"dick below to watch videos"?

genius.

Was that a dildo in the Friday night dance scene?

Nothing short of briliant. I'm actually jealous. Great work guys and gals.

Well done! Absolutely brilliant. Finally something worth watching.

-V

Loved this idea when I heard about it.
Watched the doco online. I think Alex sums it up best when he says that " It's been a wasted journey, we should have just stayed at home and done some good ads"

Genius. Well done guys.

Well, thats a metal magnet. Great work.

Lovely idea and a sweet experience I'm sure.
Will Samedi pick up the awards?
Good to see someone having fun.
Dean Bean

i like it. more interesting than other self-indulgent navel-gazing (commbank).

following gruen, i reckon the public will find it interesting too.

They'd wanna hope the entire country is watching mtv at that time.

Hey how about some views of those who don't work at Clemengers?

could have found a priest in australia. but cool idea. just think waking the dead to advertise a soft drink is a little disrespectful, how about world peace or something?

Oh..i am sorry. It's just painful. Indulgent. And will fail miserably on the shelf. But hey..who cares? Its for awards.

love it

Wonderful.

And then they wrote Baron Samedi after their names in the credits.

That's so cool.

Fascinating stuff.

That's the most original and intriguing idea I've seen for a long time. Good on you.

Awesome idea - but the worst on air agency talent makes for a slow and boring show. Next time get someone to play the part of the agency.

I'm looking forward to redbulls comback. Will it be an energy drink advertising show down?

Unless there really is a red bull who has wings, I vote Samedi as the winner.

Well done Clems and Frucor.

Ads about making ads...ohhhhh....So post modern. I think it actually feels less real by the fact that is has ad people in it...get some real actors. If I wanted to watch bad quality video (i don't mean the grade I mean the compression artifacts) starring the average joe I'd go to youtube. Don't get me wrong I like the idea bu I don't find the video content that engaging or believable. Maybe I'm just too cynical.

Great idea. Lets hope they run the doco a couple of times too.

Samedi BBDO?

The biggest myth and load of bullshit in advertising over the past five years is that consumers want to engage with brands. That they want to explore and discover authentic brands with real stories. Said who? Where's it written?

It's all just excuse-making for creatives to fuck around and play in irrelevant spaces that don't move product.

Yeah, it's interesting, nicely produced and 'clever.'

But, really, is it going to really do anything for this non-brand? Is it really building an case for why I need this in my life?

Didn't think so.

I like to see irreverent and brave work, but anyone dabbling with black magic to flog an energy drink is just asking for a curse to be slapped on their sorry white ass.

I love this.

It's funny how we're so down on Australian work but when Droga 5 New York or Crispin Porter does something like this we're all so quick to praise.

To all the unhappy chappies who don't get the chance to do this kind of work, stop blogging and get yourself a career where you can really express your creativity, like taxidermy.

Well actually JJ, I can remember seeing something like that in a textbook once. It was a quote from Howard Gossage, and it read "“People look at what interests them and sometimes it’s your ad.”

Yes, sometimes the agency and/or client don't get it right and the result is little more than self-obsessed wank. Other times they hit the target and create magic. Unfortunately, there's no brilliant formula that will guarantee the latter.

I don't know about you, but I'd still prefer it to walking past a shop and having some spruiker yell in my ear.

Son, I'm afraid if you stick with the old, interruptive model of advertising, you're going to be made obsolete. You might want to look at how people digest their media these days. Perhaps you could even google the word "Tivo".

And no, I don't work at Clems.

There's no idea here. Nothing written. No story. Just a travelogue shot by an amatuer.who was unable to fullfill its potential. It could have, at the very least, been shot beautifully. Yet, its elementary and misses that mark completely.

So this is good, but Commomwealth Bank is bad?

Just so I know.

Like the ambition of it all, but why has the commenting function been disabled on the You Tube channel? Rather defeats the purpose of posting it.

444

You raise some decent points but I would make this comment in reply.

The biggest mistake creatives make is they write ads for the world as they imagine it or want it to be rather than as it is.

Yes, maybe one day in the future mass-market, interruption advertising may not work.

