We've created 'The Big Shot' - but then you knew that!
This is another 'Big Shot', the new branded Facebook game we’ve just launched for MasterCard working alongside UMWW.
'The Big Shot' is designed to further promote MasterCard's sponsorship of the UEFA Champions League
and lives on MasterCard and Eurosport's 'Witness History' page on Facebook.
Players can challenge each other online to join their own private league or compete in the main league and by fine tuning their tactics they can beat all-comers and win tickets to the UEFA Champions League Final.
It seems to have tapped into the competitive nature of Facebook Football Fans as we’ve had an amazing response since it went live last week!
Come and have a go if you think you're good enough
It’s been a crazy month in communications. It has been conjectured that the laptop is set to become obsolete, Steve Jobs has unveiled the IPad 2 – it’s lighter and thinner and has a camera - hmmm... not quite the version 2.0 features we might have hoped for. Mr Lund has left the COI – I will leave you to read into Andrew Lewin’s view of that one – as they say in the London bus fraternity “all change please”…
But hurrah... Spring is here and we are into 2011 proper. It’s a great time of year when life bursts forth and I’m leaning on my garden fork with a sore back looking at the allotment and wondering whether napalm might be the only way to get rid of the Jerusalem artichoke invasion.
Elsewhere the great and the good are back from Barcelona’s mobile fest and there’s a lot of buzz that we are creeping towards the year of the 4th screen proper. We’ve got social on mobile, video on social, screen convergence, everyone targeting consumer ownership and, and, and...
So, it seems everyone can do mobile now and I have been musing on this a fair bit of late as I hear more about digital and mobile hothouses popping up here and there. While the clever “new” content agencies are prepping to take on more direct clients. The bigger old agencies are clearing out management again and clearly worrying about losing ground to the smaller start-ups. I think we are going to be looking at a bit of a transition ahead... a bit of a digital Klondike maybe looming.
The good news is that with such proliferation of real time access to digital through 4th screen technology that the demand for content is going to increase, but it’s not just versioned content – it’s going to have to be designed bespoke. Our little smart screen pal is going to become a new window into this content and with 4G coming at us like a fast thing it means that social and distributed programme content and m-commerce is becoming more viable for transaction. So, it’s time to look hard at our content plans, the big point I think is that we are going to be consuming more and more content and from so many different points that brands are going to have to start looking harder at digital and mobile in their planning.
My prediction is that this year might well be the year of the mobile. We will certainly see the clever clients buying more digital content direct from the new agencies. Closer to home I think it’s going to be the year of the carrot up the allotment, if I am to take on the rooty scourge of the Holy Land.
Mark Bainbridge is non-exec advisor to The Big Shot, A revered digital marketer and has a worrying attitude towards Jerusalem Artichokes
I seem to be talking a lot about experiential lately and its potential (or not) to produce great video content as a by-product of their core activity. Here's a great example of a dull stand (same as any other you'll see in shopping centres on a Saturday afternoon in Teddington or indeed Taiwan. This one's made slightly more interesting by the guy in the suit. > Oliver Russell | Joint Managing Director >> The Big Shot | 10 Fitzroy Square, London, W1T 5HP >>> Email: oliver.russell@thebigshot.co.uk > Web> Blog > Linkedin > Twitter > Facebook
Ok, time to redress the balance....my last post talked about how I didn't like the Adidas all in piece despite the individual bits of brilliance - now I'm awe struck with the genius of this latest film. It shows very clearly how to take what was an awe inspiring technological feat and turn it from a crowd pleasing spectacle into a great piece of branded content on film - its very well shot, lit and produced - fantastic
Then look at this and unfortunately to my eye it's exactly the opposite. It uses the same type of technology I think but it;s fairly dull and has not been adapted for film very well, poorly shot, lit and far too long, just dull. It bears out my longstanding advice that branded content does not just involve filming something that you're doing. its about understanding how one activity can be adapted and integrated into another.
