Advertising’s Fun Causes and Effects of Chaos
The visual dramatisation of an accidental incident, disruptive moment, disagreement or annoyance that becomes the catalyst for a chain of chaotic reactions can be a highly amusing spectacle and an effectively entertaining advertising theme for a memorable brand communication concept.
1. Method For Change, Merry Mayhem
Independent Advertising Network: Uncommon London, UK, and Sacramento, California, USA
Method, a world leader today of green cleaning products, was founded in 2001 by designer and marketer, Eric Ryan, and chemical engineer Adam Lowry, in Chicago.
The naturally-derived, biodegradable, non-toxic household cleaners, laundry supplies, and Method personal care products, was acquired by the Belgium Ecover company in 2012.
Directed by filmmaker Jonathan Alric, the cinematic ‘Change’ scenario involves the merry mayhem caused by tons of soap-suds cascading down and rolling across the streets of Manhattan, the spectacular scene effects of which, were mostly achieved in-camera using real foam.
The soundtrack fittingly features Brit-pop musician, lyricist, and rocker Jarvis Cocker’s “Must I Evolve”.
2. NFL Super Bowl, The 100-Year Game
Advertising Agency: 72andSunny, Los Angeles, USA
This cinematic Super Bowl teaser directed by filmmaker Peter Berg, is an scenario that entertainingly stars 44 famous NFL players, past and present, and a surprise appearance of football athlete Samantha Gordon, known for her adroitness and speed.
3. Guinness, Fridge Magnet
Advertising Agency: IIBBDO, Dublin, Ireland
Directed by filmmaker Fredrik Bond, and filmed in Argentina involving more than 200 Buenos Aires residents participating as ‘movie extras’, the dramatic and amusing chaos caused by a Guinness delivery truck attracting refrigerators like a giant magnet, is a fun scenario about a clever pun on the reversed attraction of a ‘Fridge Magnet’.
The cinematic imagery of ‘flying’ refrigerators are by renowned VFX specialist Kelly Kerby, and the soundtrack features the hit “Dedication” by punk band ‘My Red Cell’ from Barry, South Wales.
4. Apple, Apocalypse
Advertising Agency: TBWA\Media Arts Lab, Los Angeles, USA
Filmmaker Tom Kuntz’s directional expertise in filming comedy comes to the fore in this commercial that was launched at the ‘Worldwide Developers Conference’ in 2017.
The scenario is a tongue-in-cheek exaggeration of the chaos that would follow if people suddenly lost all their Apps. The concluding conference message by Apple was a plea to developers to keep inventing Apps as the world depends on them.
Reactions to the commercial were however, controversial. Many industry commentators believe it is a brilliant and amusing reminder of the beneficial role Apps play in the advancement of our daily lives.
But others are of the opinion that Apple has merely highlighted how absurd and vulnerable our digital world has become with our reliance on Smartphones and Apps. My view is that there is strong element of complex truth to both arguments.
5. Uber Transport Company, Boxes
Advertising Agency: Forsman & Bodenfors, Gothenburg, Sweden
Filmed on location in Bangkok, Adam Berg directed this humorous commercial about escalating city chaos, that required the participation of over 200 extras in their individual metaphorical cardboard boxes, to dramatise the knock-on effects of traffic and parking congestion on commuters.
Uber’s message is, that together with reliable rail and bus transit systems, Ride-sharing companies are part of the solution to creating a viable alternative to private car ownership that can greatly free-up Asia’s congested urban hubs, and speed-up commuter mobility.
6. Axe Anarchy, Unleash The Chaos
Advertising Agency: BBH (Bartle Bogle Hegarty), London, UK
Directed by filmmaker Tom Kuntz, the highly amusing commercial features an appropriately fitting soundtrack of ‘Cant Help Falling in Love’ by Elvis Presley.
The visual dramatisation of the increasing city mayhem that burning passion unleashes, makes for cinematic and highly entertaining viewing.
7. Adobe, Click-Baby-Click
Advertising Agency: Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, San Francisco, USA
Directed by filmmaker Isaiah Seret, the ‘Adobe Click’ scenario is a highly entertaining dramatisation of an incident, caused by a baby, that sets off a global chain reaction of events, that ultimately will result in chaos.
As amusing as the commercial may be, it does have an element of plausibility about the consequences of false starts that makes for compelling viewing.
8. Audi RS7, Duel
Advertising Agency: Venables Bell & Partners, San Francisco, USA.
Directed by filmmaker Ringan Ledwidge, Audi’s ‘Duel’ parody of the chaos caused by opposing politically party protagonists, was produced to coincide with the 2016 telecast American presidential debates.
Audi’s perfect timing of airing their commercial during the hugely topical debates, that dominated TV news channels and social media platforms, was loved by viewers for its amusing reverse order dramatisation, that seemed to be not that far off from the real-life political dramas that were unfolding.
9. Centraal Beheer, Self Driving Car
Advertising Agency: DDB, Amsterdam, The Nenerlands
Directed by filmmaker Owen Trevor, the Centraal Beheer Achmea Issuance Company’s ‘Self Driving Car’ commercial, entertainingly centres on the chaos caused by a totally surprised public who can’t believe what they are seeing.
As Marteyn Roose, Marketing Manager at Centraal Beheer Achmea, on the ‘Little Black Book/LBB Online’ portal explained:
“The self-driving car is the future, but it will take a while before we see them on the streets. Until then, and even right then, things might still go wrong sometimes. And when that happens, Centraal Beheer Achmea is at the ready to help its clients 24/7”.
“Just Call Us”.
10. Audi Service, Mechanics
Advertising Agency: Thjnk, Hamburg, Germany
Superbly directed by filmmaker Sebastian Strasser, this cinematic commercial features sinister looking mechanics keenly observing a passing Audi.
In a frenzied rush to make money servicing a prestige Audi, all hell breaks loose when the mechanics start chasing after the driver. The ensuing mayhem builds up to a dramatic climax that makes for rewarding viewing.