of ongoing Leonard Cheshire Disability campaign), the second starring Millie the Mouse (Millie the Mouse - Creature Discomforts viral game (2 of 4)), and the third starring Tim the Tortoise (Tim the Tortoise - Creature Discomforts viral game (3 of 4)). Enjoy!!

Project Direct: YouTube's short film competition is here!

YouTube's annual short film competition, Project Direct, is back with another chance for a budding film maker to see themselves jetting straight to The Sundance Film Festival.



The submissions open as of the 16th November and close on the 14th December, with the judging due to start on the December 27th voted by the YouTube community.



For more information there is a Project Direct channel on YouTube, with rules (including those must use props), further details, and of course the other submissions. Good luck everyone!

Galaxy's 'Miss Kiss' with Metro

Galaxy have launched a new campaign in collaboration with Metro in order to promote their Mistletoe Kisses product, in a way that will certainly brighten up some people's winter mornings.



The campaign comprises of a young lady known as Miss Kiss visiting certain cities around the UK puckering up and planting her lips on unsuspecting bystanders in the true spirit of Christmas.



The campaign is supported by a microsite on Metro.co.uk, with a competition, e-kiss service, and advice on holiday smooching. There is also daily coverage in Metro on what Miss Kiss has been getting up to. I think this is a nice little campaign, although i would have thought that something more in keeping with the recent Aero Bubbles campaign (Below) would have better suited the target audience. However saying that i couldn't quite see this working with a 'Mr Kiss' running around the country jumping out on unsuspecting women.


Aero Bubbles TV Campaign - Starring Jason Lewis

Jaden Smith to star as Karate Kid in 80's remake

It's true, Will Smith's son, Jaden Smith (now 10 years old), is to play the lead role in the remake of the 80's classic The Karate Kid. Some of you may remember Jaden from his first appearance on our screens in the 2006 movie The Pursuit of Happyness, in which he starred alongside his father.



Jaden will follow Ralph Macchio who starred as the original Karate Kid in 1984, which followed the story of Daniel Larusso, a bullied schoolboy who is taught Karate by handyman and martial arts master, Mr. Miyagi, learning some valuable lessons about life... and himself, along the way... or something like that.



Famous for legendary cult scenes such as the above, Karate Kid will follow a recent trend of 80's remakes, including 'Footloose' starring Zac Efron of High School fame.


Thank you Anita Sarawak for highlighting this!!

Fortheloveofwispa – new Wispa campaign needs you!!

Do you love Wispa? Ahh, but do you really love Wispa? Well this is the question posed in the new Wispa campaign inviting the public to pledge whatever they can to help with the making of their new advert.


www.fortheloveofwispa.com


The advert I saw was in the London Metro this morning, with simply an example of a pledge, and the website address www.fortheloveofwispa.com. Upon entering the website you are introduced to the Fortheloveofwispa campaign, with a countdown to the 1st December closing date. As you can see below, the pledges range from Masks to Airfields, and Stuntmen to Grandmas. You can even donate yourself if need be, and in the words of the Fortheloveofwispa site ‘create your own little piece of advertising history’.


Fortheloveofwispa Pledge Page


This is a really interesting way in getting Wispa lovers involved in the lovable 80’s chocolate bar, brought back to life this year with the help pf a convincing argument set by a Facebook group. So along with 85 others, I have pledged a Mexican Wave!

Could this be the future of Instore Advertising?

An interactive Mirror may seem like a pretty pointless gimmick, and that is certainly the the way this is being perceived by many of the viewers leaving comments on YouTube, but i think there are far more uses for this if handled correctly.



As you will see from the video, the technology introduced to us by Lit Studios relies on the person in front of the mirror interacting or playing with what is on the screen, which surely means that if there could be a message which is not blocking the reflection, then this could be a very clever advertising tool.

