Time is precious

Nike is an iconic brand with over 50 years in the game; products such as “Air Jordans” that are both cultural and historical icons; a tagline "Just do it" which is arguably one of the best born out of the 20th century, a logo that is recognisable to a three year old; a top competitor on the worldwide stage of sports; a favourite in the world of advertising. What more can we say. Nike is Nike.

Nike is an iconic brand with over 50 years in the game; products such as “Air Jordans” that are both cultural and historical icons; a tagline "Just do it" which is arguably one of the best born out of the 20th century, a logo that is recognisable to a three year old; a top competitor on the worldwide stage of sports; a favourite in the world of advertising. What more can we say. Nike is Nike.

This year’s “Time is Precious” commercial is certainly one that you can imagine will be reposted to blogs and Facebook accounts millions of times over. It’s the simplicity of the ad that stands out, but more than anything, it’s the humour - the ad is simple and hilarious for most of us, as we can all see ourselves in its bizarre descriptions.

The commercial begins with a statement telling us it will only last a minute, nothing compared to the 32 years of our lives we statistically spend glued to our screens. Doesn’t sound too bad, only a minute, right? At this point, we are expecting to be blasted with an array of beautiful images and loud exciting music as with most of Nike’s commercials. Think again, could you have ever imagined a Nike commercial using a black screen with a couple of white words showing in the centre of it?

The commercial reminds us of our daily habits, watching, liking, swiping, commenting, following, swiping, adding, posting, reposting, swiping again, sharing, liking, swiping again, and so on. The references are excellent and specific. From ‘liking’ someone’s café macchiato, to watching vloggers opening boxes or a year’s worth of shows in an evening to deciding whether a picture is a labradoodle or a fried chicken… just some of the hilarious examples of things we all do.

The conclusion is… “Are we running today?” How guilty do we feel about being reminded how many years of our lives we spend clicking away, and then being asked if we would like the option of jogging. Brilliant! All in all, this ad is a win/win whichever way you look at it. Who wouldn’t want to go for a run after all that swiping? The truth is, Nike doesn’t really need a multi-million dollar commercial showing us how beautiful, practical, stylish and advanced its products are, we already know this!

So this Christmas when you are sitting around clicking, swiping, liking and reposting pictures of Chihuahuas dressed in Santa hats, maybe you will think twice. Start the New Year knowing you WILL fulfil your New Year’s resolution!

#Nike

#Justdoit

#TimeIsPrecious

#NewYearsResolutions

"See Impossible"

It’s the time of year when we want to make films and take photos of our special moments, festive events and family gatherings, and a time to spoil the people who love capturing these moments which will come with a whole new year ahead. All you need is Canon!

Since the 1930s, Canon has been at the cutting edge of technology. Their official slogan “See impossible” effectively summarises the brand’s promise to design digital imaging solutions which fulfil increasingly complex and diverse consumer needs.

In 2014, Canon launched a stunning commercial, which was part of its ‘No one sees it like you’ campaign. This commercial comprises of an array of extreme close up shots of eyes of all shapes and colours, from all corners of the globe. However, it is not the colour or shape of the eyes that draws us in, but the emotion we see in each of the eyes as they appear in front of us on the screen. The story accompanying each image definitely reinforces what we are seeing, with each precise moment showing a different and accurate emotion with just one look. Whether it be fame, as she looks up at a crowd with her long eyelashes – excitement and pride in her eyes, or trust as he looks up at someone for guidance and security, or perhaps freedom as he looks on with excitement as we see the shadow of a surfer in his pupil.

Not only has Canon managed to attract people with a truly cinematic short film, but the iconic brand has also managed to show us what one is capable of achieving with a Canon camera, one of its quality lenses, and a bit of imagination. This commercial is able to appeal to all people whether young, old, introverted, extroverted, happy or melancholic; there is something for everyone in this emotionally driven campaign. An ad like this can enable any photographer or filmmaker to dream of what is possible with their Canon!

#PSoTW

#Canon

#SeeImpossible

#CanonExperience

“Better sound through research”

It sometimes feels as though buying Christmas presents gets harder every year, but recently technology has become a convenient way to find a cool, fun present that you know the recipient will enjoy.

Bose has recognised this and taken full advantage, with their styling and innovation helping to propel them from premium home speaker systems to one of the most popular and accessible tech brands to buy.

Bose’s slogan “Better sound through research” originates from the technological principles upon which the company was founded.

