This commercial for the launch of Smirnoff Black in Milan is so well-produced, it's hard to believe this work was completed on spec. Director Kobayashi created this test commercial with the matrioska, an instantly-recognizable symbol of Russia, in mind.
Kobayashi composited the manga matrioskas over real footage of Milan and topped things off with a clip from M.I.A.'s "Paper Planes." The credit list for this commercial is simple: It's all Kobayashi, armed with his Canon HV20 and a computer.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Cross-cultural Branding
- Using recognizable symbols from different cultures to appeal to a wider audience.
- Mixed-media Advertising
- Incorporating multiple forms of media, such as manga and real-life footage, to create a unique viewing experience.
- Spec Commercial Production
- Producing high-quality ads on a speculative basis to showcase creativity and attract brand partnerships.
Where This Applies
- Alcohol
- Alcohol brands can explore cross-cultural branding to appeal to global audiences.
- Advertising
- The use of mixed-media and experimental production methods could disrupt traditional advertising practices.
- Video Production
- Production companies could leverage spec commercial production to showcase creativity and attract new clients.
