Bestads Top 6 of the Week reviewed by Axa Fahler, senior copywriter, 358 Helsinki

| | 1 Comment

Winner of the week: Nike Extra Time. Would I watch this ad again? Yes. Would I share this ad on Facebook? Yes. Do I think this ad is relevant, unique and memorable? Yes. This one scored the Yes-hat-trick that made my day. The spot really made me think about kids’ physical inactivity and what it will eventually lead to. The children are genuine, their answers are funny, cute and creative. The production is classy and beautiful, even peaceful in a way. This might not be the newest way of storytelling, but it sure delivers the message. The best part of the spot to me is that it makes a very strong point about real life but doesn’t try to sell me anything. Pretty good for an ad. Way to go, guys!

Runner-up: Facebook: The things that connect us. This one is clever, touching and relevant. A big, good idea with a world class execution. It simply forced me to pay attention. I wonder what’s happening on my Facebook right now.

Winner of the week: Stihl: Airplane. I’m not a rocket scientist, you know. That’s why I love simple ideas that actually make a strong point about the product without looking at the ad for half an hour and then calling my five best buddies to explain to me what’s going on. This just works. Very simple, to-the-point idea with a master payoff. I would buy one if I needed one. I would probably buy one even I didn’t need one. Because it’s the most powerful leaf blower. Good job!

Runner-up: National Geographic: Endangered. This one is fun to look at. It really caught my attention at once and kept me reading for a while. Again, very simple idea and a great execution. Every time an ad can teach me something new about a serious topic without preaching or trying to scare the crap out of me, it deserves a place on the podium.

Winner of the week: Heineken: The real Master of intuition. I love pranks. Especially funny, sports related ones. And I really love how Heineken has continued on their chosen path of marketing the brand with great live jokes. Usually even big marketing driven brands do a poor job on how they actually make their multi-million dollar sponsorhip deals visible to the target audience in an interesting way. Heineken is an exception.

The idea, the production, the strategy and the final result are Champions League class. Just as good and interesting as the matches on the pitch, really. Mission completed. Application downloaded. Thanks for the good times, Heineken.

Runner-up: DIY Living: DIY Packaging. Top points for making this really happen. I am sure some people somewhere have thought about this before DIY. But how difficult is it to first come up with the idea, then sell it to the client and finally have the guts and patience to really do it in real life? I’m telling you, guys, everything has to click perfectly in order for this kind of an idea to see daylight.

Winner of the week: Volkswagen: Street Quest. Ok. This is interactive with a capital I. This is not an ad campaign. It’s a statement. I am stunned how far the idea was stretched, how many touchpoints with people it has and how big of a story it tells. This is a school book example on how to go big and get earned media. Volkswagen Street Quest is a super idea and a stunning showcase of how to use many different medias in one campaign. Hardly ever have I seen a case that mixes social media, radio, web, mobile, guerilla and event marketing this smoothly. Hats off.

Runner-up: V Energy Drink: Switcheroo. Haha. Nice, simple idea that made me want to take part right away. This is one of those things you blame yourself for not coming up with yourself. Imagine what could happen and what actually has already happened with people involved in this campaign? To be somebody else on Facebook for an hour… too funny to be true. But it is now.