As a digital agency, one might think it odd that we’re producing our reel as a hard media, DVD. In deed, it has been a bone of contention for some time and thats why, several months after completing our 2008 Design Reel
, we are only just approving the production. After laboring over the reel itself, we’re spending a fair penny on mastering, duplication, packaging and distribution. So I’m still asking why? when we’ve done a great job encoding at different sizes and serving. Electronic distribution is easy and basically free and above all: immediate. As a digital agency, perhaps we should be committed to the channels we predominantly work within? The answer is punctuated by a single word that my partner at Last Exit often heralds “RELEVANCE”. On top of that, I would like to add “penetration” and “visibility”. Our in-boxes are, unfortunately crowded with enough spam to fill a million cheap sandwiches and whilst we can use many different creative tactics to draw attention to a mailer, we believe in a multi-channel and relevant approach that taps into the the behavioral characteristics of our audience. Ours is splie between CMOs at the brands themselves and producers/CDs at ad agencies. Both sets have spent much more time in TV/Radio than in interactive and whilst the transition is happening it’s important to bridge the gap, speak the right language and not to be too disruptive.

So, our belief is that receiving a well designed, beautifully produced DVD (spot glossing and all) will, at the very least, leave an impression in the recipients mind (even if they never actually load the disk into a player) backed by the appropriate and well timed follow up. This is a tried and true and simple tactic that has worked for many reps and EPs in the advertising and motion business and whilst there’s not model for reps in interactive, we’ll give this a go.

Here’s a few screen shots. You can view the reel here, or let us know if you’d like to receive DVD.

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We are immensely proud to announce the launch of a cracking piece of work for the JSF UK industry team - comprising BAE Systems, GE Aviation, MartinBaker, MBDA and Rolls Royce.

Fantastic result reflecting phenomenal innovation in the form of the Joint Strike Fighter which will replace the iconic Harrier Jump Jet in 2012.

Check out the site by clicking HERE.

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Having come from a product design background and being a complete petrol head (cars/bikes not sea birds), I’m always fascinated by latest trends in the automotive world. As a European, I’m particularly into how high design, innovation and quality engineering applied to smaller cars. So, I was a little miffed by this article in the New York Times this weekend expressing the concept that, ys, we need to adjust the way we think about cars in the US, how we need to think of it as much more of a utility and than an expression of self worth, social status etc. Now, whilst I agree Ms Navarro in that our thinking does need shift I also disagree that small cars represent a compromise. The problem that American car companies face is that they have invested all their development into big cars, particularly SUVs and large sports sedans. Don’t get me wrong, there are some amazing vehicles in this class but one thing the European and Japanese car companies did was to learn from the first big oil crisis in the seventies and to commit development to highly attractive, efficient cars able to outperform many of their bigger cousins. New Ford CEO Alan Mulally, quite correctly, suggested that America’s second largest car manufacturer must to learn some essential lessons from it’s European (franchised) relations - in Europe where Ford is a highly innovative car company who regularly sits at the front of the grid when it comes to small cars.

As with many things, you can suggest that the general public must lead the way in forging a new path but it’s up to the industry leaders, the innovators the designers and those holding the purse strings to path a new road, and we don’t have to look very far and in the short term, we don’t even have to worry too much about alternative fuels (the average MPG of American cars is the same as the original Model T Ford!!). There are many, many examples of cars from the rest of the world that are highly desirable and fuel efficient to boot! The Mercedes A class, still has not made it to US shores. Companies such as Fiat, Peugeot and Renault who constantly produces some of the world best hot hatches, still don’t wade through the Atlantic to present their wares here, whilst VW have two smaller cars, Polo and Fox (yes, smaller than the Rabbit) that represent fine design in a small package, are not brought over.

And, there’s more that can be done. Once marketing has driven better product development, more investment and better thinking needs to be applied to branding and advertising these vehicles. Lotus unfortunaltely has not done a good job with the amazing Elise. A car that weighs next to nothing, has only a 1.9litre engine and could outperform many supercars vastly more explensive and gas guzzling. The best marketing example to date, is probably BMW’s Mini Cooper, but let’s take a look at the new Fiat 500,

another European design icon recently brought back to life along with countless other products that will garner a cult like following.

So, we’ll try and love our small cars but give us more and give us something better!

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Last Exit has just (soft) launched a new campaign for our clients MOLI. The campaign is based around a series of 5 short films about a character called Marcus - an insufferable control freak - who runs a young ad agency. Though he’s rather hateful, the aim was for us, the creative class, to see something of ourselves in this insidious person. The question is, whether we rejoice in this or bow our heads in shame. Well, the site goes some way into celebrating control freaks. Yes, it’s something we have to learn to let go of and ultimately chill out as our companies grow but in the early days it may be seen as essential.

So, the site is hosted by the good doctor, Dr. Zizberg - the foremost authority on control freakism. He has developed an elaborate brain scan test which reverse engineers your computer monitor to scan your cranium when pressed against the screen. Amazing!!

The site was a lot of fun to work on and a lot fun to use. And, MOLI are giving away 25 iPod touches as part of a sweepstakes competition. So go in, create a profile, take the test and GOOD LUCK!!!

http://www.controlfreaktv.com/

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Wow, our site hit it again!!! So, go on and help us crush it at PageCrush

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Wow - just been featured on FairSpot.  They just keep rolling in.  I think the next iteration of our website is going to have to be pretty special!

http://fairspot.com/category/studios-agencies/

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How do you explain that your overhead projector technology is better than others? Dentsu America created a visually rich, character-driven campaign entitled “Our Pixels Are Really Close” to re-enforce the Canon REALiS next-generation overhead projector technology and its key advantage - the sharpness and accuracy of the displayed image. At Last Exit, we produced the site incorporating lots of visual effects as well as, of course, the pixel characters.

<<Click here to launch Canon - REALiS>>

The success of the project is a testament to the highly collaborative relationship between our two companies. Fantastic!

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And featured again on CrossMind.net. Thanks guys!!

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Our very own website seems to have been picked up by a few design community sites.  The first is on Design Licks, though I have to say that the Australian site for “Lynx” would hold my attention a little more ;) 

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British(ish) comedy,

Take a look!

Post completely stolen from Tonic’s blog

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