Think Global, Act Stupid

FIFA Street III

2008-03-11T18:47:41+01:00

Below you will find a viral created for the FIFA Street III which leads to the WK created fifastreet3.com.

The viral was seeded globally as part of a TV, Print, OOH and Digital campaign for the latest instalment of the fifa Street 3 franchise that launched at the end of February. By the time the game launched the viral had 6million+ views and had also been featured on CNN, “La Jugada” (Televisa Deportes) in Mexico, and Sky Sports in Europe. Views are currently approaching 10million...

As veiws of the viral grew so did an online debate regarding where the line between what was real and what was fake was. Adding fuel to that fire, WK and EA worked quickly to release this PR film featuring interviews with Team Ryoko (the trick masters behind the film). It was quickly picked up by several TV stations around the world.

We'll leave it to you to decide where the line is drawn...

Nick+Anna

2008-03-11T12:55:20+01:00

Nick and Anna recently left WK to travel the world. Latest image from their trip has them in a picturesque desert...what follows is the work of Art Directors with too much time on their hands...

APG Awards

2007-11-14T17:17:18+01:00

This week has been superb for our Planning department. This is the first year that we've entered the APG Creative Strategy Awards and frankly, we've done rather well.

The APG (Account Planning Group) exists to champion excellence in creative thinking. It's the foremost and longest-established organisation representing the interests of account planners worldwide. So it's quite a coup when the organisation recognises creative thinking at it's best.

We came home with no less than one gold, one silver, one bronze, two special awards and … drum-roll please … The APG Strategy Agency of the Year! Okay, we share that award as joint winners with M&C Saatchi, but that's okay, we have big hearts.

We're known for our creative work; these awards show that we're also recognised in the industry for our creative thinking. This is especially good for us in the category of Multi-Market (international), where we won Gold, Silver and Bronze in a category that celebrates creative ideas which cross borders.

Congratulations to everyone involved, especially Loz for the Coke work and papers submitted, and Dave for managing to wriggle his way onto stage a total of six times.

Awards

APG Strategy Agency of the Year (shared with M&C Saatchi)

Special Prize for Best Creative Brief (Nike Air Max)

Special Prize for Best Contribution to the Theory & Practice of Planning (Coca-Cola Classic)

Gold for Multi-Market (Coca-Cola Classic)

Silver for Multi-Market (Nike Air Max)

Bronze for Multi-Market (Nike Women's Dance)

The Affordable Art Fair

2007-11-07T10:45:19+01:00

After eight successful years in London, New York, Sydney and Melbourne the Affordable Art Fair is coming to Amsterdam. Over 60 galleries are there offering work from €100 to €5,000.

The AAF is showing at the former 19th century gasworks on the Westergasfabriek in Westerpark, a stone's throw from work.

Amsterdam 8 – 11 November 2007

Opening times:
Thursday 8 November, 11.00 am - 5.30 pm
Friday 9 November, 11.00 am - 6.00 pm
Saturday 10 November, 11.00 am - 6.00 pm
Sunday 11 November, 11.00 am - 5.00 pm

Tickets: Order now your tickets online with PayLogic. Go to this page to order and print your tickets online.

Admission: On the door ticket: €12 Cocktail Party, Thursday 8 November, 6.00 pm – 9.30 pm: €20 on the door purchasing only. Free entry for children under 16.

2007-11-05T15:24:31+01:00

Drawings Of You is a fund-raising project on going in our office. The money raised would be used to make a children’s book for charity. I heard a rumour that Gwen and Gregg are going to make the book together.

Chart and figures may be boring to you. Let’s look at some pictures.
This is me.

She is my best friend in the office, Lolly.

They are Eric, Alison and Cheryl.

Want more? Go to the project’s official blog to see all the drawings there.
Drawings of You

Crack Campaign

2007-10-31T11:31:26+01:00

Shot while on location in Barcelona, Nike Women’s Spring 2008.
Our photographer, Matt Gunther, had this small issue with his ass crack emerging. Anders decided to mock him. History.

Museum Nacht

2007-10-29T10:00:05+01:00

Museumnacht (museum night) Amsterdam is a great Amsterdam experience. It's a night where 42 museums and institutions open their doors and organize special events from 7pm until 2am! It's a night of art, design, drinking, dancing, good music and good fun. Although the event focuses on a Dutch audience, there is plenty to see and do for non-Dutch speakers. And of course the permanent collections and temporary exhibitions of the museums are open and they welcome all nationalities.

