Advertising that makes you cry, or sigh...

My partner, Graham Pfuhl, is putting a presentation together on "emotions in advertising". He wants a "corker" at the end, and asked me what were my most memorable emotional TV ads. 

These were the ones that came to mind. Which ones can you remember that made you cry, sigh, think?

• Topsy Foundation; a poignant, gentle and beautiful story of hope in an HIV/AIDS ravaged society, filled with stigma.

 

• This spot, with a dramatic and chilling ending, Called "Alzheimers":

 

•  This one, one of my all time greats, for VW:
  
  
  And there were others: Pfizer Graffiti; Expedia Cancer Survivor; P&G's Mom ad for the Olympics, the beautiful John Lewis Christmas 2011 ad. 
  
  Music obviously plays a vital role, but the genius is the ability to make a whole movie in under a minute. Start, middle and end, with a tug on the heart strings and a strong and compelling brand message. Tall order.
  
  And double genius to use it to break though in a cluttered anvironment, for a usually non-emotional product category (unlike child abuse) - e.g. P&G, John Lewis and even KFC's  Memories.
   
   

conflicted interest?

I came across this article and it highlighted an interesting phenomena: that of the pitch consultant, who is also the agency advisor. hmm. So interesting to fall into this trap-ette.

DOUBLE-DIPPING PITCH CONSULTANTS

I have managed to avoid running pitches, not because I can't, but because I think it places me in a weird space of possible conflict. Of course I'm as honest as the day is long, but maybe, just maybe, I might believe Agency A is better than Agencies B,C and D because I know them better because I've worked with them. Who knows?

But maybe I land up actually helping the client make the right choice? So it actually benefits all parties?

Either way, it's a beige area - don't want to be seen favouring an agency of any other name :)