Morning update: Pizza Hut goes after selfies; Spotify expands; New crowdfunded newspaper
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fmQs37YqXg#t=24
Ad Week: Pizza Hut takes down selfies in advert for two-foot pizzas
Have you taken a selfie lately? If the answer is yes, then you’re the target audience for this new over-the-top parody PSA from Pizza Hut.
The brand wants to warn you about the dangers of the selfie stick—a device that creates the unfortunate illusion for the user that (gasp!) other people, places and objects exist.
The spot is delightfully cheeky, and the spokeswoman brings the right mixture of faux-fear and faux-anger—she almost seems to be doing a homage to the former host of Unsolved Mysteries. It isn’t until the end that you realize it is, in fact, an ad.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMGwPYGPEJs
Ad Age: Spotify adds video streaming and other services built around listener data
Spotify is rolling out a slew of new products, including a video platform, designed to transform the music streaming service into a ’round-the-clock entertainment spot. By adding video to its entertainment mix and making better use of customer data, the company aims to engage customers on the platform for longer, while offering marketers new ways to connect with listeners.
“Spotify users are engaging not just with music at a fast growing pace, but they’re also looking at other content types as well,” said Jeff Levick, chief revenue officer at Spotify. “Having a more immersive experience with the ability to toggle between audio and video, allows people to listen and engage with both depending on where they are and what they’re doing.”
Creativity: This could be the sad dog story to end all sad dog stories
This heart-wrenching spot from DDB Argentina starts out like any endearing dog and owner tale: an elderly man goes everywhere with his loyal pup companion, who never leaves his side as he makes tea, runs errands and hangs out with his buddies at the coffee shop.
One day, however, the man experiences an attack that sends him to the emergency room. The dog follows him all the way to the hospital, standing guard outside through the night, through bad weather and into the next day and even the next. Finally, the doors open and they are reunited — but not in a way you’d expect.
Campaign UK: Are job ads for digital natives against the law?
So what would you say if a prospective employer asked you if you were a “digital native”? Maybe you’d smile politely – or suppress a snigger – from what sounds like a fatuous question. But with some employers demanding that is a prerequisite of employment, it might not be a laughing matter.
One of the last gasps in the death throes of the last Labour government was the passing of the 2010 Equality Act, which sought to unify and codify all the anti-discrimination and employment laws that went before it.
The Guardian: Hong Kong to get new crowdfunded independent newspaper
A crowdfunded online newspaper is to be launched in Hong Kong to combat the lack of diversity and add what the organisers say will be “a truly independent voice”.
To be called Hong Kong Free Press, the free English-language newspaper will have its soft launch in June and start regular publication by 1 July – the anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to Chinese sovereignty.
A group of independent journalists behind the venture says it has had a very enthusiastic response to a crowdfunding appeal to set up the paper.
