52 overly sensitive souls complained to the ASA about DDB’s last ad for Stihl because they felt it lacked sensitivity and was disrespectful of death. The vast majority, including the agrarian warriors who buy such machinery, embraced the dark humour. Thankfully, the ASA saw sense and none of the complaints were upheld. Well, the complainers will probably have their pens at the ready again after the latest in the Stihl series ‘Mercy Dash’ went live last night and while the death isn’t quite as overt this time, it’s still lingering there entertainingly in the background.
This was one of Paul Hankinson’s last pieces of work for DDB before he left to take up the creative director reins at .99. And it’s a pretty damn good one to go out on.
Credits:
Client contact:
Managing Director: Jim Bibby
Marketing Manager: Sophie Wardrop
Agency: DDB Group New Zealand
Group ECD: Toby Talbot
Deputy Creative Director/Art Director: Regan Grafton
Head of Copy/Writer: Paul Hankinson
Head of TV: Judy Thompson
Agency Producer: Tania Jeram
Managing Partner: Scott Wallace
Account Exective: Jessica De Court
Film Company: Robber’s Dog
Director: Adam Stevens
Film Company Producer: Mark Foster
Editor: Stuart Reeves @ The Editors
Grade: Pete Ritchie @ Toybox
Online: Stefan Coory @ Blockhead
Audio: Liquid Studios
Music Composition: Peter van der Fluit
Sound engineer: Jon Cooper