Wes Anderson's signature style isn't confined to the silver screen. Witness his meticulous visuals and whimsical narratives in stunning ads for American Express (with a fourth-wall break!), Stella Artois (co-directed by Roman Coppola!), and SoftBank (a Tati homage with Brad Pitt!).
Wes Anderson's films burst with quirky characters, pastel palettes, and meticulously choreographed shots. His signature style, instantly recognizable and endlessly imitated, is a tapestry woven from dry wit, whimsical narratives, and meticulous attention to detail.
From perfectly symmetrical compositions to deliberately chaotic background activity, every element, from dialogue to dolly zooms, to the symmetry in the shots plays its part in telling his unique stories.
Aside from the silver screen, you can recognize his style also on commercials as soon as you see them and Anderson has worked on a few, let’s take a look at a few.
American Express
Launched in late 2004 by Ogilvy & Mather, New York, the “My Life. My Card” campaign wasn't just a slogan; it marked a pivotal shift for American Express. For decades, the company had jealously guarded control of its cards, never allowing banks to issue them. Now, facing a new landscape of partnerships, they made a bold move: opening their doors to co-branded cards.
To counter potential brand dilution and the loss of complete marketing control, “My Life. My Card” was born. The campaign's first ad, directed by Wes Anderson, became an instant classic. Anderson's signature style shines through: the meticulously scripted scene, the bustling background, the dynamic editing and camera movements.
He even breaks the fourth wall, directly engaging the viewer as he explains his filmmaking process. This spot cleverly aired during and shortly after the release of “The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou,” further amplifying its impact.
The campaign's success was undeniable. It ran for years, featuring other renowned directors and actors like Kate Winslet and Robert De Niro. In 2007, it even garnered an Emmy for the Ellen DeGeneres-starring ad “Animals.”
Stella Artois
Fresh off the release of their lighter Stella Artois 4%, Stella Artois, renowned for its hilarious yet cinematic ads, partnered with London's Mother Creative for a bold next step: celebrating their classic 5% lager. “Le Apartomatic” was born.
Not just another campaign, “Le Apartomatic” was a single, star-studded ad directed by the powerhouse duo of Wes Anderson and Roman Coppola. Originally airing on Canadian screens, it swiftly crossed the ocean to the UK and then hit the world.
The ad's charm lay in its signature Andersonian style: the meticulous script, the quirky characters, and the vibrant palette, all infused with Coppola's playful humor.
The success of “Le Apartomatic” was resounding. It not only solidified Stella Artois' commitment to cinematic storytelling, but also Mother Creative became their official global agency, handling all campaigns for years.
SoftBank
This last ad was for Softbank and their mobile phone services. But in this case, we have one of the best directors of our time, paying homage to the incredible French filmmaker Jacques Tati and the award-winning actor Brad Pitt. It’s best to just enjoy it!
Montblanc
Earlier this year, Montblanc partnered with the filmmaker to create a film celebrating the 100th anniversary of their flagship pen, the Meisterstück. Anderson wrote the script, co-directed it once again with Roman Coppola, and starred in it.
The film celebrates the 100th anniversary and was used to launch a pen that Anderson designed with the brand. The pen is named Schreiberling.
The first release was at a star-studded party at the luxurious Paramour Estate mansion in LA. The celebrity guest list included Kiernan Shipka, Emma Roberts, Simu Liu, and even Zinedine Zidane.
