Lego Ads Fake. Creators Apologize, Agency Fires Their Asses
Well, so much for those Lego ads. And so much for their creators. Today, the creators of the ads, Black Wu and Darren Cheung have acknowledged the ads are, in fact, fake, and that they were created as a "personal trial to challenge creativity." Commenting on the creation of these ads, they state, "We got so carried away that we came out with the stupidest idea that upset a broad audience. This was obviously done without the knowledge of any of the Saatchi & Saatchi managers."
Another letter from Saatchi & Saatchi Guangzhou China Head of Admin Ms. Cherry Yang clarifies the ads did not officially emanate from Saatchi, no one inside the organization was aware of their existence and that Wu and Cheung "have been dismissed today as their irresponsible personal behavior have severely affected our company's professional image." Well, there you have it. Pair creates spec ads to gain notoriety. Stupidly attaches employer's name to ads. Piss off employer. Get fired.
Comments
where has the world gotten to if every ad that's half creative has to be followed by an apology?
what's more, it's disgusting to hear an ad agency claim that an idea, any idea, is a sign of unprofessional conduct.
suddenly when reality has caught up to our fantasies, we can't indulge in laughing about them...
where has the world gotten to if every ad that's half creative has to be followed by an apology?
what's more, it's disgusting to hear an ad agency claim that an idea, any idea, is a sign of unprofessional conduct.
suddenly when reality has caught up to our fantasies, we can't indulge in laughing about them...
lio said:
"where has the world gotten to if every ad that's half creative has to be followed by an apology?"
This isn't about 'every ad', lio, this is about one ad. One that exploited the death of, oh, about 3000 people. The world can rest easy. It is not threatened by this ad.
lio then said:
"what's more, it's disgusting to hear an ad agency claim that an idea, any idea, is a sign of unprofessional conduct."
Two employees creating a fake ad and releasing it in a manner in which can at the least temporarily damage the employer's reputation is a sign of unprofessional conduct. Two employees creating a fake ad and releasing it in a manner in which can at the least temporarily damage the client's reputation is a sign of unprofessional conduct. You see, lio,in the end, it is not about the creaive freedom of the individuals. It's about so much more.
lio then said:
suddenly when reality has caught up to our fantasies, we can't indulge in laughing about them...
To me, the reality I see in that ad is the death of thousands. I'm not going to indulge that by laughing.
Perhaps we should use the term 'lio' to mean a stupid comment. As in, did you read the lio to the Adrants post today? How stupid can people get.
1992 benneton and toscani
times change,
tables turn,
the art remains, and
the merry go round and round.
So these ads are indeed fakes.
Please, everyone, help us ERADICATE SCAM/GHOST ADS. They are a serious detriment to our industry, and not many people outside of the creative department know what they are. People do them to 'fluff' up their books like they would pad a resume. They win awards with, and build careers off of faked ads. It is unethical, and it is not what 'creative' people should be convinced they need to do to get ahead.
All I ask, Steve, is that you and other bloggers help shed some light on this problem--one that has been ignored for years. Maybe we can get finally get rid of what many honest practitioners consider the sanctioned 'doping' of our profession.
Saatchi isn't exactly famous for creating an environment that fosters creativity and experimentation. Firing its creatives for experimenting on paper sounds about right really.
As for stopping this plague of creatives experimenting with ads for brands they don't work on - I don't really see the problem with it. Especially since the work that comes out of it is typically better than the stuff coming out of existing agency relationships. We should be less insecure about where ideas are coming from and looking to them inspiration.
This is a creative business that's lost its way, closed it's mind and is quickly suffocating itself. Maybe it's time we lighten up, get our priorities straight and get this business back on track.
Saatchi isn't exactly famous for creating an environment that fosters creativity and experimentation. Firing its creatives for experimenting on paper sounds about right really.
As for stopping this plague of creatives experimenting with ads for brands they don't work on - I don't really see the problem with it. Especially since the work that comes out of it is typically better than the stuff coming out of existing agency relationships. We should be less insecure about where ideas are coming from and looking to them inspiration.
This is a creative business that's lost its way, closed it's mind and is quickly suffocating itself. Maybe it's time we lighten up, get our priorities straight and get this business back on track.