Google Fights Siri Using the Power of Adorable

By Bob Marshall 

From Venables Bell & Partners, the same agency whose larger-than-life contraptions for Google Maps and Google Fiber injected a third-dimension into the online world, comes two very different-looking spots for the new Google Search App.

Unlike the Maps and Fiber work, which relied on large, custom-built machines to explain the functionality of the Google’s tools, VB+P is relying on a more traditional mode of storytelling for the Search App, focusing on how the voice-activated tool assists regular people in daily life. Yes, a young girl being forced to dress like Martin Van Buren for a school project is a bit improbable. But, still, mom goes into mom-mode with the help of the Search App, and creates something pretty amazing in just a matter of minutes.

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A second spot, “Umpire,” is just as pleasant. What I like about these spots is their simplicity. Unlike Siri, Apple’s voice tool which, due to its terrible functionality most iPhone users avoid like the plague, the Google Search app functions as an easy on-the-go reference tool that seems to actually work. While neither of the real world situations depicted in the spots is all that likely, imagine the wonders the Search App could perform on bar bets. Why, you don’t even have to go to Wikipedia first anymore! Credits after the jump.

CLIENT NAME: Google

BRAND: Search

SPOT NAMES: Umpire and Martin Van Buren

AIR DATE: 11/21/2012

AGENCY: Venables Bell & Partners

EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Paul Venables and Will McGinness

ART DIRECTOR: Jason Warne and Ezra Paulekas

COPYWRITER: Alex Flint and Mike Duckworth

DIRECTOR OF INTEGRATED PRODUCTION: Craig Allen

AGENCY PRODUCER: Joyce Chen

PRODUCTION COMPANY: Arts & Sciences

DIRECTOR: Matt Aselton

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Toby Irwin

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Mal Ward and Marc Marrie

PRODUCER: Andrew Travelstead

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