High Five: Ads That Steal a Laugh (Or at Least Try To)
Fun. I think the world should have more ads that are fun and don’t take themselves too seriously. Ads that make you laugh or smile. Ads that are funny, or even stupid, in a good way. So this will be a list of ads that I think are funny. It was hard deciding which five to choose because I made a waaaay longer list, but here they are. I hope they steal a laugh or two. If not, at least a smile. If not, a mini smile. If not…I give up. PS) It wouldn't be a complete list without an Old Spice ad, so maybe go watch an Old Spice ad after this list...
Filmsuez - 'If It’s Not for You, It’s Not for You'
Agency: La Comunidad Buenos Aires
Production: ArgentinaCine Buenos Aires
Directors: Rafael Lopez Saubidet x Augusto Gimenez Zapiola
A very oldie, but a very goldie. One of the ads that I rewatched hundreds and hundreds of times and laughed almost every time, never with a fake laugh. One of the ads that made me want to work in advertising.
Epuron - 'The Wind'
Agency: Nordpol Hamburg
Production: Paranoid Projects LA
Director: Bjorn Ruhmann
Post: Mikros Image
Sound: Pigalle Production Paris
Post: Mikros Image
Sound: Pigalle Production Paris
The subtle clever humour used in this one is amazing. An ad that was way ahead of its time. The first time I saw it, after the twist at the end, I had to rewatch it immediately again.
DU Telecom - 'DU Tuesday: Too Complicated' x 'Too Boring' x 'Too Depressing'
Agency: Leo Burnett MEA
Director: Ali Ali
Early work of one of my favourite directors, Ali Ali, the DU commercials are so much fun, and all from one extremely simple premise: “Get two tickets for the price of one.”
Palace x Reebok - 'Palace x Reebok Classics: Jonah'
Production & Post: MPC London
Director: Stuart Tanju
Maybe this one is very subjective, because I’m a fan of Jonah Hill (and I still think 'Superbad' is one of the funniest movies ever made). A very silly fun ad, so I think it deserves a spot on this list.
Voiz - 'The Innocent Eyes'
Agency: Ogilvy Group Thailand
Production: Factory01 Co., Ltd.
Director: Wuthisak Anarnkaporn
Whenever I watch the film winners in awards shows, I’m most excited when I see an entry from Thailand. The ads have a very specific kind of humour that just makes you go 'WTF!?', and this one isn’t any different.
