Work of the Week: 14/07/23
Mid-way through July and summer isn’t settling down as creative work just keeps on coming. Ranging from Mexico to the US, Canada to the UK and more, this week’s best cover culturally representative spots, as well as socially conscious ads and even just good old-fashioned fun. Partaking in a film fiesta of its own, Apple launched its latest ‘Shot on iPhone’ spot in Mexico, ‘Huracán Ramírez vs. La Piñata Enchilada’ celebrating the Lucha Libre culture in Mexico City. With Los Pérez directing the vibrant spot, it’s a colourful feast for the eyes.
Moving across to the US, Pinterest’s in-house team went into the offices of McCann New York, JOAN Creative and Mojo Supermarket to give their boring offices a makeover using the platform's signature boards as inspiration. Then making our way to Canada, the team at Subaru and Zulu Alpha Kilo featured the friendship between a farm girl and her pet pig as they visited the big city for the first time.
Elsewhere, the UK’s street paper and social enterprise The Big Issue was sure to highlight its vendors and encourage the public to support local sellers during difficult financial times, as it highlighted how the streets are the stores for each person selling. All of that and even more creativity grace today’s list of top work.
Check them out below:
Apple - Huracán Ramírez vs. La Piñata Enchilada
Paying tribute to Mexican Lucha Libre culture, Apple released the latest ‘Shot on iPhone’ spot focusing on wrestling superstar, Huracán Ramírez. Produced entirely in Mexico and created by TBWA\Media Arts Lab LATAM and The Lift – and directed by Los Pérez – the backdrop of Mexico City enhances the vibrancy of the spot. As a colourful piñata comes to life, it’s down to the wrestler to restore order to the community and make it rain candy for the surrounding children.
Pinterest - Unboring My Boardroom
There’s nothing more creatively constricting than boring design, dull furniture and uninspiring office spaces. With that in mind, Pinterest’s in-house team wanted to use its signature ‘boards’ to create boardrooms that inspire ideas, take things from drab to fab and make a real statement for companies by creating signature spaces. Taking part in the makeover, McCann New York, JOAN Creative and Mojo Supermarket went straight into a brainstorming and pinning session where they came up with all kinds of suggestions. In the end, the transformed offices are quite something – take a look for yourself!
Subaru - The Ascent, Room for Everyone
Launching its new three-row Ascent SUV, Subaru teamed up with Zulu Alpha Kilo to tell the story of a farm girl and her pet pig. Leaving the farm and travelling to the city for the first time, it’s no surprise that the young girl wants to bring her beloved pet pig with her on the adventure and in this case, there’s room for everyone. As the pig and the girl experience the city together with panoramic views and plenty of space, the car is at the heart of this tale.
The Big Issue Group London - Shopfront
When you see a Big Issue magazine vendor on the streets, it’s important to remember that this is their store, their business and their source of income. The UK's number one street paper and social enterprise allows homeless and vulnerable people to earn an income for themselves by selling the magazine to the public. So, in this latest campaign, the brand worked with Global Street Art to create a 3D ‘storefront’ highlighting the importance of supporting vendors during increasingly challenging times.
Virgin Media - To Better and Beyond
Releasing a new creative platform, Virgin Media and VCCP London captured the network's signature unstoppable spirit with a goat glider – you heard that right – who effortlessly embarks on an excursion of the sky as the narration asks, ‘Why stumble when you can soar?’. The gutsy goat aims to empower the UK to reach their full potential and never settle for less, much like Virgin Media’s commitment to being the UK’s fastest WiFi.
Tractor Beverage Company - Escape the Ordinary
Founded by farmers, the organic, non-GMO beverage company Tractor is out to create a cleaner, healthier planet, one drink at a time. For this campaign, Progress Studios worked with director Andy Baker and the team at Hornet to animate hand-drawn beverage characters to the backing track of Duran Duran’s 'Ordinary World', performed by Grammy-nominated artist Valerie June. Following the vibrant and dramatic story of a thirsty cup of ice, the protagonist winds up on a farm, quenched by what Tractor has to offer.
Pure Rush - Writer’s Strike
Supporting the current writer’s strikes by donating 15% of profits to the Writers Guild of America, the natural soap brand Pure Rush made sure to make their opinion on the matter known. In an unnerving AI ad, featuring robotic voices and a frankly terrifying room of TV execs with warped faces, there are discussions about using ChatGPT and other tech to replace the creatives. With the AI-generated ad being rather unnerving, it shows just how vital it is to have actual people behind the scenes, championing creativity. As Pure Rush says, “The pen is mightier than the sword”.
