Wow. Quite powerful message there.

I agree, the tag is pretty weak.

After seeing Edmonton agency Calder Bateman’s recently posted ad for Mother’s Against Drunk Driving, I was blown away. Blown away by the concept. Blown away by the execution. Blown away by the fact that it’s exactly like an ad created by MacLaren McCann Calgary.

In a recent pitch to the Alberta Government for a seatbelt safety campaign, MacLaren McCann presented a campaign featuring various pictures in frames. The frames contained baby pictures, family portraits, and (you guessed it) a grad photo. In each, an area of the glass was shattered like a windshield, complete with small blood droplets, depicting where someone had been thrown violently through the glass.

MacLaren McCann was not awarded the project, but we have since executed the creative for the Calgary Police Service, a pro-bono client of ours. It makes a great seatbelt idea, but not so great a MADD ad.

Now one might be inclined to think of this as perhaps just a coincidence. Happens all the time, right?

Some things to consider:

Calder Bateman was also included on the Alberta Government seatbelt project
shortlist.
Calder Bateman won the Alberta Government seatbelt project business.
Calder Bateman then would have been in a position to view work from
unsuccessful competing agencies on the seatbelt project shortlist.

Coincidence? Attached are a few of our pitch mockups. You be the judge.

-MacLaren McCann Calgary creative team

MacLaren McCann Calgary creative team – Quit your whining and get onto better ideas.

so,so, I’m not too impressed.

It’s weak anyway, I wouldn’t mind if someone stole this idea from me. At least my name isn’t under it.

Calm down people, If this ad doesn’t stun you, you probably need a vacation.