Free Cake

Walking to the studios last week we noticed a man loading cake slices into a bus ad.
We see many strange things near our studios - a man dressed in tin foil knight armour, a person dressed in a rhino outfit outside a notorious 'gentleman's' club.
But never cakes into a bus ad before. Still - this is London, a city of ecclectic eccentrics and you never really question these things.

So how delighted were we to find that said cakes were part of an ad campaign for Mr Kipling. Instead of the standard poster of the product, this ad allowed you to press a button and receive a free cake to try then and there!!

Absolutely genius idea. For the novelty alone you remember the ad, but to get consumers to trial the product on the spot (we'd forgotten how good Angel Cake is...)
Brilliant stuff.
Although we specialise in broadcast and digital we have to take out hats off the a really smart use of outdoor -  we'd never discourage free cake!

It was so good, we might have to get some for the office - pop by if you fancy a slice!
www.redapplecreative.co.uk

Women in Advertising Gender Stereotype Shocker

So today is International Women's Day.
And it occurred to me that, in amongst this conversation about liberating women and the stereotypes that befall us, that I (also a woman) had commited one of those cardinal sins.
We recently produced a Spotify audio commercial for Crunchy Nut. Quite a fun one to promote bowling for the family and quite without hesitation I cast the voiceover as a woman and told the story from the view point of the mother.
All those staunch feminists would be aghast....but the reality is that, to make advertising work you need to reflect real life or make a very good comedy out of your contrast.
The truth is that the 'main-shoppers' as we now term what was once referred to as 'housewives' is so called because the women within households still account for the role as 'main shopper' and to have cast the role differently would have seemed contrived.

You still hear the arguement that the advertising world needs to lead change in how it represents gender stereotyping, that we reinforce these stereotypes to our children. But if these stereotypes aren't infact stereotypes, but are the reality for the majority then it's not the advertising that needs to change. Advertising reflects the world we live in as well as the one we aspire to.

So as it is International Women's Day, let's remember that women in some other countries couldn't give a damn that we're represented 'poorly' by endosing a household cleaning product. They're still fighting for the right to vote or visit the shops without a chaperone.

Target on Target with advertising

We know that retailers have been studying and analysing our buying and browsing habits in detail for a while now. Last week's story regarding US retailer Target rather letting the cat out of the bag by posting coupons for baby products to a teenage shoppers' home address before she'd had a chance to tell her parents, gave some very interesting insights into their analysis and predictions on consumers changing lifestyles.

The next generation are being born into a world where their progress has been tracked in utero. These retail giants will no doubt be able to store information on whether 'junior' develops lactose intolerance by a change in purchasing or is a problem sleeper by unusual late night shopping trips.

We deal with advertising campaigns on as personal a level as possible. Making the end user feel like this message is targeting them and talking to them directly. We want to encourage user activity and social conversation.

But we also want to protect our privacy.
Who would want their parents to find out about their teenage misdemeanours through the next Tesco Clubcard mailout?!!!
Strike the balance right and your customers are your friends - brands like Spotify allow you to reach select groups of people and connectivity with Facebook allows conversations to flourish.
Have you received coupons or targetted offers from retailers that you feel have overstepped a line of privacy? Tell us about it www.facebook.com/redapplecreativeuk

If you want to find out more about targetted advertising or the creative you need to make conversation happen, then drop us a line via www.redapplecreative.co.uk
(and don't worry, we're very discreet!)

Freedom on Expression vs. Silly Tweet

Twitter. Facebook. Text....we've all said something in this new era of communication that's harder to erase than it is to forget spoken word.

Like the current story of Paul Chambers who is challenging his conviction for tweeting that he would "blow Robin Hood Airport sky high" if the snow closed airport didn't open in time for him to be able to fly to see his girlfriend. He's charged with causing a menace by the Communications Act. He's chellenging that the conviction is in direct contradiction to the Freedom of Expression Act.

Who's right?
Well, considering it took police officers a week to arrest him for the comment, we can assume the threat of terrorism from Mr Chambers wasn't taken seriously. So why got to such lengths to admonish him for making the statement? It would seem the case is merely a good opportunity for the judicial system to remind us, the general public of the implication and impact our little social 'bites' have on the world and it's fight against terror/bad PR/factual inaccuracies in the tabloid press.

So Tweet carefully people - Big Brother is watching, and he doesn't have a sense of humour!

The Foghorn.

The Foghorn is our alter ego, where we let loose our corporate image and throw caution to the wind, so to speak. 

Last week we;

...inspired: Unexpected Art http://vimeo.com/23864881

...amused: Food on My Dog - http://foodonmydog.tumblr.com/

...and educated: "Bats always turn left when exiting a cave."

We send our weekly musings every Friday so to make sure you don't miss anything, sign up here - thefoghorn@redapplecreative.co.uk

www.redapplecreative.co.uk

    

Good casting is gold dust

Why good casting is so important.




