The Big Shout

Merry Xmas from Bob - one of The Big Shot's design superstars!

2011-12-22T04:06:00.001-08:00

Hailing from Belgrade via some of the most famous art depts across Europe he now does a fine design job for us at The Big Shot. Always original, sometimes controversial, always supplying unusual but yummy confectionery courtesy of Mrs. Bob.

Here is Bob's personal Xmas greeting to you all!!

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Merry Xmas from the Dalston Superstars

2011-12-22T03:08:00.001-08:00

This has been a fantastic series - a real lesson in sharp filmmaking totally suited to its home on Vice TV. Nice little brand placements for Iceland in this one too! It's NSFW if that should bother you and if it does you're not very Dalston.

http://www.vice.com/en_uk/dalston-superstars/dalston-superstars-episode-4

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Merry Xmas Allan

2011-12-16T03:57:00.001-08:00

IMDb Quotes: Watership Alan (1997 TV episode)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0609607/quotes?qt=qt0186349

Alan Partridge: You are a big posh sod with plums in your mouth, and the plums have mutated and they have got beaks. You make pigs smoke. You feed beef burgers to swans. You have big sheds, but nobody's allowed in. And in these sheds you have 20ft high chickens, and these chickens are scared because the don't know why they're so big, and they're going, "Oh why am I so massive?" and they're looking down at all the little chickens and they think they're in an aeroplane because all the other chickens are so small. Do you deny that? No, I think his silence speaks volumes.

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Gillette Moves like Jagger

2011-11-22T01:00:00.001-08:00

I have a beautiful silver Edwin Jagger razor and when I bought it many years ago I was chuffed that it used Gillette Mach 3 blades. I could enjoy a close shave AND the aesthetics of this beautifully sculpted object.

As time has passed I have seen new Gillette products enter the market. All apparently better and offering smoother shaves than the Mach 3 with more and more features, some even have motors!
I have had mixed feelings.

The true consumer male in me has longed to buy every new piece of kit as it is released, taking advantage of it's improved benefits. Could my skin really become as smooth as a baby's bottom? Is that actually a good thing?

Of course my razor doesn't 'support' the clip on attachments of the newer Gillette razors so adopting would mean leaving my lovely razor behind so despite the urgings of Messrs. Beckham, Federer and Henry I have remained loyal to my Jagger and tell myself "How much better could these new fangled blades really be?"

Then. this morning on opening a new pack of Mach 3 Turbos an innocent looking individually wrapped razor blade popped out. It looked like something from a sci fi movie. It was a monster. 5 blades is it? Strips on the top, micro filter thingies on the bottom and lord knows what else.....

"try the fusion blade"

It said.

I was excited, finally they'd seen that it was necessary to retro fit the newest blades so that the army of shaving aesthetes could enjoy the latest advances in blade technology alongside their M shave and Shiseido hydrating lotion. ( both of which I can't recommend highly enough) without having to buy an ugly razor that makes your bathroom cab look messy.

I clipped in the blade and off I went and I've got to say it's fantastic. So smooth, so close. I was a happy shaver. I was going to buy some TODAY. Drying off I looked again at the packet. It said something like...

"if you enjoyed using this blade then it's time to buy a Fusion Pro Glide razor as the blades usually don't fit your Mach 3. This blade has been specially adapted....."

Brilliant brilliant way to trial a product. I found myself in a quandary.
Form over function?

Beckham over Jagger?

I think not...

Great great work Gillette. I've just been online and found out that Jagger does a Fusion compatible razor so now you get my upgraded custom and so does Jagger.

Form and Function together - it's been a wonderful morning.

> Oliver Russell | Joint Managing Director >> The Big Shot | 75-77 Margaret Street, London, W1W 8SY
>

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Jameson - brand gaming yawn

2011-11-21T09:04:00.001-08:00

So I looked at the video on YOuTube here...

Well produced, vaguely intriguing so I went to the website here....

http://jameson1780.com

And I started to play....'Yawn'

Idea is interesting, its lovely to look at but its so SLOW to load, the individual games are dull in the extreme. How is this a good reflection of the brand experience?

Must have cost a fortune but I'm guessing it doesn't get many complete plays. Feels like a total waste of time and resources - classic example of brand messaging overwhelming the consumer experience.

> Oliver Russell | Joint Managing Director >

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It's Owl stroking at it's finest

2011-11-21T08:37:00.001-08:00

Nothing much to say on this other than it's been a long time coming - to sit alongside the cats. the hamsters, the babies and the goats - here come the OWLS!!!

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Multi platorm done with style and grace

2011-11-17T00:55:00.001-08:00

We love 'Marcel with His Shoes on' here at The Big Shot in all his forms - his films debuting on the internet achieved more than 12 million views on YouTube and its easy to see why - cute claymation, great script, fantastic characterisation. There's also a Marcel app which is very good and now he's releasing a kids book to square the circle.
Its all done with very good taste and shows a really strong route to distribution and to building an audience - but again as I've said so many times - this is all about the quality of the content and the way it is introduced to the audience through clever seeding and promotion.

I'm actually not looking forward to the inevitable Marcel cook book for kids or indeed having to buy the kids Marcel T-shirts but still while it's (ever so slightly) underground I love it

Here's Marcel with His Shoes on 2 for your delectation....

> Oliver Russell | Joint Managing Director >> The Big Shot | 75-77 Margaret Street, London, W1W 8SY
>

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Untitled

2011-10-20T09:37:00.001-07:00

Everywhere we go! We're a gamble worth taking...

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Road trip

2011-10-20T09:30:00.001-07:00

Messages from beyond the shop front

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Road trip bloggette

2011-10-20T05:15:00.001-07:00

Surf and turf for lunch by the canal in Castlefield. Hope those prawns arent native

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Road trip to Manchester

2011-10-20T02:39:00.001-07:00

In the first of a day long series. We document our trip to the North West on our content roadshow.

Here Director of Media James 'Henley' Erskine marvels at the sight of Crewe from the window of his personal cabin

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Microsoft Xbox strikes content deals with C4, BBC and YouTube - Sarah Shearman - Marketing magazine

2011-10-06T08:49:00.001-07:00

Microsoft Xbox strikes content deals with C4, BBC and YouTube

Microsoft has partnered with a raft of entertainment brands, including Channel 4, BBC, LoveFilm and YouTube in the UK, to deliver their content to Xbox 360 games consoles in a move it claims will "transform TV".

Microsoft: TV ad for the Xbox 360 game, Fable III

Microsoft yesterday (5 October) announced 40 partners planning to launch entertainment services on the Xbox Live platform, towards Christmas.

Other brands in the UK that will provide an entertainment offering via the console include Channel 5, Microsoft's own MSN portal, on-demand video content service Blinkbox, and music video website Muzu.tv. Sky content has been available on the Xbox since 2009.

Users of the Kinect motion sensitive controller will be able to find and select content on Xbox Live by using voice and motion gestures.

Microsoft also aims to make content "more social and personal" by allowing users to share what they are watching or listening to with friends on the Xbox Live network.

Don Mattrick, president of the interactive entertainment business at Microsoft, said: "The announcement is a major step toward realising our vision to bring you all the entertainment you want, shared with the people you care about, made easy.

"Combining the world’s leading TV and entertainment providers with the power of Kinect for Xbox 360 and the intelligence of Bing voice search will make TV and entertainment more personal, social and effortless."

Sarah Milton, head of VoD at Channel 4, said: "Continuing our strategy of making content available, on demand, where our viewers most want to watch it, we’re delighted to be able to offer 4oD on Xbox 360 – Britain’s best-selling console in 2011."

LoveFilm, the film rental service, has been open about its "platform promiscuous" strategy, and just last week announced its was making its tablet debut on Apple’s iPad.

Simon Calver, chief executive of LoveFilm, said: "We are proud to be a part of Microsoft's expansion into the entertainment space, and are confident it will help fuel our ambition to become Europe's largest membership entertainment service."

