Developing the creative campaign for the B2B Marketing Awards 2012

Having managed the B2B Marketing Awards event for the past five years, The Think Tank was approached by the organisers, Silver Bullet Publishing, to develop the creative theme for the 2012 awards.  

Seeking to engage a wider audience, and increase entry levels from  all sectors of the B2B marketing industry, The Think Tank was asked to produce a campaign that would resonate with marketers from both agency and client side and encourage them to engage with the awards at various levels. It was also very important that the theme could work in an integrated manner across a range of marketing channels as well as providing an engaging and fun format for the Awards event itself.  

The Think Tank developed several concepts that would answer the brief and the High Flyers campaign was chosen. This is designed to celebrate the outstanding creativity in the B2B Marketing sector and position the awards as the premier industry event, not only for agencies but also for clients side marketers.  

The flexibility provided by the 'retro feel' creative execution allows the campaign to be extended from launch to the event and beyond, offering B2B Marketing the continuity of message they were looking for in 2012.  

The Think Tank is continuing to develop an integrated campaign to promote the awards over the coming months and encourage entry and engagement.

For more information about the awards please click here.

Vintage Car Dealerships

If you're bored with the minimalist looks of today's car dealerships then take a look at these images of some classic dealerships.

Oh for the days of chandeliers and medieval dining halls.

Entering the world of Wikipedia

The UK’s Chartered Institute for Public Relations (CIPR), the professional body for public relations practitioners, has announced special guidance for Wikipedia entries.

The guidance for public relations professionals using the site includes a number of recommendations and has gleaned global support in recognition of its potential for building mutual understanding between Wikipedians and public relations practitioners, the CIPR says.

The most significant of these is that public relations professionals should not directly edit Wikipedia pages relating to their organisation or brand but should instead suggest amendments to Wikipedians – the community of regular Wikipedia editors.

The consultation period for the guidance was hosted on Wikimedia UK, and the CIPR advises it will continue to be reviewed and refreshed as the relationship between the Wikipedia and public relations communities continues to progress.

See the best practice guidance here.

Dezeen opens design superstore in London

Dezeen has opened a design superstore in London's Covent Garden this summer.

Open from 1st July to 30th September the store offers an innovative retail and gallery concept in one of the capital’s most charming shopping streets.

The Dezeen Super Store, at 38 Monmouth Street WC2, will be a micro-department store hosting exclusive product launches and bringing together a number of retail concepts developed by Dezeen, including the Dezeen Watch Store, which will present its latest collection of stylish designer watches from our online store.

We loved shopping at Dezeen's Temporium last year and certainly recommend a visit to this new venture.

For more information click here.

Take a Booty Break and take control

Here's one for the girls!

Vichy Celludestock brings you an interactive micro-site that invites you to take a Booty Break and choose a male booty to control. Once selected the model undresses down to his underwear and the you can select whether he dances, flexes, shakes of slaps his booty.

There are several choices of booty so something for everyone at www.bootybreak.com.

The aim of the site is the promotion of Vichy's Celludestock cream, which apparently reduces the appearance of cellulite or in other words just an excuse to take control of a cute booty.

Enjoy!

Click here to choose your favourite booty.

Anti-smoking ad that pints out hypocrisy

Thailand has launched a very thought provoking anti-smoking ad which points out the hypocrisy of smokers when approached by a child who asks them for a light.

Every smoker the child approached tried to persuade him not to smoke and how dangerous to his health it is.

The child finishes the stunt by handing the smoker a leaflet explaining their hypocrisy.

The ad received more than 960,000 views before being taken down but it has now reappeared again.

Please view it below and let us know what you think.

Agency: Ogilvy Thailand

Fifth Wall app interacts with performer

A new app for performing arts publication 2wice called “Fifth Wall” takes interactivity to another level, allowing you to interact with performers by moving your iPad screen.

It was created in collaboration with the choreographer Jonah Bokaer and 2wice publisher Patsy Tarr and takes advantage of the unique spatial and physical parameters of the iPad. In the app, Bokaer engages with the edges of the iPad screen and as users interact with the iPad, the performance responds to the movement of the user, flipping when the screen is turned, or changing when the surface is swiped. 

A great use of apps to engage an audience.

See the video of the making of the app below and click here to download.

Celebrating traditional craftsmen in images

This is an interesting project by Tadd Landis Myers which celebrates American craftsmen through a series of enigmatic and inspirational images.

Quite beautiful photography looking at the craftsmen themselves at work and the object they create.

Subjects include Steinway & Sons Pianos, Chuck Lee Banjos, Optimo Fine Hats, Pro Saddles & Spurs and Scotty Bob Skis.

“I dedicate this project to my father Landis Wilson Myers, a true craftsman himself. He was a wood worker, home builder, metal worker, guitar player, printing pressman, baseball player, self-made business man, and a “fixer” of almost anything. My father loved working with his hands and would have felt a very deep connection to this project.”~Tadd Landis Myers

A great way of championing traditional craftsmanship. Maybe someone in the UK could start a similar project to celebrate British craftsmen.

See all these craftsman and more at work here.

Winning advertising at the Cannes Lion Festival of Creativity

This year's the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity saw many of the world's leading advertising agencies win awards for some fantastic creative.

There were 15 individual winners for ads out of the 5,195 entries, a demonstration that the advertising industry is still producing some outstanding quality productions.

See three of the winning entries below or visit Adweek to see all 15.  



Chipotle "Back to the Start" - Agency: Creative Artists Agency, Los Angeles



Canal+ "The Bear",  Agency: BETC, Paris



The Guardian "Three Little Pigs", Agency: BBH, London