But what I am going to share is some of the work which caught my attention and is surely worth seeing. [Click on image to view full-sized images]

CafiAspirina
A copywriter’s delight.

Hot Wheels
Can’t resist it but this is one of those “I wish I had done it” sorts.

Nissan Auto Insurance
Smart. That’s all I’ll say.

Bangalore Traffic Police
Mudra’s silver win at the Cannes

Super non-stick pans
Have always enjoyed ambient stuff done so well.

Film winners will be announced this weekend, so will share my picks later next week.

Visa Debit Card from Campaign India on Vimeo.

Can we hope that India will become a cash-less society? A major technology boost is needed before we can proudly flash our cards for every purchase. But hey we are getting there. What do you think?

Art Director: Ninad Gharat, Binal Parikh
Copywriter: Aditya Iyengar
Photographar: Amol Jadhav
Illustrator: Shankar Chavan

This is an ad to promote the famous exchange offers which Big Bazaar announces very often. What’s remarkable (and you may have to take a closer look at the image for this) is the fact that this entire music system has been constructed after buying/collecting  a big quantity of junk and then assembling the pieces bit by bit. Here are a few pics taken of work-in-progress, which should give you a better idea.

Click on the images to see them in full size.

BEFORE

AFTER

So who’s going to the airport to welcome the team?

Cartoon courtesy: Mid-Day

Over the weekend, I was at Cavelossim Beach in Goa to attend the Goafest 2009. This year the event focussed on the R-word – “Why this recession is too good to be wasted?” But I think the recession was more than evident at the event – lower number of friends from the industry, limited booze per person and no free water sports.

But then I think Goafest is more than just the number of beers you can drink. It’s about the opportunity for many young advertising professionals to hear some of the best minds and distinguished industry leaders share some of their vision and experiences.

Sir John Hegarty explored how this recession is an opportunity to get more creative and evolve new channels of communication, products and embrace the internet more boldly. Neeraj Nayar spoke about the progression from just Branded Messages to  Branded Utility – Services. (will try and explore these talks in future posts).

I guess a lot many have been disappointed at the very limited number of wins at the Creative Abby awards. Talks about the jury being very harsh and then admitting this on the stage left everyone amused. Of course, like always there was a lot of scam work (ads which are not actually released by the brand, but done only to win awards). Some of the work on radio (Virgin Mobile, Tata Magic) and integrated advertising (The Blind Children’s Painting Exhibition & Domestic Violence – Bell Bajao) was truly entertaining and award-worthy.

DJ Akhtar at the Zoom party and Jalebe Cartel the next night really did some magic and got the dance floor filled up. Although the weather was sick, I think people just kept drinking from the bar to quench their thirst and dance away into the wee hours of the night.

If there is something I am disappointed about this year’s visit, is the number of photos – barely anything compared to last year. Sharing them online at flickr.

Just a quick note to let you all know that I will be attending the Goafest 2009 at Cavelossim Beach, Goa over the next 2 days.

Looking forward to some inspiring talks by Sir Johan Hegarty & Dan Wieden. Of course the sun, sand, water sports, the beach and beer are added attractions.

Find out more about Goafest 2009 here. And you can also browse photos from the last year’s event at my flickr album. Meanwhile I will continue to give live updates from the event on my twitter channel.

Can’t see video, click here to watch the VISA tvc.

Now, the real story. The man you see in there is not just any model they picked and travelled across the world with a camera crew. He is Matt Harding, a 32 year-old-deadbeat living in Seattle. It seems a couple of his home videos attained fame online and those have gone on to inspire more such commercial projects, VISA being one of the most visible. A good example of social media being the seed for a TV commercial rather than the other way round. Shall we see more of these in the coming times?

Matt has a rather interesting and truly luck by chance path to attain the semi-fame he has earned in the last few years. [Read more about Matt at his website: Where the hell is Matt?] And the VISA tvc now makes it even more prominent. But surprisingly the website has no mention of the VISA commercial.

And yes, while you are at youtube – don’t miss watching the spoof “What’s Matt’s girlfriend doing while he is away dancing across the globe”.

[Click on the posters for larger version]
   

Also you must watch the election campaign speech by the leaders of each camp – Buffalo, Elephant and Monkey.

And your vote can make a difference. So send a SMS and do your bit.

Update: You can put your vote online by clicking on this link.

Images from epaper of Times of India.

See if for yourself – Sony Ericsson W350i and Samsung F480. Let me know what do you think.