World Cup streaking, in HD

Now that World Cup domination of the commercial break is in full swing, I thought I'd juggle watching the opening game with blogging about the hilarious TV spot for Freeview HD.

The £12 million campaign 'Tiny Streaker' has been produced by 18 Feet & Rising.

The TV spot breaks during the World Cup matches - including the last break before South Africa kicked-off against Mexico.

It shows a tiny Londoner with a scroll-like beard convincing us that this will be his World Cup, as he takes advantage of Freeview HD using it as an excuse to strip and streak, and get involved in the not-so-beautiful-anymore game - all to the sound of 80s club classic 'Safety Dance', by Men Without Hats.

This passionate character has already launched online, unbranded, appearing seemingly unannounced on football fan sites.

The campaign really doesn't take itself too seriously, which is great. It's just a bit of fun that will compete with every other South Africa-inspired campaign this summer.

See it in all it's naked glory here http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/theWork/news/1004678

And you can follow the Tiny Streaker via his blog and see how his character is developed further here www.tinystreaker.com

Really lovin' it

Many happy returns, literally. In October 2009 McDonald's celebrated its 35th anniversary as a UK restaurant by launching their 'Favourites' campaign. It featured all kinds of people coming and going as they just passed by, each enjoying the McDonald's experience in their own unique way.

Supported by outdoor and print ads as well as being reflected on the brand's website and throughout its social media channels, the TV spot was the crowning execution for me.

Leo Burnett London really nailed it with this concept, together with superb copywriting by Tony Malcolm and Guy Moore and perfect delivery from narrator David Morrissey.

Featuring the classics, Big Mac, French Fries and Chicken McNuggets - which fist appeared on the original McDonald's menu in 1974 - this ad brings particular attention to and really sums up how much the franchise has evolved over decades. And it continues to do so.

There's also a particularly clever line in the ad and fantastic attention to detail where we hear about how some of us choose to remove the gherkins from our burgers. Like I do.

Tuck in to it here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDxLtKQZfIU

So, why am I only blogging about this now? It's been and gone...hasn't it? Well, no it hasn't. Just like the rest of the world's big brands, McDonald's is also on the 'plane to South Africa this summer and with it goes their new-build 'Favourites' TV spot.

Tailored for McDonald's in England, Wales and Scotland, the updated ad has been created as part of their marketing drive around this year's World Cup.

The new campaign kicked off on Saturday (June 5th) and is every bit as brilliant as its original. Still focussing on all the different kinds of customers, it identifies those of us who are completely taken over by World Cup fever as well as those who really aren't. After all, there is a McDonald's for everyone.

Enjoy it here http://www.brandrepublic.com/Discipline/Advertising/News/1007161/McDonalds-unveils-World-Cup-ad/

Oh and, this time around it sounds like previous narrator David Morrissey has been replaced. Any idea who the new voice belongs to?

Whoever it is, he's part of an ongoing advertising masterpiece.

The creative minds, it takes all kinds, to come up with then revamp right in time, a World Cup ad that stands out and is so refined, weren't just passing by. The folks at Leo Burnett have been doing great things for many years. And long may it continue.

Sex And The C...Cow

OMG!

So, the girlfriend, like, made me sit through Sex And The City 2. A predictable sequel to the predictable first. Though I have to admit, there were some enjoyable moments.

My favourite part was the bit where the Müller cow galloped across the beach to the sound of the seventies - Reo Speedwagon's Can't fight this feeling - realising its dream of being a horse, as a thank you for all the milk that goes into the brand's yogurts.

Incidentally, this cow isn't just any cow. Me calling it the 'Müller cow' isn't fair. Her name is Mary. She's a Friesian cow who has actually always longed to let her inner-stallion run free.

For the first time since its launch on May 24th, I saw VCCP's cinema masterpiece. And although this big screen section of the £9million campaign for Müller's Corner range is also supported by press, online www.thankyoucows.com and even digital escalator panels (on the London Underground), it's by far my pick of the bunch.

It really made me LOL in between the usual drivel-filled, chick-flick trailers that are 'suitable for this audience'.

I really hope that more of the same is Coming Soon from this campaign.

Very a-moo-sing! Five stars.