A CLASSIC RIP-OFF

Most people in advertising may remember the Adidas ‘Vertical Football’ outboor billboard from TBWA Japan. In 2004 It was one of the world’s most noticed advertising events, as well as one of the most awarded.  ‘Vertical Football’ won Gold in just about every show going including two Gold Lions at Cannes and also picked up several Best of Show awards including the Grand Clio. The outdoor billboard was erected in Tokyo on the world’s busiest intersection and received huge publicity around the world – estimated at over $100 million. So you’d have to think it would be one of the last ads in the world someone would try and rip-off. Wrong. Take a look at this Carlsberg outdoor ad from Poland. Campaign Brief is not sure which agency came up with the idea but it certainly had Vertical Football’s original creator, John Merrifield, and the rest of the guys at TBWA in Asia shaking their heads.

View the Carlsberg billboard.

View the Adidas billboard.