Guinness 'tipping point' by Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO

Guinness's latest Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO-created work is directed by Nicolai Fuglsig, the man behind the Sony Bravia "balls" TV ad campaign, and features a giant domino-toppling event set in a rural Argentine mountain village.

The campaign, Guinness's most expensive marketing work to date at £10m, features a cast of 1,000 villagers gathering to watch the beginning of an elaborate domino cascade involving 6,000 dominoes, 10,000 books and 400 tyres, as well as hundreds of household objects.

The culmination of the 30-, 60- and 90-second TV spots is a tower of books that transforms itself into a giant pint of Guinness, and features the drinks brand's now well-used strapline, "Good things come to those who wait".

Fuglsig described the ad as his most challenging work to date, with the domino toppling sequence being orchestrated by world record-breaking group Domino Domain, and taking two days to construct.

Musical accompaniment for the ad was provided by Enrique Granados' 'Spanish Dance No 6'.

Duration:
130
 
First Aired:
08-Nov-07
 
Media:
Television
 
Country:
United Kingdom
 
Agency:
Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO
 
Client:
Guinness
 
 

Comments

Gordon Macmillan

Gordon Macmillan - 08/11/2007

That was the most expensive ad its ever made? Felt a little flat to me. Not a classic by any stretch of the imagination.

 
 
Craig Miller

Craig Miller - 08/11/2007

I agree - I don't see how that would have cost £10m but it's still decent. Brings back memories of the Honda ads a few years back. Not bad but like Gordon says, it's not a classic - maybe it will grow on us?

 
 
Gordon Macmillan

Gordon Macmillan - 08/11/2007

And as someone else has said elswhere it is reminiscent of the Honda cog ad.

 
 
GRAHAM WEST

GRAHAM WEST - 08/11/2007

Totally agree. It's not amazing. The Honda cog is far better, in one shot using parts of the car it makes perfect sense. But here it's not nearly as inventive.

 
 
Graeme Longstaff

Graeme Longstaff - 08/11/2007

mught have cost 10 million but it's no surfer. not even hands on an idea level. the death of the idea continues...

 
 
Andy Knell

Andy Knell - 08/11/2007

IT's great! A simple epic ad that makes me smile, who cares about the cost? It's not like you paid for it is it?

 
 
Andy Knell

Andy Knell - 08/11/2007

another thing, anyone of you would love to have that ad on your reel, if you say you wouldn't you lying!

 
 
Nic Niewart

Nic Niewart - 08/11/2007

It's not exactly heise maroni is it? I wonder what the board of Guinness have in their minds- if anything. Self abuse of the most expensive kind.Sales since last summer have plummeted even lower -they have never been lower- and they go and approve this piece of whimsy to drive them further down the toilet. Why don't they just sell off the St James's Gate brewery and go into something profitable?- like real estate, for this must be the last solid gold nail in the coffin of the brand. If this was Russia, they would all be taken outside and shot. Come Gentlemen: Are there any beer drinkers out there who will now rush out and start drinking Guinness or even lapsed drinkers re-order the black stuff? Answer = No. But research could have told you that; so could my pet dog, but then nobody asked him.

 
 
christian james

christian james - 08/11/2007

will the price tag alone get it a slot on prime news slots? If it does, it will have been worth it. as an ad - very entertaining, but not going to make me send it on to anyone.

 
 
Matthew Kelly

Matthew Kelly - 08/11/2007

It fits Guinness's tagline extremely well. However it's not original! A different interpretation to Honda and Brylcream adverts and a website called (http://producten.hema.nl/) http://www.mattkelly.typepad.com

 
 
Grattan McCoach

Grattan McCoach - 08/11/2007

Orange are currently airing a similar theme - cause and effect - clever, but thrashed.

 
 
Elliot Messenger

Elliot Messenger - 08/11/2007

Enough of the domino theme already Pint glass filling up was a nice shot thought For 10 million I would have expected to see a one take domino effect, not several cuts as in the video above

 
 
Michael Byrne

Michael Byrne - 08/11/2007

Nic Niewart said: "Come Gentlemen: Are there any beer drinkers out there who will now rush out and start drinking Guinness or even lapsed drinkers re-order the black stuff? Answer = No." Answer = Yes. Just had two nice creamy pints the other day, having come back to Guinness after a period away. It's a much better drink than people remember.