> Oliver Russell | Joint Managing Director >> The Big Shot | 10 Fitzroy Square, London, W1T 5HP >>> Email: oliver.russell@thebigshot.co.uk > Web> Blog > Linkedin > Twitter> Facebook
I am giving quite a few group talks about the joys of content marketing at the minute and I like to attend with an armful of my favourite and not so favourite content of the moment to share with the group . I used to believe that my opinion of what makes good and bad content is one of objective professionalism borne out of years of experience and of course I was wrong. One of the great strengths of content is not so much this rather overused epithet of 'consumer choice' but more one of consumer opinion. This is true of any form of communication that solicits a response and always has been. For my part I cannot fathom why anyone would not be in awe of The Sopranos, The Smiths and The Great Wall of China and yet there are those who I believe aren't. When my opinion of a piece of work used not to be shared by others and I was offended and started to doubt the efficacy of my opinions and then I realised that if I offered my thoughts as opinion, a perspective even a personal passion rather than a fact d everyone else in the room is at liberty to debate, dispute and even agree that something is wonderful or the worst piece of tat they ever did see. Which brings me on to this....A very well produced piece of work from one of my favourite brands Adidas. Very nice shots across a range of disciplines from boxing to Katy Perry. Obligatory football porn featuring Lionel Messi, lovely skateboarding and basketball shots and I don't like it....For me there is so much good stuff in there I cant relax and enjoy it. I've watched it three times now and I feel like I've drunk 5 red bulls (and not in a good way) What do you think? > Oliver Russell | Joint Managing Director >> The Big Shot | 10 Fitzroy Square, London, W1T 5HP >>> Email: oliver.russell@thebigshot.co.uk > Web> Blog > Linkedin > Twitter> Facebook
So here I am on very shaky ground - about to critique a brand for blogging when that's pretty much what I'm doing here.
Since we started blogging awareness of The Big Shot and client activity have shot through the roof. I like to think that's because we deliver insightful, concise opinions on our field of expertise and these are generally thought of as useful and even occasionally entertaining by those kind enough to read it.
What we don't do is try to shoe horn as many mentions of our product as we can into loosely relevant blog posts. When we talk about our work we are respectful enough of our audience to be pretty upfront about it - "WARNING CASE STUDY APPROACHING! "and so on.....
Also we try to make that part of the communication a minor part of the main blog so that when it does come it's a little bit of a novelty and hopefully accepted by Big Shot Blog Snorkelers - (We've had no death threats yet anyway)
Here's a blog that doesn't do that. It manages to both bore and offend me with its banal attempt to cover up it's self promotion.
--Big Shot is a limited company. Registered in England No. 04372434 This email and any files transmitted with it are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. It may contain confidential, proprietary or legally privileged information. No confidentiality or privilege is waived or lost by any mis-transmission. If you receive this message in error, please immediately delete it and all copies of it from your system, destroy any hard copies of it and notify the sender. Any view or opinion expressed in this communication may not necessarily be those of Big Shot Ltd. The unauthorised use, disclosure, copying, circulation or alteration of this message is strictly forbidden. This message may be susceptible to interference, and should not be assumed that it has come in its original form and/or from the original sender. Big Shot Ltd accepts no responsibility for information, errors or omissions in this email or use or misuse thereof or any act done or omitted to be done in connection with this communication. This email message has been swept by a virus software product for the presence of computer viruses. Big Shot Ltd will not be liable as a result of any computer virus being passed on.
It is a cliche to say that when you work in what seems a glamorous industry that the reality is far more mundane - long hours, temperamental talent, demanding clients and so on.
I have to be honest though and say that this isn't the case at The Big Shot. It really is nothing less than fun and games all the way.
Don't believe me? Well check out some of these pictures taken on our recent shoot in Palm Springs California at the Indian Wells Masters for ATP.
Our creative director Matt makes this yearly pilgrimage to ensure that we get all the 2D and video assets that we need to work our magic in creating the various executions for the 62 tournaments on the ATP Word Tour and the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at the London O2 Arena.
Doesn't he look relaxed?
Oliver Russell | Joint Managing Director The Big Shot | 10 Fitzroy Square, London, W1T 5HP
--Big Shot is a limited company. Registered in England No. 04372434 This email and any files transmitted with it are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. It may contain confidential, proprietary or legally privileged information. No confidentiality or privilege is waived or lost by any mis-transmission. If you receive this message in error, please immediately delete it and all copies of it from your system, destroy any hard copies of it and notify the sender. Any view or opinion expressed in this communication may not necessarily be those of Big Shot Ltd. The unauthorised use, disclosure, copying, circulation or alteration of this message is strictly forbidden. This message may be susceptible to interference, and should not be assumed that it has come in its original form and/or from the original sender. Big Shot Ltd accepts no responsibility for information, errors or omissions in this email or use or misuse thereof or any act done or omitted to be done in connection with this communication. This email message has been swept by a virus software product for the presence of computer viruses. Big Shot Ltd will not be liable as a result of any computer virus being passed on.
