Ad break: Old Spice's Mom Song, Peta's Castro, Pepsi Winter Olympics

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/jan/09/ad-break-old-spice-peta-pepsi-winter-olympics

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This week's compilation of commercials from around the world starts and ends with two very different takes on motherhood made by ad agency W+K in the USA: Old Spice aims for the comedy jugular with a series of clingy moms while P&G's film goes all for an emotional response. In between there's a quirky Ukrainian ad for Pepsi; a claim from animal rights charity Peta that men will last longer if they turn vegan; and a stark road safety film from New Zealand that might just make you think twice about speeding.

Old Spice: 'Mom Song' (starts at 00:06) - US

In this US ad for Old Spice, mums – or should we say, moms – are struggling to let go of their maturing sons and end up stalking their young fledglings as if obsessed by their burgeoning independence. It continues a grand comedy tradition for this brand, which cleverly uses irony to sell a pretty cheesy proposition. Agency: Wieden + Kennedy (Portland) Director: Steve Ayson

Peta: 'Castro' (starts at 01:10) - US

In a futile bid to delay the conclusion of some intimate business, a young man pictures former Cuban president Fidel Castro in place of his sexual partner. Alas, it's to no avail, as the bearded despot gets into the spirit of the occasion and – if anything – his growled encouragement brings forward the moment of truth. If only the young fellow was vegan … then he'd last much longer, according to Peta. Agency: Matter Directors: Dan Neri /Sabrina Palladino

Pepsi: 'Retro' (starts at 01:48) - Ukraine

In this quirky Ukrainian commercial, the occupants of an entire house begin grooving to Boney M while downing the advertised drink from bottles designed in the 1970s. It's part of a nostalgia-soaked campaign designed to make local punters remember that era with affection - not something we in the west would necessarily expect to play out well in a country that spent the decade under the Soviet thumb. Agency: adam&eveDDB Director: Los Pérez

NZTA: 'Small Mistake' (starts at 02:31) - New Zealand

This exceptional road safety film from New Zealand seeks to persuade drivers to slow down by giving them some information they can accept - that not every driver is as competent as they are. Of course, in reality the blame for the depicted incident is more or less equal but this appeal to the ego of a certain type of driver is incredibly shrewd. This film might just make them think twice about tearing up the highway without a care in the world. Agency: Clemenger BBDO Director: Derin Seale

P&G: 'Winter Olympics' (starts at 03:35) - US

Even though this commercial is from the same advertising agency, it's hard to imagine a bigger contrast between this view of "moms" and the comic verdict offered on behalf of Old Spice. Using a piano score composed by Ludovico Einaudi, it races through a variety of emotional scenes designed to emphasise the supportive role played by mothers among the competitors heading to Sochi for the Winter Olympics. It's a superbly crafted film and to be wholly unmoved by it, you'll need to be clad in cynical chainmail. Agency: Wieden + Kennedy (Portland) Director: Lance Acord Jason Stone is the editor of David Reviews

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