Ciaran Bollard, chief executive and co-founder of MUZU.TV, the music video site, said the move could "only be described as a revolutionary music video experience".

Partners in the US include HBO, Comcast, Verizon and NBC Universal. There are already existing partnerships with Netfilx, ESPN and Hulu.

Microsoft's news comes as Google prepares to launch Google TV in the UK in the next few months.

The announcement follows hot on the heels of Facebook's move last week into entertainment. The social network announced that a raft of partners, including Vevo, Spotify and The Guardian, were creating appsto allow Facebook users to consume and share their content.

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The Walking Dead Season 2

2011-10-05T07:41:00.001-07:00

One of the things that is so fascinating about media today is the ability we have to access what we want to consume from which platform but the sad fact is that very little of this 'multi access touch point' mularkey actually produces anything worthy of the gift of technology we've been given - and almost none from the World of Branded content because brands are not really prepared to fund what is a very expensive outing without direct benefit. This will change I have no doubt but for now

- we have to look at the more 'traditional' areas of production such as literature (Stephen Fry's Autobiography app extravaganza for example) Feature films (the extraordinary Matrix comics/hidden videos/board games guerilla stuff) and now TV in the form of the second season of The Walking Dead - the horror survival series based on the very popular and extraordinarily harrowing and excellent graphic novel series.

Stephen Fry's App/biography

The series of back story webisodes released on production company AMC's website just before the release of the second season in a fortnight are great, adding richness to the story. They still have this frisson of hidden content which appeals to fans and the curious. They also aid in spreading the word and the content across the web.

Andrew Lincoln in happier times

I look forward to a time where brands can involve themselves in top quality production without either ruining the editorial with their presence or being marginalised to the point of having bought a very expensive headline sponsorship

The marketing director was sick of not getting the most out of the product placement deal

http://www.movieweb.com/news/watch-all-six-the-walking-dead-webisodes

Oliver Russell | Joint Managing Director
The Big Shot | 75-77 Margaret Street, London, W1W 8SY

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Content doesnt get much more compelling than this...

2011-09-30T08:14:00.001-07:00

I was going to write a piece about how great it was to see a long form piece of content get passed around virally using sharing mechanics that have become primarily used for short form content with little depth
and that is great. But then I watched it......I could write a piece on the sad state of the human condition both evil and ignorant but can I just ask you to watch this....everyone!

> Oliver Russell | Joint Managing Director >

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Print and Interactivity

2011-09-21T09:04:00.001-07:00

I recently took part in a round table debate run by the wonderful Philip Smith - head of Brand Republic content for Marketing magazine (available now at all good Soho newsstands). the subject was print and interactivity and I was ever so slightly concerned before I went what with the majority of our work being based around the moving, speaking or gaming media but I needn't have worried. I prepared by looking at print ads, examining different interactive add ons such as QR codes and went in with a view on how print might cope with the interactive demands now put on all media if not by consumers than by the agencies that create such conditions of engagement.

http://bit.ly/omkUj7

As it turned out the conversation almost immediately turned to the concept of engagement regardless of the media and this was great as it confirmed what I believe that unlike the great advertising truism - The medium is NOT the message. I listened to some very interesting viewpoints and case studies from client and agency people alike but it did all boil down to the simple fact that whether you are producing a great press ad or a great piece of editorial content success is based on the quality of the content, the relevance to the person and the credibility of the message - I really think its as simple as that.

By the way just so you know I DID do my homework I found that the best press ads are the ones with simple brilliant creative - didt get a chance to show them in the roundtable...

See the full gallery on Posterous

> Oliver Russell | Joint Managing Director >> The Big Shot | 75-77 Margaret Street, London, W1W 8SY
>

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Moody, mean and ever so slightly rugged

2011-09-12T03:47:00.001-07:00

Just thought we'd pop in a contender of website intro content of the week - www.wolsey.com

makes sense - hit us with a real look at the collection before we even enter the site - really well realised - gives off a definite atmosphere!

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Animating the subject

2011-09-12T03:16:00.001-07:00

The dictionary definition of animation is "to bring to life" - this is a wonderful example of how this touching memoir has been turned into an utterly compelling film - the story truly brought to life.

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Autumn Fair International 2011 Sunday

2011-09-04T11:59:00.001-07:00

We are proud to be EMAP Official content supplier for the retail Autumn Fair at the NEC in Birmingham, one of the Worlds biggest retail fairs.

Among other things, we have to produce short highlight films of the days events and get them out within hours of filming. That means continual editing throughout the day to take the huge level of footage shot and condense it into a tiny film that is emailed to lots of people to entice them to come to the fair tmrrw.

We have been filming since 8am ( and still going actually) and here is the first film literally hot off our onsite editing suite!

For content production like this we use news cameramen and editors so that we can use that instinct for finding a story in a very busy environment.

That combined with our production director a veteran of hundreds of events and very experienced support team makes this a challenging but rewarding gig for The Little Shot, our dedicated production unit.

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Aston Martin one-77 - PHWOOARR!!

2011-09-02T04:22:00.001-07:00

You can come up with all the lovely scripting and creative, mix it with ace production values but there is nothing like watching a video where the subject matter resonates with your love for the product.

Yes its too long over three episodes, yes its self reverential to the point of obsession, yes it offers nothing to the World of film making but that is completely besides the point.

LOOK AT THAT CAR!!!!

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Fosters Sponsors Vic and Bob - Is this branded content really?

2011-08-24T08:23:00.001-07:00

I was lucky enough to hear a number of very strong speakers at the recent Brand Republic conference in Brighton. One I particularly enjoyed was the Fosters brand manager talking about the experience of the brand in taking on comedy as their entertainment vehicle.

There was much to admire in a company that was prepared to fund comedy and even more so to fund comedy by Steve Coogan and Armando Ianucci in the form of some new Alan Partridge episodes - all very good. Of course now they've moved on to the wonderful, deranged comedy genius that is Vic and Bob and that's very good too.

A number things occurred to me during his very good presentation....

1) Why had they chosen to act as patron to existing well established acts when their current double act of Aussie comedians turned agony Uncles was so funny and ripe for exploitation? Was there a touch of the ego here? Not just at client level but at agency level too? Had they missed a trick (and a much cheaper trick at that) and indeed the chance to integrate their campaign cross platform?

2) While a brilliant way to capture the lightning in a bottle of brilliant comedy and serve it up to a thirsty audience was this campaign advancing the cause of branded content among many of the brands sitting in the room - the answer was plainly no as question after question was hurled at the speaker focussing on ROI/cases shifted and other such mundanities while the man from Fosters took on the role of content evangelist (good to have a rest frankly) and explained that it was about long term gain not quick gratification and I agreed with him, but only in part.

While brands think that this sort of very clever and very expensive activity is what makes for branded content and while they also think that there is no quick return they may stop themselves from dipping their toes in the water - and they shouldn't - as with all things in marketing branded content is one part glamour to ninety nine parts hard graft and can be just as effective as part of a regular marketing plan. One that can be actioned quickly, efficiently and even funnily.

I heard many marketers leaving that session saying

"Its alright for them they've got the money"

I took the opportunity to tell them that there were so many things they could do that wouldn't require sponsoring comedy genius! Everything from demos to talking heads to conferences, to comedy , documentary and all things in between can be made at varying budgets and with guaranteed effectiveness - this is after all a marketing activity - just ask Alan Partridge

Oliver Russell | Joint Managing Director
The Big Shot | 75-77 Margaret Street, London, W1W 8SY

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"How to predict when your idea will become a social phenomena"

2011-08-15T03:40:00.001-07:00

Lord that sounds like one of those awful self reverential 'guides' to social media success usually published by those with none. You know the ones...

"How to make sure you end up top of the Google rankings every time"

Often using the depressing exclamation -

!!!!!!

Or our favourite uses of the number 5 (why 5?)....... "5 ways to social media success etc.

