While Hollywood insists on producing movies that resemble something you’d find at the end of a rock concert in a portable toilet – the world of documentary film making continues to improve.

As you would expect, brands have spotted the opportunity to associate themselves with the trend and getting involved under the label of ‘branded entertainment.

Levi’s has released a new art-inspired product as part of its ongoing collaboration with the MOCA museum started in Los Angeles in April—the jeanswear brand opened its new Levi’s Workshop at the ‘Art In the Streets’ exhibition of the museum and on May 24 it has released a hilarious short movie ‘Outside In: The Story of Art In the Streets,’ which showcases the process of arranging the event and interviews with graffiti influencers, “documents the artist’s creative process, their pitfalls with the law, the poetic impermanence of their craft and the artists’ evolution from the back seat of a cop car to the walls of a well-respected institution” as the synopsis states.

More about: Outside In- The Story of Art In the Streets here

It’s like a traditional TV ad, just a lot more expensive and useful.

When the brand is Quiksilver, creating totally wicked branded entertainment that’s free to share and view on the Internet is like child’s play.

Enjoy.

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Ken Block is admired from as far afield as Parow to the international stage of Top Gear. As the co-founder and Chief Brand Officer of DC Shoes – he has an intersting approach when it comes to advertising the company.

Shot just south of Paris, France in Linas at l’Autodrome de Linas –Montlhéry, this 1.58 mile oval track, built in 1924, features banks as steep as 51 degrees, which is more than double the standard incline of most NASCAR ovals. Chosen by Ken for this specific reason, the ramp-like banking proved to be a unique and exciting challenge. The driving physics for the stunts performed were totally unknown until Ken attempted the maneuvers during filming.

Not sure if we want the shoes or the car or wanna sign up for flying lessons, but it’s great branded entertainment. He should apply to be the new Stig.

Previously: Ken Block Gymkhana Two - Cherryflava

Audi A1 for JT

A couple of years ago, Audi launched their A3 model into the American market with a massively elaborate ARG-type campaign called The Art of the Heist.

We still read extracts of that case study to each other as a bed time story, ’cause we find the detail of it soothing and an indication that all is still right with the world.

Audi are now launching the new A1 – and to do it they’ve called in Justin Timberlake and will be revealing a series of web films with other cool ‘interactive’ elements over a period of a few weeks. There are six web movies in total, but in the mean time – here’s a trailer to whet your appetite.

The trailer’s not giving away too much – we’ll have to wait for the shows to start before we can form any kind of opinion on this one.

Shows start on 04.05.2010 and play out on audi.com/a1 every Tuesday.

- Conceived, written and Produced by Heimat Berlin and ACNE films, directed by Henrik Sundgren.
- Starring Justin Timberlake and Dania Ramirez ( Heroes, X-men ) with music by Torpedo ( Sweden )
- The film is split into 6 Episodes and Episode 1 goes live 04.05.2010 on www.audi.com/a1
- Every Tuesday another Episode will go up on www.audi.com/a1 building onto the timeline.
- This is branded content – not a commercial. What separates it from other films in this genre is that is interactive and uses the power of the web to create new kind of storytelling. And there’s loads of Easter Eggs to be found! ( can’t give too much away here until launch ! ) For the full interactive experience you need to view the film on the A1 homepage ( www.audi.com/a1 )
- The film will be viewable internationally and dubbed or subtitled into a number of languages.
- The film is part of the build-up to the launch of the new Audi A1 – the premium sub-compact with the heart of a champion! The next big Audi.

[thanks Myles]

Keeping Keeley is an interactive digital film made for Axe deodorant in which you the viewer, control some dude’s twists and turns as he attempts to keep UK Page 3 model, Keeley Hazell, interested in him.

It works with Facebook and has loads of pics of Keeley in lingerie which will excite and amaze anyone that still reads FHM – but seriously, as an application to manage government it could well have merit.

Try keep Keeley

It’s typical Axe stuff, but interesting to see how they are tackling the ‘branded entertainment’ arena. For us – we’re not so keen on Facebook applications that we perceive to be too invasive so we’ll pass on the ‘controlling bit’, but one to watch as a case study.

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