Credit Card Comparison by Maurice Wigglethorpe-Throom, CEO and Founder of comparethemarket.com
Robert Webb, star of cult British comedy TV show Peep Show, plays eccentric CEO Maurice Wigglethorpe-Throom in this outtake that uses the disturbing metaphor of facial hair to explain why you should compare credit card interest rates on comparethemarket.com. This video, yet to be released to the general public, was filmed alongside a separate TV campaign to allow the comedian to run with the role of this peculiar character.
We first met CEO Maurice on Christmas Day when they released this web advert below: This is a film about a heroic young man, who is cursed with being at least six times more handsome, clever and sensitive than anybody else. He also carries a head of the most ravishing hair you ever did see. Despite these troubles, he struggles through life with immense dignity. He is modelled on me, Maurice Wigglethorpe-Throom.
Credits Starring: Robert Webb Creative agency: VCCP London Creative director: Darren Bailes Director: Simon Cole Producer: Jeremy Goold Post-production: Finish Editor: Alaster Jordan at The White House
New spot for Farmers Insurance entitled "Jack In The Box, The University of Farmers" starring J.K. Simmons as Professor Nathaniel Burke, who teaches America's smartest insurance agents how to help their customers avoid costly surprises.
Credits: Agency: RPA ECD: Joe Baratelli GCD: Pat Mendelson CDs: Tom Hamling, Laura Hauseman ACD/CW: Damian Fratecelli Senior AD: Katie Carlile EVP, Executive Producer, Content: Gary Paticoff Senior Producer: Selena Pizarro Assistant Producer: Whitney Young
Production Co: über content Director: Fred Savage DP: Chris Soos Executive Producer: Preston Lee Line Producer: Cory Berg Production Designer: Andy Reznik
Editorial Company: Spot Welders Editor: Haines Hall Assistant Editor: Paul Sabater Post Producer: Patrick McElroy
Telecine: Company 3, Santa Monica, CA Artist: Stefan Sonnenfeld EP: Rhubie Jovanov
Visual Effects Company: Public VFX Lead Flame Artist: James Allen VFX Producer: Marlo Kinsey/Kim Nagel VFX CD: Tony Smoller Title Design: Laundry! TV Audio Post Company: Lime Studios Audio Post Mixer: Loren Sibler Music Company: Elias Arts, LA Composer/Arranger: Jonathan Elias Executive Producer: Ann Haugen Creative Director: Dave Gold Music: Ramblin Man
Creative ad agency Socialab creates a fun animated spot for Millennium Bank in Greece in an effort to boost their online web banking system rather than going in to an actual branch.
Socialab created a fresh way of communication using a fluffy main character that viewers will love. In this first spot, the character goes through the trouble of paying his bills the old fashioned way, by standing in line and wasting time, till a wise owl shows him there's a better way.
Credits: Advertising Agency: Socialab Account Director: George Anagnostpoulos Creative Director: Eva Bouzi, Vassilis Eliopoulos
MoneySupermarket is set to launch its biggest and most epic ad so far with the latest iteration in its ‘You’'re So Money Supermarket’ campaign with epic Alan starring in the "Astronaut" advert.
An extension of the feel good theme – Save Money, Feel Epic! – the new ad due to launch this Monday (January 7) was created by Mother London and takes money saving into space!
As the brand looks to continue to amplify just how awesome it feels to save money, the latest ad follows the transformation of everyday man ‘Alan’, who feels epic after saving £300 on his car insurance.
Filmed on location, Alan and his family join a crowd of spectators waiting to see a rocket launch. Having grabbed his son’s lunchbox and a cycle helmet, Alan marches straight through security in the direction of the launch pad. In a scene reminiscent of Apollo 13 or Armageddon, no one seems to mind that Alan is wearing a cycling helmet as he walks across the gantry and into his seat.
As the rocket takes off, we see Alan’s wife look for the car keys; failing to find them, the ad cuts to Alan looking on calmly as he notices the key float up past his head.
The action is set to the famous Top Gun soundtrack of “Take My Breath Away” by Berlin.
Mother has created a full-length 60” and 10’’ ad for the launch, which focuses on car insurance. There will also be a radio version of the ad.