To get this across to a mass market, they have focused on the feelings we have when we listen to music we like. Their ads therefore combine both scientific and music-loving aspects, to connect the customer emotionally with technology.

In certain respects, the slogan relates to the process a customer goes through, in that we - the consumers – undertake research and gather information relating to prices and reviews to make our decisions.

Their most recent ad ‘Get Closer’ depicts a woman dancing her way through the iconic streets of London, without a person, pigeon or vehicle in sight. The catchy sound track and some sharp moves help us understand her love and connection with music, before revealing that she was in fact lost in her own world, dancing with hundreds of people around her.

Last year Bose used humour in their ad showing viewers the emotional connection between a teenage girl and boy, and as they lean in for the kiss, the eavesdropping dad from the other room changes the speaker to play children’s music from a device.

Not only did this bring a giggle to the viewer, it demonstrated what the Bose speaker could do, rather than tell us, in using relevant situations of life and the scientific aspect of being able to control the sound system from another room on another device.

#PSoTW

#Music

#BOSE

SONY. BE MOVED

Black Friday originated in America in the 1920s and has recently become one of the biggest retail spending days in the UK. Love it or hate it, it’s hard to ignore it and all the ads offering deals that are difficult to resist.

Some people even go as far as to get over excited about these flash sales and cause fights, chaos and mayhem across retailers.

 

Home electronics is the category of products that gets extremely popular on Black Friday. Sony is a brand that prides itself for market leading consumer electronics. Their slogan ‘BE MOVED’ communicates the brand’s passion for artistry and commitment to engineering that delivers “WOW” and moves people emotionally. It reinforces SONY’s unique position as more than a technology company. Sony is a group of engineers, musicians, directors, actors and artists together working as one to make the impossible, possible.

Many of us can still remember one of the best known SONY ads for the BRAVIA TV- an ad featuring colourful balls bouncing down the street. At the time, this ad definitely stood out from the crowd of other electronics ads that were merely highlighting technological features of the products.

The latest Sony Bravia ad released earlier this year features 4,000 white balloons bursting with multicoloured glitter (1,500 kg of glitter was used!) to show off the television's prowess. These colourful and glittery visuals supported by ‘True Colours’ song cover by Tom Odell celebrate SONY promise to connect passion for artistry with commitment to engineering and move people emotionally. 

Are you feeling moved by SONY?

 

#PSoTW

#Sony

#SonyBravia

#BeMoved

“Make the World Sparkle”

Thinking about gifts as Christmas approaches? Aren’t we all! Whether it be for your close friend or a relative, anything that arrives in a little turquoise blue box is always going to be cherished for years to come.

Taking us back to those moments in our lives when Christmas was truly the most magical moment of the year, the latest commercial from Tiffany’s will have you daydreaming of cherished memories.

Beginning with its emotive music and glittery snowflakes, the ad takes you to a snow-coated New York avenue and a divine interior with signature ‘light medium robin egg blue’ Tiffany’s gift boxes falling from the heavens above. If there could be a perfect Christmas this year, it would be one in a Tiffany’s world.

Shot in black and white the commercial starts off with a magical and traditional New York culture inspired feel, and transitions into a spectacular fast-paced edit of little turquoise blue gift boxes, an adorable little blonde-haired boy catching them as well as the gorgeous Elle Fanning dancing among a concoction of snowflake-like lights… And let’s not forget the fast cuts of the immaculate jewellery. Glitter, snowflakes and everything that shines! How could anyone not want a little bit of Tiffany’s paradise delivered on Christmas morning?

Thanks to the cinematic vision and beauty brought to us by Tiffany, that magical time of year that can sometimes seem lost as one grows older has returned in the form of a beautiful marketing campaign. With just a little over a month left before the bells start ringing on Christmas morning, the iconic brand, celebrating its 180^th birthday this year, has again proven to us why it remains one of the most precious brands of all time.

#PSoTW

#TiffanyAndCo

#ATiffanyHoliday

Gifts that everyone will love

This week saw the unveiling of the much-anticipated big hitting Christmas TV ads...and once again people curled up on their sofas were eagerly awaiting their first glimpse of this year’s John Lewis ad – and it wasn't a disappointment.

43 days to go! Yes 43! There's just something about watching people opening presents on Christmas day that just gets you in the mood to decorate the tree a bit early!

We can all relate to opening the first present on the (hopefully) wintery Christmas morning; that tingling excitement as you tear apart the wrapping paper …. But perhaps nothing encapsulates Christmas more than watching children’s eyes light up when they see theirs.

