Out To Launch

by Amy Corr, Nov 27, 2012, 4:33 PM

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Justin Timberlake and Madonna only have four minutes to save the world. Retired NBA star Dikembe Mutombo has four-and-a-half weeks, if we’re to believe the Mayan calendar. Old Spice recruited Mutombo to both save the planet and promote its Champion scent with a real-time, embeddable digital video game, where Mutombo will embark on weekly missions based on current news happening and events that could be considered signs that the apocalypse is coming. Levels 1 and 2 of the game are available here, and an intro video can be watched here. Gamers, be prepared to lose work productivity points, since this game with a retro feel can be a massive time suck.  Hypothetically speaking, of course. Players who submit game points will power a wood carver that will draw additional rings on the Mayan Calendar. Wieden+Kennedy Portland created the campaign.

This is one awkward office party. The New York Lottery launched a TV spot promoting its Holiday Magic scratch-off game as an ideal secret Santa gift for a colleague. Or is it? One would think the game is ideal for a quick, inexpensive gift, but with a chance at winning $1 million dollars at stake, a group of coworkers believe it’s a way for the big boss to show off his wealth. The recipient of the gift is all smiles while her co-workers are stuck with useless gifts and bah-humbug expressions. Watch it here, created by DDB New York.

HBO launched an amusing TV ad where a boss gifts an HBO series to match the personality of each employee. The boss gives “Game of Thrones” to a man he thought would appreciate the show’s backstabbing. A female employee receives “True Blood” because it’s chockfull of sex, and this lady has been inappropriate with multiple colleagues. “There’s an HBO show for everyone this holiday,” closes the ad, seen here and created by BBDO New York.

 

The Springs Preserve in Las Vegas is a hidden gem of nature and history in the heart of Sin City. A TV ad promoting tourism to the locale shows the refuge through the eyes of a young child. The little girl imagines a time when animal skeletons of present day were prehistoric beasts in the past; where gold miners panned for gold; and Indian tribes danced under a full moon. See it here, created by R&R Partners.

 

Google Chrome launched “Salvation,” a TV spot depicting how Google tools affect users on a daily basis. A pedestrian uses Google Street View when he becomes lost; a web surfer discovers a popular video on YouTube; a friend video-chats with a pal on what outfit to wear; and a man researches used-car prices and avoids being ripped off. Watch it here, created by F / Nazca Saatchi & Saatchi and directed by Marcio Leitão and Luiz Whately of Stink São Paulo.

 

HP launched a series of TV spots showcasing its line of touchscreen-enabled PCs using Windows 8. The “Language of Touch” campaign features real people interacting with HP products. The debut ad is an interesting story about a deaf DJ bringing joy to club goers. In “Sound of Touch” DJ, Robbie Wilde uses his HP ENVY 4 Ultrabook to physically feel the bass and touch the waveforms on screen. Amazing. Even though he can’t hear the beats, he can feel them. Watch it here, created by BBDO New York.

EOS launched a print and in-store campaign likening its Smooth Sphere lip balm to food. In three print ads, the EOS Smooth Spheres replace strawberries in desserts, berries in blenders and individually wrapped after-dinner mints. “The lip balm that makes you smile,” reads each ad, seen here, here and here. Do the lip balms smell and taste like delicious treats in reality? I hope so. Juniper Park Toronto created the campaign.

 

Perry Ellis launched a print campaign using “Very Perry,” a term often used to describe the brand’s clothes, as its tagline. Black-and-white ads are accented with a “Very Perry” pop of color in the form of polka dots, a paper bow tie and extra-large flower. See the ads here, here, here and here, created by YARD.

 

 

Random iPhone App of the week: jacAPPS created a Christmas List app that lets users create a visual list for family and friends. Gift-givers can drag and drop gifts into a loved one’s stocking and view a virtual spreadsheet to keep on-budget. Gift lists can be printed and shared, and users can even create a wishlist of gifts for themselves. The app costs 99 cents in the App Store.

 

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