By TJ Ryan
For my mass communications class this semester, we had to do group projects interviewing professionals in the field we intended on studying. In communications, there are countless tracks you can take. I choose to do the project on advertising. The professor told us to aim high; some did, while others interviewed the Date Doctor from the student newspaper (not to say he/she doesn’t offer some solid advise, but come on). Through some friends, I got a hold of the Art Director at Fallon Worldwide. This company is money. They are the best firm in Minneapolis, and steal markets from all the major cities. They have clients such as BMW, 
Starbucks, Sony and many more. They are the proud makers of the BMW short films, which helped double sales, cut costs by a third and increase showroom visits by %400 percent. They marketed the films as entertainment and had people coming to them to watch their films, instead of paying to get them played on TV and other media outlets. People didn’t even realize they were being sold anything, just that they really wanted to drive a fast car. BMW released them online and then on DVD, mediums were they can actually show off what the car can really do without stupid warnings on the bottom of the screen. With the help of Clive Owen as the driver, and many other famous actors and directors, the films got viewed by over 75 million people. The films were released about 4 years ago, and I know this is old news, but they are still very cool. They changed the face of advertising. However, no one has been as successful at Fallon. I guess it’s harder to make short films about something a little less “sexy,” like paper towels. The films are no longer on the BMW site, but they are still up on Fallon.com. Click on the link to see all the films. I personally recommend, “The Hostage.”
Fallon BMW Film Series
Because it’s a flash site i can’t give a direct link, but at Fallon.com click on “Case Studies” then “BMW Films” then “Work.” It’s worth it.
The Art Director, Dean Hanson, said that “research is an excuse to make bad ads.” Fallon takes a different approach. They’re a balls out company that takes risks. They are the proud creators of the Sony Bravia ad. Swarms of colored bouncing balls bounce down the hilly San Francisco streets in the minuet TV ad. It’s a sight to behold, and the commercial says and shows, “colour, like no other.” A friends told me they show this commericial to students in design class. In the making of section, they show how they actually took bins full of thousands of balls and dropped them down the hill. As the cloud came close, the cameramen put up shields. Imagine getting hit by hundreds of balls at once. I guess I never have thought about kid’s toys as being so destructive, only kids. But, I guess everything in excess can be harmful, even techno-colored bouncing balls.
Below is the “balls” ad. To see other Fallon highlights, which are all very entertaining, funny and smart, click on the link below.
Fallon Highlights
At Fallon.com click on “Our Work” and then “Television”
See behind the scenes features click here
Thats pretty cool I did not know the company was from MN. I actually ordered the entire DVD about a year and a half ago and it is and enjoyable film. My personal favorite would have to be Star. It is just freaking sweet and Clive Owen gives an excellent preformance.