Westpac - best bank ad campaign ever?
Lavendar have a new website (as far as I’m aware) and even a blog! So up on the latest trends!
But seriously, I’m a bit of a fan of the work Lavendar produce - they have a team of sharp brand guys making all their stuff look tight, and they back it up with what I’m told is one of the most sophisticated data and CRM setups around - it’s a compelling offer. Work that looks good AND is effective, backed up by data. How can you argue with that?
I heard their branding and design offering described as a ‘trojan horse’ that enables them to get in high level conversations with their clients - almost a loss leader to open the doors for their high quantity below the line work. It’s a pattern i see being repeated at a number of large ad agencies around town.
The brand team was originally set up by Olivia Swinn, who’s ex Yello and Designworks and one of the most unassuming, best kept secrets in the Aussie branding industry. Rather than craving profile and golf claps within the industry, she let’s her work do the talking to the only audience that really matters - her clients and their bottom line.
The above campaign for Westpac was one of the nicest bank ad campaigns I’d seen for a long, long time. It’s a shame this house style has slipped away, but thanks to Lavendar’s new website, it’ll live on forever in my case study folder as an example of what big typography, strong, truth based messaging and a bold colour can do for a brand.
Also spotted my friend Josh doing his best ‘see no evil’ pose as well. I guess you need to pull that when working on below-the-line advertising from time to time. Side note: he can bench press like an animal.