And, yes, there is evidence that it is less effective than it once was.

But any objective assessment of the advertising landscape shows that it is still the most effective and popular method for floggong stuff that we know.

Every day in countries all around the world it's working it's ring off - far more so than new-age, engagement, interactive, integrated, clever, envelope extending stuff.

It may be boring but it works.

So, by all means experiment, push, innovate and so on.

But have the honesty to admit (to yourself and your clients) that you are going out on a limb and speculating.

And don't bullshit me that you know what the future of advertising is.

Noone does. Not even me.

They could have and should have directed this themselves. it certainly doesn't look like a director was on the job. Without talent, script, story, or frame - one would never notice the absence.

JJ I think it may be time for you to find a new line of work.

brilliant idea. totally different and I wish I'd done it.

Duh, Campbell. Free media.

Sad to say advertising is now about building relationships with the dark arts...is this why black has become such a prefered color in the industry costume... unfortunately will probably appeal to the sicko's who really don't need to be awakened...if you sell your soul to try and make lots of money do you get a chance to buy it back?

740

Why would I be looking for a new line of work?

There is more than one way of doing things and being successful.

How small-minded, arrogant, naive and dumb to think you have a monopoly on the future.

Never underestimate the power of being miles away from the so-called cutting edge.

In fact, most of the world's most successful people nail the middle and let others play on the periphery.

wtf does voodoo have to do with an energy drink?

agwa, yes. pussy ass energy drink?

fucking hell no.

i don't 'dabble in the black arts'. but i believe in the great spirit. channeling is something i keep the fucking hell out of this industry, and well off my lips in the office even. it's not a fad. it's not a trend. and it can be downright dangerous.

answer me this. why hasn't this been done before?

you guys are out of your skulls. i really hope the whole thing was faked.

the consequences of trivialising something with so much history on a soft drink?

Firstly, the agency people made me want to gag! The drink is called Samedi - not a huge leap to go down to New Orleans and voodoo it up now nis it. This could have been soooooooooooo much better. Can the pasty agency staff also get off the comments section - it's a bad look. Where's the TV?

This is trying so hard to be real, I smell another 'Mother' style disaster. Doesn't deserve to mentioned in the same breath as comm bank. The veritable onslaught of comments that are obviously from the agency is really on the nose too.

Dear 11.48 - either you are employed by clems or your are a seriously f*cked unit. If you were being ironic, then I take it back, you're a genius.

There should be a curse slapped on this clap trap....its so far up its own voodoo ass its just not funny.

Am I missing something? I saw only print ads? And they were boring without the doco as background. Unfortunately that was boring too. Yawn

Perhaps the baron could awaken me from the slumber I drifted into whilst watching these poorly crafted home movies.

That's awesome - Fresh and original. It's a titanium lion. It will cross over into the vernacular. It's got water cooler value. Even my mum liked it. The cans with be marching out of the stores.

I don't wotk at Clems...

Honest.

The best thing about this is that those guys got to go to New Orleans. The worst thing is that we had to watch that.

In spite of the fact that he was being totally disingenuous, the dude was right - they should have just stayed at home and done some good ads.

I can't watch this - someone tell me how it turns out. No actually don't.

Is there some great TV to follow? Hope so for their sakes coz that doco thing ain't cutting it

I should hope the creatives had fun Dean Bean. A shame the viewers shan't be having any.

Dear Ben who loved this idea when he heard about it - Did you hear about it at the Clems wip meeting?

This is so thoroughly over-cooked that it's a real effort just connecting the product to the story - let alone feel like drinking the stuff. My wife was actually pissed-off when she discovered this laboured doco-wank was just an obscure, inpenetrable front for an energy drink. Some payoff. The print work isn't any better either. After all that travel and production money, the most important question remains unanswered: why would you buy this product? Relevance FAIL.

PS: I once had a campaign this over-cooked in my student book, but some common sense from a couple of CDs soon straightened me out.

Culturally sensitive and full of belly laughs.

Oops, I meant... dreary and offensive.

How is anyone going to know the back story behind this campaign unless they see the documentary? The ads just look like rather lame product statements. It's all so complicated I wonder whether people will bother.

