London living.... we love it!

We at HGC thought this was well worthy of a blog post...'

‘21 things that remind you, you're a Londoner...’
Waiting more than three minutes for a tube is absolutely preposterous
Everyone walks too damn slow
The Underground is a battleground
You think anywhere outside Zone 2 is too far to travel
It surprises you to meet people who have English as a first language
You feel superior to non Londoners
You find the sound of sirens comforting
Fresh air smells funny
You haven’t cooked a meal since helping mum last Christmas with the turkey
You’re suspicious of strangers who are actually nice to you
You have a minimum of five “worst cab ride ever” stories
Being truly alone makes you nervous
Your closet is filled with black clothes
You consider Essex the “countryside”
You think Hyde Park is “nature”
You call an 8″ x 10″ plot of patchy grass a garden
Hookers and the homeless are invisible
You have 27 different menus next to your telephone.
You pay £3 without blinking for a beer that cost the bar 28p
You say “the city” and expect everyone to know which one
You wouldn’t want to live anywhere else… until you get married and have kids!

Predominately we are a bunch of country folk that now reside in ‘the city’, many of us have been thinking similar thoughts to these at times, even though we are not born and bred Londoner’s at heart... Quite entertaining/pessimistic at the same time, but you have to admit London is fab, which is why over 7.5 million people including myself choose to live in this crazy city!


(Look familiar....?)
If you are looking for a bit of a creative burst on your lunch break or you have 5 minutes spare, we have recently updated our website with some great and exciting new work! Check out the latest portfolio goings on at www.highergroundcreative.co.uk/our-work/
Until next time followers

HGC XX

Happy new year from HGC!!

All of us here at Higher Ground Creative would like to wish all you HGC followers a Happy New Year! Whether you were at home tucked up in bed or out in the heart of London watching the fireworks on New Year’s eve, we hope you all saw in the New Year with a bang! Let’s hope 2011 is as good as 2010 and brings you all good health and happiness!!

Until next time followers

HGC XXX

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

'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....

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

Until next time followers...

HGC XX

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

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

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!