Thinkbox
Here, Justin Tindall picks his three favourite TV ads and explains why he has been inspired by them. Justin is the Founding Partner of Platform London. When he spoke with us he was Leo Burnett’s Group Executive Creative Director, and he talked about the art of storytelling, learning important lessons about craft and getting to the heart of human truths. As one of the most awarded Creatives; he has lots to share on the subject of great and effective advertising. Breakout the popcorn and enjoy the film.
A few words about Justin
Attracted by the 'ideas' side of advertising, Tindall, who graduated alongside Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin with a degree in Fine Art from Goldsmiths College, is the ECD at M&C Saatchi. 7 years at DDB London saw Justin become Head of Art, Creative Director, a member of the Exec Board and one of the most awarded Creatives in the World
His work for Volkswagen, Lurpak, Marmite, The Guardian and Harvey Nichols winning the top honours at all the World’s major Advertising Festivals including D&AD, Cannes Lions, BTAA Arrows, The One Show and The Clios.
2006 saw Justin move to The Red Brick Road as Creative Partner where he oversaw multi-award winning campaigns for Heineken, Olympus, Thinkbox and Magners Cider. In 2011, he served on the Cannes Lions Film jury.
"Nothing moves you like moving pictures - moves you to tears, to laughter, to anger, to frustration," he said. "Good film work moves you to feel all these things. Great film work moves you to act." His formula for picking the best work? "My Gold standard is simple: I wish I'd thought of that."
Justin’s choices:
Stella Artois: Good Doctor
Part of the long-running "reassuringly expensive" campaign that started in 1982, "good doctor" premiered on British TV and in cinemas 20 years later, on 15 February 2002.
The ad, produced by Lowe Lintas & Partners in London, is the seventh piece in the Jean de Florette-inspired campaign. To achieve the ad’s characteristic weathered look, three copies of the film stock were graded separately to emphasize the grain of the film and the earthen tones of the subjects.
The spot also picked up a Bronze at the IPA Effectiveness Awards in the same year, and has received several other accolades since.
- Agency Lowe London
- Creative Don Barclay/ Charles Inge
- Production Co Stink
- Director Ivan Zacharias
VW Polo: Protection
This Volkswagen ad, created by BMP DDB, follows in a long line of advertising hits. Beautiful cinematography is pitched perfectly with a classical score to give an epic ambience to this commercial. In a number of scenarios, including a riot, horserace and boxing match, people in danger curl themselves into balls to protect themselves from dog, fire, hoof and glove.
The ad, directed by Jonathan Glazer, is used to relate this survival instinct to its small car, ending with the line: 'Have you ever noticed how protected you feel when you make yourself small'.
- Agency BMP DDB
- Creative Jeremy Craigen / Tony Cox/ Howard Spivey
- Production Co Academy Productions
- Director Jonathan Glazer
Match.com: Accidental Duet
Ad agency Mother, London launched the first large campaign for UK's Match.com. The ad was part of a £7m through the line campaign, and features a couple finding love in a music shop.
The ad, which was also shortlisted for a Thinkboxes award in 2010, explores the nature of the moment when two people just know they’ve found each other.
Directed by Si & Ad, the brief was to show how love is something understood through stories.
The song the pair sing is an original commissioned by Match and was followed in 2011 by "girl on the platform", in which a young couple meet while stood on opposite platforms of a train station.
- Agency Mother London
- Creative Al McCuish / Ed Warren / Erik Nordenanker / Daniel Mencak / David Colman / Nick Hallberry
- Production Co Academy Films
- Director Si & Ad
