Atomic Advertising Blog

Our Odlums ads are going down a treat. Fact.

2011-11-14T10:15:00.000Z

Good news in the atomic camp. As if we weren't delighted enough with our new Odlums ads, we just got the research results from Red C. Now I always take my research with a pinch of salt, but when the Red C folks were saying things like, "we've never seen ads that have researched this well... consumers love them... the ads are really resonating with people... brilliant stuff... well done... give those creatives a bonus", I decided to go and do a little research of my own. I asked my mum. And since she seems to think that she was the actual inspiration for the Baking ad, what with having a daughter on the inside and all, I think that this particular research may have been telling the truth after all.

The F-Word

2011-11-10T13:32:00.000Z

It's Concern 24 Hour Fast today at Atomic - cue much moaning, giddy laughing, cranky episodes and general impaired productivity. So we distracted ourself by creating this innovative fundraising tool for Concern's Facebook page. Only 6 hours, 4 minutes left…

Here's one we made earlier...

2011-11-01T14:10:00.000Z

We're delighted to launch the first of two new TV spots for Odlums this week. The campaign marks a return to TV advertising for the iconic Irish brand after a break of nearly fifteen years and signals a new focus on young parents that are developing the habit of baking with their kids. The ads, shot by Red Rage, celebrate those moments in adult life when we finally twig that we're not as young as we used to be... but it's not as bad as it sounds - it's all a natural part of life and Odlums, trusted across the generations, is there to help you through it. Stay tuned for the next release in the campaign…

Les Marionettes

2011-10-30T20:42:00.002Z

I recently got to work on an interesting project for up-and-coming Dublin based synth-tacular pop group - Les Marionettes. For their debut EP release they wanted the artwork to pay homage to their 80's influences (Gary Numan, Ultravox etc.) with a modern twist. The custom hexagon shaped sleeve was derived from the shape of old-school Simmons drum pads while the disc artwork is my take on an optical tonewheel. For the tracklisting I used the Astradyne font from Ultravox's "Vienna" album cover for added retro cool. I had a lot of fun with it and with the help of Plus Print I got to use die cutting, spot uv and eye blasting fluoro ink... a designer's dream!

Les Marionettes "Sign your Release" EP launch takes place on Thursday 17th Nov at The Workman's Club at 8pm. Entry is €10 and you'll get a FREE copy of the EP. Get 'em while they're hot!

Road Safety

2011-10-29T09:59:00.001+01:00

With the new drink driving restrictions coming in this month I thought it might be a good idea to look at some road safety advertising. Unfortunately many of the campaigns we see domestically here on the telly are very much coming from the ‘let’s shock you into not drinking and driving’ school of thought. These executions, in some cases, can range from the outrageous to the down right unbelievable. I suppose the problem with these commercials for me is that they are creating simple spectacle without relatability. And the more and more gruesome and shocking they get (which seems to be the trend at the moment) the further and further removed from actual real life experiences the viewer is brought. Take a look at this ad (a shortened, dubbed version is currently airing here in Ireland):

I could give a hundred examples of road safety advertising using the same shtick, not to mention this one below, which for me says ‘Your kids aren’t even safe playing in the garden’ instead of ‘Don’t drink and drive.’

A lot of the motivations for this kind of advertising are to appeal to the viewer’s emotion. However although this example is successful in shocking us, that initial shock will not remain. I’m reminded of this quote from Alfred Hitchcock, “There is no terror in the bang, only in the anticipation of it.” Most people have felt anticipation before whereas many have not experienced the ever more violent car crash scenes we are subjected to in our living rooms. Therefore a message appealing to our sense of anticipation will bury itself deeper within our mind then one trying to simply shock us.
Take a look at this ad from Clemenger BBDO in New Zealand:

This is the best road safety ad I have yet seen and it is effective because it uses the truth of real life experience to speak to its audience. Road safety is about changing our social attitudes to drinking or texting and driving so the message rings true when spoken within a social context. The ad is interesting, humorous and above all true to real life human experience and therefore speaks to us in a more valuable way.We have serious problems with road deaths here in Ireland and when the task of arresting the current carnage falls to us as advertisers, I think we can learn a lot from this excellent example of truth over spectacle.

24 hours to save a life

2011-10-12T14:22:00.003+01:00

With only one month to go, all of us at Atomic are busy carb-loading and power-bingeing to prepare for Concern Fast 2011. We've just put the finishing touches to this year's campaign, which focuses on ten year old Somalian child, Ali - a victim of the terrible drought in the region, and will be launched on outdoor, online and radio this week. Click here to sign up & help stop childhood hunger.

Fresh Fish

2011-09-19T16:05:00.005+01:00

There are lots of newbies at Atomic these days. Pictured are Shane Kenna (Designer), Paola Beas (Senior Designer), Sam Caren (Intern Art Director) and Emma Woods (Designer). Welcome All...

Straight out of the traps

2011-09-16T15:56:00.005+01:00

Here's our latest work for the Irish Greyhound Board - comprised of 'actual' sounds recorded by our friends in Mutiny at the Harold's Cross Dogs.

Uncaged Potential

2011-09-16T15:53:00.002+01:00

It was great to see the second Career Zoo go from strength to strength last week - Atomic conceived the name, brand and advertising for Ireland's foremost professional careers fair which was attended by the great and the good such as Amazon, Deloitte, Intel and IBM.

College, just way more focused.

2011-09-16T15:47:00.002+01:00

Dublin's newest College, IBAT Temple Bar opened this week with Atomic producing the new brand positioning and launch campaign. We wish them much success.

Here Sharky Sharky

2011-09-12T11:02:00.005+01:00

We're most excited that we've been shortlisted for a Shark Award. It's the second time our TV ads for Chill Insurance have been shortlisted. Fingers crossed we'll have another bit of silverware for the mantle piece.

We're looking for interns...

2011-06-15T17:32:00.001+01:00

On July 1st, two talented young creatives will start their eight week internship at Atomic. They just don’t know it yet… because we’ve only just launched our online search for an intern creative team. We’re looking to take on an intern copywriter and art director who will hopefully work together harmoniously (believe me, that doesn’t always happen) on a series of briefs during their time with us.

Since this opportunity will mostly be of interest to recent advertising graduates, it makes a lot of sense for this campaign to live on facebook as word travels fast this way… and with July 1st just around the corner, fast is exactly what we need.

So if you know someone who might be interested in an internship at Atomic, throw them a bone and share the link with them: http://tiny.cc/e2k1i

If you’re interested in it yourself, then say nothing, and click the link now: http://tiny.cc/e2k1i Then simply tag yourself in your preferred role and we’ll be in touch with your June 24th interview slot shortly.

Pick me! Pick me!

2011-06-10T10:39:00.003+01:00

It's that time of year again and creative graduates are spilling out on to the streets looking for work. When I left VizComm in 1993 it was pretty similar to the way things are now, a lot of uncertainty and despondency. Trailing around town with your A1 Daler Portfolio with no takers is not fun. Trust me, I know.