There are a lot of B2B businesses who'd like to make a splash and tell people what they do in a fun engaging way but its a difficult balance as they are not by definition a "HEY LOOK AT ME" type of business. That doesn't have to mean they cant show people their wares only on Power point presentations and white papers (although these are important too) ip.access approached us to produce a short film that would help them to explain easily a complex service to their potential customers in as engaging a fashion as possible This two minute film is the distillation of approximately 1000 pages of source material so I like to think of it as a Kafkaesque work! > Oliver Russell | Joint Managing Director >> The Big Shot | 10 Fitzroy Square, London, W1T 5HP >>> Email: oliver.russell@thebigshot.co.uk > Web> Blog > Linkedin > Twitter Facebook
An unusual amount of chatter about this film and quite a lot of it negative. I think this is definitely one of those times when personal preference wins out. Some of the office had seen this before me and a couple of them really don't like it. We're are all pretty much aligned here at The Big Shot when it comes to what makes good or bad content so when I heard that it was Aniston trying to make a viral for Smartwater the brand she promotes in the states and it was oh so knowing and reverse selling I prepared myself not to like it. and you know what? I really like it. It does feel very advertising and it is rather smug but I really got into it. Must have been those cute puppies.
> Oliver Russell | Joint Managing Director >> The Big Shot | 10 Fitzroy Square, London, W1T 5HP >> Email: oliver.russell@thebigshot.co.uk > Web> Blog > Linkedin > Twitter Facebook
Again and again We've talked about how the idea is the thing - combine a simple but targeted idea with a razor sharp script - throw in some great performances, possibly a famous face or voice and make your impact. Cost of this film? I think more or less nothing. Impact of this film? Watch it go through the roof. I contrast this with the syrupy sweet ads for International Women's Day broadcast on Sky fronted by Annie Lennox - they are so one dimensional that not only does the message bounce off you but it denigrates the real message that women's achievements do need to be recognised and their struggles both historic and current to be recognised as equals must never be forgotten as a lesson in basic humanity. Brilliant work.
> Oliver Russell | Joint Managing Director >> The Big Shot | 10 Fitzroy Square, London, W1T 5HP >> Email: oliver.russell@thebigshot.co.uk > Web> Blog > Linkedin > Twitter Facebook
The second in The National Geographic 7 Billion series that ties in with their year long feature on Global population. They have now established a house style for their video content and it works really well due mainly to the compelling nature of the content. As per the first one (blogged about last month) it is stats driven and delivered through the use of fairly simple GFX all of which is topped off with a very suitable music choice to lift the experience (remember how important music is in creating the mood of your film? I've talked about it often enough!) This is a very effective way to promote print content with video content and more publishers should be looking at how they could best take advantage. > Oliver Russell | Joint Managing Director >> The Big Shot | 10 Fitzroy Square, London, W1T 5HP >>> Email: oliver.russell@thebigshot.co.uk > Web> Blog > Linkedin > Twitter Facebook
Sometimes brands make really good ads, they stand out from the crowd, they , use all the right techniques to entertain while adhering to marketing principles and then they get talked about through social media -
This is great, just what the brand wants but what if that great ad becomes the subject of parody, of parody based on something bad that has happened to the brands products.
Well that's just the nature of the beast and you mustn't get too upset - you have to have the ability to laugh at yourself and take the pain and just accept that your work was good enough for people to parody regardless of their agenda.
But what happens if that parody is actually about another brand in the same sector? Well you're creative looks even cleverer and their situation even more embarrassing.
Imagine creating an ad the creative for which is used directly to attack a brand competitor's weakness.
Remember The Force? The Superbowl VW ad? Toyota wont forget it in a hurry!
Oliver Russell | Joint Managing Director The Big Shot | 10 Fitzroy Square, London, W1T 5HP
--Big Shot is a limited company. Registered in England No. 04372434 This email and any files transmitted with it are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. It may contain confidential, proprietary or legally privileged information. No confidentiality or privilege is waived or lost by any mis-transmission. If you receive this message in error, please immediately delete it and all copies of it from your system, destroy any hard copies of it and notify the sender. Any view or opinion expressed in this communication may not necessarily be those of Big Shot Ltd. The unauthorised use, disclosure, copying, circulation or alteration of this message is strictly forbidden. This message may be susceptible to interference, and should not be assumed that it has come in its original form and/or from the original sender. Big Shot Ltd accepts no responsibility for information, errors or omissions in this email or use or misuse thereof or any act done or omitted to be done in connection with this communication. This email message has been swept by a virus software product for the presence of computer viruses. Big Shot Ltd will not be liable as a result of any computer virus being passed on.
I've weakened - just this once. The sound of my own babies laughing is the best thing I've ever heard but mine are now too old for this now so this is a reminder of a wonderful time in my family's life. I think it works through relevance and memory but also because it seems slightly odd for a baby to do this. Feels slightly staged and unnatural. Maybe its because no-one laughs this uninhibitedly when the World gets to 'em! Anyway - enjoy or be repelled - either way it's compelling stuff! > Oliver Russell | Joint Managing Director >> The Big Shot | 10 Fitzroy Square, London, W1T 5HP >>> Email: oliver.russell@thebigshot.co.uk > Web> Blog > Linkedin > Twitter Facebook
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