Looking to inspire youngsters (particularly “tweens,” ages 8 to 11) to dream and invent, Publicis & Hal Riney, San Francisco, turned to director John Dolan of bicoastal Anonymous Content for a TV spot on behalf of the Department of Commerce’s U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the National Inventors Hall of Fame Foundation in conjunction with the Ad Council.
The public service :30 opens with a nervous young boy introducing himself and his new invention–a BMX bike with wheels on which are fastened assorted suction cups. His inspiration for the bike was the suction cup-like tentacles of the octopus, at which point we’re treated to a show and tell of sorts. The boy rides the bike along walls and on a ceiling. He even pedals the bike up a ramp which leaves him hanging from the handlebars suctioned to a building. A buddy of his looks on incredulously. We are left to wonder if this bike actually exists. Of course it does–in the minds of kids who dare to imagine and think big.
The spot ends with the slogan, “Anything’s possible. Keep thinking,” accompanied by the website address www.InventNow.org where kids can get in touch with their own innate inventiveness. Designed by VPI (Visual Perspectives Internet), the site allows children to explore their inventive interests in space, sports, design and entertainment. And a gallery on the site highlights inventions created by children throughout the country.
For generations, the U.S. has been a global leader in technology and innovation. While the country represents only five percent of the world’s population, it accounts for nearly one-third of the world’s science and engineering researchers and 40 percent of all research and development, according to the Council on Competitiveness. However, with increased economic competition globally, it’s widely understood that the U.S. must take steps now to maintain its leadership. In particular, America must ensure we inspire future generations of innovators.
Titled “Suction Tires,” the television commercial is part of an ambitious multimedia campaign. The Publicis & Hal Riney creative ensemble included chief creative officer Roger Camp, art director Rich North, copywriter Adam Kopel, director of integrated production David Verhoef and producer Sara Krider.
Andy Traines and Dave Morrison exec produced for Anonymous with SueEllen Clair serving as head of production, Megan Moore as producer and Cheryl Guzman as production supervisor. The cinematographer was Dariusz Wolski.
Editor was Paul Martinez of bicoastal Lost Planet. Elephant Post, a Lost Planet sister shop, was the visual effects/post house. Betsy Beale exec produced for both Elephant and Lost Planet.
Stefan Sonnenfeld, co-founder of bicoastal Company 3, was the colorist.
Jeff Fuller of Eleven, Santa Monica, served as sound designer/audio mixer.
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