'Branded 30 minute documentary' - Oh dear, someone got a bit confused about digital advertising and media channels didn't they. It's not nearly good enough to be watched volunatrily on youtube (except by agency staff), yet it has no proper tv release either. I defy anyone who hasn't seen the doc to dig the print. At least they saved money on talent I suppose.

Oh those funny brown people and their quaint beliefs. Lets lampoon them... wanna?

JJ, don't get so worked up about things.

Not everyone can shoot for the stars. I guess if you're happy to shoot for mediocrity there's much less chance of disappointment.

Oh boy. Bad enough a white man be mess with voodoun. Worse do for advertise.

You'se betta watch out for random corn seeds on you'se door steps.

Aintac.

I couldn't get past the first few seconds of each video. And I doubt any genuine punter visiting the website will either. They're as dull as dishwater. And the posters are woeful. I agree with JJ. Stop pissing in your own pockets Clems...

Looks like Baron Samedi never heard about Award School

haha 9:23 – integrated in all mediums. Including mediums people can't see.

Imagine that. The world's first ad space in the astral plane!

TICKETS PLEASE!!

dingdingdingdingdingdingdingdingdingdingding

It's not very good. But the continual talking it up from interested parties will probably (sigh) get it an award.

You can tell one person has made half the comments as the spelling is awful.

JJ. Take out the cotton buds and clear the head cheese from your ears. I don't know why you're on a Creative Industry Blog.

Great bit of thinking Claire. Positive comments made by the agency = award.

Hallelujah everybody! Claire has cracked it! All you need to do is jump on the blog, make some positive comments and you've got an award in the bag! Honestly...

I wish I could put my name to this campaign and so do the rest of you.

Unleash voodoo with the use of a chicken
Bat feet frogs tongue and not take a licken
Walk in the rain plugged into a toaster
I get a charge but still feel the mosta

Yep. Fucking lame.

GET FUCKED!!!

As if there is anyone in our industry named Maureen.

What's the point of this nonsense?

It's great to see all the positive comments at the start.

Unfortunately for Clems, then other creatives had a chance to view the work and comment.

Me thinks this was all made to be cut down to 3 mins and then sent around the world.

"For our latest campaign we really wanted to engage with juries aged 31-45..."

If Sacha ben Cohen did this i'd be a movie hit.

The agency did this and it's still cool to watch.

I liked it but I'd vote off the CD in the next episode.

I think Maureen, Beauregard and Sharon should open their own agency.
They could call it Maur B S.

I thought it was the follow up to that tampon beaver ad. Now I’m just disappointed.

Awesome, very John Safranesque. Better than any other energy drink campaign. Who did that Mother ad?

Hey 6:18 Check your facts.

http://www.campaignbrief.com/2007/05/bon-voyage-mcabe-and-mcleod-le.html

My god it's like watching a train wreck!!

How the hell did that get past first base?

6.18pm.... Don't get so worked up over things.
It is only a blog.
Does it really matter what the name of the person commenting really is?
The internet is rife with people misrepresenting themselves
And in top of that since when was advertising about honesty.

4:26

Don't tell me to calm down!!!

Fucking Hell.

If I want your opinion I'll ask for it.

And if you then give it to me, get your grammar right.

Fucking Hell.

Creative Director, Guy (suitably serious):

"At the moment it really is just about us going and having a look, and hopefully getting in touch with Baron Samedi and having him bless the product which bears his name, which is the Samedi energy drink, and also have him help us come up with the ideas that will advertise this product."

We open on the Deep South. Voodoo guy conjures up Baron Samedi's spirit.

Baron Samedi (B.S.): "Yes, little people, what is it that you want?"

Guy: "Oh, hi, Baron Samedi, sorry to have have awakened you from your thousand year slumber..."

B.S. "Too right. This better be fucking important."

Guy: "oh, it is Baron, it is. We have travelled far."

B.S. "Where from?"

Guy: "From a land called Australia."

B.S. "Australia! That's miles away! This must be REALLY important! You would have used a lot of fuel to get here too, and I hear there's an energy crisis! But anyway, shoot!"

Guy: "We seek your blessing."