It is really starting to wear on us that we are promised success on a daily basis by those who we wouldn't buy a used car from never mind a social media strategy - It's getting so that success in social media is being promoted in the same tired old way as accident claims and debt write offs - the lowest common denominator preying on the fears of their potential clients - Ironic isn't it that the mechanic that is hailed as the ultimate liberator, the greatest weapon in people power media is being represented in this way.

Funnily enough it was all brought to a head last week when I cam across a site from a guy who claimed to be an incredible networker - he could sort you out for networking no problem - his site bristled with testimonials (all framed in those lovely 'clip art' star shapes) from previous customers who were near to fainting in their admiration for his skill. His films on the site features a rather unremarkable chap talking off an auto-cue and speaking of his secret powers of networking and social media activation. Incidentally very tiny research project revealed he had less than 500 followers on Twitter and 270 connections on Linked IN - hardly the position you'd expect from a super network.

Anyway...what does this have to do with the video below - not a lot - but it was a direct result of writing the subject line which just goes to show you can never tell how people will react to your ideas - even when it's you.

http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/entertainment/articles/2011-06/23/gq-food-angry-birds-coffee-macchiato-1-caramel-singapore

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How many chin ups can you do?

2011-08-03T13:33:00.001-07:00

It's silly season and were maybe not training as hard as we would do normally. BBQ's festivals, general laid back past-times have taken over but we're not complacent oh no! We'd never video ourselves doing chins!

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Barclaycard history of payments

2011-07-22T03:31:00.001-07:00

Firstly hats off - well produced, pretty funny and moves along at good pace and narrated by the peerless Brian Blessed.

It's ambitious and it takes the brand into the comedy arena. Not sure if that's a good or a bad thing but the thing is......does it work as either an ad or a piece of entertainment?

Is the script sharp enough? Is it really the best way to showcase mobile payments? The Jury is out here.

Is it a logical extension of their non-corporate smiley bank manager type waterslides ads (which are very good of course?) Does it tie in with their pretty interesting apps and so on?

Yes it does and so we think we should applaud the brand for taking this approach to what has traditionally been an incredibly dull sector. If only to thank them for not adding to the horror of Halifax and Nat West ads

We must point out that this doesn't mean you should get yourself a nice shiny new BarclayCard and spend spend spend - that's never been a good idea at any time in history!

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Sometimes it's just good to watch...

2011-07-19T03:19:00.001-07:00

Here's an example of extreme virtuosity surrounded by sponsorship.....

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The King of Shaves but not The King of Comedy

2011-07-01T04:57:00.001-07:00

Here we are then...the latest in the King of Shave collection of 'viral' (errrgh!!) shorts in which they use references to real events and use lookalike celebrities to wage their war against the other razor brand...the one who spends millions upon millions in getting us to join its vast roster of celebrity shavers.

I applaud their strategy, their pluck, their desire to mix it up with a far greater player in the marketing stakes. I love the fact that they use their status as a 'challenger' brand to hammer home their message and the way they champion filmed content but I struggle with the fact that their films just aren't very funny! I want them to be but I don't think this has been written by comedy pros and it shows. Their previous short based on the Kings Speech while clever in its central theme came off like a hackneyed radio ad - it got old very quickly. This is no better once you get past the large razor props it hasn't got much to offer. Even at less than two minutes it drags

I'd love to see them do better in this area as they are such a great brand

Oliver Russell | Joint Managing Director
The Big Shot | 75-77 Margaret Street, London, W1W 8SY

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K-Swiss - A real Big Shot of a site

2011-06-28T05:29:00.001-07:00

We don't tend to talk too much about websites on this blog and we should really. good ones are not just repositories of content but add personality to a brand - excite the visitor with different elements, a piece of video here, a product picture there and I think a good product website doesn't need to go ad with gimmicks - it needs to look and play slick, have smooth transitions and allow the user to move from section to section at will without feeling lost and or bored.

The bigger the site the more difficult this is to achieve and especially if its transactional it can easily lose its character and become just a trading post when the experience should stimulate sale and indeed extended sale.

We are very impressed this week with the K-Swiss site - it is quite dauntingly big but very well sectioned and is full of interesting content that does a great deal to not just reflect but also inform the brand. Already fans of the brand we are now pretty keen on a new pair of Kwicky Blade Light running shoes and of course their tennis shoe The Big Shot is certainly worthy of consideration!

KSWISS SITE

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Burger Focus (not a regular feature)

2011-06-21T06:53:00.001-07:00

Wimpy - a 70's brand thats never managed to effectively update itself and yet retains a presence on many local high streets and retains an affection among those of us who remember when there was nothing else. Yes, no McDonalds, Burger King, KFC etc just the not quite fast food not quite proper restaurant experience that was quite a thrill for a 70's school child.

We were dismayed to hear that despite Wimpy managing to hang on gamely in the face of logic that they are to ditch some of their most famous puddings - Knickerbocker Glory and Banana in a boat - very upsetting.

More suspicious is their continued faith in the 'Bender in a Bun', the most suspicious sausage sandwich in the Fast Food oeuvre.

Can you imagine advertising a wheat filled bun today?

McDonalds - have announced that they are turning to experiential in order to promote their new range of wraps - their USP being that they are wrapped so you can eat them on the move. We applaud their move to a healthier menu but fear that the fall out will include an increase in the pavement drop of crispy chicken, spicy vegetable and we suggest perhaps a tie up with 'Rennies' might work alongside the 'on the street' and TV work?

.....Now this is what we call a wrap!

Burger King -Are going to be selling SPAM! They should have a chat with Wimpy on this one we think. A miniature burger called the BK Shot is to be launched in Japan - of course it is. Regardless of this Burger King are the best at filming content - in the US anyway...

Here's our favourite ever

TBS

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Jeremy Beadle - content curator

2011-06-19T12:47:00.001-07:00

A really interesting viewpoint on UGC and the role of media channel as the gatekeeper of this type of content although the stretch to suggest that brands can be the new arbiters of good and bad content bothers me slightly....

http://www.redplanner.co.uk/2011/06/19/what-jeremy-beadle-can-teach-brands-ab...

As does this picture of the late great Beadle!

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Former Head of Adidas Olympic Marketing joins The Big Shot

2011-06-14T02:18:00.001-07:00

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Mark Phillips the former Adidas senior marketer to our non-exec board.

Mark has held various key posts including Global Concept Brand manager and Head of Comms for UK, Ireland and Benelux.

He is also a very experienced agency man and former Board Account Director at Euro RSCG and brings a wealth of knowledge and an enthusiasm for content marketing that has already had him whizzing round the office during brainstorms!

We are looking forward to working with him immensely and not just because he gets great deals on Adidas stuff!

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McDonalds Pick and Play - The future of outdoor communcation

2011-06-07T09:55:00.001-07:00

McDonalds have really simply utilised display advertising, consumer interaction, gaming, apps, location based targeting, mobile vouchers and in-store traffic drivers all by asking you to play 70's seminal game classic 'Pong' with a pair of french fries - it's almost perfect.

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Epic Meal Time

2011-06-03T03:09:00.001-07:00

I'm a huge fan of shows that show the extreme side of eating - it's grotesque behaviour without being too difficult to watch Man Vs Food is a way for me to feel slightly smug about the fact that I'm quite healthy while actually fancying a go at a 12 ft burger.

Epic meal time takes things to another level though.

It starts by ordering huge amounts of fast food from McDonalds, Wendy's, Burger King etc - which is funny enough on tis own as the bemused sales clerk says :you want 90 Egg Mc Muffins (and a blueberry muffin)" Really?

You having a party? What sort of party that would be I dread to think! Then they take it all home and make something completely different out of the component parts as well as a lot of bacon it seems and suspiciously features quite a lot of Jack Daniels (Could it? No surely not!)

I love the fact that they keep you informed of just how many calories and how much fat is in the latest creation - I've seen a total of over 75,000 calories in one of their concoctions.

Then they eat it!!

Its funny on so many levels - I love it as a validation of the tastiness of fast food, The Worlds obsession with it and the naked truth of just how onanistic eating can be.

