The London 2012 Olympic Adverts

The London 2012 Olympics are HERE! (well almost)

With less than one week to go this is the first of, what will probably be, many posts about the London 2012 Olympic Games. Living in London ourselves it is interesting to hear the divide of excitement and annoyance the Games are having on people in the city (if you hadn't realised, we fall on the excited side). That argument aside, we spotted another love/hate Olympic discussion that has popped up recently due to the release of the official Olympic adverts.

First up is the BBC's London 2012 Olympic Games Trailer. Ever since it was launched during half-time of the Euro 2012 final, it has been been a hot topic and for all the wrong reasons. It has come under fire for how similar it is to the famous Lloyd's TSB animated adverts, with people even suggesting there was a under-the-table sponsorship deal. Personally we think that's taking it a little bit too far and that it's probably more a case of borrowed style. Take a look for yourself below:

For us it was less the style but rather the use of animation itself that we found mis-judged. In a time when the world is focusing on people pushing their bodies to new and unbelievable feats, we found it odd that the BBC and Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe Y&R (the advertising agency) chose to move away from the use of humans all together. It is the athletes themselves that are the most inspirational part of the Games, and what we believe should be the driving force behind getting more people onside and interested the Olympics (and sport in general).

That leads us on nicely, to the subsequent release of the Channel 4 Paralympic Advert: 'Meet the Superhumans':

We are unable to embed the video but you can watch it here; prepare to be inspired. 

                            

 

It still sends shivers down our spines every time we watch it. Unlike the BBC advert, it has received glowing reviews and quite rightly so. It is beautifully produced, bold and inspirational; a big congratulations to the team at 4creative. These athletes are indeed 'super human' and this empowering video does them the justice they deserve. For us it sums up what sport and the Olympics & Paralympics is all about; passion, dedication and pushing yourself to places you didn't think you could go. But above all, it shows that the Paralympics is not just an add on to the Olympic Games.

We suppose all that's left to say is... Bring on the Games!