The John Lewis ads in recent years have focused on that perennial issue of finding the perfect gift for loved ones, whereas this year John Lewis seeks to simply (and comically) demonstrate a product - with a loving father assembling a trampoline in the snow for his child to wake up to on Christmas morning. 

Once assembled and when all is clear, two foxes enter the trampoline, soon being joined by a badger, hedgehog and squirrel coming together to enjoy the discovery of the trampoline, much to the discomfort of Buster the Boxer, who whines and watches on longingly through the window of the house. 

The idea of animals bouncing around recklessly on the new gift meant for a little girl on Christmas morning doesn't sound very appealing (or hygeinic), but the idea being that everyone comes together at Christmas, and there are gifts that everyone will love, warms our hearts, as well as benefits JL's charity partner - the Wildlife Trust.

So, when the morning comes and the animals are out of sight, it’s that glorious moment of reveal as the little girl runs through the open door into the garden, sprinting out with a spring in her step and the sparkle of joy in her eyes. … but before she can even reach half way there, Buster has jumped in the trampoline bouncing emphatically, catching up on the fun he missed out on the previous night, whilst everyone else watches in shock.

From the Man on the Moon last year, Monty the Penguin before that, the art of surprise has certainly entertained everyone, and leaves us wanting the 43 days to go a little bit faster!

#PSoTW

#JohnLewisChristmasAd
#WildlifeTrust

#BusterTheBoxer

"The Tale of Thomas Burberry”

Sparkly festive window displays in high streets, mince pies in the oven and Gingerbread Latte frothing out of Starbucks can only mean one thing – Christmas is coming. With 50 days left until Christmas (not that we’re counting!) brands have started launching their Christmas campaigns getting us into a festive mood.

One of the first brands to start the Christmas countdown is Burberry, kicking off with a star studded campaign. This year’s campaign celebrates the brand’s heritage - something that Burberry can be proud of as its history goes back as long as 160 years. The 3-minute film tells a cinematic story of the brand founder Thomas Burberry - pioneer, inventor, innovator, and the man behind the iconic trench coat. The video features many stars including Siena Miller, Lily James and Domnhall Gleeson who plays a leading role.

The brand has also teamed up with Harrods to tell “A very British Fairy Tale” through window displays featuring wintery, snow covered scenes with flying cars and secret passageways. Visitors can interact with the display and experiment with lighting and music using touch and motion sensors.

Are you starting to feel a little bit Christmassy yet?

#PSoTW

#Burberry

"Melts in your mouth, not in your hand"

With Halloween around the corner, we all start getting excited about dressing up in spooky costumes, embellishing homes with creepy decorations, and carving out jack-o-lanterns. Besides all these exciting things you should not forget to stock up on sweets for the popular Halloween custom of trick-or-treating. Not sure what sweets to buy? Well, you can’t go wrong with purchasing M&M’s as out of all sweet brands out there, it's one of the most desired by trick-or-treaters.

 

Earlier this year, the brand marked its 75^th anniversary. Consumers are currently able to purchase M&M’s in more than 100 countries. Therefore, it comes to no surprise that every 8 hours 2 billion colourful button-shaped chocolate sweets are being produced in the New Jersey factory. Furthermore, every October the brand surprises its consumers by putting a great deal of effort into designing Halloween-themed packaging.

The M&M’s tagline ‘Melts in your mouth, not in your hand’ is the fourth most recalled one in the world, according to the study conducted in 2014. Over the years, M&M’s has released a number of humorous TV commercials, which are sure to evoke your Halloween spirit!

#PSoTW

#CelebrateWithM

#Halloween

#HappyHalloween

"The Good Life"

Autumn is the best time for us to start thinking about our health and prevent all those coughs, sniffs and sneezes that start attacking us on the chilly days of October. The best way to do so is by boosting the immune system, and the UK’s largest health food retailer Holland & Barrett is a one-stop location to stock up on any health foods and supplements you might need.

Their tagline ‘The Good Life’ represents the mission of the brand in pursuit of health and happiness. The good life can mean different things for everyone but we all agree that health is the main element of a happy life. To inspire us to live a healthy life, Holland and Barrett promotes various wellbeing, fitness and healthy eating tips on their website.

Lately the brand has been focusing on the importance of a good night’s sleep for our happiness. Holland & Barrett developed 6 sleeping personas and customers can take an online quiz to find out which of the 6 sleeping personas are they: the late night browser, the ridiculously early riser, the slumber interrupter, the caffeinator, the daytime dozer or the biggest snoozer. After taking the test, users can read more about the products that can help them get a good night sleep.

