If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Droga5 must fucking love the guys behind the 2005 British television series, ‘Man Stroke Woman’!
Sour grapes?
Not really, you see whilst I genuinely believe the campaign we were ready to launch after our initial Symphony spot, was miles better than this [but I would say that wouldn’t I, plus this ad is for a VB variant called ‘Gold’ rather than the masterbrand] … I really like and rate Droga5.
I suppose what’s really pissed me off about them putting out work so obviously ‘inspired’ by someone else is …
[1] it undermines the value and creativity of the whole industry – especially when it’s from a company who are regarded as one of the shining lights of adland
[2] it undermines how great Droga5 can be – and they can be really, really great.
I know I’ve been threatening to show the work we were going to make before certain senior advertising executives at an international network went completely fucking mad and pissed off Fosters, but now is not the time …
Saying that, despite the fact our new strat didn’t really get to see the light of day, I am pretty bloody proud our only involvement with the brand led to one of VB’s most dramatic shifts in communication for about 40 years – however as I explained here – it wasn’t change for the sake of it, it was about getting the brand away from it’s ‘shorts and singlets’ image and back to the values it [and Australia] was built on.
Jesus, can you hear us slapping ourselves on the back?
This is not meant to be a piss off Droga5 – as I said, I think they are really great and I have friends that are there – it’s just that this is not them at their best and I hope in future they let the brilliance flow from their brains, not their DVD collection!