 
 
Phil Hickes

Phil Hickes - 08/11/2007

It's a frickin' epic. I'm going to go out and get leathered on the stuff for the next month, just to prove Nic Niewart wrong.

 
 
Pixie W

Pixie W - 08/11/2007

You i think the ad doesn't ahve the effect you expect because of the size of the screen. If you saw that on the cinema screen everyone would be in awe.

 
 
Richard Hayter

Richard Hayter - 08/11/2007

It certainly is epic, and there are some lovely vignettes. So, good direction. But it's not an original idea by a long way. What a shame.

 
 
Marcello Queiroz

Marcello Queiroz - 08/11/2007

It`s very Cog. Marcello Queiroz

 
 
Alex Donohue

Alex Donohue - 08/11/2007

It's a well-worn path Guinness are treading with the kinetics theme, but it does look good. I've watched it a few times now and it seems to improve in viewing, and will probably work even better on a big screen. Overall, does it make me want to go out and drink Guinness? It's no more or less effective than a lot of drinks commercials around at the moment, and I am partial to the odd pint of the black stuff...

 
 
Phil Hickes

Phil Hickes - 08/11/2007

And...all these people going on about whether it makes them want to drink Guinness. Advertising doesn't always work like that eh. You don't think, 'mmm I gonna get me some Nivea skincare cream right now.' But 3 months down the line when you're in the supermarché, guess what? It's put the lotion in the basket.

 
 
spencer white

spencer white - 08/11/2007

I think this ad will probably do more invigorate hits of the Cog ad on youtube than it will for selling pints of Guiness. Charming in parts and well directed, but hardly a spectacle that will be talked about in pubs across the land. In a word, sober.

 
 
Tom Morton

Tom Morton - 08/11/2007

Cog + A Year In Provence = Tipping Point

 
 
Sean Murricane

Sean Murricane - 08/11/2007

I'd call it a 4star ad that thinks its 5star - but it's pretty good. Not sure it was worth all the cash, but hey, if they're the ones spending it who am I to argue. I'd have liked the pacing to give them an extra couple of seconds pause when the glass is half-filled - that gets lost a little in the editing - but I can imagine the 30 second spots now - including an infuriating one waiting for the first domino to be pushed.

 
 
GRAHAM WEST

GRAHAM WEST - 08/11/2007

Is it called tipping point because there's tons of rubbish in the street that forms 'dominos'. It makes me think of the junk you see at a car boot sale for some strange reason.

 
 
Julian Smallwood

Julian Smallwood - 08/11/2007

Surely a PR stunt a la KLF but burning £10m would be less acceptable to the procurement department of Diageo. Last bastion of creative wanton-ness?

 
 
Dan Younge

Dan Younge - 08/11/2007

£10m to produce the ad. One town destroyed. Priceless.

 
 
Gordon Macmillan

Gordon Macmillan - 08/11/2007

I wonder how much of the spend was taking up in flying them crew to Argentina putting them up and then the logistics. Who knows why creatives insist on such far flung locales.

 
 
Tony De Lago Ferrari

Tony De Lago Ferrari - 08/11/2007

It is with great regret we have to confirm the death of an interesting campaign. It has died at the alter of contrivance & convolution; being utterly charmless hasn't helped either.

 
 
Gellan Watt

Gellan Watt - 08/11/2007

It's cog. It's balls. And it's reassuringly expensive. But is it good? Really good? Probably. Is it original - is it my bum! Congratulations to the producers, directors and production team. To the writers behind it... you're having a laugh. And the client... have you not been watching any TV for the last three years. I hear time being called on my favourite ever campaign. Bummer. Great execution. But where's the idea?

 
 
Jeremy Brook

Jeremy Brook - 08/11/2007

It's a good ad and proof that with enough money there is no excuse for making a good ad. But it's not a great ad. An ad that has an idea that lives beyond the 30/60/90 seconds... much like those 10 quid youtube clips it has appropriated. I think the repeated references to the death of this campaign theme are sadly prophetic but unavoidable.

 
 
Chris Arnold

Chris Arnold - 09/11/2007

Looks nice. Very indulgent. Will win awards. Epic productions do. Not sure it’ll sell any Guinness but that’s probably not the agenda. Most of the great Guinness ads don’t sell the stuff. The SP stuff does, maybe they should put more millions where it works. But that’s probably a different department. If I as a shareholder I’d be asking if it was money we’ll spent. Yep, Cogs meets those early Lowe ads for Flowers using dominos. Seen a few other domino ads about too. Overpriced at £10m. Doesn't this reinforce the myth that ad agencies overcharge. For the same price Guinness could run a far more effective marketing programme. Big TV ads are in the past, there are better ways to communicate to consumers these days for your money but I guess Guinness marketing department are stuck in the past. Who the hell drinks that stuff these days anyway?

