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
We produce content across all audio, video and digital platforms. There are now more media outlets available reaching an ever more diverse audience. We provide the content to communicate to them in one central hub of creative excellence. Our ethos is simple: Excellent relationships. Excellent creative. Excellent results. www.redapplecreative.co.uk
28 March 2012
8 March 2012
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.
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.
27 February 2012
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!)
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!)
15 February 2012
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!
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!
7 February 2012
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
1 February 2012
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/
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/
19 January 2012
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
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
12 January 2012
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
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
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