Tuesday 21 December 2010

Merry Christmas for HGC...

The count down to Christmas is drawing to closer and with all this snow it’s been inspirational to us lot at HGC so we made a MASSIVE snowman!! Unfortunately this one trumps ours by miles! This was the largest recorded snow woman created by people from Bethel, Maine, USA. This snow woman weighed in at 13,000,000 lbs. of snow. 5 ft wreaths were used for eyes, 16 skis for eyelashes, 130 ft. scarf, 30 ft. spruce trees for arms and 2,000 ft. of rope for hair. It was a whole community effort with even the local kids pitching in.

That is what I call a massive group effort and you have to give them a massive high five!!

So over the Christmas break, with all the expected snow fall, perhaps gather all the family off the sofas, away from the TV’s and get them making a cheerful snowman or woman. I know I will be trying my hand at making a snow man bigger than this.... wish me luck!

Until next time followers....

HGC XXX

Friday 17 December 2010

'CMYKILLER' video...

Big on your rap and graphics? Well this should get the creative minds buzzing, who would have thought learning photoshop basics could be so cool! Enjoy....



Until next time followers...


HGC XX

Wednesday 15 December 2010

X Factor Fever hit Higher Ground Creative….




The bets were on and the tempers were fought with the approach about the X factor final. Who would win? Who would be destined to a career singing at Butlins? This got us thinking, why does everyone every year get so obsessed with the X Factor-what has Cowell and his cronies done to the British nation?

The X Factor this year has embraced a full channel of marketing channels with websites, interactive TV, a magazine (dread to think of the “editorial” content) and also a multitude of other marketing tricks that create X Factor hysteria. This also provides ITV with, a much needed, increase in advertising revenue.

So, it’s all over until next year, when everyone will yet again be hypnotised by the X Factor train.

Well done, Matt, looking forward to your cheesy Christmas No.1 and pages and pages of Heat gossip.

Until next time followers,

HGC XX

Wednesday 8 December 2010

Christmas…Pot Noodle Style

The HGC team have been getting excited for the Festive Season with the thought of Christmas jumpers Grandma Mildred knitted, mulled wine (…and the accompanied Carol singing) and the tucking into a Christmas dinner with “The Family”. Most of all we have been ramping up for the onslaught of Christmas adverts to see if anyone has broken away from the usual d-list celebrity dancing/singing/talking to a soft lens camera or imagery of “The Family” all returning home for Christmas….it’s a failsafe format but it has always left of thinking that so much more could be done…

Thankfully Pot Noodle has taken a rather different look at the traditional Christmas ad for their Christmas flavoured dried snack (sounds delicious!)_..(link)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4AKSyysGRA

We love the typically British dark humor that the spot has and enjoy the fact that it gives the two fingers to the usual cheesy Christmas ads. It also shows that Pot Noodle knows their market really well, appealing to the people who would find this type of advertising appealing, and gives the brand a satirical tone.

Higher Ground Creative enjoy an alternative way of thinking and give a two thumbs up to Pot Noodle for doing things differently…

Until next time followers,
HGC
XX

Monday 6 December 2010

The Hans Brinker Hostel Alternative Advertising

The Hans Brinker is a budget hotel based in the arty heart of Amsterdam.

Since its inception in the mid-nineties, the Brinker has grown a reputation amongst designers for its tongue in cheek advertising campaigns.

Usually based around its budget title, each year sees the release of a new campaign championing the Brinkers ‘charms’. As the New Year is fast approaching we thought we’d take a look back over some of our favourite campaigns in anticipation of next years new concept.

The early posters from 96 were almost conservative in comparism to later pieces, though the use of sarcasm and wit set the trend for all those that followed. The 2004 series were particularly gruesome, depicting various bacteria / bugs with the strapline “improve your immune system”, rather not thanks! You might be thinking why would anyone want to stay somewhere like this? Well, the Brinkers alternative advertising has gained recognition from designers and advertisers alike, worldwide. That’s why so many flock to stay at the Brinker and revel in the “budget” experience.

Our particular favourite is the 2001 series, depicting a filthy old mattress on cold floorboards sitting underneath the strapline “just like home”. The Brinker campaigns show that creative and alternative thinking can be highly successful when attracting new clients. What we need is more alternative ideas like this, making advertising all the more exciting and interesting for it.

We’re all off to Amsterdam now to enjoy a ‘comfortable’ nights stay at the Brinker!

Goede Nacht!