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‘Private Hear’ goes public

Creative team Toby and Selena recently returned to these shores – originating from Melbourne, detouring via Amsterdam. Having frequented W+K London once before, they understand UK culture, our people, our tastes…

But when invited by Campaign to critique a series of recent radio spots, they sought some advice. From experts. Those who constantly listen to the wireless. Who have plenty to say on this (and for that matter, every) subject. Enter our Hackney Carriage licensed London black taxi drivers.

Armed with the six radio ads to review, Selena set off to Liverpool Street Station's taxi rank around midnight one Sunday and patiently waited in line. Explaining to the drivers how she would love to hear their thoughts, they each duly invited her to pop in the back and play the ads as they ranked up waiting for their next job.

Selena has worked with some mega global talent in her time but possibly none as passionate, opinionated or self-assured as these men on the midnight shift. With the radio constantly blaring out, they know their stuff. And they know what they think about it: good or bad, but rarely indifferent.

Below is the excerpt from the latest Campaign. A little doctored (references to prostitution edited out) but with the sentiments of our capital's cabbies in tact.

 

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Usually when we can't find people in the agency, our reception puts out a 'bing bong' tannoy. Going forward with Toby and Selena, we'll just head to the Liverpool Street taxi rank where we expect to find them conducting some more 'focus group qual'.

Wieden + Kennedy is Campaign’s network of the year 2010

Wieden + Kennedy is Campaign magazine's network of the year 2010.

Network of the Year 2
They say W+K ‘touched a global popular culture nerve in 2010 like no other. Wieden + Kennedy, the one time quirky alternative to the big shops, made its clients Nike and Old Spice the world’s most viral brands this year. The micro-network demonstrated true creative excellence and left bigger, older rivals in the shade.’

In other W+K-related news from Campaign, Nike ‘Write the Future’ was named campaign of the year.

Nike-Write-The-Future
“Only one brand won this year’s FIFA World Cup and that was Nike. This was thanks to a three minute film that mixed fantasy with football to such a degree that it became a global phenomenon and trounced rivals such as adidas in terms of positioning.”

Campaign of the Year 2
Nike also got best poster of the year and 2nd best TV ad of the year. One of our Honda press ads was named best regional press ad of the year and Nike Grid got number 6 in the ‘best poster’ charts while Lurpak ‘Pride’ was number 9. Nike Grid was also number 3 in best digital campaigns.  Old Spice and Nike were numbers 1 and 2 in top 10 virals.

Great results. Big congratulations to all!

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