The death of the 30 sec TVC

I can only hope...

It surprises me that from the mass produced, commodity driven 1950s where a 30 sec TV advert would provide glorious results for soap powder, many advertisers still rely on the 30 sec TVC to represent their brand, hoping the silver bullet effect will still resonate.

Of course, TV is a great way to broadcast your message to the world. Indeed, the power of a Superbowl advert has become as significant as the game itself. Warning though clients... Those TVs are the best of the best.

Why are they so good? Why do people give a crap...well, it's because they're good! They're are short films...art in their own right. There sole function is to wow. That's why they work. These adverts aren't worried about selling units per se. These adverts are all about one up man-ship. These are put on the planet to create WOM. These are the game changers for some brands in one, worldwide, fell swoop!

Why are advertisers still obsessed with their 30 sec TVC making a difference in the everyday? 90% are bland, personality void, selling messages. Non-engaging, that 1950s silverbullet we all scoff at.

Whatcha laughing at?? This is how it still is day to day in agencies all over the world.

How about, brands facilitate art, that content we all want to see? Brand funded, decent content, when the likes of the BBC can't justify the license fee anymore?? How about instead of loads of product placement, it's just that next screen series you LOVE, brought to you, by that brand you love?? Google live and die by relevancy, creating a good brand experience for their users. Why in TV land do we expect are audience to put up with it?

Imagine a world where you're about to get to the big reveal, without shouting at the 3 min ad break with all the TV commercials you don't really give a hoot about, only to tell them to naff off. Don't even get me started on mid-rolls in VoD services. Why laden a relevant, content someone has chosen to find and engage with, spend your time frustrating them with 4 adverts mid-content??

We're all talking about how content is KING. How about we treat it with some respect? Brands, and agencies need to shake things up and set some ground rules in place. We're all consumers here...how about we listen to ourselves?

Top 10 albums of 2010

Now the lads in the office set the task of everyone what their top 1o albums of the year were. Bearing in mind they're all terribly cool, and I'm the poptastic, camp-electro loving runt of the department, I have been somewhat apprehensive at telling them...

so instead, I shall tell you all what I've been mostly listening to this year:

No lies...I promise:

Rihanna - Loud

First things first, my girl crush of the year, and all round dancefloor OWNED record this year HAS to go to this young lady. Yes, that's right, Rihanna...you could quite happily turn me.

Grum - Heartbeats

Not strictly a 2010 release, as the album first launched Q4 2009, but I only discovered them this year, so bear with me. 80's electo-tastic. Stand out tracks being 'Through the Night' and 'Can't Shake this Feeling'. They've got them some wicked videos too.

Arcade Fire - The Suburbs

Amazing album, and award to live gig of the year also goes to these kids. Nearly cried, when sober at their gig in Dec at the O2...

American Anthems - Compilation

As mentioned, I'm not going to lie to you good people...this is an amazingly cheesy album, full of AOR classics...'Maniac' is a personal favourite...but this, undoubtedly, as at least one track on it for everyone...even if not just on sheer volume!

Two Door Cinema Club - Tourist History

Brilliant debut album from these boys...reminds me of summer each time I hear it. Happy go lucky, feel good pop...introduced to me from the ever so cool Kitsune Maison label. As always...Kitsune, you make me a better person.

Kitsune Maison 8 - Compilation

As mentioned, Kitsune have introduced me to some of my favourite tunes, and it would be criminal for me not to add this compilation as it gave me Parallels 'Find the Fire' possibly one of my favourite singles...ever...

Harlem - Hippies

Bit of a surprise one here for you kids, but an amazing album. Like a cool Beach Boys for the noughties...will definitely been chilling to a bit of this on the beach in Oz.

Kitsune vs. Ponystep - Compilation

Yes, another shameless Kitsune name-check here...but please, if you only choose to listen to one compilation listen to this...it's the one thing that gets me through a job down the canal...and that's no mean feat...you.just.can't.help.but.dance...

She and Him -Volume 2

Another possible surprising one here from me...but I love these cutesy albums from She and Him. Listening to them make me feel a bit more ladylike...altho...I don't think just listening to the album is going to do it...

Hurts - Happiness

Yes, a name-check must go to Sandy Pandy for this one. Although the album hasn't lit me on fire in quite the same way as Pandy, it truely is a 80s, camp-tastic, pop masterpiece...

A brilliant debut album from these two...no doubt big things are expected for the second...

Lastly (there's always one for luck...)

Daft Punk - Tron

Some people have been EXTREMELY snobby about this, but I LOVE it. Everything a soundtrack should be and more...'Derezzed' is a work of genius...nuff said...

So there you have it...my top 10 albums of the year...not critically acclaimed...but what I've honestly been listening to all year...

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