B.S. "Woah, I dunno. My blessing for what? Are you getting married? Have you done wrong and seek repentance? Are you embarking on a great quest? What issue weighs on your heart, Gav?"

Guy: "It's Guy."

B.S. "Sorry, Guy."

Guy: "It's an energy drink."

B.S. "A what?"

Guy: "An energy drink. It's a product that we sell in milk bars and convenience stores back in Australia."

B.S. "How much?"

Guy: "I don't know, about 2 bucks."

B.S. "Expensive. It must have some wonderful ingredients, Guy, for you to seek my counsel."

Guy: "Oh, it does, Baron Samedi."

B.S. "Like what?"

Guy: "Oh, aspartame... a bit of guarana... quite a lot of sugar... actually it's mostly water, but..."

B.S. "You fly halfway around the fucking world and wake me from my thousand year slumber to seek my blessing on a cheap soda? I should curse you if anything! What are you nuts?"

Guy: "No, Baron, I don't believe we are nuts. There's more, there's more. We have a greater calling."

B.S. "This better be good."

Guy: "We seek your input on the advertising."

B.S. "I'm in marketing now? " [Turns to witch doctor] "Where do you find them?!"

[Witch doctor rolls eyes and rubs fingers together to indicate, "Hey, they pay well, so shut up and play along okay?"]

B.S. "So, Gil... sorry, what was your name again?"

Guy: "Guy"

B.S. "So, Mister 'Guy', you don't have copywriters of your own? What the fuck do I know about the soft drink market in Australia? I drink raw chicken's blood anyway! Man, and I thought I was into voodoo. You're a master!".

Etc, etc.

It doesn't take much to get CB bloggers worked up does it? They try to do something/ anything that takes people out of your dreary old comfort zone of 30 second branded gags and you're all up in arms. Hilarious.

Personally, I hope it works. I hope that other clients are brave enough to ask for something which isn't a 30 second TV ad and some POS.

But whether it works or whether it fails. Well done clems for being bold enough to give it a go.

There's a HUGE difference between being bold and being smart. Plenty of bold people end up dead. Bold for bold's sake isn't doesn't make it good.

Perfect, 6:51, perfect.

9:19 - I've got no problem with the idea - wish I'd done it myself, but as for 'taking people out of their dreary old comfort zones of 30 second branded gags' - I'm starting to wish someone would just do a great 30 sec branded gag spot and spare me the dreariness of having to wade through the new comfort zone of a thousand touchpoints.

oops, there you go being anal again...

6.18pm.... Don't get so worked up over things.
It is only a blog.
Does it really matter who the person commenting really is?
The internet is rife with who people misrepresent themselves.
And on top of that, since when was advertising about honesty.

6.51-
Now that would have been a funny ad.
Well written too.

Who cares what anyone writes on this blog man?

They're probably only the judges of your next award show, industry colleagues and guys you have a beer with but love giving a bit of rib on a blog as much as they do in the office.

Juniors don't really frequent this site, they're too fucking busy, at least in my agency.

Don't stress man. It's only the industry's opinion. Sorry, the creative end of the industry's opinion. And while you might think we're a bunch of fucking wankers or whatever, it's an opinion I respect from people I fucking love hanging out with. But you don't have to respect that opinion man, it's just an opinion.

Maureen Beaurepairs Bojangles

This shit show makes the Paul Mercurio branded content program on FTA worthy of an Oscar. Why the fuck would an audience want to engage with this crap? Watching a teenager squeeze a zit in Latvia on youtube has more emotional engagement. Where do agencies get off on thinking that can create entertainment?

Hello, 6.51 here
Thank you 10.12 and 11.53 for your positive comments on my blog entry
While I am flattered, in the interests of full disclosure I should tell you that I can't take all the credit
The piece was in fact written by a Haitian spirit named Papa Legba
He is available for freelance

Fuck me there's a lot of hate in the world. This idea is different, interesting and original and that makes up for any flaws it has. We need to encourage people who are brave enough to try something new, not nit pick over the executional details.

Great idea. Piss poor execution.

It's been a few weeks but I just want to say how much I believe this work misses the mark.