The campaign will also have additional marketing support with activity across PR, CRM, and social media channels.
Paul Troy, Director of Consumer Marketing, MoneySupermarket, said: “Times are pretty tough out there right now for families in the UK. Comparing the cost of household bills can make a real difference to every day family budgets. Saving money, particularly in January when you’re trying to get the new year off to a good start financially, can feel amazing and give you a great sense of achievement. In the ad Alan saved £300 on his car insurance, however, the average amount MoneySupermarket customers can save by using the site is an even more heroic £394. What better way to demonstrate the euphoria you can feel when you get a great deal than to watch our hero waltz onto a space rocket and launch into space?”
Tim McNaughton, Creative Director said: “In this ad our hero Alan from Stoke-on-Trent saves money on his car insurance and feels so totally epic that he strides past the security at Cape Canaveral Space Center and leads a crew of lantern-jawed, Yankee astronauts into space. Go Alan, you sexy, money-saving hero! Go!”
Credits: Creative Agency: Mother, London Director: The Glue Society Production Company: Independent Producer: Jason Kemp Editor: Adam Spivey @ The Playroom Post Production: The Mill Audio post-production: 750mph DoP: Don Burgess MEDIA Media Agency: Mediacom
Credit Unions of Canada will have you Dinging from Sea to Sea for free as explained to us via this new ad campaign created by the Ad Agency Dead Famous.
Belonging to a national ATM network means you can bank ding free at credit unions and other financial institutions across Western, Central and Eastern Canada. Just look for a ding free sign on any participating ATM, and say goodbye to those pesky surcharge fees.
Credits: Advertising Agency: Dead Famous, Vancouver, Canada Creative Directors: Mike Fiorentino, Michael Bryden, Chris Kostyal Director: Shaun Lawless Assistant Director: Scot Proudfoot Animation: Hardedge Creative Post Production: Bear Studios Make-up and Hair: Jenn Kaminski Styling: Tanus Lewis
Farmers Insurance, one of the country’s leading insurers, unveils its latest advertising campaign, “It’s Smarter to Have a Plan,” with the first TV commercial "Dog Bites" (above).
Designed to help consumers become smarter about insurance by showing a number of important and practical insurance tips, the new campaign also reinforces Farmers Insurance’s position as a strong and experienced company with knowledgeable and industry-leading agents.
“At Farmers, we’re committed to making our customers smarter about insurance. We believe that knowledge is power and that we can help make consumers more confident about their insurance decisions,” said Mike Linton, Head of Enterprise Marketing for Farmers Insurance. “Our new campaign continues to place Farmers Insurance agents as the best-trained agents in the industry, ready and able to provide expert insight to consumers.”
The campaign, developed by the insurer’s agency of record, RPA, is a clear evolution of its current “University of Farmers” campaign, which features well-known actor, J.K. Simmons, as the clever and quirky Professor Nathaniel Burke.
In the new campaign, Professor Burke acts as a proxy for actual Farmers agents, helping consumers get smart about insurance, everyday risks and offering practical solutions. In an evolution from the current campaign, Burke will leave the confines of the University of Farmers campus to the real world where insurance meets the customer. Burke will walk with customers through a number of settings and will point out risks that a consumer might not have previously considered. In a departure from much of the industry’s current advertising, the focus of the Farmers campaign will be on helping consumers avoid problems. Rather than concentrating on price of coverage explanations, the campaign will feature helpful tips to empower consumers.
The TV spot that launches the campaign is called “Dog Bites” and features Professor Burke. He reminds consumers about the significant impact every day events, like dog bites, can have on their lives and the need to be adequately insured. For example, industry data shows that dog bites account for one-third of all paid homeowners insurance claims, while leaving empty boxes by the curb may be a sign to would-be thieves that there are new and expensive targets for them to burglarize inside one’s home.
As the campaign continues, additional spots will share relevant facts, preventative tips and interesting insights – demonstrating in a witty and approachable manner that Farmers Insurance and their University of Farmers-trained agents are committed to making consumers smarter about insurance.
