OMG: Word Up or Simply Word WTF? 
Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 11:39PM
The Diner Music in music license, re-arrangement, underscore

Just scratching my head. . . and the British accent VO at the end doesn't wash over the fact that this one is just an oddball.

I am sure somewhere this spot is going to win an award - maybe in the category of "Most Money Wasted on a Music License" . . . but pretty sure no one I know will be running out to buy V05 hair pomade any time soon after watching "The Pliktisijiteur Pageant."

The music license and re-arrangement of Cameo's "Word Up" is unimaginative.  The spot is itself shot and lit well - kudos to the cinematographer.  The costumes and set design brilliant . . . and it sure looks big . . .

. . . but such a rich visual spot and high concept is quickly deflated by the underpowered music bed.  Especially without a voice over or any dialogue here, the music and sound design's role is so critical to succesfully telling the story and it simply falls short as a piece of brand communication (not even sure what it says about the brand that is flattering).  The spot might have worked with an underscore that made sense, and with such a unique visual context there were so many creative directions that could have delivered, but instead we are left pulling out our hair instead of slicking it back with V05.  

Ergh.  

(p.s. a second alternate version of the music is equally tough to digest . . . )

Article originally appeared on Music For Film, Television and Advertising (http://blog.thedinermusic.com/).
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