Ikea – ‘The original’
In a world that moves at the speed of social, even print ads need to be timely and topical to catch people’s attention. Back in 2017, an Ikea ad, parodying Balenciaga did just that. Balenciaga had just released a $2,145 blue bag that looked suspiciously similar to Ikea’s iconic Frakta shopping bag.
The likeness was impossible to ignore. However, “if it rustles, it’s real”, Ikea says. The tongue-in-cheek advert from the Swedish home furnishings store presented both versions of the big blue bag together, along with advice on how to identify the original from the “copy”.
(Image credit: Ikea)
The Guardian – ‘We’ve got enemies in higher places’
This next provocative print campaign, created by BBH in 2016 for the Guardian, is a top choice for Ciara Stonley, a creative at agency syn. Given that almost all other major news outlets are owned by shareholders who may influence content, the campaign focuses on the fact that the paper asks questions that others can’t.
(Image credit: The Guardian)
Go Compare – ‘Saving the Nation’
These bold, pre-faced billboards caused quite a stir across socials in 2012. Created by agency Dare, for insurance comparison site GoCompare, the agency jumped on the public’s dislike of the brand’s curly-moustache opera singer character, Gio Compario. The campaign staged a great example of an “accidental fail” campaign, says Laura Jordan Bambach, founder and chief creative officer at agency Uncharted, former president of D&AD, author, lecturer and multi-titled creative.
(Image credit: GoCompare)
Stabilo – ‘Highlighting the Remarkable’
In this next ad from 2018, stationery brand Stabilo turned a promo for a highlighter pen into a push for female empowerment. “A great strapline – ‘highlighting the remarkable’,” says designer Mike Roberts. “This ad series highlights influential women in the background with great storytelling, while showing the product in action.”
(Image credit: Stabilo)
KFC – ‘FCK’
In February 2018, all KFC joints in the UK faced a shut-down as they were completely out of chicken due to some problem with a new supply partner,” says Dave Buonaguidi, ad expert, author of Blah! Blah! Blah