Looking for a program in English? Then make sure you pick up your copy of English-language paper Amsterdam Weekly. They will publish an English language program in their Museumnacht-issue out October 30th.
And for the first time this year your ticket will give you free transport on all GVB trams, busses and the metro from 18.00 November 3rd up to 06.00 November 4th.

If you had a great night out and rekindled your passion for art and culture but missed something you really wanted to see, well, you're in luck. Your n8-ticket is valid for one extra visit to one of the participating museums until December 31st, 2007. How nice is that?

Presale tickets are available from Saturday 6th October for €14,- (excl. Service cost), and on the day, November 3rd, from 19:00 tot 22:00 for €17,50 (excl. Service cost). Available from: AUB Ticketshop, Leidseplein 26, VVV, Stationsplein 10, GWK Damrak 86, GWK Leidseplein 107-109, GWK Centraal Station, or online here.

Keep Calm

2007-10-22T14:56:39+02:00

Keep Calm have a fresh batch of prints available online.

‘Big Type How I Love Thee’ Is a limited edition of 50, signed and numbered by the artist. A beautifully hand letterpressed print. 41cm by 33cm, £20 / €28.70 (plus postage). Hurry - only 25 of these prints will be available on Keep Calm. “This poster was an exercise brought on by the amazing antique wood type from the collection of John Horn.” - Douglas Wilson.
'You look lovely today!' Is one of Keep Calm's favourite phrases and they've printed sets of these business card sized compliments on thick laid card using traditional letterpress printing. Great if you’re a bachelor and want to jot your number down for a special someone... Sold in packs of twenty, each card measures 85mm by 55mm. £7.50 / €10.75 (plus postage).

'Loose Lips' A limited edition of 100, this print measures 60cm by 42cm (23.4in by 16.5in). Beautiful ocean blue. £18.00 / €25.80 (plus postage).

Someone Old, Someone New

2007-10-17T12:48:50+02:00

Someone Old: Eva Rausch...

Eva has been with us here at W+K Amsterdam for over 10 years now and is the Group Account Director for HypoVereinsbank and Sharp. And to think she could have been driving buses all this time...

When you were a kid, what was your dream job?

In the early years, I wanted to become a bus driver, because he always collected money from everyone. Later, my dream job was to be a pharmacist because a friend of the family did holiday stand-ins when a pharmacist went on vacation. I thought it must be great to only work a couple of weeks during the vacation period and then be off the rest of the time!

What was the most influential decision you ever made?

Moving abroad. Being an expat and seeing Germany from the outside gives a new perspective on things.

Who do you most admire in the industry?

Jeff Kling. He is one of the craziest, smartest, nicest people I have met in the industry so far and also has a great Swabian accent when he speaks German! He knows when to get involved and when to let go.

What have you been most proud of in your career?

Being part of a group of people that produce something great together. And really, every time a piece of great work that I have somehow been involved in goes on air.

What campaign gives you work envy and why?

It's the simplicity of the Apple campaign 'Think Different'. Very rarely does a campaign explain so well, in so few words, what the brand is all about.

Now enough of the serious questions...

You win the lottery - what is the first thing you buy?

A bottle of Champagne!

What's the most inappropriate thing you've ever said to a colleague / in a meeting?

"This is absolutely nonsense and useless". It didn't go down well... I'm happy to say that I've improved my communication skills since then!

Favourite city / place and why?

So far, I would say my favourite city is New York because it's cosmopolitan, crazy and offers everything. My favourite place is Schwarzenberg (a tiny village in the Austrian Alps) because some of my best childhood memories are of there.

Who would play you in a movie of your life?

I'd quite like Courteney Cox Arquette - do you think she would do it?

What do you think will be written on your gravestone?

"The world will not be the same without her". (And indeed it wouldn't, Eva)!

Someone New: Miranda Kendrick...

Miranda has recently joined us from neighbouring Strawberry Frog. As you can probably tell from her photograph, she is an Art Buyer through and through...

When you were a kid, what was your dream job?

For a school project I once presented the class with an in-depth (for an 11 year old) analysis on the difference between English and American cigarette advertising in the 80s. So, it was either advertising or lead dancer for Madonna.