Imagine a changing room with a mirror which allowed you to view products from the store without leaving the cubicle, or interact briefly with an iTunes like application, maybe even entering your details for a competition or discount coupon. The ideas seem endless, and with the fact that the consumer is already in front of your ad then surely this begins to be very exciting concept.

Iron Man and Incredible Hulk Easter Eggs hint at The Avengers Movie!

I was chatting to a friend this weekend who informed me that there was an Easter Egg at the end of the credits of the latest Marvel film Iron Man, where Samuel L. Jackson makes his first appearance as Nick Fury director of S.H.I.E.L.D. How I did not spot this sooner I don’t know, but for all of you out there, like me, here it is...


Scene at the end of the Iron Man Movie


There was another clip I found also while searching for this, which makes the claim that the infamous shield of Captain America, can be seen in one of the Iron Man Scenes, possibly a early indication of the 2011 release of ‘The Avengers’.


Captain America's Shield in Iron Man Movie


At the end of the Incredible Hulk Movie, there is yet another hint of what is to come when Tony Stark (played by Robert Downey Jr) makes an unaccredited appearance relaying the message from Fury of the possibility of putting together 'The Avengers' team.


Scene at the end of the Incredible Hulk Movie


Exciting stuff, as I’m sure all fans of the Marvel series will agree!!

YouTube Offers Deep Linking to the best parts of your videos

YouTube have posted that they can now offer the ability to deep link to a specific part of a video on their site, which has already been a massive hit by their users. This effectively means that if you find a part of a video hilariously funny for example, you can forward not only the link to the clip, but just that specific part (handy if it’s a 20 minute video).



The process could not be easier, to create a deep link to a video, add the following to the end of a YouTube video URL: #t=1m15s. This says to link to the time 1:15 - you can replace the numbers before the 'm' and the 's' with anything you like depending on where you want to link to.

Return to Tastebuddyland with Robinsons

To support their ongoing campaign, Robinsons have created a website compiling of three mini games in order to allow us to get better acquainted to the Tastebuddys, and see what things are like from their perspective.



The online games are of a very good quality and are pretty addictive, with users being invited to carry out tasks such as navigating wasps around the garden, and guiding the mini Tastebuddy characters safely across the pond. Definitely worth checking out if you have a spare couple of minutes.

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, mirrored on Vietnamese DVD

While browsing through the net, sometimes we stumble across these little gems which brighten up our day. Today’s for me is this Vietnamese war DVD, which completely mirrors the imagery from the hit game Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.

Have a look for yourself below, I think you’ll agree that this is far from coincidental.


Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare



Vietnam War: Rain DVD Cover


Hats off to Jon Cook for the tip!!

Aborted Bond film titles

To celebrate the release of the next installment of the James Bond series, Quantum of Solace, the media have gone Bond crazy with some very amusing and interesting articles, competition, and campaigns. One in particular which caught my eye was featured in London's free weekly men's magazine Shortlist, and features the Bond film titles which never made it to our screens:

1. 'Longitude 78 West' - The working title for Thunderball

2. 'Bond 19' - Which later became 'The World Is Not Enough

3. 'Commander Jamaica' - Which became Dr No

4. 'Licence Revoked' - Apparently got as far as the posters being printed before being amended to Licence To Kill

5. 'The Undertaker's Wind' - Became Live and Let Die

6. 'From a View To a Kill' - The end of Octopussy declared, "Bond will return in From a View To a Kill." Technically he didn't.

7. 'Fire and Ice' - The early title for The World is Not Enough

8. 'Man's Work' - Which became For Your Eyes Only

9. 'Tomorrow Never Lies' - Alegedly a typo led to this becoming Tomorrow Never Dies

10. 'Bond 2000' - Again a working title for The World is Not Enough

Tim the Tortoise - Creature Discomforts viral game (3 of 4)

As part of an ongoing awareness campaign, starring a series of four online games featuring Aardman Animation’s hallmark plasticine creations, Leonard Cheshire Disability have released their third instalment.



