Nike
Nike’s advertising centres around the idea that ‘with Nike, anything is possible’.

Proving or showing this is always done with pro athletes – people with so much skill and talent that the brand’s claim doesn’t always ring true.

The story of Sisyphus is always presented as a single illustration of him pushing a boulder up a steep hill, creating an opportunity to play off of it, and show the power of Nike shoes.

About MeEmail - niccartledge1@gmail.com

PH - 0424 973 473 Hi,

May I tell you a story?

I am writing this on a Sunday. On Saturday I came across what might just be my new favourite ad. 

For most people, I am sure this is a pretty mundane occurrence, but for me it was like coming across some classic song that knocks your socks off - ‘How have I never seen this before?’

It was as if the ad had eluded me, rather than the other way around.

It came out (or was dropped) in 1915 and is for Cadillac. Which specific model? I have no idea. The ad never mentions it. The ad actually never directly sells anything. It is called ‘The Penalty of Leadership’ and is just a block of text about the consequences of being first to something. It never ties itself back to a particular car, or even the brand (the only way you know it is for Cadillac is their logo sitting in the corner).

All the while, one is reading that “When a man’s work becomes a standard for the whole world, it also becomes a target for the shafts of the envious few” and expecting a link back to a specific product, or at least something that fits within our expectations of what an ad should say.

It never does. It just sits there, and somehow it is one of the most compelling things I have ever read - not because of what is there, but what isn’t. 

You genuinely need to give it a read (after you have read all of my work of course). It’ll blow your mind (you can see it here).

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Perhaps it would have been wiser for me to introduce you to my folio with a rundown of my work, or an explanation of what I could contribute to your business. Instead, I am 10 lines worse off and have only talked about an ad from a century ago for a product I don’t use and a brand I am largely unfamiliar with.

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If advertising was a science, I would have failed already. 

However, if you are still reading, I would politely assume that I haven’t.

Just like with music, ads don’t exist in a vacuum. They are influenced by things. I feel it is important to talk about what influences my work, because I would rather listen to an album by someone inspired by The Beatles or Pink Floyd than Maroon Five or Fred Durst.

I am drawn to ads that stand out - not simply for the sake of standing out - but do so while still selling. 

Ads driven by a unique insight are some of my favourites. ‘I’d like to buy the world a Coke’ for instance (my previous favourite ad), is based on a entirely subjective realisation - that buying someone a Coke means more. This didn’t come from consumer surveys or significant stats, just a hunch.

My ads don’t make people think, they make them feel. There is no structure to emotion - only out of the box ideas and stellar copy.