Creative Works: 10 of the best ads of the week from Pandora to Play-Doh

This week, Swedish furniture giant Ikea debuted its ‘Trash Collection’, acknowledging that it must do more to shape consumer behavior by discouraging the throwaway culture associated with the brand.

Similarly, plastic-fantastic Barbie by Mattel is taking on her latest role as an eco-warrior in a purpose-led iteration ‘Barbie Loves the Ocean’. The brand hopes to use its status in the children’s toy market to empower the next generation to make more eco-friendly choices.

And that’s just for starters. Scroll down to see the best work from our Creative Works section. And don’t forget to vote!

Pandora: Our Sisterhood by Virtue

From wild swimmers to record spinners and mothers, Pandora is exploring female tribes in a series of three short films titled ‘Our Sisterhood’ created by Virtue.

The three films have been directed by Irene Baqué, who says she wanted to “give a voice to these women and the issues and topics that are important to continue talking about so that we can make a positive difference in our world”.

Vote for the work here.

Play-Doh: Play-Doh Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris by Brand Station

Play-Doh has celebrated its 65th anniversary this year and joins forces with the Museum of Modern Art (MAM) in Paris to celebrate the reopening of cultural venues and to encourage children and their parents to share family moments around art and creativity.

Advertising agency Brand Station, part of FCB Change, imagined this campaign for the anniversary. The campaign includes a digital film, directed by Samy Benama, Damien Guiol and Nicolas Massart, and produced by Laetitia Neves and Vincent Massart.

For the first time in the history of modeling clay, a work entirely made by a father and his daughter will be exhibited at the MAM in Paris, among other renowned artists’ creations. Through this campaign, Play-Doh wants to show that the best works of art are those people create together.

Vote for the work here.

Burger King: Miss You by Buzzman

Geared towards audiences across France and Belgium, this French language campaign depicts the annoying but endearing habits of patrons ranging from screaming children to indecisive orderers, and napkin thieves to that guy at the back who has been supping a coffee for three hours while leeching the complimentary wifi.

Compiled by Buzzman, this short film reenacts the everyday incidents of selfishness that have been missed while we were all holed up at home, including leaving trays on the table, knocking down signs and holding up the queue by attempting to pay for your meal with a year’s worth of accumulated spare change.

Framing such behavior as lovable, the campaign makes an extra effort to appeal to customers by launching ‘Scratch a Whopper’, a prize draw in which the star prize isn’t a holiday, car or scooter, but its signature Whopper burger.

Vote for the work here.

Ikea: The Trash Collection by Try

Taking viewers on a tour of landfill, dumpsters and flytipping sites, the retailer concludes with ‘The Trash Collection 2021’ – a selection of reclaimed furniture saved from the local tip.

The Swedish big-box brand is pulling no punches in facing up to its environmental responsibilities with a hard-hitting video highlighting the mounting impact discarded furniture has on the environment.

Acknowledging that it must do more to shape consumer behavior, Ikea has been seeking ways to discourage our throwaway culture by introducing a buy-back option for unwanted furniture, as well as a free spare parts service to extend the lifespan of products.

Developed by Try, the evocative footage is set to Joe Tex’s Hold What You’ve Got. Warming to its theme, Ikea published a scrapbook illustrating how kitchen waste can be turned into tasty treats earlier this year.

Vote for the work here.

Citroën x Gogglebox by Havas London

The Goggleboxers turn their critical powers on the new Citroën ë-C4 electric vehicle in a new campaign created by Havas London in collaboration with Studio Lambert, working with 4Sales – representing the first time that the families have been used in the marque’s advertising.

The stars of Channel 4’s long-running fly-on-the-wall series appearing in the ad are Mary and Giles, Marcus and Mica, Jenny and Lee and Pete and Sophie, and they are all filmed in the same rooms that viewers see each week. Like the show, the cast were unscripted in their commentary, with the pairs joking between themselves and commenting on the good looks of the new ë-C4, which is a battery-electric version of the recently-launched Citroën C4 hatch.

Vote for the work here.

Pinterest: Show Your True Colors

Pinterest is celebrating Pride by launching a campaign called ‘Show Your True Colors’, aimed at driving inspiration, celebration and action among Pinners and Creators.

The campaign includes a digital film featuring six LGBT+ Pinners and cultural icons to inspire the queer community and allies in areas of their lives. Produced by Platform13 and directed by Mollie Mills, the concept for the films was centered on casting passionate Pinterest users from the LGBT+ community around the world.

Vote for the work here.

Wimbledon: It’s A Wimbledon Thing by McCann London

With just under two weeks to go to the start of The Championships, the AELTC is working with the government and public health authorities on the final scenario for this year’s event.

In the meantime, the AELTC is proud to put fans at the heart of this year’s Wimbledon tournament through the launch of ‘It’s a Wimbledon Thing’, its new campaign for The Championships 2021.

The aim of the campaign is to celebrate the uniqueness of Wimbledon’s fandom – a passion that goes beyond tennis. No matter where they are around the world, Wimbledon fans take the traditions for which the tournament is known and loved, and make them their own.

Vote for the work here.

Mattel: Barbie Loves the Ocean by BBH LA

Giving the popular toy a social purpose that belies its skinny blonde stylings, ‘Barbie Loves the Ocean’ dovetails with Mattel’s purpose-led approach to branding and feeds into its stated goal to use 100% recycled, recyclable or bio-based packaging alternatives across all products and packaging by 2030.

The doll is also being positioned as a role model for young children at the heart of ‘The Future of Pink is Green’, a brand campaign undertaken in partnership with BBH LA that turns entrenched associations with the color pink on their head by communicating the importance of a green future to impressionable minds.

Vote for the work here.

Extra Gum: Get Your Ding Back by Energy BBDO

After ‘For When It’s Time’ caused a sensation, Wrigley’s Extra Gum has prepared a series of simulations to help people retrain their basic human interactions as part of its ‘Get Your Ding Back’ post-lockdown campaign.

In a style similar to the Pokemon Game Boy glory days, the point and click adventure presents a series of situations that the player must do to re-enter the world as a normal person.

Alongside the ability to choose your own character, the simulation includes a number of tasks that the player must complete. The player can move around the apartment to approach glowing items like the TV and the washing basket to see what happens. And Mr Meow the cat is there to give feedback and encouragement. Activities range from putting on jeans to grabbing essentials, before heading out into the world outside.

Vote for the work here.

Volkswagen: Sheets by Adam&EveDDB

Charge your electric car at Tesco with Volkswagen and Pod Point. The film highlights the fact that the car brand is delivering free charging points at 400 locations nationwide – giving the whole country a much-needed boost towards cleaner driving for all.

Part of the VW ‘Sheets’ campaign created by Adam&EveDDB London, this spot was directed by Billy Boyd Cape of Academy Films.

Vote for the work here.

That’s it for this week’s round-up of the 10 best ads from The Drum’s Creative Works. Remember to email nominations to imogen.watson@thedrum.com and to vote for your favorite ad.