Looking back though, anyone from my year that really wanted to work in the industry, got work. Granted some got it quicker than others, but persistence was the name of the game. The people that didn't end up working in advertising or design were the ones that gave up too soon, not necessarily the ones that weren't talented. I put a lot of it down to pester power - an ability to put yourself forward and not take no for an answer.

There are 4 four graduates or soon to be graduates who pester me regularly to show their work or just to have a 'chat'. And while it can be a pain when you're busy, they are the ones that stick in my mind. And, I know if I have some work going or an opportunity they will be the first ones I call. Simply because I respect their drive and energy to work in the best industry in the world. If they have that buzz to break through there's a good chance they'll bring it bear for our clients.

So, if I could give a piece of advice to people who are looking for creative work. Get in front of Creative Directors. Charm them, friend them, tweat them, bump into them accidentally on purpose, wait outside their offices. Then when they ignore you, give it a few weeks and then start again. Sooner or later they'll either see you or get a restraining order.

PS Don't forget Creative Directors all started out as people with that portfolio or iBook that you're lugging around now. You can always guilt them into seeing you if the above doesn't work.

TV 2.0

2011-05-16T12:47:00.003+01:00

We had an interesting chat with Catherine O' Mahony from the Sunday Business Post about our way of getting clients onto TV. We've invested a lot of time over the last few months to find different ways to do it, whether it's using internal editing facilities here at Atomic, using new kinds of digital cameras or just getting production companies to work with us on making things happen. So far we're pretty happy with the results; 4 campaigns in 4 months with 2 more in production. The best thing is you don't need to drop the quality. In fact I think it makes you work harder to create something special and stand out. Our clients seem to be pretty happy with it too, especially when it comes to looking at sales increases, which in this market is the only show in town.

Check out the article here

Lifestyle Sports Football

2011-05-09T17:21:00.003+01:00

We've been busy doing some TV and online video for Lifestyle Sports Football. We created two pieces, one about Boot Customisation and one about Jersey Printing. We used the videos as part of a campaign around Liverpool players coming to Dublin to launch their away jersey on May 12th. It's great to get such an iconic Irish brand back to what it does best; big brand campaigns that resonate with the Irish sports fan. Naturally we're delighted to be a part of it.

Sharing is Caring

2011-04-19T11:17:00.001+01:00

Now that we live in a church, Atomic have become a lot more spiritual. And so we drew inspiration from the wise words of Buddha for our latest campaign for HB: 'Happiness never decreases by being shared'. And the best way to share happiness? Sharing ice cream of course. Ably assisted by Jarlath Regan, this integrated campaign on TV, radio, outdoor, press and online hits the streets mid April. Mine's a Loop the Loop...

ICAD Nominations

2011-04-18T11:19:00.000+01:00

We're chuffed to have been nominated for 2 ICADs this year - Best TV Campaign for our work on Chill (see ads below) and Direct Marketing for Concern Fastival. Awards night this Thursday - we'll let you know...

Ladbrokes Irish Grand National TV

2011-04-08T13:45:00.006+01:00

Here are the four TV spots we created for the Ladbrokes Irish Grand National. The campaign is based around the concept that the National is the people's race and is the one race where everyone in Ireland takes a punt. So if someone is going to win it, it might as well be you (rather than some of the crazies in our ads).

A busy but fun day was had by all (Is four ads shoot in one day a record? Definitely an Atomic record). Shot by good pals of Atomic, Brian Durnin and Paul Holmes of Red Rage.

Irish Grand National gets well posh

2011-04-07T17:07:00.002+01:00

We're getting close to the Ladbrokes Irish Grand National on Easter Monday, April 25th, and we'll be showing our smashing new TV campaign shortly but in the meantime here's our pre-National campaign to win a VIP trip to the big day (chopper, overnights in a swank hotel, quaffing champagne, etc - all the stuff we at Atomic like to do of a monday afternoon!). Shot by Finn Richards on location in Fairyhouse.

New Chill TV Ads

2011-01-10T17:47:00.005Z

Check out our new TV campaign for Chill insurance. It kicks off tonight with the airing of 'The Talk' - a lucky Dad narrowly escapes the dreaded 'birds & bees' chat with his two young kids thanks to the swift intervention of Lucy, our new hero from Chill. Hope you like it, we had a ball making it!

Warning: Don't Feed the Career Anxieties

2011-01-10T08:33:00.007Z

CareerZoo is a new brand created by Atomic for Dublin's most innovative career and education expo. It hits the Mansion house on January 15th and boasts, among other things, jobs (yes, real ones that pay actual money) from some of Ireland's leading employers.
We predict a riot.

New Atomic Site goes live

2011-01-04T10:26:00.003Z

2010 was an interesting and busy year; we moved to our new office, picked up some very nice new accounts and got some great work under our belts. Naturally we never like to make things easy for ourselves so we also decided to totally revamp our website. Designed by Stephen K, written by Corina, with some great video work by Andres, we're pretty happy with it (until we decide to go and redo it all again of course - that's the problem with having a low boredom threshold).

The Most wanted Man In Ireland

2010-12-06T11:47:00.002Z

Everyone remembers the unfortunate guy on RTE news who fell so badly on the ice last year! Despite being a Youtube star no one seems to know who this guy is?

Well this year Chill.ie wants to help. They’ve put out a nation wide call to help find this mystery man as they want to ensure he’s properly covered by offering him free health insurance in case he has any more tumbles on this years ice!

Help find him by joining the Facebook campaign at www.facebook.com/chillinsurance,… God knows he deserves it!

2010-12-02T11:06:00.004Z

Despite the current cold snap we're all celebrating here thanks to a new addition to our growing client list. Chill Insurance (aptly named!!!) have just awarded us their advertising creative account. After some stiff competition against other leading ad agencies we are delighted to welcome Chill into the Atomic stable.

As one of Ireland's leading insurance brokers, Chill have a strong product offering, matched only by their in-depth knowledge & experience of all things insurance. There's a great story to tell and we look forward to telling it.

More updates to follow soon

2010-11-18T16:54:00.002Z

Let's get ready to rumble! (our tummies that is) The Concern Fastival will be taking place on the 25th and 26th of November and, as all of us here at Atomic are taking part, we're all preparing ourselves for one cranky day in the office! Luckily however, there will be plenty of great events and activities taking place around the country to keep us entertained and take our minds off the hunger. There will be something for everyone including music and comedy gigs, swapshops, massages and yoga. Most importantly, we're all set on raising as much money as we can for Concern. Click here if you're interested in getting involved... www.concernfastival.net

Atomic does the Apprentice

2010-11-09T09:13:00.004Z

Blink and you might have missed it, but as part of our glorious rise into the TV media landscape, Atomic had a 'bit' part on the Apprentice last night. Not too much fun for those taking part but myself and Stephen Kiernan sure had a lot of fun being involved in the editing of their 'viral' for Appelby's Jewellers.

We're well used to doing outrageous virals ever since we 'showed' Bertie and Brian C. mooning out of their limo for a Fine Gael campaign back in 2003. So, let's just say we found this weeks virals, em, interesting....

