10 Most Inventive Post Companies

In advertising, you usually spend all your time looking for the hot, the new, the next. But sometimes it’s good to look back, to appreciate the old that was once new, to see how far we’ve come.

To celebrate our 150th issue, shots takes a nostalgic trip and browses the industry’s rich creative history to pick our favourite 150 agencies, directors, production and post houses, spots, Super Bowl spots, creative gurus, brands, music videos, online campaigns, shots staff most admired work and most important changes.

Technology: who can keep up? Luckily the companies on the list below are well aware of the possibilities that technology allows and they also, more often than not, push those possibilities as far as they can, then a smidge further.

Though shots has been around for nearly 25 years, and post production technology has always played a part in creative advertising, the last decade or so has seen the boundaries of what can be done in post smashed, redefined, then smashed and redefined once more. Horses leaping like waves in Guinness Surfer was impressive in 1999 (and still is), but it’s now possible to do so much more.

Below are 10 companies we feel have had a hand in the most extraordinary visual treats and some of the work – from the old to the new – we think best illustrates why they are on this list.

Absolute

Transport for London Signs (2007)

Guinness Tornado (2009)

Klaxons Twin Flames (2010)

Weetabix Dancer (2011)

Saga Hotel (2014)

Animal Logic

Toohey’s Extra Dry HarvesTED (2007)

Vodafone Fold (2008)

WWF/Lee Space Monkey (2010)

Kia One Epic Ride (2011)

Bundaberg Red Smooth as Life is Rough (2012)

SBS Seven Billion (2012)

Digital Domain

Siemens Xelibri Beauty for Sale (2004)

adidas Stacy; Laila; Long Run (2004)

Halo 4 Awakening (2011)

Sony 3D Two Worlds (2011)

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 The Vet and the N00b (2011)

Electric Theatre Collective

Mercedes Benz Airbags (2012)

Assassin’s Creed III: Rise (2012)

TalkTalk Date Night (2013)

Nike Women Endless Possibilities (2013)

Dulux Prohibition (2014)

Axe Soulmates (2014)

Framestore

Guinness Surfer (1999)

Chrysler Golden Gate (2000)

Levi’s Odyssey (2001)

Xbox Champagne (2002)

Coca-Cola Siege (2011)

Honda Civic Spark (2012)

Method Studios

Toohey’s Extra Dry Quest (2003)

adidas Carry (2008)

Verizon Slice (2011)

Time Warner Enjoy Better Anthem (2012)

Chevvy Silverado 2012 (2012)

The Mill

Smirnoff Smarienberg (1997)

Levi’s Twist (2001)

BMW Ink (2003)

PlayStation2 Mountain (2004)

PETA 98% Human (2013)

Nike Winner Stays (2014)

Mikros Image

AIDES Graffiti (2009)

Canal+ The Bear (2011)

Nissan Juke Built to Thrill (2012)

Mercedes Benz Sensations (2013)

WWF Dolyphant (2013)

MPC

Reebok Blob (2001)

Smirnoff Matrioshka (2004)

Honda Impossible Dream (2005)

Sony Bravia Paint (2007)

Nike+ Game on World ( 2012)

Samsung King of TV City (2013)

Smoke & Mirrors

Levi’s Planet (1996)

Radiohead Street Spirit (2001)

Smirnoff Crooner (2001)

Alexander McQueen/Puma Ghost (2009)