What was the most influential decision you ever made?

Getting married. I heard a lot of people started doing it after i did...

Who do you most admire in the industry?

Anyone who can successfully achieve a work/life balance to working in advertising and win awards. And Mel Gibson in "What Women Want". He was really sensitive in that movie.

What have you been most proud of in your career?

Sleeping with an Art Director...? Or the work for 'EA 'FIFA 08' campaign with Wayne Rooney - we shot it in record time, in the rain in Manchester. Also, a print ad that I worked on for Onitsuka Tiger - it was basically a giant shoe made out of sushi and toys.

What campaign gives you work envy and why?

I like the Harvey Nichols print ads, year on year. I think they stand out, are well executed, have the right tone of voice and don't follow the formula. I'd like to have made them and they speak to me as a consumer so that's two votes from me!

You win the lottery - what is the first thing you buy?

A dog - a big one.

What's the most inappropriate thing you've ever said to a colleague / in a meeting?

"No, you'll never be able to produce that for the budget and these timings are never going to work".

Favourite city / place and why?

I really like Coney Island, New York. I grew up in a seaside town in England, and Coney Island is like the memory I have in my head of it without actually going back there and realising that it's not the same place at all. And they have a 'shoot the freak' game where you get to fire paint balls at a half naked guy - wearing a football helmet, of course - in a pit. What's not to like?

Who would play you in a movie of your life?

Will Ferrell. I'd like to see him in my clothes and with hair extensions.

What do you think will be written on your gravestone?

Miranda May Vall

1978 - 2009

Died peacefully at her desk.

It's Belgium to the rescue

2007-10-16T14:42:16+02:00

Had a hellish day at work? Depressed at the thought of going home to an empty fridge but sick at the thought of yet another take-out meal? Well, you may not have known it but there’s help just around the corner, literally. Restaurant Lieve is little gem. A quirky place specialising in Belgium cuisine it offers three different dining experiences. The food and the prices are identical for the three ambiences, it's the experience which differs. Enjoy cosy home style dining in the Living room, the Belgian Baroque experience high-life reminiscent of Bourgondian Dukes or go the whole hog and opt for the Gastronomical dining experiece. Also recommended are the wine pairings that are offered with each course.

Restaurant Lieve, 88 Herengracht, Amsterdam, (020) 624 9635 (booking is advised).

Those crazy Swedes

2007-10-11T13:25:00+02:00

The Swedes are taking over the Nike group! Anders Stake has been joined by Felipe and Emmeli, who join us for two short weeks, as Interns in the Creative Department. Why so quick a visit? Because they are both currently finishing up their final year at Berghs School of Communication in Stockholm. Emmeli has interned at Mother in London and Droga5, New York. Felipe has both worked for hard cash, as well as interned, at Leo Burnett, Lowe Brindfors, and Forsman & Bodenfors, in Stockholm. You can get a flavour of Felipe and Emmeli by visiting their own 'aesthetically challenged but somehow compelling' blog.

Sure, they can concept and art direct and write copy, but if you really want to see where their real talents are, check out their movie masterpiece. Needless to say, Emmeli scored high with her intricate knowledge of the shape of The Netherlands.

What's not to love.

Can You FIFA 08?

2007-10-10T16:57:08+02:00

Our new integrated campaign for EA FIFA 08 covers print, TV, banners, emails and a rather nifty website. It involved three TV shoots, three digital shoots and four print shoots taking place across 3 countries: Czech Republic, UK and Brazil. Phew!

The campaign features Ronaldinho BBQing in a samba hall, Wayne Rooney and Sergio Ramos playing a spot of golf and Miroslave Klose getting a suit fitted with Franck Ribery.

Copywriter Mikey Farr explains: "The idea was to challenge the players with spectacular goals created by the gamers and essentially say to them, 'Hey, I know you're an international football superstar but can you create a goal as good as this?' Hence the line, 'Can You FIFA 08?'"

'Can You FIFA 08?' was created by CD Eric Quennoy and Interactive Creative Director Joakim Borgstrom, with copywriter, Mikey Farr and art director, Craig Melchiano. TV and digital spots were directed by Sven Super with photography by Sacha Waldman

To view the films and hidden 'hotspots' go to the 'Can You FIFA 08?' website.

To give you a taster, here's the print...