It acts as an ad and as a cautionary tale for all our favourite fast food places and is a great advert for how content can be compelling and filmed in a low fi way and still be a skilful production.

I also love the fact that it is now a merchandisable franchise - waddling across social media, selling T-shirts (XXXXL please) and most of all I love the skyscrapers on the home page very funny satirical display ad strategy.

My favourite - Lasagne......

http://www.youtube.com/user/EpicMealTime#p/u/5/m9FRSghXhDM

homepage - http://epicmealtime.com/

Oliver Russell | Joint Managing Director
The Big Shot | 75-77 Margaret Street, London, W1W 8SY

Email: oliver.russell@thebigshot.co.uk
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Game set and match

2011-05-24T04:44:00.001-07:00

It's not news that gaming is now a serious competitor in the revenue stakes to movies - it's also not news that brands want to get involved in product placement in both.

We are about to launch a dedicated product placement/brand integration service here at The Big Shot and we will be advising brands on how to get the best from integrating into big budget gaming and movie titles. This will include not just the main feature but lots of associated content placement and marketing opportunities.
I'm not sure where product placement belongs in Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 but I do know that as trailers go this is as exciting and whistle whetting as it gets!

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Phew!! That was close!

2011-05-21T11:27:00.001-07:00

Well maybe not that close - still any excuse to find content that refers to the end of the world!

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The Big Shot have now moved - You will find us at 75-77 Margaret Street, London, W1

2011-05-20T09:29:00.001-07:00

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The Big Shot went to the Wall!

2011-05-16T03:35:00.001-07:00

Well some of us went last Tuesday and saw Roger Waters give an amazing show full of incredible content (trying to keep the thread going here) and we were blown away by the appearance of David Gilmore on top of the Wall - the first time this has been played in London for over thirty years.

It was very emotional as you'll see by this grainy mobile footage of most of the second solo of comfortably numb.

We've worked with Mr. Waters and guest drummer Nick Mason - producing Highclere Rocks in which they helped form a super group - we were happier to see them than they were to see us we're sure!

Check the exploding wall bit - amazing!!

The video

Some photos

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We're moving!!

2011-05-16T02:28:00.001-07:00

We are in final preparations for our move to our new place.

Its a bit of a madhouse here with boxes, packing and odd mementoes littering the floor as we wave goodbye to beautiful Fitzroy Square but say hello to the fashion district of Market Place and that little bit closer to the temptations of SOHO.

Oh and we've just updated our website with some more case studies if you'd care to have a look!

See you soon

The Big Shot Work

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And a serious message delivered with a very light touch...

2011-05-11T03:59:00.001-07:00

Hilarious!

> Oliver Russell | Joint Managing Director >> The Big Shot | 10 Fitzroy Square, London, W1T 5HP
>>> Email: oliver.russell@thebigshot.co.uk
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It's all worthwhile

2011-05-11T03:57:00.001-07:00

How do you get your message across to teenagers? How do you get your message across if you know they don't want to hear it, don't think its relevant, don't think they will ever need the advice your giving.

I don't know for sure but I'm pretty certain that if you do something like this it might just work.

The creation of 'worthy' films is a mine field of the over schmaltzy and misdirected but this is a fantastic example of compelling message delivered with a light touch and a hammer blow.

I challenge you not to tingle.....

Oliver Russell | Joint Managing Director
The Big Shot | 10 Fitzroy Square, London, W1T 5HP

Email: oliver.russell@thebigshot.co.uk
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The web is what you make it..

2011-05-05T12:01:00.001-07:00

In this case a very sickly sweet scrap book!

> Oliver Russell | Joint Managing Director >> The Big Shot | 10 Fitzroy Square, London, W1T 5HP
>>> Email: oliver.russell@thebigshot.co.uk
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Congratulations!!

2011-04-29T10:39:00.001-07:00

To the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and to Aston Martin for the best piece of product placement we've seen for some time.

We are proud to be British!

http://gu.com/p/2zmp4

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A ginger beer with a kick

2011-04-27T04:40:00.001-07:00

As we are gearing up to be all traditional and British this weekend, street parties, Union Jacks, bunting and all of that "Gawd bless you guvnor" stuff lets talk about another great British tradition Ginger beer.-

One of those drinks along with cherryade and sarsaparilla that always sound better in theory than reality - always taste a bit wrong. But I'm drawn to the possibility of drinking it again by this - a prime example of how a 30" film can do it all.
Funny, engaging, bang on the brand image.

I'm off to try it again....

Oh yes! The gag is extended (very well) into Fentimans Cola....

and indeed into their Victorian Lemonade...

http://www.youtube.com/user/FentimansDrinks#p/u/0/nftdc8XylWs

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I love a Coulis

2011-04-19T06:27:00.001-07:00

Sometimes you just need to share something - I love this. It's actually very well shot which is why the cuts work so well. Big belly laughs!

Oliver Russell | Joint Managing Director
The Big Shot | 10 Fitzroy Square, London, W1T 5HP

Email: oliver.russell@thebigshot.co.uk
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T mobile Pastiche - So obvious but so funny

2011-04-17T07:42:00.001-07:00

I really didn't want to like this but I can't help myself - This pastiche thing works when the original is so well executed and the reason for doing it is news in itself.
What better example than a 65 million view original and the social event of the year?

> Oliver Russell | Joint Managing Director >> The Big Shot | 10 Fitzroy Square, London, W1T 5HP
>>> Email: oliver.russell@thebigshot.co.uk
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> --
>>

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Expanding Universe

2011-04-15T08:34:00.001-07:00

Sometimes there is too much brand extension. Too much trying to make too many bucks with no real care for the original product or how the extension works in relation.

This is simple - Moleskine is a fantastic brand with lovely products - i cant wait to get involved in this whole new range. Some of it seems a bit odd but for me as a brand advocate that acts as a further charm.

http://www.moleskine.com/moleskine_world/special_projects/new_collection_aba.php

On top of that - here's a film that's actually art and reflects the brand perfectly.

> Oliver Russell | Joint Managing Director >> The Big Shot | 10 Fitzroy Square, London, W1T 5HP
>>> Email: oliver.russell@thebigshot.co.uk
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TGI Fridays is 25 (and I'm not)

2011-04-07T06:09:00.001-07:00

I'm 42 years old actually and for me its a good age.
Life has a smoother feel than it did in my raw and raucous twenties (and thirties if I'm honest) and I feel myself heading towards a level of contentment - I take pleasure in my family and have interests outside of getting drunk and eating sausage sandwiches with a hangover.
So you're thinking "What the hell is the old man on about? Sounds Awful!!"

Yes alright I'm feeling ever so slightly old this morning.....As you'll see from the headline TGI Fridays is 25 and I was 17 when it launched and in those days there was only one of them (I think) in Covent Garden and it was pretty cool.
The obsession with Americana of all decades from the 50's was in full swing back then - 'Back to the Future' had just come out alongside such Brat Pack classics as 'The Breakfast Club', 'Footloose' and 'St. Elmos Fire'. Other great late lamented 'American style' West End joints were in their pomp too (Peppermint Park, Video Cafe anyone?)

TGI's fitted in perfectly to that time - drinking Budweiser out of bottles, going there for friends birthdays, generally 'hanging out' - watching the bartenders flip their glasses back and forth. This became somewhat of a trend in popular bar culture culminating in the flaming magnificence that was Tom Cruise in Cocktail 3 years later.

Then as time passed and we all grew up a little and as 1988 raised it's smiley face ,TGI's relevance kind of faded for us - you'd go there to eat every so often and each time it was slightly less enjoyable than before and then at some point, I don't know when TGI's started springing up everywhere - even on retail parks next to Argos and Homebase - this was the final nail for me and my contemporaries.

Well not quite - I had children and that really was the final nail - I actually took my kids to a TGI's on a retail park and endured the balloons, crayons and frankly disappointing food (which all seems to be cooked in Jack Daniels if I remember the menu correctly). I haven't ben to TGI's for some years - it has faded from my life.

