The 30 best ads from Campaign Brief’s 30 years. 1985: Dept. of Industrial Development TVC

Campaign Brief WA turns 30 in June, so over the thirty days of the month we’re looking back and choosing the best ad done in each of our 30 years.

1985 wasn’t a vintage year but the WA Dept of Industrial Development ‘State Of The Future’ TVC by Jenkin Morgan Aitken was a popular pick in our Best & Worst of Perth feature for that year. It was also CB’s first big creative controversy.

UPDATE: Watch the spot here (Huge thanks to Film Graphics for tracking this down.)

JMA’s decision to produce the commercial through Sydney production house Film Graphics caused a huge outcry in the industry and a rap over the knuckles from then Premier, Brian Burke.

The controversy was broken by Campaign Brief and was the lead story on Channel Nine News.

Using some animation and blended sequences that were pretty slick for the times, the commercial promoted and encouraged Western Australian technology (just look at that state-of-the-art computer) and the resulting employment prospects gained. Given that was the main message, it was perhaps not surprising the Premier gave a directive that in future work on government business should be carried out by the local industry wherever possible.

CB was fairly basic back then so our black & white image really didn’t (and doesn’t) do it justice but it looked every bit as good as you’d expect from Film Graphics and was the standout work of the year.