Welcome to the Weekly Video Round-Up!

Every week we take a look at how companies are using video to communicate with customers, employees and investors.

Magnum Pleasure Hunt

You may remember an interactive game last year by Magnum, where you could navigate the internet while catching ice cream and winning prizes. Well, the popular ice cream brand is back with a partnership with Bing and Microsoft. Taking things to the next level by letting you navigate street view in a brilliant interactive game. The game itself is hosted on a dedicated site and has been integrated into Bing’s Streetview to give you the total web experience.

Lowe Brindfors, the agency behind the campaign, sent a photographer around the world to take more than 6,500 pictures that are used in the game to create realistic locations. When first launched last year, it was reported that the video attracted seven million players worldwide, who spent an average of five minutes taking part. It’s no wonder that the newest installment features new brands in the scenes, including Quiksilver, Bulgari and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, all eager to get in on the action.

The History of April Fools

Ever wonder how April 1st came to be the day that we all wind each other up? This short animated video will explain everything you ever needed to know about April Fool’s day.

Nivea Flash Mob

Just when you think that flash mobs have been done to death, out come Nivea with something new, classy and exciting that will grab lots of attention.

Google 360

Google is always launching innovative projects and their latest will see them let anyone around the world experience an innovative 360 degree virtual tour of the White House.

Welcome to the Weekly Video Round-Up!

Every week we take a look at how companies are using video to communicate with customers, employees and investors.

Touch the Rainbow

Skittles has just launched one of the more creative online video campaigns we’ve seen. The Skittle’s Touch campaign, hosted on Skittles YouTube page, is made up of five different videos, all incorporating your finger into the action. At the beginning of each video you are asked to put your index finger or thumb on the screen where the Skittle is. The creative comes from agency BBDO and media is courtesy of MediaCom.

Skittles launched a similar campaign last year, which doubled the sales of the brand. This inspired the team to think bigger this year. Inspired by the idea of touching something that shouldn’t be touched, the pair devised the evolution of the campaign to include mythical creatures, such as a cyclops doctor, werewolf baby and a fairytale princess. The videos essentially let you ‘touch’ something you can’t touch in reality. Although it becomes apparent your finger on the screen has no effect on the outcome of the video, the concept is still one of the most innovative in terms of user engagement and continues to push the boundaries of traditional advertising.

Tips from Former Smokers

This is a powerful PSA from the Center for Disease Control which gives a glimpse into lives of smokers as tips to viewers who may not be headed in the same direction.

Vitamin Water – Internet Memes

This short ad from Vitamin Water tells you to ‘prepare for anything’, the anything in this case being popular internet hits making thier way into the real world.

Metro Newspaper

The Metro newspaper has just been re-branded into a smaller version and to let people know, they created a smart stunt that turns their giant paper into a large floating boat that they launched onto a river.

Welcome to the Weekly Video Round-Up!

Every week we take a look at how companies are using video to communicate with customers, employees and investors.

Toward the Sound of Chaos

Over the last few decades, world politics, war and environmental disasters have left some to speculate on the stability of our future, and many to describe our current state of affairs as chaotic. This is exactly the tag-line chosen for the latest US Marine Corps recruitment videos; ‘Toward the Sound of Chaos’ and the videos focus on exactly that; chaos. The videos highlight recent crisis’ such as the earthquake in Haiti, with a compelling voiceover: ‘Most people hear the sounds of chaos and run in the opposite direction, but there are few who listen intently for these sounds, not in the hopes of hearing them, but to help rid the world of them.’ The spot ends with a provocative tagline: ‘Which way would you run?’

Historically, youth have viewed military service as a way to improve personally while serving the country. However, today’s youth want to be part of something bigger, to help others in need. The intent of the campaign is to bring attention to the humanitarian side of military service, one that is not always seen, and appeal to that younger generation who value helping others and consider humanitarian service an important component of good citizenship.

 

The Story of Sushi

Part PSA, part self-promotion, this tale about the state of the world’s fishing industry took 7 months to create and produce. Although a little long, the important message behind the video is worth the watch.

The Story of Sushi from Bamboo Sushi on Vimeo.

Dunkology

The folks at Kia deliver another brilliant ad, this time with the help of the people at Funny or Die, basketball superstar Blake Griffin and randomly, Jeff Goldblum.

 

British Airways

This Olympic spot is a big production ad but has that special feel good factor. We can expect more brands to embrace similar themes over the coming months.

Welcome to the Weekly Video Round-Up!

Every week we take a look at how companies are using video to communicate with customers, employees and investors.

Remember to Breathe

As part of the Remember to Breathe campaign, Travel Alberta unveiled a video highlighting shots from every corner of the province. The video focuses less on specific attractions and more on experience and emotion, inviting viewers right into the scene to experience every moment. This approach was well thought out from a marketing perspective, targeting a traveler that is more active, that values going out and seeing all that a destination has to offer.

Since the launch, the campaign has gained international recognition. Earlier this month, the video was awarded the Diamond Award as the best entry in the annual Golden City Gate international film and media competition at the International Tourism Fair (ITB) in Berlin. Travel Alberta’s entry also won a gold award in the “regions” category, beating out entries from Spain, Mexico, France, Finland, Switzerland and Germany. This award only solidifies the brand’s place as a major player in the travel industry and helps enhance Alberta as a sought after destination on an international level.

Guinness – Round Up Your Mates

This spot produced by Guinness, is a hilarious piece of content that is getting serious traction, with over a million views in the week leading up to St. Patrick’s day. The video shows a sheep dog rounding up a group of guys with all the normal obstacles they would face on a night out.

Method Clean Happy

This video was produced to promote cleaning brand Method and is well on it’s way to viral success. It provides the perfect balance between product placement and great production values to ensure millions of people end up seeing it.

Dollar Shave Club

This is a really clever video for DollarShaveClub.com. Never heard of them before? Neither had we, but after this video it’s unlikely we’ll forget the name.

Welcome to the Weekly Video Round-Up!

Every week we take a look at how companies are using video to communicate with customers, employees and investors.

IKEA Small Spaces

In a series of content marketing initiatives, IKEA launched a YouTube channel called ‘Small Spaces’, a how-to series of videos which shows viewers how to make the most out of thier rooms, no matter the size. Using real IKEA Interior Designers as hosts, the videos cover everything from walk-in closets to small kitchens. The videos aim to teach viewers the various uses of IKEA products, allowing them the chance to create a space with show room quality. The series is just one example in the IKEA content marketing startegy. In addition to their videos, the brand has also started a photo sharing website, www.theshare-space.com that allows customers to post photos, and discuss design ideas.

IKEA was able to grasp the very nature of Content Marketing with these videos, by staying away from the usual ‘push’ tactics involved with traditional advertising, and instead used ‘pull’ tactics by creating content that encourages customers to participate and contribute. These initiatives engage the IKEA consumer and ultimately allows the brand alternative avenues to share information and market their products.

Three Little Pigs

This is a great spot produced by the Guardian who are promoting their new open journalism model. Putting a modern day twist on the famous fairy tale, The Three Little Pigs, the ad shows the pigs being arrested for boiling the big bad wolf alive.

 Invisible Mercedes

Wanting to showcase the fact that its new fuel cell vehicle doesn’t give out any emissions, Mercedes decided that instead of advertising the car and placing it in busy spaces, they would make it invisible through LED screens and a camera.

Alzheimer’s Awareness

A new campaign just launched in Israel is helping raise awareness about Alzheimer’s by targeting people when they were in the cinema. This is a very interesting approach for the cause, and something we’re sure the participants won’t forget.