Check it out here: http://apprentice.tv3.ie/?gclid=CNmUoJ2yk6UCFdD-2AodDnBdOg

GMAC goes live

2010-10-21T13:06:00.005+01:00

The new GMAC website has gone live. Atomic have been working away with Graeme and Horizon Sports Management over the last few months to create a stylish new brand, that includes a new GMAC identity, website and marketing collateral for Ireland's most exciting golfer.

The site really gives an insight into Graeme's character and what life is like on the pro tour. Really fascinating stuff. Over the next few months we hope we'll be updating the site with all the shiny new trophies Gmac is bound to be picking up.

That Fast that Thinks it's a Festival

2010-10-20T18:45:00.007+01:00

Soon to hit the airwaves, billboards and um, internets of Ireland is our first work for Concern - Fastival 2010. When Concern asked us to come up with a new concept for its annual Fast, we wanted to do something completely different to reignite interest in one of Ireland's oldest & best known charity events. And so the Fastival was born. Since June we've been busy putting together a really exciting integrated advertising, DM & events package that will see music and comedy gigs, movies, models doing hugs, massages, yoga and even swapshops in 6 cities nationwide. Electric Picnic eat your heart out! Schools nationwide have just received their packs and early signs suggest they're going down a treat! To register up check, just click here...

Atomic meet the King of Retail

2010-10-20T16:57:00.005+01:00

Atomic will be featured on Feargal Quinn's show, Retail Therapy, produced by Animo Television, which will air on RTE in Spring 2011.

We've been fans of the show since it began last year and as brand builders it's great to see companies transformed by branding and great sales and service techniques. We hope our solution will really help the company that we were asked to assist.

It was a real honour to meet with the undisputed king of retail, Feargal Quinn, who also happens to be an absolute Gent. Looking forward to seeing ourselves on Telly next year...

CHECKOUT Awards

2010-10-20T14:00:00.003+01:00

We're delighted to have been shortlisted as Agency of the Year by the cream of FMCG marketers in Ireland, as part of the CHECKOUT National FMCG Awards. We have a bit of a reputation for making some noise and showcasing our varied and original dance styles at awards ceremonies, but as these awards are being held at lunchtime we'll have to be a trifle more restrained. Best of luck to I.I. and McCanns who share the shortlist with us.

We're moving.

2010-10-06T09:02:00.006+01:00

After 5 good years in Great Strand Street, Atomic are on the move - this time back over the Liffey to Bishop St, right beside that cauldron of advertising talent, DIT Aungier Street. After a few recent hires we're bursting at the seams here and rubbing elbows has really lost its novelty. Our new home is a beautifully modernised Methodist hall - we should be there within 3 weeks and can't wait to welcome Atomic clients & friends in as soon as we're settled. Watch this space for details of house-warming/ 10th birthday party shortly...

GMAC on Fire

2010-10-05T11:21:00.008+01:00

It's been a pretty amazing year for Graeme McDowell, aka Gmac Not only was he the first European to win the US Open in 40 years back in June, but he was the lynchpin in Europe's victory yesterday in the Ryder Cup. It was a nail bitter and everyone in Atomic was glued to their respective TVs to shout Graeme and the guys on.

Atomic have been working away in the background on the Gmac Brand over the last few months and his cracking new website is about to launch shortly. Not only is Gmac a world class golfer he's also a great guy to work with.

Ladbrokes Irish Grand National 2011

2010-05-31T09:50:00.006+01:00

Atomic recently designed the identity for the Ladbrokes Irish Grand National 2011, based on the idea that it's "the People's Race" and the one race of the year that everyone has a punt on, no matter their age or where they're from.

We created a humourous group of characters from different walks of life rubbing shoulders with each other as they experienced the rollercoaster of emotions of the big race. The logomark is a play on horseshoes/people cheering, that also portrays the excitement of raceday.

The Most Important Meal of the Day

2010-05-19T09:58:00.005+01:00

Breakfast seminars are an occupational hazard these days - as a seller in today's buyer's market, it's easy to feel obliged to attend. Thing is that most self-respecting clients don't need to get up at 05.30 to meet agencies. So while they're are at home pouring their cornflakes, you're struggling to spread hard butter on a scone while swapping business cards with the photocopier salesman beside you at the table...

So what a breath of fresh air to walk away from a seminar where the value of the information far exceeded the value of business cards collected. My first ever Marketing Society event, The Nature of our Ways, took place yesterday and left me with lots to ponder - not least why I hadn't gone to one of their events sooner. The theme was Behavioural Economics - a clarion call to really think (hard) about what motivates purchase behaviour in today's choppy waters.

Two great presentations from Kay McCarthy of MCCP and Mark Earls of St Lukes managed to put the human element (and fun) back into planning and begged the question why so much of today's ads just seem a bit thoughtless. The fundamentally irrational actions of consumers can be a bit daunting to marketers that want nice, logical advertising but it's reinforcement to those of us that believe that really great ads rarely have a rational or linear essence. All that and not a scone in sight.

The Horsemen of the Apocalypse

2010-04-14T11:24:00.005+01:00

Ladbrokes wanted a strong and epic key visual for Punchestown 2010. After checking tones of movie posters, having films as different as Ben-Hur, Life of Brian, 2012 or Goliathon (an old B-Movie classic) as cornerstones, we came up with this poster where the hoofs of countless horses in stampede rip the earth in two.

The soundtrack for all those hours retouching that big crack: heavy metal, of course.

That a-way all the way.

2010-04-08T09:57:00.015+01:00

Like proud parents with a newborn, we’d like to say “look what we made” about our brand new that a-way ad.

We’re delighted that it turned out so well, considering I did such a bad job of singing it down the straw-shaped microphone into the computer programme to make the demo that winged its way to the client. But where there’s a will, there’s an ad. And a very nice ad at that.

Here she is in all her glory - our 40 second musical ode to a hand-shaped ice lolly named that a-way.

Nuts about Fairly Nuts.

2010-04-08T09:27:00.011+01:00

Our new Ben & Jerry’s radio campaign is now on air and we’re delighted with the results. Seriously we couldn’t be happier. Not even if our mouths were crammed with ice cream, our steps were full of pep and we were just after rescuing a dog from an animal shelter.

Our shiny new campaign launches Ben & Jerry’s brand new flavour, Fairly Nuts, a seriously delicious whirlwind of caramel swirls, vanilla ice cream and nut clusters. And, as if that’s not enough, it’s also fair trade so you can feel good about eating it by the truck load.

You can listen to the radio campaign here:

3D Hit!

2010-04-01T15:56:00.001+01:00

After Avator and Alice in Wonderland wooed us with their 3D charms, it was only a matter of time before 3D hit news stands.

This eye catching print ad appeared in a 3D issue of Top Gear magazine. When readers came to this ad from Grey, Melbourne, they were told to remove their glasses. Here’s what they saw.

The message was crystal clear. Stay off drugs, people, or at least wear glasses.