And then this!! It's actually a pretty good little film following the attempt of TGI's cocktail bar people to break the World Record for twirling glasses or something like that.
I don't know though, it just doesn't have the relevance and interest these days - I cant see this generations teenagers and even early twenties being wowed by a spinning cocktail shaker - it just seems 'out of time'

Or maybe I'm just getting old?

> Oliver Russell | Joint Managing Director >> The Big Shot | 10 Fitzroy Square, London, W1T 5HP
>>> Email: oliver.russell@thebigshot.co.uk
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The Big Shot April 2011 Newsletter

2011-04-01T08:54:00.001-07:00

Newsletter
April 2011

WEBSITE

BLOG

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

LINKED IN

We’re getting bigger!
We’d like to introduce you to the latest additions to our team. Mark Bainbridge, former marketing director of the British Army, has joined us as non-executive advisor, while two new account managers, Millie Parker and Laura Woods, have also joined the ranks.
We are continuing to take our expertise on tour. Managing Director Oliver Russell’s latest seminar takes him to The APA Digital Breakfast, where he will be addressing the challenge of combining marketing and entertainment in front of the UK's foremost publishing houses.
If you’re interested in us giving your team some free tips of the trade, let us know and we'll arrange one of our lively workshops with video, interactivity and we’ve even been known to throw in a competition to get some lively discussion going…

Our recent work… MasterCard
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.
It's designed to further promote MasterCard's sponsorship of the UEFA Champions League.
By fine tuning their tactics, players can challenge each other online to 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 here

BIG Impact
This one passed the 'tingle test'. A brilliant film in support of International Women's Day by We Are Equals to raise awareness of the gap between genders.
It proves what we have said again and again - 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.
Watch it here

The Big Shout
Spring is Sprung by Mark Bainbridge
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”… Continue reading here

COMPETITION

This month we jetted off to Palm Springs to capture images of the World's best tennis players at the ATP Indian Wells Masters, to use in our 2011 creative campaign for the ATP World Tour and Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.
To win an Apple TV, just 'like' our Facebook page and answer "which tennis legend is the subject of our photo album from this years shoot?"
Not sure? Check out our blog for a BIG clue here

Goodbye for now!
We'll be back with another edition next month but why not visit us on facebook, follow us on Twitter, drop us a mail or even give us a ring!

THE BIG SHOT, 10 FITZROY SQUARE, LONDON, W1T 5HP +44 (0)20 7874 1570

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Branded Content - a very old phenomenon

2011-04-01T02:24:00.001-07:00

It's amazing to think that while the concept of branded content appears to be a very modern phenomenon they were actually making amusing content led videos early in the 20th century - of course it was far more difficult to spread the word then but in some ways that adds to their charm....

> Oliver Russell | Joint Managing Director >> The Big Shot | 10 Fitzroy Square, London, W1T 5HP
>>> Email: oliver.russell@thebigshot.co.uk
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The Big Shot creates The Big Shot

2011-03-31T02:35:00.001-07:00

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
here
.

Oliver Russell | Joint Managing Director
The Big Shot | 10 Fitzroy Square, London, W1T 5HP

Email: oliver.russell@thebigshot.co.uk
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Our Non Exec Mark Bainbridge gives his Spring time thoughts....

2011-03-30T06:24:00.001-07:00

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 4^th 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 4^th 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

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Dont understimate the guy in the suit

2011-03-25T03:23:00.001-07:00

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
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How to make an incredible experiential into an incredible piece of Film and the exact opposite!

2011-03-23T03:57:00.001-07:00

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
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It's my opinion and if you dont like it.....

2011-03-18T05:13:00.001-07:00

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
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Brand Blogs - The Shoehorn Factor

2011-03-14T10:28:00.001-07:00

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.

http://blog.streetcar.co.uk/

Oliver Russell | Joint Managing Director
The Big Shot | 10 Fitzroy Square, London, W1T 5HP

Email: oliver.russell@thebigshot.co.uk
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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.
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Roger Federer and The Big Shot

2011-03-13T13:43:00.001-07:00

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

Email: oliver.russell@thebigshot.co.uk
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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.
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B2B needs love too!

2011-03-10T09:52:00.001-08:00

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
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Yes! I'm also going to talk about Jennifer Aniston

2011-03-10T09:03:00.001-08:00

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
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Women are not equal

2011-03-08T01:54:00.001-08:00

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
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Are you typical?

2011-03-08T01:41:00.001-08:00

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
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The Force of consumer comment

2011-03-02T04:28:00.001-08:00

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

Email: oliver.russell@thebigshot.co.uk
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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.

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I take it all back - some babies on Youtube are brilliant

2011-03-01T09:56:00.001-08:00

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
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It's real - honest!

2011-02-23T03:36:00.001-08:00

I seem to be talking a lot about product demos lately and a lot of these are directed as spoofs or as ways of grabbing the attention of a product benefit and these often work well. But as I've blogged about before, when you have an incredible product and it's beautifully filmed you have a compelling piece of content.

The company in question Corning is a well established company who has been producing glass since 1851- they have moved into display and communications technologies.

Even in today's super aware World - you look at their 'Day made of glass' and you still have to wonder - is it real or is it just another clever viral. It made me research the company and even while I was doing it I wondered if the background info, website, wikipedia page stock quote was all part of the campaign. If I'm honest I still have doubts but look at how this piece of film made me engage with the company

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Out the box (and off the planet)

2011-02-23T03:25:00.001-08:00

I've written before about the success of 'out the box' video reviews for tech products and the latest review of the ipad2 manages to combine accurate and knowledgable comment with a real desire to get your hands on this product. I cant wait to load up ifire and imilk to my ipad.

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From the horses mouth

2011-02-13T23:59:00.001-08:00

Marketing is riddled with business owners who act as the public face of their brands.

Traditionally they appeared in the actual advertising - Victor Kiam of Remmington was an early one with a fantastic slogan " I Ioved the product so much, I bought the company!" Closer to home the late bootiful Bernard Matthews waxed lyrical about Turkeys

and we loved him.

Then as advertising became slicker and more about a brand the role of the owner was one of high powered achievement driving the brand forward. All sorts of household names appear in this category - Sir Richard Branson, Philip Green, Lord Sugar, Bernie Ecclestone even Simon Cowell is a brand ambassador for manufactured pop.

None of these however actually produce the products themselves - they were and are great business people, some with incredible creative talent but all with unusual vision and ability to build and proliferate brands but they don't make anything.

I love listening to the people who create products and in writers and artists we have the ideal candidates. The creative talking about their product is often a hit and miss affair but at least you know you are listening to the real thing - not a load of hype or marketing speak. Genuine reminiscences of how they wrote the book or painted the picture or in the case of one of my personal favourites Gerald Scarfe, how he helped Pink Floyd build The Wall.

Download now or watch on posterous

The Making of Pink Floyd The Wall: Amazon.co.uk: Gerald Scarfe: Books.mp4 (51001 KB)

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Google's art project - Surreal but Classical PT.2

2011-02-10T03:53:00.001-08:00

There's bit of a 'second film' trend going on at the minute and I like it. Not only do you get the main film which hits you with it's great content and relevant messages but then they release the 'making of' video. Its a clever and often cost effective way to extend your content idea as long as what you're releasing is as funny, interesting and relevant as the main film.

Landrover's 'making of' claymation advert films were probably every bit as involved as the film itself and benefit from extending the central campaign elsewhere. This, the 'making of' the google art project is a realisation of just how much work and how many people are involved in just such as undertaking. It's a fascinating high speed documentary.

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Google's art project - Surreal but Classical PT.1

2011-02-09T00:59:00.001-08:00

We spend a lot of time talking about how the idea is 'the thing' and that turning that idea into good content requires great skill - and it does.

Sometimes however. like flowers at a wedding, you don't notice the hard work thats gone into producing the event but are just captivated by the beauty of the bride, in this case the Google Art Project.