 
 
Chris Arnold

Chris Arnold - 09/11/2007

If the brewer makes 50p a pint they'll need to sell 20,000,000 pints to cover the cost of the ad. Then add media costs. So nearer 30,000,000 pints. That means half the population of the UK needs to buy a pint of Guinness to pay for the ad. An appeal on behalf of unsold Guinness. Please help us now. We desperately need your support. Your money will be going to a good cause. Make your donation now at www.helpguinnessfundbigads.org. And help millions of homeless pints find a home.

 
 
Daniel Scott-Croxford

Daniel Scott-Croxford - 09/11/2007

This ad did NOT cost £10million to make. Think about it. Of course it didnt. That figure is hype, and nonsense.

 
 
Tim Hoffmann

Tim Hoffmann - 09/11/2007

Two questions. Why a poor village in argentina? Would they have ever drunk guiness? Completely self indulgent crap really.

 
 
Gellan Watt

Gellan Watt - 09/11/2007

Isn't Guiness Irish?

 
 
Peter Martin

Peter Martin - 09/11/2007

Interesting discussions. Especially in light of the fact I clicked on becuase I thought 'tipping point' referred to the climatic version, the one we're barreling towards by blowing squillions and wasting even more at the altar of consumerism. Was pretty though. Hope it was worth it:)

 
 
kevin ferry

kevin ferry - 09/11/2007

After watching this it's enough to turn you to drink but not Guinness. 'Surfer' was such a brilliant idea and beautifully executed

 
 
Andy Knell

Andy Knell - 09/11/2007

one thing is certain about this ad, it's got people talking. Job done

 
 
Darren Davidson

Darren Davidson - 09/11/2007

I doubt Diageo will measure the success of the ad on how much it gets people talking inside the ad industry. And the launch of new ad was always going to prove to be a talking point such is the brand's iconic status and advertising pedigree. It does feel derivative of recent ads for alcohol brands…Rustic sun drenched Mediterranean/south American village. Check. Poor but happy inhabitants. Check. Eccentric old people. Check. Local church or some kind of religious procession/symbolism. Check. Poignant music. Check. And Guinness has a reputation for setting the standards, not following what has gone before. While I don't think it hits the heights of previous ads, I like it, it raised a smile and I suspect millions of viewers will feel the same.

 
 
Richard Hayter

Richard Hayter - 09/11/2007

Siobhan – it's got Ad People talking. We don't count. The audience will probably think a collective "whatever"...

 
 
Alex Donohue

Alex Donohue - 09/11/2007

Oh come on, a two star rating thus far?! If one star = any ad with Kerry Katona, two stars should be your run of the mill insurance ad. To paraphrase The Big Lebowski, "We need a frame of reference here!"

 
 
Alex Goldberg

Alex Goldberg - 09/11/2007

http://www.scaryideas.com/video/4611/ - this is how you make the domino mechanism cool.

 
 
Katie Cook

Katie Cook - 09/11/2007

do they even have guinness in argentina? makes me feel warm and fuzzy in some bits; the paint tipping over; the little domino door, (my boyfriend likes the little burning bales of hay, and i love him). me no likey. should not be here when drunk. xxxxxxxx

 
 
Kim Moses

Kim Moses - 09/11/2007

It's not an original idea, it's an obscene waste of money and does nothing but heap more scorn on the advertising industry, which I have been part of all my working life.

 
 
Mark Ritson

Mark Ritson - 12/11/2007

It's shit guys.

 
 
Emilien Anglada

Emilien Anglada - 12/11/2007

Absolutely not worth £10m

 
 
dan Brooks

dan Brooks - 12/11/2007

bit like this innit http://www.metacafe.com/watch/283665/my_dads_got_restless_legs/

 
 
raymond wong

raymond wong - 13/11/2007

i guess in a remote village,30 or even 60 seconds of domino magic is way to short a timeframe to relish a good pint..idea not new,execution to set-up,and it does not gel with the sign off.