Sweetshop Sweep introducing us to Tim the Tortoise, requiring the user to help Tim jump through the Sweet Shop in order to gather sweets for his children. As with the earlier instalments players are competing for the chance to win one of five fantastic prizes (a signed and framed print of the Creature Discomforts character featured in the game).



Earlier in the month I posted on Funkadelic Advertising about the other games which can be found here. The first featuring Callum the Chameleon (Creature Discomforts viral games launched as part of ongoing Leonard Cheshire Disability campaign), and the second starring Millie the Mouse (Millie the Mouse - Creature Discomforts viral game (2 of 4)). Enjoy!!

Cookalong Live with Gordon Ramsay – anyone interested?

Cookalong Live came back to our screens on Friday night, with Gordon Ramsay cooking up a storm with the nation once again. To celebrate this Channel 4 has added some additional features to their 4Food YouTube channel, using Gordon Ramsey to promote the channel to YouTube users.



As well as being able to watch the show at your leisure, YouTube users are now also invited to submit their videos of them cooking along with Gordon, to be in with a chance of appearing in the Friday night live show. Channel 4 has also maintained a fine collection of previous mouthwatering videos to occupy food lovers, or anyone who is a fan of Gordon Ramsay, Jamie Oliver, and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall.



I think this is a great way to keep the viewers engaged between shows, and is also a very user friendly way of getting everyone involved. Personally and rather annoyingly I never remember to watch on a Friday night, and even with the invention of PVR’s, still manage to forget, however this gives me no excuse to catch up, or even prepare the meal myself (and pass it off as my own… as if anyone would believe that).

X-Factor Fanalists 'Hero' tipped for number one!

Last night on the X-Factor results show, the X-Factor Finalists sung their cover of Mariah Carey's Hero for the first time. The single already tipped for number one in next week's chart was released in order to raise money for the 'Help for Heroes' charity, which provides support for wounded servicemen and women.



The performance on last night's X-Factor results show can be viewed here - 'X-Factor Finalists Hero'

On last night's show however two acts were missing, as Ruth Lorenzo and Daniel Evans were stuck backstage when a studio door malfunction left them unable to make the stage on time.

The twelve finalists which perform on the single are Austin Drage, Eoghan Quigg and Scott Bruton (for the 14 – 24 boys), Laura White, Diana Vickers and Alexandra Burke (for the 14 – 24 girls), Daniel Evans, Rachel Hylton, Ruth Lorenzo (for the over 25s), and Bad Lashes, Girlband and JLS (from the groups).

Earlier this month it was posted on Funkadelic Advertising that to commemorate the 90th anniversary of Armistice Day a Memorial site, Lasting Tribute, have created an online poppy field of remembrance to raise funds and honour fallen soldiers - Online Poppy Field created by Lasting Tribute.

Routan Baby Maker 3000 invites you to make a baby, without actually making a baby!!

As part a new VW Routan campaign in the US, Volkswagen have released the Routan Baby Maker 3000, a microsite which allows you to upload a picture of yourself and your partner to see what your offspring would look like.



This is a very similar idea to the Dole Baby maker, Funkadelic posted in August 'Dole shows how to make a baby online', with the added bonus of having the created baby's eyes follow your cursor around the screen. Once the user has created their baby, they can announce the birth, send to a friend, or even make another baby.



The microsite plays on the fact that there is a 'Routan boom', with an increased need for German engineering. Actress Brooke Shields introduces the site through a tongue in cheek video which sets the scene.



This is an amusing campaign, with a lot of thought put into it. The babies created are still slightly terrifying, and the added movement element may give some people a few sleepless nights, but the message is clear, and the site is very smooth and easy to navigate.

Fonejacker Facebook Song

As part of the launch for the latest series of Fonejacker on E4, a series of videos were released around the Internet to give everyone a taster of what was to come. Two of the videos take the form of comical snipes at Facebook, and Bebo, and have since been integrated into the popular Wednesday night show.

