Welcome to retro Shangri la, reflecting the style and spirit of circa 1940s’ animation when sweetness reigned supreme. Dutch star Wendy van Dijk, shot in live action, shares the screen with a cute, cuddly adorable collection of animated woodland creatures who frolic in colorful foliage during a beautiful summer day in the country. Indeed all is right with the world as van Dijk shares quality time with flora and fauna, including a happy go-lucky bird who flies onto her hand, a pair of friendly squirrels, and some bunnies.
However, something goes terribly amiss, albeit it just for a fleeting moment, in this sugary scenario when a truck carrying Lay’s Potato Chips enters the picture, coming on fast in the direction of a colt who’s playing on the road. An expression of terror flashes across the horse’s face. The truck swerves to avoid the animal, hitting a fence post and causing bags of new improved Lay’s paprika chips to pour onto the road and fly into the hands of the nearby van Dijk.
She tastes a chip and is immediately delighted. Then we’re back to joyous perfection when the colt emerges unscathed from a big pile of Lay’s Chips. Van Dijk and the truck driver chomp on some chips together, thoroughly enjoying the snack.
This combo traditional 2-D animation/live-action spot, which is airing in the Netherlands and Belgium, was directed by Aaron Sorenson of animation studio Laika/house, Portland, Ore., for FHV/BBDO Netherlands.
“The twist in the story really makes this spot unique and fun,” said Sorenson who also served as character designer, storyboard/layout/key animation artist. “The animation emulates the high-quality of work and sweep appearance of cartoons from the 1940s, but this spot has a dark side that messes with established expectations.”
The FHV/BBDO team consisted of creative director Rohan Young, art director Jennifer Farrington, writer Tiffany Davenport and producer Niko Koot.
The Laika/house ensemble included executive producer/producer Jan Johnson, art director Jenny Kincade, live-action supervisor Mike Wellins, editor Michael Corrigan, Flame artist Rex Carter, CG animation artist Adrian Grey and background painter Gary Cooper.
Apple and Google Face UK Investigation Into Mobile Browser Dominance
Apple and Google aren't giving consumers a genuine choice of mobile web browsers, a British watchdog said Friday in a report that recommends they face an investigation under new U.K. digital rules taking effect next year.
The Competition and Markets Authority took aim at Apple, saying the iPhone maker's tactics hold back innovation by stopping rivals from giving users new features like faster webpage loading. Apple does this by restricting progressive web apps, which don't need to be downloaded from an app store and aren't subject to app store commissions, the report said.
"This technology is not able to fully take off on iOS devices," the watchdog said in a provisional report on its investigation into mobile browsers that it opened after an initial study concluded that Apple and Google effectively have a chokehold on "mobile ecosystems."
The CMA's report also found that Apple and Google manipulate the choices given to mobile phone users to make their own browsers "the clearest or easiest option."
And it said that the a revenue-sharing deal between the two U.S. Big Tech companies "significantly reduces their financial incentives" to compete in mobile browsers on Apple's iOS operating system for iPhones.
Both companies said they will "engage constructively" with the CMA.
Apple said it disagreed with the findings and said it was concerned that the recommendations would undermine user privacy and security.
Google said the openness of its Android mobile operating system "has helped to expand choice, reduce prices and democratize access to smartphones and apps" and that it's "committed to open platforms that empower consumers."
It's the latest move by regulators on both sides of the Atlantic to crack down on the... Read More