A good product demo hinges on showing the functionality of the product but also stimulates desire in the potential user of the product. The popularity of 'out the box' reviews where a gadget is broken freshly out of its box and the pleasure of unwrapping the new toy is shared are justifiably popular and Apple in particular are a very good example of this.

This is just a mind-boggling product that not only makes me want to use it but to learn from it and share that knowledge with others - It doesn't get any more perfect than that.

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No taste...those Americans

2011-02-07T03:08:00.001-08:00

Well despite the highly influential vote of The Big Shout the VW Force ad did not win "Best in Show" at the Superbowl. That distinction went to this ad - a fairly obvious "HAHA its walking, dj-ing, beer serving dogs".

I guess at this point in the proceedings the appearance of a bottle of beer had a Pavlovian effect on the assembled masses and that any association with another brew was a good one.

Go figure dude.....

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A clever campaign but doomed to failure

2011-02-04T07:44:00.001-08:00

Content isn't just video! It's the easiest way to share with you on this blog and the majority of what I write about has got a video element to it but i was struck by this campaign released today by the Iris agency. Firstly let me say...its very clever... very original and will probably win awards - i like it.

The problem I have is with the whole concept of anti smoking campaigns - they don't work - FULL STOP. Show me the figures please?

I am generally disgusted by the way that the government pretends to assist in the cessation of this appalling life shortening habit while raking in the taxes - think about it - there is no upside to banning smoking for the economy in fact quite the opposite - it would be a disaster if everyone stopped.

No-one gives up smoking because of advertising however clever or because of those ridiculous inhalers, gum, patches etc. they give up in spite of them.

http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/news/bulletin/thefix/article/1053158/?DCMP=EMC-CONCampaignDailyFix

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Use the Force!

2011-02-03T02:52:00.001-08:00

It still blows my brains when I think about how much it costs to run an ad during the Superbowl but how iconic is that media space? If you say "Half time show" most people would know that that was the Superbowl, amazing recognition.

As a result each year manufacturers come up with specific and very impactful ads to run in that break and this one from Volkswagen for the Passat is excellent.

It features an iconic character and renowned music, cute kid, stereo type middle class American family life and the product as hero and climax to the gag.

I've done exactly this to my kids and it's brilliant!

Volkswagen are also showing another very cool 30" ad for the Beetle which I might share with you in another post!

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Claymazing

2011-01-29T13:27:00.001-08:00

the new Landrover work is really really nice - I shudder to think how many man hours ,just have gone into making it- it looks lovely, is really interesting, (look out for the mountain episode) and makes me want to go out and buy one - well probably not the one they want me to buy - I'd love a really old powder blue Defender cos then I wouldn't have to pretend that I needed it for the country while actually driving it round the suburbs.

Oliver Russell | Joint Managing Director
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A Swift Kick

2011-01-26T09:23:00.001-08:00

Oh dear oh dear - this is what happens when the cardinal rules of branded content aren't kept namely.....

Don't disappear up your own jumper creatively

Dont patronise your audience

" It is banal , badly written and patronising to young people everywhere!

Car manufacturers in the past have traditionally got things either spectacularly right - BMW/AUDI, or spectacularly wrong - FORD C MAX ice building. I'm pretty sure that anyone watching this will make a Swift decision of their own top watch something else.

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Aren't kids cute?

2011-01-25T05:09:00.001-08:00

t when it comes to posting videos of 'funny' children online I am really uncomfortable with the 'freak show' element that seems to bring out the hideous voyeur in us all.

My funny child dislikes of all time include 'Charlie bit my finger' and the titanically awful 'Chubby Cuppy Cake boy' (do your own research I'm not posting them up on our blog).

The reason for my promoting that which i hate is to illustrate the strange trends that sometimes form in the 'whacky' world of online video.

The aforementioned horrors and quite a few more from their genre are benefitting from a sudden surge in viral sharing today - I don't know why - there's no real reason for it that I can fathom but it's happening .

Quick P&G - get your agency to buy some pre-roll before the wave breaks!!

----------------------------------------------------------------------

I am posting this effort for two reasons...

1) It's mercifully short

2) the kid is actually pretty funny and sees off the patronising adult with ease.

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The Fun Theory

2011-01-24T02:55:00.001-08:00

I'm really glad that this has had a resurgence in sharing and just goes to show that quality will always shine through. It is a fantastic piece of work in that it mixes up the advertising vs. content vs. product placement debate to just produce a great film worthy of 1 minute and 47 seconds of my time.

It isn't clumsy like a lot of these experiential based films are - its beautifully filmed and timed, music is excellent and It will please the branding purists who believe in consistency- see how long it takes you to guess the brand!

It's perked up my Monday morning no end.

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It's the Devil's work I tell thee!

2011-01-20T02:52:00.001-08:00

The best way to show someone how good your product is is to demonstrate it - nothing beats personal experience to cement the views of your consumer. This is a very clever way to do just that to promote an app who's function is very visual not to mention very clever.

In what could have been quite a boring film its the product attributes themselves that make it interesting. Also cock an ear to the music - it gives the product an instant personality that matches the slightly tongue in cheek props.

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Ricky Gervais in not always brilliant shock!

2011-01-19T02:03:00.001-08:00

Ricky Gervais hosting the Golden Globes - his initial monologue - sorry but it wasn't very good was it? I love Ricky, not quite sure how he's hailed as a visionary genius to be honest but I love him.

One of the reasons is his unfailing ability to remain 'a fat bloke from Reading' in all that he does. Also the fact that he eschews advertising work, only did two series of the Office and is an all round credible artiste. Is anyone else ever so slightly worried that he's started to believe his own press?

He's always been boastful and its part of his charm but I find this quite embarrassing, my nine year old could read from the auto-cue more naturally and the jokes are the worst kind of vicious (obvious and cheap) It's a testament to the Ricky Gervais Brand that I feel churlish criticising him and lord knows I would find it daunting speaking to that crowd but then I'm not Ricky Gervais!

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Just a penguin really

2011-01-13T07:41:00.001-08:00

It's not a marketing led activity (I don't think) and yes its another cute animal but I actually really enjoyed watching it - made me feel all warm inside and of course it's not another damned cat!!

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Our latest work for ATP - the new 2011 creative - 'Game On'

2011-01-12T08:30:00.001-08:00

From: Oliver Russell <oliver.russell@thebigshot.co.uk>
Date: 12 January 2011 16:27:53 GMT
To: post@posterous.com
Subject: Our latest work for ATP - the new 2011 creative - 'Game On'

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2011/01/Other/ATP-Unveils-Game-On-Campaign.aspx

http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Media/Videos/2011/01/Game-On-Promo.aspx

Oliver Russell | Joint Managing Director
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The Big Shot | 10 Fitzroy Square, London, W1T 5HP

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Our latest work for ATP - the new 2011 creative - 'Game On'

2011-01-12T08:28:00.001-08:00

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2011/01/Other/ATP-Unveils-Game-On-Campaign.aspx

/www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Media/Videos/2011/01/Game-On-Promo.aspx

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The Sartorialist - Intel again?!!

2011-01-07T06:39:00.001-08:00

Intel seem to have hit a content sweet spot at the minute. A completely different film from the Chase Film I posted earlier. This one is fantastic but maybe I'm biased. It's a feature on the guy behind the Sartorialist blog - one of my favourites and it's interesting, beautifully shot and a window into the World of the man who spends his life shooting amazing 'walk by' fashion on the streets of NY, Milan, Tokyo and sometimes even London - I'm ready for my close up Mr. S!

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The Chase film by Intel

2011-01-07T06:30:00.001-08:00

You get ever so slightly used to great looking films and clever techniques when you're on the inside of running content but there's only one word to describe my reaction to this......WOW!

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Is anyone else getting fed up with Flash mobs yet?

2011-01-07T06:24:00.001-08:00

Apparently not judging by the 29 million people who've watched this so far! There's nothing wrong with it per se, the singers are excellent but haven't we seen enough of this concept?

I do like the fact that this is not a major brand who's done it and its been obviously been very effective in reach - not sure how that will now convert to sales for Alphabet Photography but it's a cool and original product.