Those of you with young children will most probably be aware of the programme for pre-schoolers on Cbeebies, Waybaloo. This cheery collection of crack induced characters are familiar for their yoga moves and more sedate programming than some of the other offerings on the channel.


So it was with much surprise a few weeks ago when a narrator was introduced for the first time. Even more surprising was the negative reaction from the parents that the narrator was none other than Dave Lamb of Come Dine With Me fame.


He is very possibly one of the most in demand voices in UK radio commercial casting and for good reason. However, much like all artists Dave is not suitable for every job that's available to him and a well experienced radio copywriter or producer should be in a position to give you a shortlist of artists who fit the brief and the brand. The artists' known work connections and profile are important considerations.Someone synonymous with a recent drink driving story in a high profile TV programme may not make the most sincere voice to a campaign on road safety.


We've spent years casting for commercials and only once have I been inclined to promote one artist specifically - well, Thierry Henry does have a certain appeal! Proffesional integrity prevailed, the hormones subsided and our casting service is thriving.
If you have an ongoing project that you'd like casting assistance with then get in touch with us here http://www.redapplecreative.co.uk/

RAB Announce Head of Creative Development

Great news from the Radio Advertising Bureau as they announce Clare Bowen's appointment to the newly created position of Head of Creative Development.

Bowen's creative pedigree and agency heritage will be vital in forging a fresh creative attitude in the industry.

We're excited to see the radio advertising sector being given such a spotlight and look forward to the impact it will have!

If you're looking for innovative radio creative you can find out more at www.redapplecreative.co.uk
and for the original story click here http://www.radiocentre.org/latest-industry-news/rab-appoints-head-of-creative-development

Internal Communications Conference

Early December saw Red Apple Creative bring a new dimension to PR Week’s 7th Internal Communications Conference.

Working with the PR Week team as conference sponsor we created a dynamic new conference opening in the form of our Internal Communications Radio Shows. Bespoke radio shows are designed to revitalise and renew internal communications as well as allow hard to reach teams of colleagues access to the corporate information that they can sometimes miss.

Christina Fee of Easyjet introduced the conference via our pre-produced radio show and concluded her opening notes live. The live Twitter feed showed us that this was really well received by the audience and has given several attendees the chance to work their internal communications in a totally new way!

You can find out more about these shows here http://www.redapplecreative.co.uk/audio/internal-communications

Demons Never Die

Brand new British horror flick 'Demons Never Die' is out this Friday in cinemas.

A raft of UK talent graces the screen and a phenomenal soundtrack supports the story. We're sure that you won't be going far without hearing something about it, especially if you're on Spotify as we've produced the Demons Never Die commercial.

If you can't wait and want to know more now, hunt them down on Facebook for the trailer and more details.

Internal Communications Conference

We're thrilled to be working with PR Week for the 7th annual Internal Communications Conference.
Our internal communications work has been gaining interest from various companies so we're really looking forward to showcasing our work and meeting more people from within this diverse and exciting sector.
You can hear some examples of our internal communications work here www.redapplecreative.co.uk/our-work and find out more about the conference at www.internalcommsconference.com

Amnesty Campaign Creative

After a successful campaign for radios to Burma last year, Amnesty International asked us to create their Clusterbomb commercial to run on Spotify.
It was part of an overall campaign to generate awareness on the funding of these munitions. Amnesty International are a fantastic and hard working charity and we're very pleased to have worked with them on this project.
You can hear our latest audio showreel at www.redapplecreative.co.uk

RAF Recruitment

The Royal Air Force are embarking on their first campaign with Spotify and we're proud to have created the audio to go alongside their fantastic video. There's a great deal more to the RAF than flying planes, but if your dream is to be Topgun of the British fleet then get on Spotify to find out more. Aviators at the ready!

Win with Barclaycard

We were delighted to create Barclaycard's Spotify copy for the Mercury Prize Album of the Year Award. An amazing event and this year you've got the chance to be there thanks to the lovely Barclaycard people...best have a listen to Spotify to find out how!

Easy as Child of Eden's Play

Users on Spotify may well have heard our commercial for the brand new game, Child of Eden.

We had a lot of fun with this one. Child of Eden is a game designed to be best played on a Kinnect, physically engaging the player with game through music.

The pop-up shop on Dean Street closes today so if you're in town, have a look and try the game for yourself. Failing that, check out the Child of Eden videos online, it really is an amazing game.

Who's to blame for the over-sexualisation of children?

There's much talk about the Government's plan to 'Stop the Commercialisation and Sexualisation of Children'. A panel of experts is being brought together by the Advertising Association to oversee this reform, rather than allow legislation to take hold.

None of us wants bureucrats dictating what is and isn't acceptable, but where should the line be drawn?

