Flight of the Conchords: An ad:tech People's Awards Finalist

(Please click on the photos to see the ad.)

By Ryan Barrett

So... this review might be a tad biased, but what can I say? I love Flight of the Conchords. Haven't heard of them? I'll give you the scoop.

Flight of the Conchords is a musical group comprised of two dudes, Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement. The group is really one of a kind; in fact, they're "formerly New Zealand's fourth most popular guitar-based digi-bongo acapella-rap-funk-comedy folk duo." And with songs like Business Time and Albi the Racist Dragon, how could they not be?

Last year, the group signed on with HBO to create an original series. The show, named after the group, is loosely based on the lives of the two guys, centering on the duo's move to NYC and all the trials and tribulations that ensue. What makes this series so amazing is that it's actually a musical. Each 30-minute episode weaves 2 or 3 of the Conchords' songs into the plotline.

Okay, now on to this banner ad. Sure, the images are cool and clean. The little jump-over of the hands and faces from one unit to the other is cute.

But here's the real reason why this ad works: the small details are hilariously awkward and random, just like the show. Like, what's up with Jemaine's facial expression when he moves his head from the skyscraper unit over into the square one? What's he looking at? Why is Bret making that funny frowny face? Why do their hands look like pencil drawings? What's with the rudimentary "walking" animation when they first appear on screen?

Anyone who finds these little details amusing will assuredly get a kick out of Flight of the Conchords. So, placed on the right website, these simple ad units will attract the perfect audience for the show. People with a slightly off sense of humor.

People - well yes, it's true - people like me!

Click here to "Meet Ryan"!