spoof

Coming soon to a late-night TV near you - Kanye West in the premier installment of the “In An Absolut World” campaign.

The rapper, who’s latest tour is sponsored by the Vodka brand, appears in this “low-fi” infomercial spoof trying to sell “Be Kanye” tablets - complete with cheesy voiceovers, special effects, and the “stand in front of a moving galaxy” bit that was so common in those classic informercials from the 80’s.

In addition to the television spot there’s also a print campaign that can be found in the latest issue of The New Yorker as well as on select NYC subway trains.

image courtesy of the World Store Blog.

There’s also a small companion website for this spot over at www.bekanyenow.com.

The 2008 “In An Absolut World” campaign will also feature Perez Hilton, Eddie Izzard, Editors from Thrillist.com, Treehugger.com, Style.com, as well as various Live Earth Filmmakers.

This campaign was produced by Winslow Dennis from TBWA\Chiat\Day, NY and featured Paul Krik as the Director (Tim Naylor as the DP). On the production side, Emily Plunkett was the producer with Elizabeth Krajewski as the E.P.

Dave Herman edited this piece for Jump Editorial, NY. Roberto Serrini was the assistant editor and Maniac, NY was the VFX company used (With Nicholas Sasso as the Lead Flame Artist, Charles Self as the Producer and Stephane Guyot mixing the sound).

Ok, with this one I’ve realized that you either love it or hate it, and well, I just so happen to be part of that first group. A Christmas Story was, and still is, one of my all-time holiday movies and i think this spoof spot was well done. It even has the star appearing in bunny-rabbit pajamas at the end. “You’ll rack the bill up!!” Done by BBDO, if anyone knows what production company was used, feel free to post in the comments(well, feel free to post anyways, but especially if you have any info on the project)

This is a good break from the recent series of H3 ads where the participants run out to buy a Hummer after feeling inadequate for one reason or another. Personally, I hate those spots. I think that they have a negative effect on making people interesting in purchasing their product. It labels all Hummer owners as being wimps trying to make up for the fact that they get walked all over in life. But not with this spot.

Now it might just be because the Great Escape is one of my all-time favorite movies, or that there is a cameo from Steve McQueen’s son at the end, but I think that this ad is great. It doesn’t do much for selling Hummers, but as far as cinematography goes, it’s a winner in my book.

From their press-release:

“The goal of Escape, was to show how the H3 inspires people to break free from their hectic and confined daily routine,  explains Megan Stooke, HUMMER marketing director.”

Kudos go out to Modernista! Boston and director Fredrik Bond from MJZ.

The best part is when they see their “fallen comrade” running towards them in a dress at the end. Good stuff.

View the shorter(60 second) spot here - Hummer - Great Escape (:60 Second Version)