Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Savoir Faire with Stella

Beer has never been one of those products that one usually associates with Savoir Faire, except when it comes to Stella Artois! The Belgian beer maker has consistently come up with memorable marketing campaigns that promote their product as one full of Savoir Faire.

One of the more memorable and stylish print campaigns of this year are the 60’s inspired ads that take us to the jet set lifestyle of the French Riviera of the 60’s.

Initially, when I first saw these I had a hard time deciding whether they were actual vintage ads from the 60’s or a newer incarnation of vintage ads, updated for a 21st Century audience. Why do they look so authentic?

It is because they are! They are illustrated by paperback and movie poster illustrator Robert McGinnis. McGinnis' portfolio is seemingly endless and includes cover art for all of the Bond books and pin up art that has come to represent an iconic 60s and 70s aesthetic. McGinnis was persuaded to come out of retirement to do this campaign.

The ads (true to form) feature a Bond-like character and his slinky female companion enjoying the good life in what appears to be St. Tropez. However uncharacteristic of the Bond we know, our hero is drinking a beer!

I have always admired the graphic stylized content of 60’s style drawn advertisements and these do not disappoint!

12 comments:

  1. Wow..this ads look so stylish I would actually try the beer! I like what it proposes and I think the work in them is impressive...this is what good advertisement is all about!

    xx
    Andy
    The Black Label

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  2. Really love these iconic advertisements and I would try the beer as well!

    xoxo
    Karena

    Art by Karena

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  3. Hello David:
    We too think that the Stella Artois advertisements have always been in the vanguard where design is concerned. These are absolutely no exception.

    Sadly, we both dislike the taste of beer!

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  4. I had never noticed before - thanks again for your Posts.
    I will make it my brand of beer from now on :-)

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  5. I applaud Stella Artois and their agency for bringing this master out of retirement. Very evocative, and it appears that McGinnis may have painted the lettering as well. Great!

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  6. I love classic ads but more importantly I love a good beer and right at this moment a cold Stella sounds good..

    Love!...Angel

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  7. Many thanks all, as you all know how I love any sort of vintage advertising. As to beer occasionally I will have one, only on a really hot day in can be very refreshing!

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  8. Eveyone knows the most fashionable way to enjoy a beer is sprawled across a piano! Love the vintage ads. You have such an eye

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  9. I agree with Mark. Someone had a brilliant idea to get him out of retirement and to use illustration rather than photography. They are fantastic...SO stylish. This was very interesting to learn about. How old would McGinnis be now?

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