Credits: Client: Farmers Insurance Group Spot Title: “Dog Bites” Agency: RPA EVP, Chief Creative Officer: Joe Baratelli SVP, Group Creative Director: Pat Mendelson VP, Creative Director: Tom Hamling Art Director: Ben Tolbert Copywriter: Chris Juhas Art Director: Katie Carlile Copywriter: Seth Prandini SVP, Executive Producer, Content: Gary Paticoff Senior Producer: Selena Producer Assistant Producer: Ryan Radley Production Company: Uber Content Director: Fred Savage Director of Photography: Peter Deming Executive Producer: Preston Lee Producer: Mark Hall Editorial Company: Spot Welders Post Production Company: The Mill Telecine Company: Company 3, Santa Monica, CA Audio Post Company: Lime Studios Music Company: Elias Arts, LA
RBC creates a heartfelt spot promoting the game of hockey, the true game not the NHL. As long as there are kids across the country playing the game they love, hockey never stops.
The online video and recent grassroots action around the Stanley Cup (there's a movement to get the cup to be awarded to a community team this year) underscores that as long as kids are on the ice, there's hockey. The game doesn't stop.
The ad profiles a team of 7-year-old kids as they lace up their skates, tape their sticks, get tips from their coach and take to the ice.
It's an emotional video that gets kids (and grown-ups) stoked about community games and the Juniors and reminds us what hockey is really about. In the absence of NHL hockey, I think we should all work to make this a record year for attendance at community games. Support RBC Play Hockey on their FaceBook page here.
Credits: Advertising Agency: Entrinsic, Canada Executive Creative Director: Anthony Wolch Copywriter: Kyle Carpenter Production Company: Clarke Stanley Director: Adam Massey Post House Editor: Married To Giants http://www.marriedtogiants.com/ Editor: Monica Remba Music Supervision: Vapor Music
Toronto creative ad agency Marshall Fenn and production house Code Film create a nice new spot for Ontario Ministry of Finance entitled "Healthy Homes". The spot promotes the the Governments healthy homes renovation tax credit for seniors and those who care for them.
Credits: Client: Ministry of Finance Agency: Marshall Fenn Production Company: Code Film Inc. Director: Marc Andre Debruyne Producer: Chris Boddy Executive Producer: Thomas Rickert Agency Producer: Frances Smith Copywriter: Mike Vinakmens Art Director: Dan Couto D.O.P.: Samy Inayeh Editing and Post: School Release date: December 2012
When you save people a bunch of money on their car insurance, it's no surprise that they're pretty happy. But happy enough to make you their best man at their wedding? Yep, that too.
A new TV commercial for TD Ameritrade introduces us to Joe Woods who is at his first day of work. The ad is voiced by actor Matt Damon, who tells the story of how unpredictable the nature of life is while offering straight-forward retirement guidance. Joe looks happy now but wait til his investments tank, not to worry just cook what you love and save your money.
Credits: Agency: Goodby Silverstein & Partners Production: Pony Show Entertainment Country: United States of America Director: Brad Silberling Executive Creative Director: Rick Condos Executive Creative Director: Huner Hindman Creative Director: Matt Ashworth Creative Director: John Shachter Producer: MJ Otto Executive Producer: Tod Puckett Account Director: Katie Rafferty Account manager: Jenna Lubin Director of Photography: Philippe Rousselot Executive producer: Susan Kirson & Jeffrey Frankel Line Producer: Fern Martin Editing House: Spotwelders Editor: Haines Hall Producer: Carolina Wallace VFX House: Kilt Studios Producer: Mathew McManus
Zulu Alpha Kilo is launching a campaign to promote Interac Flash® - the only contactless debit payment option in Canada.
As an enhancement of Interac® Debit, Interac Flash has all of the same benefits, just faster. With a quick hold of your card to a terminal, you can use your own money to pay for those everyday smaller purchases easily and securely.
“In today’s ‘need it right now’ society, being able to get what you need instantaneously is more than just a convenience, it’s a necessity,” says Chief Creative Officer and CEO of Zulu Alpha Kilo, Zak Mroueh. “And the work clearly demonstrates the true benefit of Interac.”
