Most drivers have at some point been tempted to quickly check a text whilst behind the wheel. It can be ridiculously tempting. A message comes through, the phone is right next to you, what harm could a quick glance do?
A new anti-texting-and-driving PSA from AT&T looks at the devastating real life consequences of horrific accidents caused by drivers who gave in and sent a quick message whilst on the road.
The campaign was produced by Werner Herzog and New York ad agency, BBDO. If you’re familiar with Herzog’s work, you could be forgiven for thinking the legendary director’s partnership with a multinational telecommunications corporation like AT&T is somewhat unlikely. Particularly since he’s renowned for taking a pretty hard stance against advertising. However, the hard-hitting, 35-minute documentary couldn’t be further removed from a traditional ad campaign.
The film describes, in painful details, four accidents that resulted when a driver was texting behind the wheel. Telling the stories of both the drivers and victims and following the terrible impact the collisions had on their lives.
I rarely watch long YouTube videos like this all the way through, but I was hooked. It’s a brutal piece of storytelling – be prepared to shed a tear!
On a slightly more light-hearted note, in at number 2 this week is a new ad from Nike promoting the brand’s latest line of foot ware, the Jordan Super.Fly 2 sneaker. The sporting giant has teamed up with Los Angeles Clippers star, Blake Griffin and relative YouTube Newbie, a teenage high school kid called Dr. Drain, (aka Frederick Williams), to bring us an unlikely sporting duo. Packed full of amusing one-lines, the ad has already clocked up over 4 million views and counting this week.
Over in the UGC Chart, the Geek Week theme is still going strong, with even more videos from the festival trending this week.Following the success of their Skyrim and Game of Thrones covers, cappella singer, Peter Hollens and violinist, Lindsey Stirling have collaborated again to bring us a special musical medley in honour of Geek Week: this time they’re exploring a galaxy far, far away.
