My Most Immortal Ad: Jen Speirs
In the run-up to this year’s Immortal Awards, LBB’s jurors will each select an ad that they believe deserves the title of Immortal. Aussie expat Jen Speirs, executive creative director at Rothco, is next up in the series with a multi-award winning, rather large alcohol ad…
Carlton Draught “Big Ad” (GPY&R Melbourne, 2005)
Says Speirs: “This is a sentence I’ve rarely used… “I can remember exactly where I was when I first saw that ad.” But in the case of The Big Ad, I absolutely can. And having just watched it several times again, I still find it hilarious. The fence. The spirit fingers as the guy dances his way down the “oesophagus”. The lyrics. But beyond that, to do something so epic, and so big – just to laugh at how ridiculously big and self-important the beer category had become – is smart-arsery at its very best.
“To me, that tone of voice is what makes The Big Ad immortal. I think that it, and the whole unpretentious ‘Made from Beer’ positioning, would be just as refreshing if it was released today. It’s just fun. And while there are many things we do and should take seriously, beer advertising isn’t one of them.”
Entries are now open for The Immortal Awards. Little Black Book members have up to five free entries (depending on their membership). The deadline to enter is September 9th. Members should visit the submissions page to complete their entries, whilst non-members can join LBB by contacting Lynchy michael@campaignbrief.com.
5 Comments
Worked with Paul McMillan at Patts on this to stream it in full screen before it made it to the box.
This was the early days of streaming, before Flash was able to go full screen and way before YouTube. We sat at our small office in Prahran watching the streaming numbers ticking over in what was to be Australia’s first and most successful streaming video. can’t remember the final toll, but it was in the millions.
That said, the numbers pale to insignificance to the music clips of today. It was certainly a buzz to have been part of it all
That was when Clemenger Melbourne was a great agency, doing exciting, funny work.
See today’s news about management changes (and the comments) for perspective.
This was done at Patts. You’re probably too young #Back Then to remember Patts or what a powerhouse it was. It’s sad how people’s egos and lack of humility could wreck what was an awesome team and world class partnership. That Fosters/CUB business has never been the same.
I was watching this at work with some friends.
I left my job and became a creative because of it.
I’ve always strived to produce work that makes people want to quit their job and join advertising. Have only been successful on two campaigns.
What a great ad, thank you Jen.
I mean, what can you really say about this ad that isn’t soaringly positive?
Everything about it from thought to direction is spot on, and with one of the best taglines ever created.