The Comedy Focus

Finding the smiles behind the masks, check out our collection of interviews and opinion pieces from some of the funniest people in adland.

Insight

Maybe what the world needs is more Tide Ads

We chat with Creative Director Max McKeon on what makes great comedy and how to develop ads that go against the grain and stay ahead of the Tide...I mean, times. Right?

Talent

Michael Cumming: Notes from Shatner’s Bassoon

Best known for his work on the notorious spoof news show Brass Eye, Michael Cumming has collaborated with some of the biggest names in British humour. Not one for parping his own comedy trumpet however, the Moxie director has retained a quiet modesty throughout his career. Now bringing his droll touch to advertising, he broke his silence to talk to Carol Cooper about Brass Eye, big apes and working with bees.

Craft

On Reflection: Never Say No To Panda

In 2010, a little-known agency called Elephant Cairo turned a cuddly bamboo-eater into a petty antagonist, and, in doing so, launched a thousand memes. We speak to agency creative and campaign director Ali Ali about causing pandemonium.

Craft

How Kiwis found the comedy in Covid

Using the cast and characters from TV show Wellington Paranormal, agency Wrestler created an educational, eminently sharable and, most importantly, hilariously funny campaign to give guidance to a New Zealand audience on coronavirus rules and restrictions. Jamie Madge spoke to CEO and co-founder Ben Forman to find out how they pulled it together in 48 hours.

Talent

Pete Cain's funny bones

He's a creative, a director and a tutor at the School of Communication Arts. The common denominator across each is humour. From selling time shares in Lanzarote to working with brands such as Boddingtons and Carling, Pete Cain has employed comedy at every turn. Oh, he's also a stand-up. Figures. Here, he discusses why truth is at the heart of humour.

Talent

Hannah & Adriana's internet of comedy

Comedy directors, Hannah & Adriana, of Superprime, chat about cutting their teeth on editing Funny or Die skits, what SNL taught them about collaboration, and how to become funnier than your neighbor’s 12 year old kid who downloaded TikTok last week and has a million followers.

Insight

Pete Cain's top 10 comedy spots (and more)

To accompany his interview for our comedy focus, Pete Cain has listed his 10 favourite comedic commercials, along with a few bonus additions.

Talent

Benji Weinstein’s aiming higher than quarantine comedy

Writer/Director Benji Weinstein is behind the all too real zoom sitcom, Join Meeting, but he has been working with comedy for years. He dives into what makes comedy funny, what makes a joke land, and why it’s all so terribly relatable.

Craft

How to sober up a Drunken Master

Suthon Petchsuwan, Mum Films director and helmer of the hilarious new Jackie Chan-spoofing film for the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, talks to us about shooting an action epic under strict pandemic guidelines and finding the chuckles in the surreal.

Insight

Despite the difficulties, make 'em laugh

Creating commercial comedy gold can be hard, says Laura Muse, Creative Director at VCCP London, but ignore the Twitterati and let your funny bone lead the way.

Talent

YDA 1-to-1 with... Justin Reardon

shots Co-Editor Danny Edwards and Budweiser Whassup creative-turned-director Justin Reardon discuss using humour in dark times, the best way for aspiring directors to get noticed, and much more...

Talent

Cracking the comedy case with The Bobbsey Twins From Homicide

With a creative partnership background and a fine eye for visually impressive, side-splittingly funny gags, the 'Twins' body of work has seen them go epic with Sindy dolls, have some BCFing fun and recreate an iconic dance routine with muscled movers. We caught up with them to find out how to make laughs look good.

Insight

Sounds funny: Why adland needs a post-lockdown injection of humour

Scott Little, Head of Audio at Big Kahuna, muses on how audio can help achieve a much-needed laugh.

Showcase

Throwback Thursday: Comedy

This month, comedy takes center stage as we take a look back on all the short, ridiculous, and absurd sketches that have populated our airwaves for as long as commercials have used humor to sell their product. From Super Bowl sweeps to celebrity-driven spots, these hilarious commercials show off the ad industry's copywriting skills and top-notch performances from commercial comic actors.

Talent

YDA 1-to-1 with... Ram Madhvani

Day two of YDA Week ends with insight from iconic, Cannes Lion-winning director Ram Madhvani.

The Sustainability Focus

It’s the burning question – with humanity facing an existential threat more potent than war, famine or disease, how can an industry full of world-class communicators talk about the climate crisis? shots discusses low-carbon film production, greenwashing and the paradox of consumerism vs planetary survival.

The Neurodiversity Focus

With growing awareness that an estimated 20 per cent of the global population is neurodiverse - the fact that advertising needs to get on top of the spectrums is a no-brainer. This month, shots speaks to experts, commentators and ADHD/ASD-powered adfolk about battling stigma, enhanced creativity and making more ND inclusive campaigns.

The Music Video Focus

Since the 90s, when their budgets ran to millions, the internet and tech advances have made music videos easier to view, cheaper to produce and, possibly, more disposable. But is the medium a dying art, or still the best way for a director to get noticed? shots probes the state of the promo nation.

The Photography & Cinematography Focus

In a cacophonous digital culture that bombards us with a stream of personal image-sharing and branded visuals, it can be hard for photography to stand out. This month, shots pulls focus on the DPs and photographers whose work sets the optic nerves a-tingle and considers the input of non-human image generators.