In this campaign of 15s spots, we feature people in humorously urgent situations and demonstrate how the speed of an Interac Flash transaction can get them out of their predicament.
Scenarios range from a woman who mistakenly eats too much wasabi to a man with bushy moustache who urgently needs a shaver so he can kiss his girlfriend.
The campaign is also supported through online banners, social media, and in-store media at all participating Cineplex theatres across the country.
Media Experts created the national media campaign with French creative for the Quebec marketplace was handled by TANK.
Creative Credits: Ad Agency: Zulu Alpha Kilo, Toronto, Canada Chief Creative Officer: Zak Mroueh Executive Creative Director: Ron Smrczek Art Director: Allan Mah Writer: Nick Asik, David Horovitch Broadcast Producer: Jennifer Cursio Account Team: Rob Feightner, Laura Robinson, Adrian Goodgoll Strategic Planner: Ebrahim El Zalza Client (Company): INTERAC Association Clients: Jennifer Lee, Hizola Toovi, Barry Campbel Production Company: Sons and Daughters Director: Quinn Sound Production House: Vapor Music Editor: Melanie Hider, Saints Visual Effects & Online: Topix Media Agency: Media Experts Media Team: Richard Ivey, Phil Borisenko, Jenna Piirto, Lauren Rosenbloom
After State Farm Agent Ashley saves her customers money with a Discount Double Check, they run into surprise guest Rob Schneider in the copy room. See how it might have paid to Double Check which copier they used.
Creative Credits: Advertising Agency: DDB Chicago, USA Chief Creative Officer: John Maxham General Creative Directors: Barry Burdiak, John Hayes Chief Digital Officer: Joe Cianciotto Group Strategy Director: Gustavo de Mello Group Business Director: Penn French Production Company: Hungry Man Director of Production: Diane Jackson Executive Producer: Scott Kemper Producer: Luke LiManni Director: Hank Perlman Editor: Grant Gustafson, Matt Walsh, Aaron Kiser, Patrick Casey / Cutters Finishing: Rob Churchill, Daniel Pernikoff, Derek de Board / Filmworkers
After a successful and instrumentally approached campaign at the beginning of the year, online bank Knab launched a new integrated campaign.
This campaign follows on from its predecessor by giving more substance to the “Bank in your Favour” as it reveals how Knab is helping its clients to get the most out of their money. “Our previous campaign was primarily focused on conversion and this contributed to a tripling of our customer base. This time we wanted the campaign to put Knab into context and highlight the fact that we are an online challenger,” says Leslie Hogeveen, marketer at Knab.
“In addition to the requested content, we also looked for a way that visually supports Knab in its role as an online bank. We ultimately chose to portray the dynamic lifestyle of the target audience through their interaction with online devices and screens. There are three 40-second commercials, each one of them centred around one of the following Knab bank advantages: double the interest (on both current and savings accounts); a fixed monthly banking fee with no extra charges; and the online bank switching service,” Fitzroy’s Jur Baart explains. “With such a distinctive campaign, we can see it surpassing the success of the last one.”
The latest advert in the series presents Graeme who’s just saved money at MoneySuperMarket and feels stupendously EPIC!
Jumping into his ride, Graeme decides to take a celebratory lap around the City. The only thing is, Graeme doesn’t drive a sporty hatchback or a family saloon – he travels on the back of a ginormous African elephant.
Graeme’s as happy as Larry, the cat that caught the canary, the dog with two tails…we could go on but you get the idea. Quite frankly, Graeme couldn’t be any more pleased with himself. And neither could the elephant.
Peyton Manning finds himself humming the lyrics to the Nationwide tune throughout hi day in the new ad created by Ogilvy & Mather, New York. The spot also debuts Nationwide's new logo with an eagle, referred to as "N and eagle."
Peyton Manning’s a Five-Time MVP, Super Bowl Champion and NFL record-holder. His latest title? Nationwide Member. Welcome to the Nation, Peyton.