Find out what your sleeping persona is (any more caffeinators reading this post?) and get those needed Zzzs for the good life this weekend.

#PSoTW

#TheGoodLife

#Holland&Barrett

"For the Way It's Made"

Today you can indulge in sweets guilt free because it’s National Dessert Day! To celebrate this sweet occasion you might choose to visit your favourite bakery. Yet, nothing can replace the taste of a homemade dessert, so we suggest you roll up your sleeves and get baking. If you’re a baking enthusiast you’ll certainly enjoy reading today’s post as it is all about KitchenAid - one of the most respected brands in the world when it comes to baking tools and accessories.

If you love baking chances are that you’ve already heard about the iconic KitchenAid stand mixers. The brand’s slogan ‘For the way it’s made’, accurately portrays the company’s promise to create timeless kitchen appliances to last you a lifetime. KitchenAid mixers feature sturdy designs, which come in a variety of different colours. Recently the company launched the KitchenAid Mini, which will not only save you a lot of time in the kitchen, but also will make every moment of baking so special. Check out KitchenAid’s latest campaign called Mini Moments.

Recently, KitchenAid opened an ‘experience store’ on Wigmore Street in London, where customers can participate in a wide range of cooking classes and demonstrations. Certainly check out this spot as it’s a great place to meet likeminded people or perhaps discover your inner baker with KitchenAid.

Hopefully, this post inspired you to get baking. If you lack ideas of what to bake, here’s a quick recipe for a pumpkin cake for you!

Super Moist Pumpkin Cake

Ingredients

120g chopped walnuts

440g plain flour

400g dark brown soft sugar

100g caster sugar

2 teaspoons bicarbonate of soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

500g pumpkin puree

225ml vegetable oil

160ml coconut milk

50g desiccated coconut

Method

Preheat oven to 180 C / Gas 4. Grease and flour two 500g loaf tins.

Spread walnuts in a single layer on an ungreased baking tray. Toast in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until lightly browned. Set aside to cool.

In a large bowl, stir together the flour, brown sugar, caster sugar, bicarb, salt, nutmeg and cinnamon. Add the pumpkin puree, oil and coconut milk, and mix until all of the flour is absorbed. Fold in the desiccated coconut and toasted walnuts. Divide the cake mixture evenly between the prepared tins.

Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean. Remove from the oven, and cover loaves tightly with foil. Allow to steam for 10 minutes. Remove foil, and turn out onto a cooling rack. Tent loosely with the foil, and allow to cool completely.

Enjoy!

#PSoTW

#NationalDessertDay

#KitchenAid

"Discover Your Smile”

Crisp October mornings and grey sky afternoons make many of us feel like summer was just a mirage. But Thomson – one of the most popular travel providers in the UK – invites us to ‘Discover your Smile’ at one of their dream holiday destinations.

This slogan adds the meaning behind the smile logo of TUI, which is a parent company of Thomson, and reflects what the brand stands for – a promise of unforgettable experience that brings back the best version of you and puts the smile on your face. 

All communication activity done by Thomson is beautifully executed and the look of all those wonderful beaches, mouth-watering food and fancy cruise ships powerful enough to put the smile on your face.

Thomson TV ads tell stories of a well-loved bear named Miles who has been eternally ground down by everyday life but the smile re-appears on his face after the Thomson Dreamliner takes him to the breath-taking places with plenty of sunshine, white sand and clear turquoise waters.

So beat the autumn blues by planning your next perfect sunny getaway and discover your smile!

#PSoTW

#DiscoverYourSmile

#Thomson

#WorldSmileDay

"Nespresso. What else"

Yesterday all coffee lovers around the world were marking International Coffee Day. Indeed, for many people drinking coffee is an essential part of their morning routine. Thanks to Nespresso, now all coffee drinkers can brew the perfect cup of espresso in the comfort of their own home.

Founded in 1986, Nespresso has been revolutionising the coffee experience around the world by further developing a capsule coffee concept. Currently, it is one of the fastest growing brands in the Nestlé Group. Nespresso is now present in 64 countries with 450 luxurious retail boutiques where customers can purchase the Nespresso coffee machines, the capsules, and a wide range of accessories.

Since 2006, Hollywood star George Clooney has been the face of the brand. In his first commercial George Clooney featured the brand’s slogan ‘Nespresso. What Else’. The actor has been great at portraying the brand’s image as elegant, luxury, and effortless. The brand’s commercials tend to be slightly humorous, maybe that is why Jack Black, another great American actor and comedian, was invited to join George Clooney in filming one of the latest commercials for Nespresso.

