Warner Bros. Trolled with Space Jam Prank

One the most awaited movie releases this year is Warner Brothers’ Space Jam 2, starring LeBron James.  However, it appears that the studio omitted (or didn’t bother) to buy the rights to the domain name- ‘spacejam2.com’.  Instead, that url has been acquired by a couple of creatives who are now prank trolling the studio.

They’re pitching it for “the totally fair sum of $1 million, or best offer”.  To ensure that they are not forced to take down the site on the grounds of domain name squatting, they actually set up a jam company that is selling ‘Space Jam’.  To publicise their offer, they’ve created an amusing video and even a ‘trailer’.

From the press release:

It is hoped that the website is scooped up by Warner Brothers executives as they plan to mount a goliath PR campaign for the highly anticipated sequel of Space Jam, starring LeBron James and Bugs Bunny and set for release in July 2021.

As an incentive, the makers have vowed to share profits of this sale with a charity of the purchaser’s choosing.

The idea behind the trolling is a collaboration between advertising creative Hunter Fine and commercial film director Peter Marquis, who have a history of creating viral pop culture.

Fine said: “Wow—Warner Bros must be so bummed to have missed out on this primetime URL that we bought for our Space Jam 2 spread. As humble jam makers, we feel bad. That’s why we're offering them the PR opportunity of a lifetime for the completely realistic price tag of $1M. You’d have to really hate charity and jam not to take this offer.”

From the website:

Magical Misery Tours

A 3 minute mockumentary short- the latest in ‘The B@it’ series from Channel 4.

“Don’t put alcohol in your teapots”

Following a fresh ban on alcohol sales and closure of all bars across South Africa, as part of new restrictions to fight the resurgence of the coronavirus, the country’s Police Minister had a very specific message for restaurant owners (who’ve been allowed to remain open):

Don't put alcohol in your teapots in restaurants. Don't put alcohol in the bottles written 0% alcohol. We know your tricks, don't do that.

Waste

From Russia: a Christmas commercial from IKEA that doubles as a PSA for- well, best if you discover it for yourself.

One of These Mornings

Down memory lane…

The magic of Patti LaBelle’s voice in the Miami Vice version of Moby’s song. 

For those who’d like the added pleasure of director Michael Mann’s visual style: a link to the scene from the movie.

Break up with your couch

A 2 minute spot from Comedy Central.  In the words of one of the creative people behind it:

It’s a universal truth that we are all beginning to have a toxic relationship with our couches this year.

BP Cryogenics

A side-splittingly funny commercial from Boston Pizza- part of a campaign to revive dishes that had been taken off the menu.

Zero Dicks

A PSA for new moms that is audacious in the way it milks medical advice for humour.  Here’s a link.

Believe in Luck

A black kitten that has the power to bring good luck, takes centre stage in this cute commercial for the Dutch State Lottery, with a heart-warming twist.

Merry 2020

If 2020 were to be like taking a walk back home around Christmas time, this is what it might feel like- a 3 minute short from the new comedy channel, Comedy Sauce.

Lockdown Lovebaby Collection

From Kraft Heinz Canada, a limited-edition collection of onesies:

In the words of a company spokesperson:

Having a baby 9 months to the day of the lockdown may make some parents blush— everyone knows what went down in March 2020. But it’s only ‘natural’. And obviously ‘homemade’. Two things we care deeply about at Heinz by Nature. So we couldn’t resist celebrating the lockdown’s most special, natural and homemade miracles with The Lockdown Lovebaby Collection.

Good Riddance 2020, Great Expectations 2021

 

Good Riddance 2020 is a dark robust beer with a subtle hoppiness at the end.  Similar to 2020, it appears daunting, dark and tastes a little bitter.  However, just like 2020, there was a slight silver lining – people got to spend more time with their family and pursue hobbies and activities they never had the time to do in the past.  This sweet silver lining is presented as a light caramel sweetness in the beer.

Bursting with bubbles and excitement, Great Expectations 2021 (ABV: 4.5%) represents our hope and expectations for 2021.  Crisp, dry and fruity, this effervescent beer resembles a  champagne, perfect for celebrating a new hope and a better year.  With bright citrusy and tropical fruit aromas, this light beer is easy to drink and will fill you with positivity, optimism and something to look forward to.

“You do not mess with Texas”

To announce a multi-state, anti-competition lawsuit against Google, the Texas Attorney General has released a video that stands out for its theatricality.  It opens with a fast-cut montage of news reports, and closes with this warning: 

It’s time for them to learn the hard way that you do not mess with Texas.

Système U – Goldfish

The obsession for customer care is taken to an epic extreme in this absurdly entertaining ad for the French retail chain.

A Rousing Send-off to 2020

I’ve seen a few different ‘FU 2020’ videos but nothing quite as energetic and heartfelt as this video.

Link to uncensored version

Pure Sh*t

If you had to decide on a name for a brand of organic manure, could there be a more straightforward choice than this?

The packaging describes it as “2020 Strength” manure.   The hilarious campaign video clarifies things thus:

It’s 2020.  A year that really needs no introduction.  But you know what they say.  When life gives you lemons, bag up some garden-ready cow manure, and brand it “Pure Sh*t”.  Inspired by the year we’ve all had.

RIP John le Carré

A short selection of memorable lines from his books:

A desk is a dangerous place from which to watch the world.

-The Honourable Schoolboy

“You are a perfect spy. All you need is a cause.”

-A Perfect Spy

All men are born free: just not for long.

-A Murder of Quality

It is also the pardonable vanity of lonely people everywhere to assume they have no counterparts.

-The Honourable Schoolboy

The more identities a man has, the more they express the person they conceal.

-Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

R C Cola and the Art of Courting Gen Z

From the Philippines: first, there was this commercial that went viral- one of the most bizarre and bewildering ads that I have seen this year, from outside of Japan.  Barely two weeks later, we have a follow-up commercial.

Why?  Going by this explanation, these ads are “an ode to Gen Z that portends to the future of advertising where there are no rules”.

American Red Cross- Piano

The latest ad for the American Red Cross puts across a powerful message with stunning simplicity.

Food Influencers Taste Dog Food

To put it more accurately, they were invited for the tasting, without being told that it was dog food that they would be sampling.  The idea, it seems, was for Singaporean natural dog food brand, Furry’s Kitchen, to show how “premium” its product is.  Here’s a link to the campaign video.