CREATIVE CREDITS: AD AGENCY: Ogilvy & Mather, New York GROUP CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Chris Van Oosterhout EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Melanie Baublis EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Steve Howard CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Tom Elia, Zach Korman EDITOR: Chris Franklin EDIT COMPANY: Big Sky DIRECTOR: Josh & Xander
Toronto ad agency Zulu Alpha Kilo creates a humourous TV spot featuring AC/DC's Back In Black celebrating how good it feels when you pay with your own money with Interac debit versus paying with credit and going into debt.
Press: After landing the business last spring, Zulu Alpha Kilo is launching a new brand platform for the Interac brand and the organization behind it.
The Interac Be in the Black™ platform extols the benefits of using your own money for everyday purchases. “We want Canadians to know that the end of the month doesn’t have to seem like the end of the world,” says Chief Creative Officer and CEO of Zulu Alpha Kilo, Zak Mroueh. "When you use your own money instead of credit, you can simply enjoy what you buy instead of worrying about paying it off."
The 360 campaign consists of TV, out-of-home, video pre-roll, and standard and rich media banner ads – along with a social promotion – meant to inspire positive conversations around the many benefits of using Interac products and services.
“It’s crazy to think that people are using credit for everyday purchases like groceries, or a cup of coffee,” says Ron Smrczek, Executive Creative Director, Zulu Alpha Kilo. “In our launch spot, we enlisted AC/DC’s iconic rock anthem, Back in Black, and some over-the-top pyrotechnics to bring the swagger back to the notion of using your own money.”
The creative is supported with a national digital media campaign that is handled by Media Experts. French adaption for the Quebec marketplace was developed by TANK. The campaign will run into the spring.
Creative Credits: Agency: Zulu Alpha Kilo, Toronto, Canada Chief Creative Officer: Zak Mroueh Executive Creative Director: Ron Smrczek Art Director: Allan Mah Writer: Nick Asik Broadcast Producer: Catherine Wrinch Account Team: Rob Feightner, Peter Brough, Adrian Goodgoll Strategic Planner: Ebrahim El Kalza Client (Company): Interac Clients: Andrea Danovitch, Leslie Vera, Lauren McKay, Catherine Boshell, Barry Campbell French Agency: TANK Executive Creative Director (French): Alex Gadoua Account Director (French): Marie-Claude Céré Production Company; Industry Films Exec Producer; David Cranor Director; Simon Cole Line producer; Trudy Turner Sound Production House: Pirate Sound Director; Chris Tait Senior Engineer; Keith Ohman Exec Producer; Joanne Uyeyama Editorial; School Editing Exec Producer; Sarah Brooks Editor; Brian Wells Assistant editor; Mark Lutterman Visual Effects & Online: Fort York Flame Artist; Mike Bishop Exec Producer; Erin Kuttner Color: Alter Ego Colorist; Trisha Hagoriles Media Agency: Media Experts Media Team: Richard Ivey, Phil Borisenko, Jenna Piirto, Lauren Rosenbloom
Direct Mail Campaign: First Western Trust – Turn on the Light
A lot of retirement plan providers bury their fees inside the 401k plans they prepare — which often means you earn less on your investment and they earn more. It’s a hidden secret they don’t want you to unveil. But that’s exactly what we did for business owners who First Western Trust wanted to target.
More than just telling the story that First Western doesn’t have concealed fees like the other guys, it was mandatory to do it memorably. Upon first interaction, the direct mail piece we created features only four visible words: “Turn on the light.” Shining the black light included with the piece on the page reveals the rest of the once-invisible text — and exposes the whole story about this all-too-common hidden practice, as well as the answer to avoiding it: by partnering with First Western.
Credits: Client: First Western Financial, Inc. Campaign Title: Turn On the Light Execution Title: Direct Mail Agency: LRXD, Denver Creative Directors: Kelly Reedy, Eric Kiker Associate Creative Director: Jamie Reedy Art Director: Kent Ervin Copywriter: Jamie Reedy Account Director: Mikell Beechinor
MasterCard stands up to Cancer and goes running to raise money.
MasterCard follows Eric Stonestreet in the latest Priceless ads as he races to thank those who stood up to cancer just by paying for their meal with their MasterCard.