In late June 2016, Nespresso opened its first coffee shop in the City of London. The unique aspect of this café is that customers are not being served by traditional baristas. Instead, the café has a built-in automated self-service facility called Nespresso Cube, which is designed to prepare orders. It’s a place definitely worth visiting as it offers a great selection of unique coffee flavours, such as a rose cappuccino, a minty mojito, and a macaroon latte. Those who are feeling a little hungry will certainly enjoy a variety of premium food options which can be paired with different coffees.

Moreover, earlier this year, Nespresso also released its first Internet-connected coffee machine called Prodigio. The main feature of this machine is that it enables coffee drinkers to brew coffee remotely. Users of this machine can connect them to a Nespresso smartphone app via Bluetooth. Not only that, this coffee machine allows the owner to set up specific times for automatic coffee brewing, as well as having additional handy features including automatic turn-off and maintenance alerts.

So, ‘What else’ if not Nespresso, can provide you with such a luxurious and great tasting coffee experience? Just note, if you are about to purchase one of the coffee machines for your own home or maybe already have one, Nespresso aluminium pods are recyclable! Therefore, after having enjoyed your perfect cup of coffee, make sure you recycle the aluminium capsules correctly, by bringing them to one of the Nespresso boutiques or ordering the home collection service.

#PSoTW

#NationalCoffeeDay

#Nespresso

#NespressoUK

#WhatElse

#GeorgeClooney

#JackBlack

"One for One”

TOMS is a brand that is getting increasingly popular due to its purpose that is much more than just about profit. The brand is promoting responsible consumption and every TOMS product bought helps to make the world a better place for those that need it the most.

TOMS is mostly known for its shoes and ‘One for One’ initiative – every time they sell a pair of shoes, a new pair of shoes is given to an impoverished child. So far TOMS has given more than 60 million pairs of new shoes to children in various countries from Argentina and Haiti to the United States. 

TOMS commitment to make an impact and improve lives goes even beyond just giving shoes. Currently the company also sells eyewear, bags and coffee that support the treatment for the most common vision issues as well as other social initiatives such as supply of fresh water to people in need. 

#PSoTW

#OneForOne

#TOMS

#TomsShoes

#TomsEyeWear

#ImprovingLives

"Naturally Fast Food”

LEON is a food chain that is loved by busy people who want to enjoy tasty and fast food meals without compromising their well-being. Not only does it serve delicious fast food that is actually good for you but it also does great initiatives that help customers to eat well at home.

LEON has partnered with Joe Wicks – a.k.a. The Body Coach – an Instagram star who has 1.4m fans following his Instagram feed featuring #Leanin15 recipes and exercise routines. Joe and LEON share the same philosophy for health and fitness – you need to fuel your body right to increase your energy and stay in shape. This partnership resulted in #LeanWithLeon HIIT Workout Session videos published on YouTube and the LEON website.

To ensure you are eating well at home, LEON also teamed up with John Lewis and launched a range of cookware products that will make you excited to discover your inner chef trying out all the recipes featured in the LEON cook book and a blog.

So if you are starting your diet on Monday, LEON with their Naturally Fast Food can help you to achieve your fitness goals!

#PSoTW

#NatuarallyFastFood

#Leon

#Leanin15

#thebodycoach

#LeanWithLeon

"Experience the Exceptional"

One of our clients - Princess Yachts – is a prestigious yacht builder, based in Plymouth, England since 1965. The brand invites people to ‘Experience the Exceptional’ with their boats that are both technologically advanced and beautifully sculpted.  They are positioned as an extension of the owner's personality and a statement of your lifestyle.

 

The company is famous for its craftsmanship and Princess builds bespoke yachts to the specific requirements of each owner. All production is carried out by a team of over 2,000 employees in the shipyards in the naval city of Plymouth.

Every craftsman working there shares the culture of innovation and attention to detail to build yachts that are absolutely perfect.

 

 

 

The company has started the season of International boat shows with Cannes Yachting Festival which takes place on 6th – 11th September. Princess Yachts featured a show-stopping ten yacht lineup there. The headline of the display is the sublimely beautiful Princess 49 - the latest addition to the firms Flybridge range. Visitors of the Cannes Yacht Show can also experience the craftsmanship of Princess Yachts through creative arts and interactive media.

 

#PSoTW

#PrincessYachts

#ExperienceTheExceptional