Chartered and the AIMs

2010-03-24T11:16:00.009Z

We're buzzed that one of our favourite clients, CAI, has been shortlisted for an AIM award for the Elevation Programme. It's a revolutionary programme whereby experienced professionals can train to become a Chartered Accountant. So not only do they join the most prestigious group of professionals they also study in the nicest college environment I've ever seen (Alumni of COMAD in Mountjoy Square will know just how nasty a college can be!).

Naturally, Atomic was behind the brand direction, programme name, logo, ads and website for the Elevation Programme so if there's a Champagne a Poppin', we plan to be somewhere very close indeed! Well done to all involved.

Tinderbox Picture Show Exhibition

2010-03-23T15:41:00.005Z

I'm taking part in another Tinderbox exhibition: Tinderbox Picture Show which opens Monday 29 March at 7pm and runs til April 6 at Filmbase in Templebar. An exhibition of work from the Tinderbox Network; including pieces inspired by the world of Film.

Lyons Puts the Talk into Tea!

2010-03-09T13:31:00.004Z

Atomic recently unveiled phase two of the Lyons Tea website which was designed to coincide with the launch of the new Lyons Tea "Master Blender" TV ads. Set in a magical tea factory, the advertisements take us on a journey as the Lyons Tea Master Blender brings his young apprentice to the Blending Room where he adds the Talk to the pyramid tea bags. If you like Harry Potter then you'll love these ads! The website has lots to see and do including the fantastic Tea "Randomiser" where you can spin the teapot to see whose turn it is to make the tea! Click here to spin the teapot now!

What a mess...

2010-03-05T12:44:00.007Z

Have a look at the below today for some real-time car-crash marketing on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/dennys

Roma

2010-03-04T12:04:00.012Z

Our new Roma outdoor campaign is now up and running. Gracing T-sides, Supersides, City Impacts and Luas Towers throughout the Capital, the campaign is based on the idea of “Authentic Italian Goodness.” We created a series of characters living in the small Italian village where the produce is grown. From dour Nonna Antonella (who you wouldn’t like to stumble across down a laneway on a dark night) to the lovely Maria Grazia, a series of headlines gave us a voyeuristic glimpse into their lives, as well as conveying Roma’s product benefits. No innuendo at all was intended in the above execution. Nope, none at all…
*Ahem.

Here's to a great new Client...

2010-01-19T11:07:00.004Z

We're chuffed to have just won a pitch to revamp a full floor of Ireland's number one tourist attraction, Guinness Storehouse. It's fantastic to be involved with such a huge success story (and have a legitimate excuse to put a few pints of the Black Stuff down to 'research purposes'!) We'll post some pics here as soon as the job is ready to unveil...

Atomic design new Lyons Tea website!

2010-01-14T10:45:00.007Z

Atomic recently designed the new website for Ireland's most popular cuppa, Lyons Tea! We had a lot of fun on this project and more than a few hot brews along the way! There's something for every kind of tea drinker on this site. There are tea facts, recipes, videos and images and all manner of things tea related. You can even spin the teapot to see who's turn it is to make the tea! So get the kettle on, click here, sit back and enjoy the site.

Ladbrokes Striker Manager

2010-01-11T15:41:00.012Z

We've just launched a cracking new campaign for Ladbrokes. It's called Ladbrokes Striker Manager. It's a free game with cash prizes and a set of VIP tickets to South Africa in June! We've created a character called Gino Stromboli (aka Gary Cooke from Apres Match), an Italian Football Manager who bears absolutely no relation to any Irish Football Coach! Gino will be honouring us with his words of wisdom throughout the campaign on topics as diverse as WAGS, lateral thinking, dressing to impress and of course, his suggestions for his favourite Strikers. Naturally Gino has his own Facebook page and will be featured on Online, Radio, Press and Ambient ads as well as instore in all Ladbrokes Stores. Bellisima!

Click here to visit Gino's Facebook Page

Click here to visit www.LadbrokesStrikerManager.com

Alison Carmichael: Pretty Letters

2009-12-07T10:16:00.006Z

It had to be a girl - only a female could have such a warm and lovely approach to drawing letters with such good taste. And very successful, I have to say; her client list is impressive. And it's even more impressive when we talk about hand-drawn lettering, not the most requested technique nowadays.

Judging by her work I'm guessing she must be pretty herself too!

Check her portfolio here.
And her interview here.

Outside the Box

2009-12-02T14:50:00.012Z

This is a brilliant little animated film by Joseph Pelling, UK Digital Artist Awards winner 2009. Anyone who’s ever been bored in a brainstorming session or bamboozled by bizarre business buzzwords will appreciate this. With its pared back, deconstructed animation style and a well-observed, witty script, no wonder it was a winner.

No, wait - a rocket, a rocket!

outside the box from joseph Pelling on Vimeo.

Ben & Jerry's - Same ice cream for less dough!

2009-11-20T12:59:00.005Z

We recently created a new outdoor campaign for one of our tastiest clients, Ben & Jerry's. We go way back and we've always really enjoyed working for a client who thinks a fishing cow is perfectly normal! We utilized all of the traditional outdoor formats as well as some special-build 48 sheets which featured a giant cutout of our bovine angler and some seriously gooey dough! The campaign lets people know that Ben & Jerry's have dropped their prices to retailers and that they can expect the same great ice-cream for less dough. Mmm... Dough!

Lyons Tea

2009-11-20T11:13:00.002Z

You could say that we're a bit obsessed with Tea here in Atomic. Whether it's Stephen K's collection of weirdest herbal teas (Cup of Rhino Horn anyone?) or the usual fights about who's turn it is to make it (Bags not me, I made it yesterday).

So we were delighted when we were asked to look at some really interesting stuff for Lyons Tea in 2010.

You know by now we're shameless self promoters so don't worry we'll keep you updated. In the meantime, stick the kettle on willya?!

Run Limerick Run

2009-11-20T10:08:00.003Z

Atomic are delighted to be involved with the Great Limerick Run, scheduled for May 2 next year. It will be a unique event with a Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K all in one day (No, you don't do all three - that would be just crazy!).

Not only are we doing all our usual goodies of Brand Conception, Ad Campaign, Digital & Social Media Strategy, we're also going to run the thing! Maybe, I should tell the rest of the team here that I've already signed them up...

Black Robots

2009-11-04T10:17:00.002Z

Black Robots are Deen O'Saurus & Sarah Grimes. Fresh from playing support to Tricky at the Opera House, headlining Hard Working Class Heroes and rocking the Coors Light Peak festival, they've released their debut E.P entitled "Zero One". They hail from Waterford which has become, albeit rather unexpectedly, a cultural melting pot where musicians and artists flourish with the helping hand of an Arts Council that puts it's money where it's mouth is. I'm not going to use the same cliches that are constantly bandied about by music journos ("... sounds like Band X and Band Y in a blender" or "...sounds like Band X on acid") but it is suffice to say that Black Robots are loud. Ridiculously loud. And if you want to see a guy use his guitar a surfboard and surf across the stage then Black Robots are for you. I know I do!