In last night's episode, we saw the introduction of the Fonejacker Facebook Song, which has already this morning seen an increase in views on YouTube. The video below sees the Fonejacker singing a ode to Facebook, followed by a sketch of the Fonejacker posing as the head of the site writing to the viewers of the show.



Another one of the videos as mentioned above included a similar sketch targeting Bebo which can be viewed below.



Last month it was posted on Funkadelic that E4.com released a widget for the new series of Fonejacker, the widget titled 'Go Jack Yourself', allows users to upload their image and appear in one of three scenarios. To view the post click here, Go Jack Yourself – E4.com launch Fonejacker widget

YouTube Screening Room - The way forward in modern cinema?

Imagine what the largest movie theatre in the world, well this is kind of it! Unveiled in June 2008 YouTube Screening Room is a viewing platform for the latest independent film, with four new movies released every two weeks.


The Chestnut Tree - As it appears on YouTube Screening Room



The Chestnut Tree - Hand drawn animation set to piano music by Chopin. A film by Hyun-min Lee.


With shorter films originally taking most of the slots in the YouTube Screening Room, it is interesting to see that there is a shift towards more long-form content taking place. With films such as Wayne Wang's new film, The Princess of Nebraska, debuting in the YouTube Screening Room.

Although there was some debate originally regarding how independent filmmakers would make money from the Screening Room, press releases explained that YouTube would try to integrate "Buy Now" buttons, and allow filmmakers to link to websites that sell DVDs and digital downloads of their films, which certainly gives the impression that the YouTube Screening Room is here to stay.

With movies such as The Princess of Nebraska giving us all a view of the way things may be moving, could this be how we will be watching all movie premiers in the future? I would think probably not, but it’s still quite interesting to think about.

Call of Duty: World at War – Is this the last time we see World War II?

It has been reported that Call of Duty: World at War may be our last visit to World War II in the Call of Duty series. Treyarch’s Noah Heller, the senior producer on Call of Duty: World at War, was reported in saying to the Official Xbox Magazine (UK) “I won’t let your readers read into the comment too much, but we are showing the final battles of the Pacific and the European Theatre and that lets us put a close to the war. I’m sure game companies will be making World War II games for years to come and World War II is a very classic war. But we’re happy that we put the war to bed.”



Following the feedback for the recent Call of Duty: World at War beta demo, this is going to come as a great relief to some Call of Duty fans. With the hope of further instalments such as Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.

The Call of Duty: World at War beta demo was released roughly a two weeks ago with mixed reviews, judge for yourself and view the gameplay video below:


'Call of Duty: World at War' gameplay video

Apple hits out against Microsoft "I'm a PC" ad campaign

Following the news of the Microsoft $300 million makeover, Apple has released their own ad. The ad hits out with the claim that Microsoft is spending the majority of their budget on advertising, instead of investing the money back into Vista.


Microsoft - "I'm a PC" advert



Apple - Spoof "I'm a PC" advert


This is certainly not the first time brands have released ads, or viral messaging to tarnish another brand’s lime light, and will not be the last. Take a look at some of the previous efforts by brands (or the general public) below:



Chevrolet Aveo - Spoof of Citroen C4 "Transformers" ad



Apple - Apple Vs. Microsoft advert



Nintendo - Nintendo Vs. PS3 advert



Wonderbra - Cadbury Gorilla spoof

FT uses empty billboards in attempt to drive the importance of advertising

The FT is to launch a new campaign on Monday (20th Oct 2008), which will see them using empty billboards as a canvas to drive a debate very close to our hearts. The campaign will go up across outdoor sites on Monday, and will involve selected billboard sites being stripped back to their boards, with the question: "Global downturn. What's the first mistake businesses make?" placed in the top corner.



The campaign drives people through to www.ft.com/budgets, which contains case studies on why advertising still remains crucial in times of economic downturn. I think this is a brilliant idea which should cause much debate among businesses and agencies alike. The execution is very impactful, and is definitely something new and eye catching.