What better time to start my independent advertising ’blog than after Campaign’s 2009 annual (and the special decade edition too)? Earlier, obviously, but nonetheless it is started.
Thumbing through Campaign’s glossy pages and rundown of all the highs and lows of in particular the year 2009[1] I would have to say I agree with most of the top 10s, perhaps not the order but certainly the content.
My only complaint is the omission of Fallon’s ‘The Good Times They’re Out There’ poster print (see below) for Budweiser. This image displays the highest in art direction, whilst the copy is far from ground breaking it doesn’t need to be, as the image itself is quite so capturing. For me essentially the tranquil beauty and juxtaposition of the ‘rundown’ suburbs and the high rise offices or flats, suggests to me that Budweiser is a simple pleasure that can be enjoyed by all; thus the copy need not be extravagant; it only serves to reaffirm what I believe the art direction intended to convey.
I must admit that I did not catch all the top 10 posters that were featured, but on seeing them now I think they are all worthy of their accolade. So, the big question: which one do I drop to make way for my personal favourite? And my answer: hmmm……. How about Campaign have a top 11 next year? They all deserve to be up there for myriad reasons: wit (Dixons’ ‘Middle England’), media innovation (Virgin Trains’ ‘Liverpool Trains Liverpool Wall’), art direction (Land Rover’s ‘Goggles’), copy (VW’s ‘Efficiency’), copy and art Direction (The Times’ ‘Helicopter’), and finally for environment interaction or innovation (Sudafed’s ‘Breathe Clearly’.
In conclusion I cannot decide and am really sorry for sitting on the fence.
[1] I refer specifically to 2009 as it is only really within the past year that I have begun to take a vested interest in advertising – this owes itself to the fact that I was close to graduating from university and had to think where and what to do next.