When Mrs. found her Mr.

2009-11-02T09:12:00.009Z

For nerds like me who love weird things like typefaces, knowing that Mrs Eaves -an elegant serif font designed in 1996 by Zuzana Licko based on XVIII's century neoclassic typeface Baskerville now has company (Mr Eaves Sans and Mr Eaves Modern) is very good news. Zuzanna Licko has just released them through Emigre, once an underground magazine which enlightened postmodernism in graphic design, now the digital foundry she runs with her husband. The tandem Licko-Vanderlans is responsible of a good few of the most exciting fonts (as exciting as fonts can be) of the recent digital era.

If you're not into fonts you may not get it, but I can't wait to see how Mr Eaves Sans is gonna work in a 14 point size bold subheading with a big Mrs Eaves title (perhaps with a little bit of a wide kerning in between letters). As I was saying, a nerd, I know.

Atomic.ie coming soon. Very soon.

2009-10-28T08:37:00.007Z

Here at Atomic we've been slavishly working behind the scenes on our spanking new website. Yes, it does explain why we've been criminally remiss in updating our old, I mean, existing site. There's been lots of blood, sweat, tears, headlocks, tantrums (mainly from me I should add) to get it to this point, but by golly I think we've licked it! I must say it's a big departure for us and we think from everybody else.

We'll be soft launching to pals of Atomic next Monday to get their feedback and then to everyone else Monday week so we'll keep you posted.

Ich bin ein Berliner!

2009-10-27T18:02:00.009Z

Just back from the long weekend in Berlin... it's definitely top of my list of European destinations & seems to blend the best of Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam & Prague.

Berlin's mayor famously called his city "Poor but sexy" - with about €60 billion in debt, Berliners have something in common with Ireland - but they seem to make a virtue of their poverty. Cold war tenements & derelict industrial spaces have morphed into edgy bars, venues, boutiques and galleries where creative and individual expression matters more than a swanky premises.

And it's ultra cheap: meal of the weekend was in Henne - one of Berlin's oldest restaurants and a favourite of JFK. There's only one thing on the menu - local roast chicken & potato salad but it's sensational and at only €7.50 a head, beats KFC!

Get your heart racing!

2009-10-27T17:51:00.005Z

Our friends at Ladbrokes asked us to design a poster that would capture the essence of National Hunt Racing. If you've witnessed the spectacle of 20 plus horses jumping fences at breakneck speed then you'll know that a day at the races is as exciting, adrenaline fuelled, and nerve wracking as you can get (with or without a wager on the line!)

The Fun Theory – Volkswagen

2009-10-23T15:58:00.006+01:00

This is a video of people skipping the escalator in favor of composing music on the piano stairs of Odenplan subway station in Stockholm, Sweden. The campaign was created by DDBH Stockholm who came up with the innovative viral campaign for Volkswagen to coincide with the promotion of their "BlueMotion Technologies" range of eco friendly cars.

The concept was that people’s behaviors changes when the fun theory is added. The “Fun Theory” campaign is to convince people that doing the right thing for the environment can also be enjoyable.

The viral has been viewed more than 4.3 million times on YouTube and has been a huge success overall. The video of the giant piano stairs reports that the number of commuters who chose the stairs over the escalator increased 66% when the stairs were musical black-and-white piano keys.

The campaign is another demonstration that traditional advertising is not enough anymore and how ensuring campaigns have that new exciting point of differientation is almost essential.

Entrepreneur of the Year Awards

2009-10-23T14:46:00.006+01:00

It was a good year for the Irish creative industries at the 2009 Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year, which took place last night at City West. Winner of a Special Award for his contribution to the Irish film industry was Morgan O’Sullivan. One of the founders of Ardmore studios in Wicklow, Morgan was a father figure to Ireland’s fledgling industry, nurturing and promoting it against all the odds. O’Sullivan set Ireland up as a credible film location by bringing films such as Braveheart to Ireland. He produced the highly successful Tudors series, also filmed here in Ireland.

Animation company Brown Bag was also nominated for an award, as well as and Irish Designer Orla Kiely, for the marketing of her iconic designs.

U2 video by David O'Reilly

2009-10-23T11:08:00.006+01:00

Last night was the 37 Sweettalk with guest speakers Vaughan Oliver, David Rodigan and David O'Reilly. There was a great mix of graphic design, music and animation. But the highlight for me was this video by David O'Reilly for U2's "I'll go crazy if I don't go crazy tonight" give it a look.

Storytelling

2009-10-23T10:48:00.007+01:00

I'm currently taking part in the Tinderbox exhibition entitled "Storytelling" which is on in ThisIsNotAShop on Benburb St. in Smithfield. It runs until Sunday 25th from 2pm til 9pm daily and there's live music from Crooked Fish and Kombrogos on Saturday from 7 - 9 (BYOB!) and live poetry from Glór Session with Stephen James Smith (in association with the Red Line Roots Festival on Sunday from 7 - 9. Check it out!

Heineken Expression

2009-10-23T10:24:00.007+01:00

Went along to the Heineken Expression event in Tripod last night to watch Gaetan Billault, Bren B, Chris Judge, Tado, Serge & danleo doodle it out in front of a live audience to try & reach the final which took place onstage on perspex glass with fluorescent pens under UV light. Great to see these amazing artists do their thing in the flesh after admiring their work for so long.

Richard Hawley, The Last Crooner

2009-10-23T09:28:00.006+01:00

Richard Hawley played yesterday in the Olympia to present his new album, Truelove's Gutter, where he has reduced to the backbone his baroque revision of the romantic pop from the late 50's and early 60's. His great achievement has been not losing an ounce of emotion with this back to basics. And that's what we saw yesterday. Although he wasn't feeling well (at the end the gig wasn't too long and the encore was quick and more an obligation than anything else) he sung brilliantly with that wonderful deep voice of his, which brought melancholy to the foreground, uneasy sometimes but finally impossible to not to surrender to it. My only disappointment was that, probably due to the fact that he wasn't feeling well, he didn't play the jewel in the crown, "Remorse Code", an ecstatic low tempo where the guitar couldn't be more accurate to put your guts upside down with pristine emotion and destroy you for ever and ever. An absolute must.

Richard Hawley's official website

Richard Hawley's myspace

House of Cosy Cushions & Katie Kim

2009-10-19T09:26:00.006+01:00

On the first weekend of August 2009 House of Cosy Cushions & Katie Kim came together to baptize the new 'Granny Studio' in Waterford. The initial idea was to record a traditional Double-A side but it soon turned into a weekend of improvised recordings, experimental instrumentation and brooding soundscapes. The result is a full length untitled album that will be available in a limited run of 100 hand made cds and 500 12" heavyweight vinyl. The official launch of the album will coincide with the joint headline gig of House of Cosy Cushions and Katie Kim in Whelan's on 19th November. The vinyl will be available from selected independent record stores and will be signed and numbered in an edition of 500. Nice.

Google's at it again!