As advertisers and creatives there are certain things that we understand. Exclusions and time -restrictions on certain commercials, either for their product or their creative execution isn't questioned. But the music industry challenging the need for age restrictions on music videos - is this questionable?

A complainant felt that the Peugot 207 commercial confused her 5 year old boy. Yes, the commercial was edgy and had themes that a child wouldn't understand.

Was it as edgy and adult like as the music videos for Pussycat Dolls/Katy Perry/Rhianna?

Their videos contain the adult themes that their lyrics carry - all of which are played throughout the day on both radio and TV channels alike.

A trip to the shops will fair you no better, where some national, high-street retailers are stocking padded bras for pre-pubescants and t-shirts emblazoned with the slogan 'Future Wag' for three year olds. As I recall a pole-dancing kit for children was available through a major supermarket's online store a few years ago. The problem for me is that these products exist because there is a market for it. Adults are buying them for their children.

The question, I suppose I'm wondering is...can we ask recording artists and retailers to make their products more wholesome? No, artistic license and freedom of speech is paramount to the liberties this country upholds.

Would adding age restrictions on music videos make any difference? Possibly, to the parents who are concerned about their content. But there are parents who will buy their pre-teen children 18+ computer games such as Grand Theft Auto. Would these parents be concerned by their child watching Rhinna's 'S&M' video? Are these the parents that are buying these over-sexualised products for their children? Can we, should we stop them? As grotesque as some people will find this behaviour - we can't regulate parenting. Or good taste.

Cookies Expiration Date

So, from May 26th the government have given the digital world a 12 month deadline to comply with the new rulings on Cookies.

In short, ask the user before tracking their browsing. Cookies have many advantages - and yes, personal information is sacrisanct, but when we are so far into our online life how feasible will this be to enable without making browsing an unsightly mess and ridiculously time consuming?

Well, we've got a year to sort that one out!

Ronald McDonald Under Pressure to Retire?

For more than 40 years his maniacal grin has ushered swathes of children through the Golden Arches. In fact the pinnacle of the popular child's birthday party was the one hosted by Ronald McDonald (well, it was when I was young. Now they all want 'Make Over & Photo Shoot' and 'Music Video' parties where they dress up like Beyonce or Shaikra - arguably as unhealthy for the pre-teens' body image and certainly unhealthy for the parental bank balance!)

With McDonalds AGM about to commence hundreds of health professionals in the US have signed an open letter to the group claiming that their menu is making Amercian children fat and putting pressure on health services. They believe it's time for the clown to collect his golden watch and trott on to the golf course to spend his winter years.

Whilst well documented that children are brand aware from a young age and respond positively to the McDonalds' brand. Should we not stop blaming the marketing of these brands and start asking questions of the parents of these children? The odd fast food meal does not a fat child make.

Marketing and consumerism is everywhere we go and an undeniable part of modern life.

Moderation and restraint are important lessons to intil in our children.

Dear old Ronald may well be handed his P45 but I fear the tills in the restaurants won't ring anymore quietly. Children will still be getting fat and advertising, in one form or another will still be held accoutnable.

Leaked secrets

So Android phones are, apparently 'leaking' your personal information (wasn't it iPhone causing the leaked information furore just a couple of weeks ago?)

We're using smart phones more and more with an ever increasing appetite for technology in the go. It could be argued that we're simply being less precious with protecting our personal information, or perhaps we're naively trusting in our technical gadgets and their suppliers? Or could it be that consumers are just too ambivalent about this kind of virtual intrusion?

When Sony's Playstation network was compromised it seemed that the gaming addicts greatest concern was when they could start online placy again rather than whether their bank account had been raided?

This week alone we've had three briefs dealing with Apps, the App Trap won't go away anytime soon so let's hope that consumer confidence isn't damaged by news like this and it's potenial outcomes.

34 Million and Counting!

Rajar Day rolled around again for the radio industry yesterday and it's great news for commercial radio. Posting its highest ever figures commercial radio now welcomes 34 millions adults every week.

The survey also showed that the way we're listening is evolving. A quarter of all listening now takes place via a digital receiver such as DAB or Freeview. Listening via a mobile is making strides in the younger end of the market with 13.8% of 15 to 25's choosing to listen this way.

The clamour for number 1 position in the London market is always first reported, but our shining story is Oxford's Jack FM who in the past 12 months have seen their reach grow from 4% to 17%!!

Sony Success for Commercial Radio

The hangovers have faded, the shelves are weighed down with silver and the email signatures have been duly updated with announcements of awards won - yes this year's Sony awards are over.

The usual back patting for the BBC as always, but many congratulations to our friends in commercial radio who scooped a record number of awards this year.

We're especially delighted to see the 'commercial' part of commercial radio receiveing it's own accolades and rightly so. Radio is one of the few media where an advertiser can step inside the content and shape the output.

Congratulations to all the winners and finalists at this year's Sony's!