An unseen driver starts the ignition in his car and then turns on its Blaupunkt stereo, which delivers a pounding rock beat as the vehicle navigates its way along a roadway. But rather than seeing the person behind the wheel grooving to the music or even the scenery whizzing by, we see two stuffed animals–a teddy bear and a bunny rabbit–that had been resting in front of the rear window, perched between two speakers, now being driven to the pulsating sounds.
The stuffed critters assume a variety of audio-propelled positions reminiscent of a not-so-soft porn film. First the bear is atop the bunny missionary style, then behind the rabbit. We see the latter configuration, no pun intended, in the rearview mirror. Next the rabbit is on top. The hard driving music has them jumping up and down on one another–at one point with a nearby bobble head dog, its tongue hanging out, nodding repeatedly in apparent approval. Seems like Fido very much likes to watch.
As long as the Blaupunkt volume is thumping, the stuffed animals are humping–in perfectly synchronized movement to the music’s beat. Finally this X-rated demonstration of staying power ends as the Blaupunkt stereo is switched off, leaving the bear and bunny laid out motionless as if totally fatigued. The only surprise is that they’re not puffing cigarettes in a post-coital smoke.
A product shot of a Blaupunkt speaker is accompanied by a super which reads, “Blaupunkt. The advantage in your car.”
Currently airing on MTV Europe and generating considerable buzz, this risque comedy spot–titled “Pimp My Ride”–was directed by John Doe, a collective of four helmers who are well established internationally. The directors now have their sights set on the American ad market. John Doe just secured its first spot representation in the U.S. signing with Santa Monica-based TWC, the production house founded three years ago by executive producers Mark Thomas and Ralph Winter, and director Phil Cooke. (See separate story in this week’s News section.)
The John Doe collective is no stranger to the U.S. In fact, the four directors first met as students at New York’s Film Academy in 1997. Upon graduation, they all promised to someday collaborate full time. Three years ago they made good on that pledge when they teamed to formally launch John Doe and began taking on spot assignments internationally.
The John Doe ensemble consists of Tiago Guedes, Milovan Radovic, Masataka Namba and Stjepan Klein. This quartet directed “Pimp My Ride” via Sterntag Film, Hamburg, for ad agency Wensauer & Partner in Ludwigsburg, Germany. Roland Schwarz was creative director for Wensauer & Partner.
Gerhard Leis was executive producer for Sterntag Film. Line producer on the job was Birgit Damen. The spot was shot in Hamburg by DP Joao Lanca Morias.
Editor was Jamie Thompson of NHB Pictures, Hamburg. Colorist was Sven Karlsonn of NHB.
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