Small Price…Big Coincidence
2005, TBWA/G1, Nissan Micra
2009, Ogilvy Cape Town, Volkwagen Polo
Stolen idea or pure coincidence? Great ads, though and the second version is executed much better.
Ogilvy is nominated for a Loerie this year for their rendition of this concept. Justified?
(Edit: Although this specific execution is not a Loerie Finalist this year, the website and the online banners for the campaign is; along with the full campaign that made it to the Mixed Media category.)
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Comments ( 16 )
Cuan added these pithy words on Sep 17 09 at 10:25 amIt was pure coincidence. We found out about the Micra ad several months after the campaign had flighted and been entered.
But the whole thing did make me think, ‘what’s more devious, to intentionally create scam ads or to unknowingly and unintentionally flight ads that have been done?’
Johann added these pithy words on Sep 17 09 at 10:47 amHi Cuan, thanks for the feedback. According to the Loeries judging criteria ads who are to be winners should be “An innovative concept, bringing new and fresh thinking”. Do you think this would affect your chances of winning?
Uno added these pithy words on Sep 17 09 at 10:52 amWell, goes to show no ideas are new ideas. I really liked the entire execution of the local ad campaign.
amymaybe added these pithy words on Sep 17 09 at 10:56 amgreat minds think alike.
mari. added these pithy words on Sep 17 09 at 10:58 amIt’s very dissapointing for creative if an idea has been used before. I still love the ad – both obviously. Cuan, I do believe that many copies are pure coincidence, but unfortunately – no one will ever know the truth. Johann, I’m not sure about Loeries.. this must have happened before, surely – so maybe someone can share a previous situation with us?
Peter added these pithy words on Sep 17 09 at 11:04 amI dont believe this was “pure coincidence” – To similar in concept, execution etc.. !!!
Phil added these pithy words on Sep 17 09 at 11:05 amPost Tags: Ogilvy, Unoriginal, VW
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Cuan added these pithy words on Sep 17 09 at 11:07 amGood question. I’ve thought about that too.
But first to clarifysomething, there is a small mistake in your article. This particular execution isn’t a finalist at Loeries. The online banners and the small prices website are finalists, along with the whole campaign in the Mixed Media category. Now to answer your question, I personally wouldn’t give this press ad a Loerie either. But I do hope that judges will notice that the campaign isn’t entirely dependant on this execution, and that the online and campaign elements are innovative and interesting for their own reasons.
Alice added these pithy words on Sep 17 09 at 11:09 amBurn! I agree that there are no new ideas, but there are new ways of presenting those ideas. Loeries winners have already been decided, so we’ll just see what the ‘impartial’ judges have to say.
h added these pithy words on Sep 17 09 at 11:16 amdidn’t this happen with the Loeries last year and the energizer ‘never let their toys die’ campaign? i think they drew a parallel between this campaign and an old Nickelodeon campaign? seems to ring a bell. as far as i know… it won at Canne, but no Loerie? i could be wrong tho…
KIdd added these pithy words on Sep 17 09 at 11:22 amI doubt many agencies would knowingly copy another ad now days, with the circulation of creative work on the net, they’re bound to be found out sooner or later. But there are always exceptions:
http://justcreativedesign.com/2008/02/20/graphic-design-plagiarism-rip-offs/
http://thegrandnarrative.wordpress.com/2009/08/26/plagiarism/
Jade added these pithy words on Sep 17 09 at 11:49 amNothing is original steal from everywhere. Personally, I feel that statement does not apply here. I believe Cuan, having personally worked with him at Ogilvy, including Chris Gotz – They are certainly not intending to copy someone else’s ads and are more than talented enough to develop their own strong campaigns, and have shown their originality over and over again in other strong VW ads. It’s just unfortunate that’s all. Great minds think alike
Mari added these pithy words on Sep 17 09 at 11:52 amThanks Cuan, I fixed the error. I do agree that execution also plays a huge role when it come to judging and glad you pointed it out. I haven’t seen the online execution though, maybe you’d like to share them with us?
Kaigwa added these pithy words on Sep 17 09 at 1:42 pmFunny I caame across this. Did a concept a week ago, then saw it in a London magazine :/
Looks like pure coincidence to me, but both are pretty good.
@Uno – guess you’re right. Any other examples of the SA campaign we can look at?
dylan added these pithy words on Sep 18 09 at 9:26 amtough one ..
but its good to know what your direct competition have done in the past .. 4 years isnt that long ago ..
but these things do happen .. sure itll all work out
