High Five: Germany
When I got the opportunity to write these lines for LBB, I thought 'Great, we can show our top five works!' But no, it was not so easy. It's High Five Germany, not High Five Zauberberg. Slowly, I realised that it was going to be difficult, because most German advertising is...in German. To pick five pieces that can be understood internationally, that entertain and shine a light on the brand or product in an unexpected way - that’s what I went looking for...
Penny - 'The Desire'
Agency: Serviceplan Germany
Production: ICONOCLAST
Director: Marcus Ibanez
Discount supermarket Penny has been among the leaders of the pack in the past few years when it comes to heartwarming Christmas commercials, and this one is no exception - but it comes with a surprising twist. Director Marcus Ibanez manages to deliver this unexpected story with humanity, exceptional performances and understated (yet immaculate) design.
Mercedes-Benz - 'Extra Beats Ordinary'
Agency: antoni GmbH
Production: Akkurat
Director: Zhang + Knight
VFX: Storz & Escherich
Sound: Staub Audio
In recent times, German car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz has stepped up to foster and magnify talent you wouldn’t normally expect in the world of car advertising. Well, good for us commercial lovers. This is how we get to savour the subtle mellow lighting and seductive abstract staging of directors Zhang + Knight. See for yourself...
Zalando - 'A Life of Liberty'
Agency: Anomaly Berlin
Production: BWGTBLD
Director: Vincent Haycock
Editorial: Cabin Edit
Sound: Staub Audio
Colour: Primary
"You don't know me. You’re just using me to stay relevant!” The old fashion designer has brought his daughter along to a fancy pants fashion event in a pretentious French country house. She’s lonely and her only 'company’ consists of the people following her IG live streams - indicated by the little hearts floating up next to her video selfies. It’s a clash of generations, of philosophies and stances in the world. And a not so subtle confrontation between the difference in how the fashion industry worked up until now, and how the future is going to look. And yes, it ends happily, thank God...
Zalando x Adidas - 'Be the Inspiration'
Agency: ZMS CREATIVE
Production: Le Berg
Director: Folkert Verdoorn
Post: The Compound
In this collaboration between Zalando and Adidas, we follow the sparkle of inspiration. Different people get inspired by actions or style of others. Very beautiful and inspirational! Dutch director Folkert Verdoorn is one to watch. We would’ve loved to shoot this.
Edeka - 'Super Marc'
Agency: JvM NEXT ALSTER
Production & Post: Zauberberg
Director: Micky Sülzer
Sound: German Wahnsinn
Edeka brought Marc Rebillet (aka Loop Daddy), performance artist and musician from NYC, to supermarket in Hamburg where he goes shopping while playing his loops on various food. The result is a really unique piece of advertising. Two very magnificent minds melting. You get a front row seat to Micky’s very own creative universe. Enough said.
