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wo advertisements for the Xbox video game system from Microsoft
have captured the prestigious Cannes Lion awards at the 2002 Cannes International
Advertising Festival. Champagne, a short film originally created as a viral
marketing piece for the Xbox launch, won a Golden Lion in the Best Creative Film
category. It underlines, in a highly engaging and visual way, the Xbox philosophy
that life is short, our time is precious, and everyone should find more opportunities
to play in our daily lives. A great response led to Champagne also appearing
on television and in cinemas in Europe.
"There were four Gold winners that could have taken the Grand Prix award in any
given year, and after Nike's 'Tag' spot, the 'Champagne' spot for Xbox was the favourite
among the judges, said Jeff Goodby, president of the 2002 Cannes Lions judging
panel and Chairman, Goodby Silverstein & Partners.
Mosquito, a 60-second TV and cinema commercial creates specifically for the
European launch of Xbox, picked up a Bronze Lion in the same category. The
piece neatly illustrates what can happen if you forget how to have fun and play
in life by telling a fable about a group of mosquitoes who lost the ability to
sing and play.
The advertising by Xbox was created by Bartle Bogle Hegarty London, who accepted
the awards. Derek Robson, Group Business Director, BBH London, said, Were
thrilled with these prestigious awards for the work weve done on behalf of Xbox.
We felt these pieces really communicated the Xbox brand vision that we need to
elevate play to its rightful place in our lives. Its important to balance
work and play, and both Champagne and Mosquito bring those notions to life in
a very engaging way.
Were very excited that BBHs work was recognised by the Festival, said Neil
Thompson, European Marketing Director, Xbox. Weve set out to raise the quality
bar in video game advertising to appeal to a broader audience, with a more inclusive
feel. Video game advertising has come of age and both Champagne and Mosquito
are of the calibre youd expect from a major consumer brand like Xbox.
Xbox leads the console market in terms of performance and fantastic game experiences,
and its very gratifying that these prestigious judges have chosen Champagne and
Mosquito as leaders in the creative advertising field, said Harvey Eagle, European
Advertising Manager, Xbox. We realise that broadening the market for gaming
by redefining peoples notions of play is a massive challenge, and one that wont
be accomplished overnight, but we feel Champagne and Mosquito further our goal
of making play, and video games, a more important part of peoples lives.
The International Advertising Festival, also known as the Cannes Lions Festival,
is the largest gathering of international marketing and advertising professionals
in the world. This year, about 9,000 delegates from the advertising and allied
industries attended the event, which showcases over 13,000 ads from all over the
world. Winning companies receive the highly coveted Lion trophy, which rewards the
best advertising work produced throughout the world in TV, Print, outdoor and on
the Web, as well as the most innovative and creative media solutions.
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