Space Explorers & Olympic Scorers: 5 Ads You Should Watch Right Now
Rio 2016 is in full swing and the whole world is going Olympics mad! But with all the running, jumping and swimming going on this week, you might have missed some of the great creatives that have come out of Adland over the last 7 days.
But don’t worry! Unruly is here to help with our weekly round-up of the five ads you should watch right now.
This week’s group of ads features the climax of Nike’s hugely successful ‘Unlimited’ campaign, the long-awaited Playstation 4 game ‘No Man’s Sky’, and a hilariously patriotic spot from Samsung.
Rounding out the list is IKEA, reminding us all to slow down a little bit, and a bizarrely enchanting ad from cat food brand Temptations.
Enjoy!
5. Playstation – No Man’s Sky with Bill Bailey
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbRnAsgTuqU
Video game fans around the world celebrated this week, as the long-awaited space exploration game, ‘No Man’s Sky’, was finally released. The game’s launch was accompanied by this short but sweet ad starring British comic Bill Bailey. Bailey, whose love for gaming is well documented, delivers a disarmingly funny narration over slices of game play – before it’s finally revealed that he is an unwelcome guest on a fellow gamer’s sofa.
4. Temptations – Treat Them Too
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmtIGIhnxqA
Just when you think you’ve seen the end of funny cat ads, one more brand finds a novel way to utilise the internet’s favourite pets. In this ad from Temptations, a bunch of cats cover Simple Minds’ ‘Don’t You’ while starring in an incredibly 80s music video. The ad is pretty hilarious and is guaranteed to win the hearts of cat lovers everywhere.
3. IKEA – Let’s Relax
We all have those friends that take photos of every meal they eat, rotating the plate so it looks ‘just right’ and proudly hashtagging #nofilter. These folks are the target of this clever spot from IKEA, which lampoons over-sharers by imagining how ridiculous this behaviour would have been a few centuries ago. Aside from its inherently funny concept, the ad succeeds because of its strong visuals and impressive production quality.
2. Nike – Unlimited You
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEX7KhIA3bU
In case you hadn’t noticed – Nike has been all over the Olympics. The sports brand’s extensive series of ‘Unlimited’ ads have featured athletes from all over the world, celebrating the strength and endurance it takes to win big at the Games. In this latest spot, it brings all of those concepts together for a triumphant finale starring superstars like Mo Farah and Serena Williams. The ad also features a fourth wall-breaking voiceover, a thumping soundtrack and rapid editing that ramps up the momentum.
1. Samsung – Galaxy Note7: Busy Busy Busy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfUhExdNjK8
Serious film actor Christoph Waltz pulls off a surprising turn in this latest spot from Samsung, promoting its recently-launched Note7 phone. Waltz’s trademark deadpan delivery is perfectly matched with a hyperbolic, patriotic script – but the real laughs come when he begins to rotate through various America-themed costumes and sets. The ad’s cleverly balanced tone ensures it never feels mean-spirited, and by the end will have even the most cynical American feeling proud as punch.
