BBC has launched a bizarre new ad campaign for iPlayer

A set of 12 new films, many of which feel like memes in motion, are hoping to cement BBC iPlayer’s place in popular culture

Titled Like Nowhere Else, BBC iPlayer’s new campaign is a bid to claim viewers at a time when a new streaming service seems to pop up every month.

It celebrates some of the key people, programmes and moments that can be enjoyed via iPlayer, including David Attenborough, RuPaul, Wimbledon and Masterchef, among others.

 

The 12 films, directed by Yousef and running no more than 20 seconds, feature animation, live action, archive footage, stop motion and illustration.

They mash together some unexpected combinations to create a surreal BBC world – showing a miniature gymnast swinging from RuPaul’s earrings, Ian Beale crying tears onto Wimbledon and Louis Theroux lovingly cradling Clive Myrie in his arms, in a kind of digital Russian doll scenario.

 

The campaign feels very much inspired by the world of memes – suggesting that the BBC is casting its net at a younger audience – although some of the films, are more successful at pulling this off than others.

It’ll be appearing across social, outdoor and TV, and is accompanied by an identity refresh designed by Mirjami Qin and illustrated by Tim McDonagh, Jim Stoten and Benson Chin.


Credits:

ECD: Helen Rhodes
Creative director: Becca Pottinger
Creative: Fred Rodwell
Design lead: Mirjami Qin
Senior designer: Johnny Ace
Static designer: Gavin Andrews
Motion designer: Rich Sutton
Social designer: Jack Freeman
Director: Yousef
DOP: Ian Murray
Stills photographer: Joseph McDonald
Set designer: Anna Williams
Production designer: Katie South
Sound design and mix: Mark Hills
VFX artist: Ryan Game
Collaborators: Smearballs, Dominic Spall, Felix von Liska, Dave Packer