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Is it an ad? is it editorial? Does it matter?

2011-01-06T01:46:00.001-08:00

One of the debates that rages in our marketing channel (well at least bubbles) on is that of who owns the right to produce branded content.

Of course the answer is anyone who can produce good content and get it in front of the right audience but there is an almighty land grab going on out in agency land at the moment.

Digital, media, creative, PR and Integrated all shout that they can produce the goods for their clients and they all have a valid reason for thinking so.

They all bring different activation skills to the finished product whether it be buying media around the content, selling in the content to editorial media, creating a great online destination for the content or coming up with a campaign that uses other disciplines to surround and exploit the central idea.

What I do find slightly annoying is this desire that everyone seems to have to put every piece of content into its own little box, to define every piece of content as either an ad or a PR activity or a piece or cheese etc.

Go back to content basics and it's clear that the consumer doesn't want ads, they want content. If a brand gets an advertising message in there then it will be accepted on the basis that it doesn't compromise the enjoyment of that content.

If the content is both engaging and relevant to the brand thats advertising then you've got it cracked. Not so easy

This example from National Geographic magazine is perfect. Of course they have so much editorial to work with to represent their brand but even so you don't often see media owners produce a film this clever, enlightening and compelling.

It's made all the more interesting through the end product it's promoting. It's not just a random feature, its a real appointment to read.

The film imparts knowledge that I can repeat to others and show my erudition and the graphic style while not ground breaking is easy on the eye and helps the piece to keep its pace which is important in a film that is entirely statistic based.

Is it an ad? Is it editorial? Is it branded content? Who cares? It's good!

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The Big Shot welcomes Mark Bainbridge

2011-01-05T02:52:00.001-08:00

We are all very excited here at The Big Shot as today heralds the appointment of former Marketing Director of The British Army, Mark Bainbridge, as our new non-exec advisor.

Mark has been universally heralded as a visionary in Marketing and has received numerous awards for his work.

He is a lover of new technologies and of new ways of marketing and his involvement with us has been organic. As he's seen us grow he's become more excited about the possibilities that Branded Content has for marketers especially when good entertainment is mixed with good marketing technique.

As you would expect from someone who has controlled marketing budgets for a number of very accountable organisations his interest is very much based on marketing criteria and not just on 'pretty pictures' (although he likes those too)

We'll be interviewing Mark for a special edition of the blog really soon to see what he really thinks but in the meantime we are delighted to welcome him to The Big Shot and look forward to a long and fruitful association with him.

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Sometimes you just have to admit defeat!!

2011-01-04T09:03:00.001-08:00

How brilliant is this?

I can only begin to imagine the horror of trying to coordinate this film if the brands featured had actually been involved!

What a great Xmas present for the brands involved.

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The World is your oyster....

2010-12-28T05:44:00.001-08:00

and also your showreel.

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Good quality writing/performance/production

2010-12-28T05:37:00.001-08:00

Three things you associate with great entertainment and yet in the world of branded content often left behind in the rush to integrate brand and content.

Another thing that people often forget is the power of music - the emotion added to a piece when the right music has ben added is amplified sometimes almost unbearably as in this fantastic piece of work for road safety produced by Alexander Films.

Look at the expression on the actors faces, the use of hi motion cameras in an economical yet hugely demonstrative way - the right props in a very spare environment. This is a perfect example of the quality of production showing through. This looks like it didn't cost too much to make but I'm pretty sure it wasn't cheap.

the results are stunning and a well deserved success.

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Less is more......

2010-12-19T13:40:00.001-08:00

>>>>>

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How to take a naturally difficult subject and make it even less engaging

2010-12-17T12:19:00.001-08:00

I'm sorry but I get so angry when I see video content like this. I'd read the case study and was quite excited to see it. Lots of rhetoric from the agency about how it was the first time Barclays had had video on the site so it had to be engaging and how it was important to garner compelling performances from the talking heads. Using handhelds to create a nice vibrancy and energy in the films.

Utter balderdash! I love seeing good work from other exponents of video content - it infers credibility on the industry and makes for a feeling of community among us but this is the worst type of lip service.
Very very poor show.

http://www.barclays.co.uk/BarclaysInvestorZone/VideoThebasicsofinvesting/P124...
>>>>>

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A shameless abuse of our blog to post a job ad for a Senior Account Manager

2010-12-17T03:24:00.001-08:00

We've had a rather good year and 2011 promises to be even more exciting. We've retained our role as global creative agency for mens tennis through the ATP, we've produced some great comedy, documentary and even our own online magazine show. We have travelled all over the World in the course of creating great content and we've distributed that content too - this year we've achieved over 2 billion Worldwide views in over 100 territories. We've enjoyed working on campaigns both large and small and also having the opportunity to spread the word about good branded content and how it can and should be used as a marketing tool that yields measurable results from awareness right through to sales.

2011 is the time for us to grow.

2010 will feature a new office move as we've already outgrown our Fitzroy Sq base, an international expansion and a rather exciting Non Exec appointment that we will be announcing in the first week in January.

We're also on the lookout for people to come and work with us . Here's one of the ads we're using to entice a Senior Account Manager although we are recruiting across the business and especially the account teams so if you fancy being a part of The Big Shot just let us know.

http://www.prweekjobs.co.uk/job/328210/senior-account-manager/
>>>>>

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The Sun

2010-12-10T04:44:00.001-08:00

The Sun newspaper is rapidly becoming a viral video expert and one that can take the pastiche out of other successful work and make it its own. 'Their best UK handheld for 40 years' ad worked on loads of levels but kept true to their cheeky image.

Their latest offering - a rip off of the ridiculously successful Old Spice - 'Man you want your man to be' viral is excellent - obvious but delivered in that perfect Sun manner.

>>>>>

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Video - The gift that keeps on giving

2010-12-09T03:15:00.001-08:00

This was a bit of a shock - Wrapping paper with QR codes on that turn into bespoke and slightly freaky Xmas scenes on your Mac ( and the other thing if you happen to still have one)

Merry QRhistmas!!

www.qrappingpaper.com

>>>>>

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The reinvigoration of content

2010-12-08T04:29:00.001-08:00

There is good, bad and most annoyingly of all mediocre work out there but the stuff that gets me most excited is the stuff that brings new life to old content in an interesting way. That journey through the galaxy video still mesmerises me all with the addition of some explanatory text (if you haven't sen it let me know and I'll send you the link)

I really love the Rolling Stones deconstruction piece posted on the Dangerous minds blog - it's like a xmas present come early. Having the opportunity to play producer and isolate Mick's vocal and Bill Wyman's bass is too good.

Now this is content that any brand could sponsor with no fear of a backlash but imagine if this had been adopted by say...Shelter, especially at this time of year.

http://www.dangerousminds.net/comments/deconstructing_gimme_shelter_listen/
>>

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Sometimes the power of video just cant be overstated, no words required......

2010-12-08T04:16:00.001-08:00

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Artisan Bread

2010-12-08T04:10:00.001-08:00

What is it with this stuff? It's everywhere all of a sudden! All the sandwich chains are lousy with the stuff.
Was there a focus group that informed the sandwich industry that a new bread was in town and that it had to be worked in with the usual breads/rolls and wraps or else sales would plummet?

I've nothing against the stuff particularly ( in fact the prosciutto, Parmesan and basil Artisan at Pret is very tasty ) but its all a bit weird how it is now a lunchtime staple from nowhere. Was there an Artisan shaped hole in the market. A reaction to a particularly disappointing Ciabatta sales curve?

Maybe it's all a ruse. The pre-cursor to a very clever marketing campaign for something else that takes the roof of your mouth when eaten perhaps?

Or maybe this is a sign of the tough economic times we live in. For Artisan bread read three day old baguettes that we just can't afford to throw away.
I remain confused having sought a definition of this new bread and finding that artisan bread is made in small batches, not mass produced.

I suppose it doesn't matter really it's just that being marketed to with fake authenticity sticks in my throat just a little. Yes....just like the bread!

