US Creative Works: featuring Y&R, Mustache, Havas Chicago and more

Flags of five countries from around the world have been reimagined through graphic representation, becoming catalysts for travelers to find routes and discover the best of each country.

The campaign was done by Sao Paulo, Brazil’s Mestiça Agency for the Collection of Continents books for the Brazilian magazine Viaje Mais. The campaign is made up of five ads that use the flags of several countries as the main element, and the routes and destinations as the creative concept.

The graphic elements of each flag essentially become road maps, creating horizons with routes and destinations, visually translating the concept of the campaign, essentially begging viewers to roam to each country and find out its respective charms. Argentina’s white stripe appears as a road towards its setting sun, while Norway’s blue cross looks like a crossroads to discovery of the Scandinavian country, and Australia’s Union Jack design gives travelers plenty of directional options.

Each design has a small bit of copy in the top right corner that tells of each country’s destinations and itineraries. Chile’s says: “The best wine routes and landscapes in Chile.” For Norway: “The best itineraries to enjoy the daylight until midnight in Norway.”

To celebrate the fandom for Westworld Season 2, Carl’s Jr. is releasing a chilling rendition to Westworld opening credits via social (@CarlsJr), in order to imagine a new theme park, WesternBaconWorld.
 
The Western Bacon Cheeseburger has long been Carl’s Jr.’s signature item. Matthew McConaughey even lent his voice to the burger chain's recent spot for the popular sandwich.
 
This time however, Carl’s Jr. puts its sandwich’s tune through the famous Mariposa Saloon player piano and turns out a haunting hunger call for Carl’s Jr. There’s even a cameo by Happy Star, who plays one of the Hosts.

Production company Sibling Rivalry has joined forces with Paola Antonelli, senior curator of architecture and design and director of research and development at the Museum of Modern Art, to create an immersive virtual reality (VR) experience for the Samsung VR video service.

Dubbed ‘&Design’, the episodic virtual reality experience is rooted in themes of death, love, play and the idea of self, along with featuring eye-popping design work, and it made its debut during the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival. It was originally conceived by Antonelli, who brought it to Sibling Rivalry partner and creative director Mikon van Gastel.

The VR experience was made possible by a grant from Samsung VR Video’s Pilot Season, a new initiative aimed at infusing exclusive, original, episodic VR content into Samsung VR Video service, driving growth within the independent VR filmmaker community.

Hosted by Antonelli, it guides audiences through an experience of design that melds anthropology and science, history and technology. Through a VR lens, viewers are introduced to a variety of designers and creators from around the world, including Neri Oxman and the members of the Mediated Matter Group at MIT’s Media Lab, roboticist Hiroshi Ishiguro in Osaka, and others.

A new online campaign for Blind Barber, the barbershops and grooming brand, introduces Washington Nationals All-Star Bryce Harper as its spokesperson. The campaign, produced by Tessa Films, kicked off with a social media clip of Harper using two hairdryers to achieve his signature look, posted to his brother's Instagram page, as if it was a candid snap. The video quickly became a resounding viral success with nearly 1 million views in just 3 days and has been the subject of a plethora of earned media coverage in ESPN, USA Today, Washington Post, The Today Show and more.

That viral success laid the groundwork for the launch of the main online ad – a comedic gem directed and written by Tessa’s Tim Mason, with creative direction from Tessa Director Duncan Wolfe – that features a montage of Harper psyching himself up in the bathroom mirror while styling his hair and beard. Paid ads began appearing on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Connected TV on Monday, April 16.

Masseur notes, “Because Tim’s background is in improv comedy as a veteran of Second City’s Mainstage, he created an atmosphere on set that allowed Bryce to relax into his character and have fun which led to the natural, genuine-feeling comedic performance that seems to really be resonating with the general public."

Vans presents 'Vision Walk', the next chapter from its global brand campaign, This Is Off The Wall. The campaign explores what 'Off The Wall' means through a series of digital narratives and global events that bolster the various art forms Vans has supported since its inception. 'Vision Walk' examines the art of photography and inspires everyone to find their own perspective. 
 
'Vision Walk' follows photographer/director Olivia Bee as she leads a group through Los Angeles to capture moments and memories using film and digital photography. Intrigued by the beauty of everyday life and memories, Bee thinks of photography as a unique opportunity to explore the world and develop one’s artistic point of view since what you see is not what everybody else might see. “Anyone can be creative and everyone has a unique point of view,” Bee explained. “Sharing that point of view with others is what makes the world a better place.”
 
“Vision Walk” inspires others to discover the world around them while embarking on their own creative self discovery through photography. As a testament to its commitment to enabling creative expression, Vans will host its own vision walks in cities around the world, taking individuals on a journey within their own city and helping them find their own perspective. From novice photo-takers to industry experts, Vans welcomes everyone to these experiential workshops and encourages all to share their point of view with one another to showcase the unique perspectives that come from the energy of collaboration. Visit vans.com/visionwalk to learn more.
 

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is no stranger to dedication and hard work as an athlete and actor, and in a new campaign for Under Armour, he narrates the stories of others who put their all into their sport to become the best.

The new year-long campaign, ‘Will Finds a Way’ – created in partnership with Droga5 – showcases the importance of hard work, dedication and resilience, highlighting eight athletes who put in the hours to master their skills. Under Armour sets out to inspire by taking consumers on a motivational journey, and Johnson introduces the stories of: world champion sprinter Natasha Hastings; Olympic swimmer Yusra Mardini; NBA point guard Dennis Smith Jr.; actress and Taekwondo national champion Zoe Zhang; world champion Judoka Teddy Riner; stuntwoman Jessie Graff; triathlete Johnny Agar; and state boxing and gymnastics champion Javon “Wanna” Walton.  

In the anthem spot, Johnson serves as the ultimate motivator, reinforcing that nothing is impossible if you have the will. Johnson uses his life as an example, sharing examples of beating the odds and becoming the person he is today by being the hardest worker in the room. He notes how he carved a new path for himself when his dream of becoming a pro football player was crushed after injury and he found himself with less than $7 in his pocket. Through these trials, he says he knows first-hand there is something that lives in each one of us that helps defy doubt, failure or circumstance.

To celebrate National Lawn Care Month and feature Milwaukee Tool's outdoor power tool line, Bandolier utilised its Classic Dad brand to create a web series called 'Lawn Whisperers'.

Set in the world of competitive lawn mowing (and hedging), Lawn Whisperers follows the Lawnmaster judge and rival competitors as they battle for the top spot in the 18th Annual Crestview Classic.

The web series follows the competitors as if they were bickering reality show contestants, rubbishing each other's lawn care prowess and throwing shade at their adversaries.