Enough with the predictions, the lineups(and call-ups) and "right" theme song (and the #facepalm of the Official Theme Song) the build-up to this year's has been quite intense, especially the viral video campaigns.
I've lost a lengthy blogpost earlier today when auto-save it after reloading the page, I mean, how was such series of unfortunate events possible?
Anyway, the following is my list of The Good & The Bad of this year's World Cup viral videos.
#GALAXY11 by Samsung
i guess i better reserve a slot for The Match: Part 2
So yeah, Samsung probably spent the most this year. There's loads of videos in the whole campaign (and they even sign-up the whole package with an anthem-like theme song video too!) and with its scheduled releases I guess they are dead serious in getting their branding bit on the map.
#ThumbsUp : blockbuster a-list movie kinda feel, awesome cgi (on-par with yesteryears' video game character animations)
#FacePalm : The Training Video bit where Messi whipped out the S5 to take pics? I mean Come On! I do think it is enough that Beckenbauer's scene with the S5 analyzing the players are enough ain't it? C Ronaldo has a scene with the phone as well and I guess that's fine..but really, Messi have to snap pics to symbolize the enhanced shutter speed and auto focus features of the S5? #rants.
Moving along..
Time Zone by ESPN
Simple & Short, one of my favorites. There's no need to endorse the footie stars in a video, this video generally captures the emotions of the football watching country/community/people around the world. Power to the people!
#ThumbsUp : Engaging, simple & short. Oh and scene 0:13 takes the cake
#FacePalm : nope.
Futbol by KIA
Kia launched a series of videos (3 on last count) featuring Brazilian supermodel Adriana Lima. Urm. Yeah,
#ThumbsUp : 3 words sum it up - Futbol, World Cup & Adriana Lima!
#FacePalm : Pretty lame as it does get old whenever someone 'tries' to teach Americans on the difference. Oh well. NEXT!
The Game Before The Game by BEATS (by Dre)
Beats by Dre (or rather iBeats by Dre by Apple?) entry into their first World Cup ad doesn't spring much surprises as they do have some awesome ads highlighting several star athletes for their Hear What You Want campaign. Read some articles about that tagged this video is Out-Nike-ing Nike. hmmm
#ThumbsUp : Chicharito! of course cameos from LeBron James, Nicki Minaj(umm), Lil Wayne, and of course Rio Ferdinand & Thierry Henry. And a nice beat of that song "Jungle" which has been on my playlist ever since. (and the NSFW moment on 3:00)
#FacePalm : Feels a bit more like an MTV eh?
All-Time Greats by Fly Emirates
Emirates being the official airlines for the World Cup this year has certainly produced a gem of a video.
#ThumbsUp : those 2 little plot twists, and the simplicity of the contrast in the footballing generation
#FacePalm : -
Everyone's Invited by Coca Cola
Another official partner for the World Cup 2014, Coca Cola's campaign of inviting people less fortunate to the game has a goody feel to it. A really good video I must say.
#ThumbsUp : nice pace to the video, and the overall message.
#FacePalm : hm, I don't really think anyone sane would chug a bottle of Coke during or after a recreational game eh?
Now Is What You Make It by Pepsi
Pepsi's #FutbolNow campaign for the World Cup (hmm, i better research a bit on why they are not the official drinks/softdrinks/whatever partner for this edition) basically kinda didn't hit the spot for me. Don't get me wrong, the beats are alright, the sampling of Bowie's Heroes is kinda alright, the footie stars featured are okay (an improvement over the yester-decade's plain pointlessness imho) but... there's just a certain bit that's off.
#ThumbsUp : Looks & feel nice. Meh
#FacePalm : are they trying to factor in on the boy looking a bit like Justin Biebs? (albeit a better looking one that is) and practically prancing around after drinking his Pepsi to transform into a douchebag? yeah, that's my facepalm moment Pepsi
okay now let's do the 2 main rivals.
I Am Brazuca by adidas
-
The Dream : All In Or Nothing by adidas
meh
House Match by adidas
Fun.
The Last Game by Nike Football
Pretty much Space Jam meets the-few-recent-Pixar-animations, I'd be hardbent on rating this low on the originality part. But, it is cute in a way.
#ThumbsUp : cameo by Nazario da li Ronaldo (should be correct if memory serves me right) aka the original Ronaldo, and a few funny bits of Neymar selfies, Ibrahimovic's "Zlatan agrees", Ronaldo being a mannequin , yeah definitely fun in watching it years later.
and now for my top 2 favorite videos!
Winner Stays by Nike Football
#ThumbsUp : Utter fun. Period.
Global Issues by ESPN
#ThumbsUp : 0:07 "You just have to avoid Spain".. chops!
I Believe by ESPN
Global Issues by ESPN
GOL! by McDonald's
Nice!
(As much as I can't stand McD, but hey this ad is fun. 'nuff said)
Pirlo The Wizard series by JEEP