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To be or not to be

2010-11-21T12:21:00.001-08:00

I don't make a habit of criticising others work. It's unprofessional and often doesn't take into account the reasons why someone had done what theyve done. It may not be the most creative or groundbreaking campaign. It may not show innovative thinking or breakthrough media strategy but it is often effective and shows knowledge of the target audiences response rates to their offering.

However.....

I'm at a loss to understand the reasoning behind the Halifax tv ad with two employees pretending to be DJ's. Yes it's awful to look at and more cringe making to experience than most but it's not that that appalls the most. It's the fact that someone somewhere has given precious work to struggling actors and forced them into such a humiliating position.

I wanted to be an actor when I was a teenager. My mother talked me out of it with the promise of penury and bitter despair. I've never really forgiven her. I've always yearned for the stage and a visit to the theatre leaves me breathless with both excitement and jealousy. And yet watching those poor souls try to make something good out of such a horrible piece makes me think that maybe mum had a point!

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How long should an online video be?

2010-11-19T09:02:00.003-08:00

I have this debate all the time with clients when deciding how long an online video short should be. There are lots of factors that decide this but the main and obvious one is how long will the creative hold the attention?

Most 'Viral' campaigns created by brands are 'one hit' creatives and actually based on the methodology of a TV ad regardless of their adaptation to the online medium. Once the gag is revealed there is no point going beyond a short edit due to the short attention span on offer from your target audience. Not to mention the fact that the sooner you get to the point the more chance you've got of converting the view into a click.

If you are going to go for a longer edit then the content has to be super compelling and have a narrative pleasure for the viewer that transcends the 'joke'.

We achieved this with our short comedy film for Pringles Xtreme and Keith Lemon which had an almost 80% view through and here is another stunning example from trick biker Danny MacAskill for Red Bull. Their work gets ever more ingenious and I am totally taken with this and I am open mouthed in admiration at the talent of the man and that's what content should always strive to achieve.

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How long should an online video be?

2010-11-19T09:02:00.001-08:00

If you are going to go for a longer edit then the content has to be super compelling and have a narrative pleasure for the viewer that transcends the 'joke'.

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The humanity of face to face marketing

2010-10-29T07:15:00.001-07:00

I make mistakes all the time. As the father of young children I'm always being too easy going or too strict. My sleep deprived mind often puts the milk back in the cupoard and the teabags in the fridge.

I've even made mistakes at work (difficult though that may seem to believe). Once I entrusted a radio station (who shall

remain nameless) with the task of distributing samples of my client's product (which shall also remain nameless) at their local premiership football ground.

I've never specialised in sampling but in there were times when I ran the UK's largest radio promotions agency that the prospect using of radio station's sampling crews proved too easy a win for a client who was promoting on that radio station. Seduced by the promise of genuine interaction with the local public who were so in love with their station that they would happily accept a sample and think all the better of the brand despite the tenuous link between brands.

Generally it was a happy mariage with everyting from soft drinks to hard liquor changed hands through a roving station crew and an eager public.

Not this time though. Tasked with neatly placing a sachet on each seat at the football ground the station assured us that they had permission and had done it loads of time. We took them on trust. There's a mistake i didnt make ever again.

The client happened to be in town and happened to see the sampling experts in action, dumping box upon box of their product in bins, behind doors and just generally misbehaving with the samples.

Needless to say this didnt go down at all well although the client let us off the hook, blaming quite rightly the station's appalling practice but this was many years ago before digital channels kicked in, before the sophistication of sampling increased exponentially.

I've always thought that actually the concept of face to face sampling is quite simple in theory Pick the right time of day, the right area where your target will be and give em the sample. Be cheery, flirtatious even wear the brands colours with pride, enhance their day and get them to sample the brand no?

Well i'd have liked to see the client's face if they's experienced what I experienced earlier this week at Baker Street Station. I was ambling in thinking about some aspect of the day to come and was confronted by an unshaven frankly thug like looking guy dressed all in black with a plastic bag in one hand and a handful of sachets in another....

"Hot sauce!!"

He bellowed at me.

"Sorry" I said, slightly startled thinking he was promoting some completely different service

"Sample! Hot Sauce!"

"Er no thanks, I'm fine"

and off I went slightly disturbed, completely unaware of the brand he was forcing on me but generally feeling unkindly to any make of hot sauce yoo could think of. It was 8am. Hot Sauce?

AS I walked through the station heading towards the Met line there was another one, much gentler looking but atill all dressed in black, no branding but the ubiquitous white plastic bag.

He was appealing slightly pathetically to passers by.

"Sample.....hot sauce sample....sample"

I dont know about you but when someone says 'sample' out loud it conjures an image of a wholly different type of sauce I would not be keen to put on my jerk chicken.

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Quote of the day on the BBC homepage

2010-10-05T06:48:00.001-07:00

"Ants are so much like human beings as to be an embarrassment. They farm fungi, raise aphids as livestock, launch armies into war, use chemical sprays to alarm and confuse enemies, capture slaves, engage in child labour, exchange information ceaselessly. They do everything but watch television." LEWIS THOMAS (1913-93)

I guess in that regard they're more advanced!

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Turning a publicity stunt into a viral video success

2010-10-05T03:32:00.001-07:00

A perfect example of how to take a publicity stunt, ensure news coverage and get a powerful viral video campaign out of it.

Hats off to the very clever Mr. P Power!

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Chiltern Society | No HS2

2010-10-03T11:26:00.001-07:00

< HS2 homepage | < Previous page

September news

29 September 2010

Society’s first formal HS2 submission

The first in a series of evidence-based papers which the Chiltern Society is presenting to the Government as part of its campaign to against HS2 crossing the Chilterns has been published.

It is a paper by Alison Doggett, an acknowledged expert on the area and co-author of the definitive book about the region, The Chilterns. She is a trustee of the Chiltern Society and Head of Geography at Berkhampstead School.

The paper, which is also being sent to all MPs and other decision makers, establishes the Chilterns as a long-standing natural region with a unique cultural heritage. It is ancient countryside with a strong sense of place, despite pressure from all sides. The special characteristics of its woodlands, farms and settlements combine together in a way that is not found anywhere else and it is important that the responsibility for preserving the cultural heritage of this beautiful area is understood.

A number of other evidence-based submissions will follow in the coming months.

The paper will be here soon…click here. -->

12 September 2010

Walkers show their opposition

Eighty protestors took part in an eight mile walk along the proposed preferred route of HS2 between Amersham and Great Missenden on Saturday 11 September.

Numbers had to be restricted in the Chiltern Society-organised walk because of health and safety reasons, but a shorter two mile walk attracted nearly 100 others.

The walk attracted extensive publicity and support – it coincided with an HS2 information day in Great Missenden – and it was such a success that future walks are being planned.

2 September 2010

Protest walk on route of HS2

A protest walk against High Speed 2 travelling through the Chilterns is being held along its proposed route through the Misbourne Valley on 11 September.

The sponsored walk, organised by the Chiltern Society, will start at Amersham Station and follow the route to Great Missenden Station – a total of nearly eight miles.

It’s been held to highlight the impact the High Speed 2 would have on the valley if it is built.

Organiser Jim Rodda said: “Only by walking the route can you truly appreciate the utter devastation HS2 would bring, and realise not only the horrendous visual impact it will have but how the noise from these enormous trains would carry over the valley.”

Most of the walk is on public rights of way, but Mr Rodda has obtained permission from private landowners where the route crosses private land.

Walkers are being asked to be sponsored to raise money for the Chiltern Society’s fighting fund against HS2. The Society is preparing an evidence-based case against HS2 across the Chilterns and is raising cash for a major publicity campaign in the autumn.
Sponsor forms are available in newsagents in the Amersham and Great Missenden area. They can be also be downloaded by following the 'Join our sponsored walk' link above left. If you wish to enter the walk please contact Mr Rodda at jrodda@ukf.net so he knows the numbers that will need to be managed. -->

via chilternsociety.org.uk

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