Creative Works: 10 of the best ads of the week, from Chipotle to Vodafone
At The Drum, we believe great work deserves recognition and that talented creatives should get their share of reverence for the hard work they put in. So each week we will update our hall of fame, celebrating the 10 best ads from our Creative Works section. Welcome, and don’t forget to vote for your favorite.
A decade on from the release of the animated film ‘Back to the Start,’ Mexican fast-food chain Chipotle unveiled its sequel. The stop-motion short ‘A Future Begins’ shines a light on the enormous challenges facing the US farming industry today.
Vodafone Ireland gave us the fuzzy feels with a heart-warming romantic tale of a young farmer who pines for his old neighbor, a woman who has moved abroad and only returns to her hometown during the holidays – depicting an emotionally resonant reality of modern Ireland.
Cop26 may be over, but the climate change crisis is very much still a huge topic of conversation. Conservation International released an inspiring film tackling the issue of plastic pollution in our oceans.
Chipotle: A Future Begins by Observatory
A decade on from the release of ‘Back to the Start,’ which won the Grand Prix for Branded Content and Entertainment at Cannes Lions in 2012, Mexican fast-food chain Chipotle has unveiled its sequel.
The new animated film ‘A Future Begins,’ created by Observatory Agency, shines a light on the enormous challenges facing the US farming industry today.
Directed by Nexus Studios’ Johnny Kelly, the stop-motion short follows the story of a family-run farming business’ remarkable revival through the help of sustainable growing practices and the introduction of new technology.
In the emotionally charged ad, we see a son heading off to college and leaving his family farm behind him. Years later the farm is put up for sale at the same time as he is struggling to find his own calling in life. Ultimately, the main character realizes his true duty, returns to the family home and saves the business.
Vote for the work here.
Vodafone: Each Christmas by Grey London
Vodafone Ireland has teamed up with creative agency Grey London for its heartwarming 2021 festive campaign. ‘Each Christmas’ tells the story of a young farmer who pines for his old neighbor, a woman who has moved abroad and only returns to her hometown during the holidays – depicting an emotionally resonant reality of modern Ireland.
In the film viewers see the two characters growing closer with each Christmas spent at home, the long emotional goodbyes at New Year, and the sadness of being separated in the interim months. The warmth between them is obvious and, finally, the young woman decides to move back to the town and open a business, which is made easier by Vodafone Ireland’s mobile and fibre broadband infrastructure, much to the delight of her neighbor.
Vote for the work here.
Conservation International: Doing Nothing is Crazier by TBWA\Chiat\Day\LA
To honor the United Nation’s Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, TBWA\Chiat\Day\LA has collaborated with Conservation International on an inspiring film tackling one of the biggest topics of recent times – plastic in our oceans. ‘Doing Nothing is Crazier’ features a group of young and optimistic kids who all pitch in with their ideas on how to solve the issue and protect something that we all rely on.
The film, created in partnership with SC Johnson, begins with the somber tones of a piano and birds chirping in the distance on a quiet beach, which at an initial glance looks fairly idyllic, but the camera soon pans on to a plastic water bottle bobbing along the waves.
The overarching theme of the ad is how would a child’s imagination address this crisis?
Vote for the work here.
Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity: One Step Closer To Home by Adam&EveDDB
Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity is launching its annual Christmas appeal with an emotive and beautifully animated spot created by Adam&eveDDB.
‘One Step Closer To Home’ is the story of a young patient named Henry, who has been in the hospital for two years. In the film we see him collecting magical colorful socks that miraculously help him grow taller the more he puts on.
Throughout the clip viewers see him grow bigger and bigger, towering over London landmark Big Ben, before finally arriving back at his home in Yorkshire. The video ends with Henry sleeping in his own bed, waking up to find his loving parents at his bedroom door holding his baby brother and a pile of presents. The ad closes with the message: “This Christmas, your donation can bring a child one step closer to home.”
Vote for the work here.
Nike: Nike Mind Sets by AnalogFolk
Sportswear giant Nike has teamed up with global creative agency AnalogFolk to launch a content series called ‘Nike Mind Sets’ focusing on the topic of mental health.
The program aims to shift the focus from what you achieve to how you are feeling, with features such as audio-guided walking or running coaching and a podcast about burnout.
Mental wellbeing is a huge topic, with many people around the world struggling to deal with its challenges. There have long been links made between movement, mental health and the positive effects that exercise can potentially have.
In partnership with Nike, AnalogFolk developed a platform to leverage the healing power of movement, with the focus shifting from ‘doing’ to ‘feeling’ instead. The campaign is intended to be a conversation starter and users are being encouraged to take the first step, which is asking yourself: ‘how are you feeling?’
Vote for the work here.
United Nations Development Programme: The Birds & The Bees by Wunderman Thompson Australia
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Wunderman Thompson Australia have launched a new children’s book ‘The Birds & The Bees,’ which aims to remind children that even though they don’t have a vote on how leaders tackle climate change, they do have a voice.
The beautifully illustrated book is part of the UNDP’s ‘Don’t Choose Extinction’ campaign that began earlier this month. The project features a dinosaur addressing the United Nations, urging the world not to choose extinction. It has been developed in light of the fact that today’s children will be more affected by climate change than any other generation.
Traditionally a talk for parents to have with their kids, this version of ‘The Birds & The Bees’ isn’t a story about how life is made, but how life on Earth can be saved.
Vote for the work here.
Posten: When Harry Met Santa by POL
Posten (the Norwegian postal service) is sending a message of inclusivity this holiday season with a bold new Christmas campaign showcasing Santa as you’ve never seen him before.
Shattering established tropes, the campaign marks the 50th anniversary of the decriminalization of homosexuality in Norway, as well as Posten’s commitment to a diverse workplace.
‘When Harry Met Santa’ brings the joy of love to viewers by way of a chance fireplace encounter that sparks an enduring relationship between Harry and Father Christmas, who are doomed to meet just once a year.
The tale has a happy ending, with Posten stepping into Santa’s shoes to pick up present delivery duties, freeing both men to finally share a kiss.
Vote for the work here.
Deutsche Telekom: The Biggest Gift by DDB Budapest
’The Biggest Gift’ is the Christmas 2021 campaign from Deutsche Telekom, developed by DDB Budapest and directed by Stina Lütz.
The festive film explores the relationship of a young boy and his grandfather who have not seen each other for a long time, but kept close thanks to the fun online interactions between them during the year, until the moment when they finally see one another again on Christmas Day.
The ad ends with the line: “The greatest gift is being back together.”
Vote for the work here.
Orange: Together Season by Publicis Conseil
This festive season, network provider Orange is launching a campaign with Publicis Conseil that celebrates being reunited with loved ones this year after a series of lockdowns and long months without seeing each other.
The heartwarming tale follows the daily life of an adorable snowman who is forced to stay inside his frosty refrigerated house for the full year until winter returns and he can meet his friends outside.
The 90-second symbolic film was directed by François Rousselet.
Vote for the work here.
Portal from Facebook: Life Lessons by AMV BBDO
Facebook’s tentacles are reaching out beyond your small screen social media feeds to take over the largest screen in the home with Portal, as advertised in a series of promotional videos by AMV BBDO.
‘Be Who You Want to Be’ is the second short ad from the ‘Life Lessons’ series. In a sweet video, we see a young boy bond with his grandmother on a video call over their shared love of lipstick.
The quick clip puts a huge emphasis on self-expression and inclusivity, while championing the courage it takes to be exactly who you are.
Vote for the work here.
That’s just for starters. Check out the best work from our Creative Works section here and don’t forget to vote.