Thinkbox
A few words about Paul Weiland OBE
Paul was awarded an OBE for his services to the advertising and creative industries. He started his career in advertising as a copywriter at CDP before moving into directing, learning his trade from Sir Alan Parker. He has since directed over 1000 ads for a vast selection of brands, including every Gary Lineker Walkers ad throughout the campaign's 20 year history.
Over the years, his penchant for comedy has led him to direct the likes of Blackadder & Mr. Bean, alongside feature films. Paul founded Contagious London, an advertising agency and production company in one, and currently creates and directs campaigns for UK and international clients, including Kingsmill, Trop50 and Save The Children.
More about Paul’s 3 great ad choices
Marmite: Neglect
This ad was released in January 2015. It plays on the idea that marmite is being neglected, and teams are deployed to rescue it. Created by adam&eveDDB for Marmite, they used a well-regarded BBC journalist Michael Buerk as its voiceover and the ad continued to reinforced the idea that marmite is a: love it or hate it. Pure honest advertising.
Volkswagen: Snow Plow
Released in 1964 by DDB New York, this ad asks: have you ever wondered how the man who drives the snowplow, drives to the snowplow? This TV ad was made by Production Company, Film Contracts, London and was art directed by Len Sirowitz. The ad won 1964 Cannes Gold and was included in the Hall of fame in the 2013 Clio Awards
Playstation: Double Life
In the 1990s the aim was to give the hopelessly lame video-games market look cooler, noting that people in the market were in fact teens and adults, not children. This 1999 ad was directed by Gorgeous Productions’ Frank Budgen. It was the most highly awarded in the world in 1999/2000 and has gone on to gain cult status, topping Joystiq.com's: Top 10 Best PlayStation Ads. Budgen was voted as the Directors Guild of America commercial director of the year in 2007, the same year that 'Double Life' was added to the Clio Hall of Fame.
