According to TBWA\Nebkoko, the beer brand Heineken (1873) is the god-father of social networks, just a little older than Twitter (2006), Facebook (2004) or its dutch version Hyves (2004).

Hyves is the most popular social networking site in the Netherlands with mainly Dutch visitors and members and competes in this country with sites such as Facebook and MySpace.

If you have any comments or suggestions please email Jeroen Konings.

Heineken has been the ‘head’sponsor for 10 years of the Dutch supporters and builds on that tradition with the Pletterpet. Alfred Baloyi, creator of the Makaraba and inspiration for the Heineken Pletterpet, stars in this TV commercial. It seems that the Germans have responded with their World Cup Gadget as well with their ‘Gehörschutzstöpsel’.

If you have any comments or suggestions please email Jeroen Konings.

In 2009 Heineken rocked the boat with a fabulous film that first started on the web and ended up in more than two dozen countries around the world as the major TV campaign for Heineken: The Walk-in Fridge. Spoofed by countless fans and even competitive brands.

This year Heineken celebrates “Men with Talent” and again the fans are starting to ad their own parts to the story. Enjoy the latest work developed by TBWA\NEBOKO in Amsterdam – share it with the world.

If you have any comments or suggestions please email Jeroen Konings.

From Walk-In Fridge to Walking Fridge. Enjoy the complete story how a viral film turned into one of the most successful examples of brilliant brand behavior. Congratulations to Heineken and TBWA\NEBOKO.

If you have any comments or suggestions please email Jeroen Konings.

One of the most successful commercials, Heineken’s “Walk-In Fridge” was aired the first time in January 2009. It has been spoofed several times, shared by millions of fans around the world and now TBWA\Neboko in Amsterdam has added another chapter to the story.

After seeing the commercial, basically all male beer fans where looking for a way to get their own “Walk-In Fridge”. Some where succeeded, at least looked it that way. In December 2009 pedestrians across Amsterdam saw giant carton boxes, at recycling stations, on central places and being carried by a group of young beer-thrusty men. A fun an entertaining way to recalling a great idea.

Get a Heineken and enjoy some great brand behavior.

If you have any comments or suggestions please email Jeroen Konings.

With less than a week to go before the first Lions get announced, Rob Schwartz shares his predictions from the US contenders. Look out for his predictions appearing in the next issue of Shots magazine too.

According to the request, I am to limit my response to US contenders only. And I am limited to only two picks from my own agency. I will simply break a rule and say that I believe TBWA\Neboko, one of our sister offices in the Netherlands, has an outstanding chance of winning the film Grand Prix with their brilliant “Walk-In Fridge” idea they did for Heineken. That said, here are some excellent American contenders:

(1) I love Goodby Silverstein’s “Sprint Widget” for Cyber. I think it really demonstrates the brand idea of the “power of now.” It’s mesmerizing to watch, well-written and beautifully crafted. If you don’t know it, down load it and enjoy.

(2) Droga5’s “The Great Schlep” is an exceptional piece of comedy, pop culture and political persuasiveness. The Sarah Silverman film alone is wonderful and can win on its own. I think the double-whammy will come for the nice integrated package of the entire idea. Plus you can’t argue with the results.

(3) BBH’s “Dig Your Soul In The Streets” is an exceptional example of “I wish I’d done that.” The disruptive twist of launching in the streets first instead of the airwaves and then making a documentary of a great band…well, that’s just flat-out cool.

(4) Anomaly’s “Connectivity” for Converse is just a damn fine piece of outdoor. Great idea, well done.

(5) I can’t ignore Crispin’s “Whopper Sacrifice.” I love how this idea was a total reflection of Facebook behavior. And it was really funny. A new idea in a new medium. Nice.

So there you have it. My five American contendors. Good luck, everyone.

~Rob

Rob Schwartz is the Chief Creative Officer of TBWA\CHIAT\DAY in Los Angeles. If you have any comments or suggestions please email Rob Schwartz.

Heineken does. Sure you remember the walk-in fridge commercial featured on mad-blog a couple of weeks ago. Today the next episode was launched. It shows a man explaining to his Polish contractor that he also wants a walk-in fridge… The contractor understands that perfectly. Or maybe not? See yourself…

If you have any comments or suggestions please email Jeroen Konings (jeroen.konings@tbwa.nl).

Heineken’s walk-in fridge commercial not only entertained the fans of the Dutch beer brand: millions watched and shared the film on YouTube. Heineken’s success must have been so desirable that others joined in. Bavaria spoofed the walk-in fridge.

Let’s send a round of applause to the Heineken team for creating a piece of communication that actually became part of contemporary culture – and a reference even competitive brands try to leverage. Enjoy the spoof.

Find the original Heineken spot here.

If you have any comments or suggestions please email Jeroen Konings (jeroen.konings@tbwa.nl).