2009-10-16T17:32:00.003+01:00

Another big product release from the worlds largest search engine. My interpretation of the new Google product is that it's an all in one e-mail/ live chat/ document's tool that will allow users to work together or separately (even if some of the invited are not online). What Wave does is integrate e-mail, instant messaging (IM), collaboration, Google maps as well as search. Wave's most striking feature is said to be its speed. It lets users transfer data, pictures and files realtime and also facilitates collaborative editing. Google are inviting and educating developers from around the world to develop applications that would work within the new system, a current example they show is Google Maps and also a Twitter Application. It seems that it may be Google's goal to have this as the platform for all our social networking, business and communications online. If everything goes to plan not only will google be the leaders in the search market, they will also be the number one platform for all communication methods within the world wide web.

The GAA a peoples history

2009-10-16T17:17:00.007+01:00

I recently attended the book launch of "The GAA, a peoples history" held in Croke Park. The book tells us the story of how it has carved for itself a unique place at the heart of Irish life and what a great timing as the Association celebrates 125 years. This book is full of beautiful photography many of which are unseen and it outlines how Gaelic games and the social life around the association has changed the lives of generations of Irish people at home and abroad. MC on the night was Michael O Muircheartaigh among the guest speakers was Brian Cowen who claimed to have pucked a ball or two in his day! If your any bit into GAA give it a look.

Toy Story 3: Low Fi vs Hi Fi

2009-10-16T15:58:00.004+01:00

The new Toy Story teaser can't make me happier. This time, Pixar, hasn't just made a fantastic piece of animation, with all its witty, magic and plenty of imaginative touches (which makes the child inside of me happy), they talk about logos too (which makes the designer inside of me happy). How clever to summarize the main story line into a common discussion about two logo proposals : the playful and tender one commissioned by Woody and Buzz's "vaccum-formed polycarbonate with a high gloss sealer to bring out the shine". Eye-candy sweet as...

Viacom

2009-10-16T11:35:00.010+01:00

We’re pretty chuffed to be working with Viacom at the moment. Not only do our new favourite media types look after the likes of MTV, VH1, TMF, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central and E!, they’re also a really nice bunch of people to work with. Watch this space for more...

And today's buzzword is... Private Sector Diplomacy.

2009-10-13T17:43:00.006+01:00

OK so if talking foxes and Darth Vader are more your thing, you may want to turn away now...

I came across the interview below with Richard Edelman courtesy of McKinsey. It's a little wordy but does provide good perspectives on PR in a collaborative, online world and offers answers on some questions a lot of clients seem to be asking these days - particularly whether brands or their parents should openly engage with online conversations on Twitter, Boards etc that may not be positive or even truthful. I've always argued that yes, they should - and now Richard agrees with me too (High five, Ricky!)

Full interview is online here.

Bring back the Playhouse!

2009-10-13T16:24:00.019+01:00

Playhouse was the coolest thing to happen to Dublin since the Vikings. (well, almost.) It turned one of Dublin’s most hideous eyesores into a flashing beacon of shimmering light. It was a talking point. It made us smile and feel all warm and fuzzy inside. And now it’s gone, it definitely feels like something is missing.

A big shout out to to Daft.ie, the Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival and SIPTU for bringing it to life. The original idea came from the Science Gallery in Trinity College, who approached the Daft boys last year about the possibility of doing a project like this.

Over 100,000 LED lights were used in the display. Probably the coolest aspect of it was the fact that it was interactive, and you could upload your own designs to it.

People also got the chance to upload their own tweets to be displayed on it: # playtweet. So what did the Irish people do when faced with a moment of immortality and a chance to reach out to the masses on Dublin’s tallest building?

“Griff I'm locked out of the flat. If you can read this; Hurry back from Coppers. Bring keys. And smokes.”

Definitely made me smile though.

Join the Facebook campaign to bring it back here:

Fantastic Mr. Fox trailer

2009-10-13T11:12:00.008+01:00

There's a trailer out for the stop motion animated Fantastic Mr. Fox which is directed by Wes Anderson. It has all the flair and visual style of a Wes Anderson film and some of the colours and details in the sets are gorgeous. I found the famous American voiceovers a bit jarring at first but they've started to grow on me after a bit.

Apparently Anderson lived in Roald Dahl's actual house while writing the screenplay and all the furniture and fittings were photographed and modelled and used as props in Mr. Fox's house. Nice touch!

May Quinnsworth Be With You!

2009-10-13T09:37:00.004+01:00

An old Quinnsworth ad from the 80's has appeared on YouTube featuring Maurice Pratt and a copyright infringing and probably illegal Darth Vader!

Let's look at the scanner...

There's also an outtake featuring Maurice having a hard time acting in front of a green screen and throwing a strop with the director. It's funny Sith!

David Ogilvy Returns

2009-10-13T09:19:00.007+01:00

A trip into Easons shows up how many "How to..." books there are out there, how to pitch, how to 'do' social media, how to make your garden look like Diarmuid Gavin designed it (oops, wrong section).

So, it got me thinking that it was time to dust off the bible of How to books (no, not how to win friends or influence people or the Art of War); Ogilvy on Advertising.

While using topless girls in ads isn't quite as popular as it used to be, some of Ogilvy's ideas really are timeless. Well worth a re-look.

iBar

2009-10-01T15:00:00.012+01:00

I was doing some research recently for an alcohol brand we've been working on. Looking for something cool that would create a talking point in bars, I came across this. With a little help from integrated video-projectors, the surface of the iBar detects any object touching it. Imagine if you could draw pictures or write on it, could it be the end for cheesy chat-up lines?

The technology for this kind of thing has been around for a while. Interactive projections are in fairly widespread use already, but we’re still only scraping the surface of what can be done with it in a creative sense. We’re definitely going to be seeing more installations like this in the near future.

Nearly One Million Facebook Users Now in Ireland

2009-08-25T11:18:00.008+01:00

Facebook's Irish users appear to have doubled in the past few months. Facebook currently has a population within Ireland of 956, 120; making that nearly a fifth of the population. Incredibly, 66 percent of facebook users in Ireland are over the age of 25 proving the point that this isn't just another teenage pastime. Twenty nine percent of users are between the ages of 18 - 25. Ireland's love of Facebook is obviously growing, and with Facebook's recent acquisition of Friendfeed, maybe Twitter won't even reach most people's radar. Friendfeed offers similar functions to Twitter - the main being its real time feeds.

FriendFeed aims 'to be a one stop shop for all your social networking updates and news items'. Friendfeed and Facebook by theory should make a great partnership, with Facebook lacking in the real time updates and Friendfeed seeking that crucial PR that Twitter is raking in, both weaknesses have been destroyed in the recently aligned duo. With founders from Google who were involved with the production of Google Maps and gmail, Friendfeed surely has potential to overtake it's rival Twitter. The question is, how will marketers use it? I suppose first we will have to see how it works, then test the waters and start coming up with the innovative ideas to use this as a potential marketing tool.

Yulia Brodskaya - a unique style blending typography, paper and hand-made craft

2009-08-04T12:14:00.005+01:00

Yulia Brodskaya is a Russian designer and illustrator who has done work for The Guardian and more recently Cadburys.

