Branded content is the hot new thing. Prada is the latest to the game with a short film directed by indie darling Wes Anderson and starring French actress Léa Seydoux.

Anderson is best known for charming films filled with twee sensibilities such as Rushmore, The Life Aquatic, Moonrise Kingdom and The Royal Tenenbaums. But Anderson is actually an old branded content auteur.

For the short film Prada Candy L’Eau promoting the brand's new Prada Candy fragrance, Anderson shared directing duties with Roman Coppola, son of directing icon Francis Ford. It's not the first teaming of the pair; Coppola joined Anderson in 2010 for a Stella Artois spot that feels oddly familiar to the new Prada film. Check it out below and see how it rates against other Wes Branderson projects.Continue reading...

Sony Mobile’s first 4G LTE smartphone, the Xperia ion (now available exclusively in the U.S. from AT&T), is tying into Sony's movie release of The Amazing Spider-Man on July 3rd in Sony’s first-ever national TV spot for the new device. (The Experia was promoted in a campaign directed by Wes Anderson that kicked off in Europe.)

The new :60 U.S. spot, titled “One Block,” takes viewers on an entertaining, imaginative journey following an Xperia ion-engrossed user walking to his apartment, as the experiences on his phone come to life around him. It's also a bit of a game for brand-spotters, as it comes with a pitch: "To show what it's like when everything's in HD, we hid different movies, TV shows, songs, bands and games from the Sony universe on a city street. See if you can guess all of them."Continue reading...

Fresh from his retro commercials for Hyundai during the Oscars telecast, director Wes Anderson has been tapped by Sony to create the new global TV campaign, called "Made of Imagination," for the Sony Xperia smartphone.

Sony today released a trailer (watch below) to tease the commercial — which will bring to life kids' concepts for their dream smart phone — which is breaking on Saturday, March 24th, in Europe first. Next up: Anderson brings to life the kid's cyborg unicorn thank you note to a weatherman that has gone viral. We wish.Continue reading...

As it has done for the past three Academy Award ceremonies, jcpenney will hit the Oscars red carpet by promoting its recent "brand refresh," showing off that it's had a little work done (new logo, single-monikered lowercase name) and is making a comeback in true Hollywood fashion.

New brand face Ellen DeGeneres will be featured in five 30-second commercials (watch "Changing Room" above and a sneak peek at others set in the Wild West, Victorian England and ancient Rome, below) that will air in North America during ABC's telecast on Sunday night.

Other brands debuting new campaigns at the 84th annual Academy Awards include Hyundai's new Wes Anderson commercials, and a glamorous spot for the sixth-generation SL roadster by Mercedes-Benz.Continue reading...

Hyundai has tapped director Wes Anderson for two of its seven 30-second spots that will premiere during the Oscars telecast on Sunday. All seven spots once again feature Hyundai America brand voice, Oscar-winner Jeff Bridges.

"Talk to My Car," above, promotes (in Hyundai's words) "the idea that you can talk to your car is no longer fantasy or science fiction, thanks to Hyundai's Blue Link. This innovative technology makes driving safer, easier and more fun. By keeping your 2012 Azera connected at all times, Blue Link can help you find a gas station or a shortcut, learn about mechanical issues, get regular maintenance alerts, call for help and even find you a great Italian restaurant nearby."Continue reading...

Wes Anderson and Roman Coppola teamed up for the latest Euro-cool, 60's-riffing "She is a Thing of Beauty" spot for Stella Artois.