Credits: Advertising Agency: McCann XBC, USA Chief Creative Officer: Joyce King Thomas Executive Creative Director: Pete Jones Executive Producer: Kathy Love Executive Music Producer: Peter Gannon Senior Business Affairs Manager: Danielle Korn Business Affairs Manager: Paulette Reiner Production Company: Uber content Director: Fred Savage Director of Photography: David Jones Executive Producer / Partner: Preston Lee Executive Producer: Steve Wi Line Producer: Alexandra Lisee Edit: Cut and Run Editor: Jon Grover Assistant Editor: Adam Badonza Executive Producer: Rana Martin Audio Post: Sonic Union Mixer: Steve Rosen Music Editor: Mike Boris
UK based Confused.com is defending their newest advert starring Brian the robot after the ad watchdog receives several complaints that the spot shows a couple being interrupted while she is giving him what seems to be as they say in the England "dogging". According to Campaign Live so far the ad has received 20 complaints and a spokesman for the Advertising Standards Authority said that the main claims against the ad were that it was offensive, distasteful, suggestive of sexual activity, degrading to women and inappropriate for children.
However, Joby Russell, the marketing director of Confused.com, dismissed the comments and said: "Admittedly, the woman is somewhat startled by Brian appearing in the car window, having been tying her shoelace." He explained that Brian could not help but try and help people save money on their car insurance, and said: "However, this does mean that he sometimes finds himself in awkward situations. "With Brian’s passion to help people save money, all we can say is watch out for where he might find himself next." Confused.com introduced Brian the robot into its ads in May, replacing the singing animated character Cara, as part of a complete brand overhaul by Publicis London
Ad agency Risdall in Minneapolis called on the comedic and casting talents of LIMEY Director Nick Jones for its hilarious, new commercial campaign for Affinity Plus. In “laugh-out-loud” terms, the two-spot campaign outlines just how far Affinity Plus will go for clients. The 30-second spots, entitled “Surrogate Mother” and “Human Cannonball,” are currently airing regionally.
With its new commercials, Affinity Plus unabashedly takes a shot at its larger banking competitors via parody. The first spot, “Surrogate Mother,” parodies the traditional testimonial spot, opening with a “real” couple at home explaining how “their” bank goes the extra mile for them. The story takes an unexpected turn as they explain that at Affinity Plus, their banking agent goes so far to help her clients that she happily carries their baby. In “Human Cannonball,” when an Affinity Plus Account Manager asks what else he can do for his client, he finds himself stuffed into a cannon and takes flight.
Brave comedic parody from a credit union makes for great fodder for a comedy Director like LIMEY’s Nick Jones. Well-known for his stellar casting eye, Jones was able to work with JR Casting in Minneapolis to find just the right actors for this campaign, and their performances truly bring the spots to life. It was of particular concern for Director and creative team alike that the viewer got the parody. Affinity Plus as a credit union were very comfortable taking pot shots at the “big banks,” but it had to be handled just right.
“We all --agency and Production Company alike — had a great deal of fun shooting these spots together,” says Andrew Denyer, Executive Producer/Owner of LIMEY. “The scripts were particularly well crafted when we received them and Nick certainly managed to take them to the next level.”
“It was a blast!” comments LIMEY Director Nick Jones. “The scripts were a dream to receive, and even more so to get the green light to shoot them. The ideas were so strong from the outset, that it was just a real pleasure discussing how to make the films unique, original, funny and totally surprising. What could be better than discussing how to top a surrogate mother gag with a ‘pregnant man’ gag.”
According to Jones, the ‘Human Cannonball’ spot was the more intense of the two. Visual effects, stunt work, audience, dialogue, lighting changes, etc, were all incorporated into the spot, and shot in just one day. “All in all, a great agency, great fun, and we ended up with some really great commercials. I’m chuffed!” concludes the Director.
Ad Agency: Risdall/Minneapolis Creative Director/Art Director: Matt Bergen Copywriter: John Neumann - Producer: Tammy Auel Production Company: LIMEY Director: Nick Jones Executive Producer/Producer: Andrew Denyer Director of Photography: David Schnack Editorial Company: Schnitt, Inc Editor: Charley Schwartz Producer: Jill Asp Dotseth Post Production Companies Ring of Fire Drive Thru