She has created a unique style blending typography, paper and hand-made craft to create designs that would look superb even as just flat graphic art but the fact that it's all handmade from cut out paper and then photographed makes it all the more impressive and engaging!

The Lynx Effect

2009-07-30T10:05:00.006+01:00

Hats off to our friends at Unilever and Mindshare and (begrudging) kudos to Y&R who managed to turn a humble Adshel into a tropical oasis - guaranteed to put a smile on the face of world-weary 46A commuters on a wet July morning...especially the lads! (Please excuse rather shaky 3am Leeson St publicity shot)

PO! My Brain Hurts!

2009-07-02T09:21:00.006+01:00

Myself and Niall recently attended an Edward de Bono training day on Lateral thinking in Dublin. Lateral thinking is the essence of creativity and innovation and the course was all about finding ways to enhance our creative thinking and open up new avenues for radical ideas, using techniques like 6 Thinking Hats, Random Word and PO! (that stands for Provocative Operation to you!).

As an agency that prides itself on it's strength in creativity it was a great reinforcement for what we're doing right - but more importantly where we can do it better.

Concidentally, I'm reading a book by Seth Godin which parallels many of de Bono's ideas. To me personally I think true creativity is all about having a clear focus, not accepting the perceived wisdom and status quo and creating new, useful, interesting ideas.

Google Zurich

2009-06-04T12:36:00.007+01:00

Does your office need a lick of paint? Thinking of sprucing it up a little? Well how about something like this. These are the new Google Zurich offices, designed by Swiss architecture and design agency Camenzind Evolution.

The surprising thing is that it didn’t cost the earth. They fulfilled Google’s brief without exceeding the costs of a conventional interior office fit-out. All 350 employees were interviewed to elicit their emotional and practical needs in a work-space. Each floor is individually themed and colour-coded, from a Swiss themed space where ski gondolas have been converted into meeting spaces, to a chill-out aquarium water lounge where staff can relax in foam-brick filled bathtubs.

The new relaxed work-space means a more creative environment, perfect for those outside-the-box brainstorming sessions. And whose office would be complete without a fireman’s pole?

Accountancy rocks

2009-06-02T15:56:00.008+01:00

Don't give up the day job - words of wisdom usually applied to aspiring rock gods with more ambition than talent. (Well, there's only so many Meatloaf tribute bands the world can handle) But now this piece of sage advice applies to aspiring accountants too.

The new website for ICAI Elevation Programme goes live today. Atomic created the new identity, website, online ads and collateral for the Institute's revolutionary new programme. For the first time, the programme gives experienced professionals the chance to study towards a qualification in Chartered Accountancy without giving up their 9 to 5's.

Check out the website here.

This is Going to Change Everything...

2009-05-14T17:25:00.005+01:00

...says the iPhone ad.

Well, to put this rather grand claim to the test, Atomic threw itself into roadtesting the cream of iPhone applications. Stephen K downloaded an app that makes a noise like a light sabre, which kinda wrecked his cool, "I'm in a band" image. Stephen Q got hooked on the soothing sounds of White Noise (well he does have a new baby). Maricka became a convert to Twitterfon and now she can keep up with Ashton & Demi while on the 46A.
I turned my phone into a flute.

Lifechanging? Well, probably not. A little sad? Probably. At least these guys make playing with your phone look cool. Enjoy yourself...

The Holy Grail of Brochures

2009-05-13T15:59:00.006+01:00

Acetate, transparencies, overlays over fine paper, gatefolds, rich blacks... the new Source brochure is an object of desire. Atomic has faced the challenge of developing a visual concept beyond its common possibilities and has come up with an extraordinary piece of artwork using all the finest printing techniques we could. The result: a premium quality brochure that we expect our client's clients will enjoy.

Election Season Hotting up

2009-05-06T09:04:00.006+01:00

You can't help but notice all the posters popping up on Lamposts around town and it can only mean one thing - Election time! We've been busy beavering away on Fine Gael's Local, European and Bye Election materials over the last few months. We reckon it's going to be one of the most interesting contests yet...

OK...Not this...

2009-04-29T15:23:00.006+01:00

Here's one for all the Creative Directors out there (OK, and some Suits).... recognise anyone you know?

Trust Me, I'm a Doctor!

2009-04-29T12:34:00.020+01:00

Doctor, doctor, our Health System's a joke! While it is very disheartening to think that billions of taxpayers' hard-earned money may have been squandered, as people lie on hospital trolleys and the waiting lists for life-saving treatment grow even longer; at least somebody's finally proposing a viable solution.

Fine Gael has launched FairCare.ie, a new campaign that reveals a pragmatic new plan to nurse Ireland’s sickly Health System back to health. Atomic created the website and identity for the campaign, as well as HSE Surgery, an online game to drive traffic to the website.

Click here to play doctor and save the health system!

Mégo has arrived in town

2009-04-17T10:43:00.010+01:00

Mégo has finally opened its first shop (and we hope it's the first of many more to come) in Pavilions Swords. We're very proud of the identity developed for them, a, let's say, posh-punk look and feel that will stand out in contrast to the rest of the mall's shops. Subtle lighting effects, a revolutionary handwritten font and sexy girls in dream-like poses are the elements that complete a key visual designed to stroke and strike at the same time.

HB Relive the Fun Launches

2009-04-14T10:52:00.017+01:00

Just in time for the first few rays of Spring sunshine, our HB Classics campaign is celebrating its launch, gracing 48 sheets, 6 sheets and bus T-sides nationwide. Now that they're up we're seeing them everywhere. Which is not a good thing for our ice cream cravings. (We must buy a padlock for the atomic fridge, as it's crammed full of the stuff at the moment.) We can resist anything except temptation. Also, it's hard to be nostalgic about the last time we had one when it was 5 minutes ago, or for breakfast this morning.

Wibbly Wobbly Wonder, anyone?

You can listen to the radio campaign here:

Down with this sort of thing!

2009-04-09T14:45:00.012+01:00

Surprising to see advertising like this all over the national press recently. Isn't this exactly the sort of thing that got us into the mess we're in at the moment? "Go on, go on, go on... of course you'll have an apartment!"

How many more people will be duped into taking on mortgages they can't afford by developers who are desperate to offload apartments that never should have been built in the first place? Just a thought...

Maricka Joins the Crew

2009-04-07T16:34:00.012+01:00

We're delighted to welcome Maricka to our little Atomic family. Our new Account Executive is fresh from the hallowed halls of Smurfit Business School, where they know a thing or two about business. Whilst there she worked with Leinster Rugby and GlaxoSmithKline, and she cut her teeth in the advertising trade at the Galway Advertiser in advertising sales and new business development. Only in the door and already she’s hard at work masterminding the digital side of our new HB campaign. We think the girl's a keeper!

The Nation Gets Twisting!