 
 
anupama mehta

anupama mehta - 13/11/2007

entertaining - but then why in a hilly village? why not have this domino across different geographical areas - like people everywhere contributing to the domino coz they all have one common goal - guiness... sounds crude i know but justa thought. personally the ad does nothing n next time its on tv i will probably change the channel...

 
 
voitek kowalik

voitek kowalik - 15/11/2007

looks nice, the director has an experience in filming things that are falling down, rolling down or collapsing... but 10million??? I dont see it in this ad. And more - I haven't noticed any increase in guinness sales. ANY. those who drink it are still the same old people and tourists.

 
 
Barry Whyte

Barry Whyte - 16/11/2007

This came on the TV in my house last night, and my housemate (who doesn't work in advertising and takes absolutely no interest in ads) switched channel to avoid it. I think that says it all. Dull dull dull.

 
 
Jenny Watson

Jenny Watson - 18/11/2007

I am confused by those who feel this is crap, the scale of whats happening, the effects and the execution surely provide some entertainment? I would say yes this type of thing has been done before but do we really need to get on the whole inspiration vs plagiarism again - yawn! I loved the end where the books really bring home the sense of the Guinness Pint as it pours and settles - this is something so own able for the brand and I like to think that is how the idea for the ad began. I would have like to have seen the rest of the content be as on brand - if we loose the final scene of the advert - i.e. the pint can is it relevant for another brand?? Stella?? an olive oil brand?

 
 
Vernon Molestrangler

Vernon Molestrangler - 22/11/2007

Previous writer:Now there's an original idea: Is it relevant for another brand- you betcha it is- right on girl! You've shown you can think a little! Take a naff advertiser like Ocean Finance/DFS/Confused dotcom/PCWorld/ and do a spoof a la Monty Python cut outs and or/- hand held handycam in Solihull or some place special like that- Middlesboro' perhaps and do a SPOOF of all spoofs. With naff things falling, stolen TVs being flung over back walls, rolling toilet rolls past the labour exchange, bookies, chip shop, corner shop, charity shop, graffiti walls (sounds like a Becks ad already doesn't it?), waste ground with caravans, ponies,Chinese people selling fake dvds out of bags on corners, yoofs stealing shopping trolleys, community pretend police in twos, yobbos with pit bull terriers on leashes, smack sellers on corners,Somalis dressed head to foot in black robes- in fact you observe everything about Britain over the past ten years. Then it doesn't matter much what the product is- you just end with a suitable refrain- I haven't thought of one yet- I've made this up as I've gone along, but I know this will work very well. You've used all the body mass of all those Honda/schmonda/sony/Guinness to deflect them for your own ends- now there's an idea- cheap, fun and entertaining. THE MOLESTRANGLER HAS SPOKEN.

 
 
Nic Niewart

Nic Niewart - 23/11/2007

MOLESTRANGLER: You are brilliant. I'm sure this will make a very good skit. Also a very good Tory party commercial to point out all the naff things that have happened to this country with Labour over the past 10 years. One of which is the decline in advertising standards and creativity.

 
 
Geoff Warriss

Geoff Warriss - 25/11/2007

Cordon Brown, not very appertising, has no substance, you get very little for your money...

 
 
Andy Knell

Andy Knell - 19/12/2007

It's a blatant rip of Honda Cog, how it got through so many "professional" people at AMV amazes me !

 
 
RACHEL DUTTON

RACHEL DUTTON - 23/03/2008

reading all this it makes me wonder how an irish bitter which produces loads of promotional stuff for drinkers on st.paddys day hasn't come up with an epic ad for the day...

 
 

Have your say

Only registered users may comment. Log in now or register for a free account.

* This information is required.

*
*

Forgotten password?

 

Rating

Average rating

  • 1 Star
  • 2 Stars
  • 3 Stars
  • 4 Stars
  • 5 Stars
 

Rate this ad

  • 1 Star
  • 2 Stars
  • 3 Stars
  • 4 Stars
  • 5 Stars
 
 

Credits

Agency
Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO
Client
Guinness
Director
Nicolai Fuglsig
Director of photography
Ellen Kuras
Creative team
Angus MacAdam
Paul Jordan
Agency producer
Carol Powell
Media planning agency
Carat
 

Jobs

Digital Manager
£35000-£40000
Head of Copy
£45,000-£60,000
Marketing Manager
Competitive with benefits
Information Architect
£50,000 - £60,000 + benefits
Find over 3000 jobs

Directory