2009-03-25T09:52:00.006Z

It's true what they say about a recession - we learn to appreciate the simple things again. Part of our new HB Relive the Fun campaign, our Twister Twistathon is a case in point: just add music, some plastic hoops, plenty of free ice cream and stand back - the video speaks for itself!

We're visiting eight locations around the country on a search for Ireland's twistiest Twist-master - see location details on Facebook.

And for a final blatant client plug, we recommend you check out new Twister Mini Chocolate: only available in the supermarket but definitely worth the trip.

When Stephen met Marco

2009-03-24T16:48:00.010Z

Stephen had thought about bringing a box of Kleenex or knocking back some tequila shots for Dutch courage. After all, we’re talking about the man who made Gordon Ramsey cry. But then he threw caution to the wind and marched in guns blazing. He needn’t have, really. Marco was actually a pretty nice bloke.

Marco Pierre White commands respect. This is the man who won 3 Michelin stars and then gave them back. He enjoyed the challenge of winning them and that was enough for him. Wow.

Anyway, l’uomo himself was in town for the opening of his new Dawson Street restaurant, his first Irish venture in association with Fitzers. The new venue is all about affordable chic. You can drop in for a starter, a main or whatever you fancy, whenever suits you. It’s diner-focused so it really is all about you. As yours truly are designing the new website for the venue, Stephen nabbed Marco for a bit of a chin-wag. As you can see, the boys are now best chums.

One blog to another...

2009-03-13T10:28:00.023Z

Nice to see that our HB Relive the Fun Facebook page is receiving good reviews already from those in the industry. Thanks to Piaras Kelly, Communications Consultant and Blogger for his nice comment:"Possibly the best commercial Facebook page I've seen in Ireland thus far."

If you have a bit of free time, have a look at Piaras's blog. A nice mix of media, social networking, advertising and PR news, as well as wry observations on life in general. I particularly love this archived post: Is Eddie Hobbs starting to look like the Count from Sesame Street?

True Piaras. So true...

Show me the money

The Mégo has landed

2009-03-12T12:24:00.005Z

We've designed a new logo and identity for Mégo, a new clothes store soon to open its doors here in Dublin. We've given the brand a fresh, contemporary feel -"for fun females who love fashion". We've also added an interactive element, where anyone who'd like to work there can create a video of themselves on a touch-screen portal located outside the store, describing why they should be chosen. We're sure there'll be no shortage of Mego-maniacs!

Relive the Fun on Facebook

2009-03-05T15:47:00.009Z

Once a weapon reserved for dear old aunties or your mum to scare away potential love interests (“oh, wasn’t he so cute, naked in the bath”) now the embarrassing childhood photo phenomenon has hit Facebook in the guise of our
HB Relive the Fun campaign.

For every photo uploaded to the Relive the Fun page, HB will donate €1 to Down Syndrome Ireland, letting fans share their Kodak Moments and those unfortunate fashion choices for a good cause. Fans can revel in 80s and 90s nostalgia, listen to some classic 'choons on the Relive the Fun Mix Tape and send old school ice creams to their friends with this cool little app.

Obey

2009-02-06T17:41:00.005Z

Is there anybody out there who's not familiar with the poster on the left? Surely you can't have missed it. The Barack Obama "Hope" poster by "street artist" Shepard Fairey is possibly the most iconic political image since Jim Fitzpatrick's famous portrait of Che Guevara. The poster couldn't be seen to have any official affiliation with the official Obama campaign because in essence it was a piece of graffitti and therefore illegal, but Fairey did receive a formal letter of thanks from Barrack Obama, thanking him for his contribution to his campaign. Goddamnit! Obama is so down with the kids!

Fairey, also known by the pseudonym Obey, is well known for his bold, iconic artwork and his strong political messages. Check out more of his work at http://www.obeygiant.com

Her Morning Elegance

2009-02-06T15:46:00.006Z

Came across this amazing stop motion video for an Oren Lavie song directed by Yuval & Merav Nathan of OneWingFly. It's funny and inventive, managing to fit in different settings, weather conditions, an underwater scene and a dance routine without ever leaving the bed! Watch out for the shoal of socks near the end!

Come back Twitter, all is forgiven.

2009-02-06T14:53:00.012Z

Ok, so last week saw us twitter-cising and wondering what the point of all the randomness was. Here’s something that proves it’s all pretty tweet, really…

Twestival is an event for Twitter fans everywhere, taking place on February 12th in over 175 cities worldwide. Organised by volunteers, 100% of profits raised will go to charitywater.org, helping them to provide clean, safe drinking water for developing countries. The Dublin event takes place in the Sycamore Club, with comedians Andrew Stanley and Damian Clarke lined up for the event.

Check out this little viral clip for Twestival Amsterdam.
Tweadly.

http://vimeo.com/3095175

Slackjaw Marketing 101

2009-02-06T14:39:00.005Z

Forget Kotler, here's a much easier way to refresh your marketing theory in three, non-taxing minutes - perfectly suited to a Friday afternoon...

The Stone Twins in Stereo

2009-02-06T13:38:00.022Z

The Atomic force were out last night availing of the complimentary Heineken at the Stone Twins quiet but very interesting presentation in The Morrison hotel. The Stone twins are an Irish duo who have set up in Amsterdam. They showed a great selection of graphic-design and advertising work for clients such as Adidas and ONLY advertising which had lovely typographical elements. And they produced some very interesting illustration styles for TA-2, a company for developing theatre and directing talents. To see more of their stuff click on to www.stonetwins.com

Is it Just Me...

2009-01-24T15:18:00.010Z

...that doesn't get Twitter? OK I get it in principle but still can’t see the point of most of it. Fair enough, Obama used it brilliantly during his campaign but it’s fair to say he had some reasonably important stuff to share.

Compare that with the latest darlings of Twitter in the UK - Jonathan Ross & Stephen Fry. Bigmouth Media breathlessly predicts that Ross & Fry “could start a snowball of tweeting” such is the calibre of their tweets. So here are some of the highlights (OK, I picked particularly inane ones but it’s still pretty representative):

Fry: (while on his interminable world tour)
“Laid over in Christchurch airport. Two hours before the flight east to the Chathams. X”

“Been dozing most of the day. Silly. Don't want to wake up at 4.00am tomorrow. X”

"Well, nightly nightington dear things, I'll tweet you in the morning xx"

‘Wossy’:
“Gotta go to bed. My wife needs lovin.”

“Cold weather can be nice to go out in providing you have warm clothes on.”

“Sweating profusely in bed with flu”

The good news is that you can sign up for an RSS feed so you need never miss a single, earth-shattering nugget. Just how big a fan do you need to be to care that someone is about to head off to bed... or worse, about to head off to bed their wife?

We've got HB licked!

2009-01-19T11:49:00.008Z

We’re over the moon with our recent HB win! Atomic will be creating the new Spring/Summer '09 campaign for everybody’s favourite childhood HB classics including Twister, Brunch, and Wibbly Wobbly Wonder. The campaign will fuse traditional above the line techniques with digital and new media elements. We’re also organising an event for Twister that will roll out at a venue near you very soon. Watch this space…