This is an ad…for a bank. As an ad, it is clever and straightforward and…an ad. It was done by the Banco Sabadell in Catalonia, Spain on its 130th anniversary.
But, for once, this transcends what it is and gets to a moment of actual human, inspired joy. Just watch the faces in this plaza in Catalonia outside the bank while 100 people from the Vallès Symphony Orchestra, the Lieder, Amics de l’Òpera and Coral Belles Arts choirs play and sing the final movement of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony – the Ode to Joy. One of the greatest pieces of music that has ever been written. The connection of the crowd to the players and the music is a perfect expression of why we all should feel blessed that we are on this earth, that we owe it something and, that the human species is fundamentally good.
Watch it and you’ll understand why I am so utterly, unambiguously enchanted and happy to be alive.
Thanks Paul - loved it.
Posted by: Breale | April 30, 2013 at 01:35 PM
Btw, I noticed you have a captcha system when commenting. You should try out the "Are you human" plugin. It's a captcha that makes people play a VERY simple game to prove they are human. I use it on my blog too (not commenting but contact me page) and find that more delighting than looking at the dark ugly scribbles.
Let me know what you think! (I'm not affiliated with them, just an avid fan of gamification and making things fun)
Posted by: Yu-kai Chou | April 27, 2013 at 12:33 PM
This is awesome! Thanks for the share Paul!
This is one of the earliest pieces I learned on the piano too ;-)
Love examples of marketing gamification.
Best,
Yu-kai Chou, Gamification Gosu
Posted by: Yu-kai Chou | April 27, 2013 at 12:30 PM
Beautiful, brought to tears!
Posted by: MJ Crabbe-Barberis | April 03, 2013 at 08:57 AM
I have been sharing this ad with all of my friends & family. It is wonderful.
Posted by: Diane Berry | March 17, 2013 at 02:35 PM
Simply amazing. Advertising doesn't have to be so serious all the time. A little joy never hurt anybody.
Posted by: Burt Knowles | February 18, 2013 at 10:28 PM
Fantastic! Thanks for sharing Paul!
Posted by: KrassiG | February 13, 2013 at 04:23 PM
That was awesome. I'd seen in a few times but not taken the time to watch it. Got chills multiple times throughout! Thanks for sharing, sir!
Posted by: chrislee | February 11, 2013 at 11:15 AM
BRILLIANT! Thanks for sharing Paul!
Posted by: Bsdalton | February 11, 2013 at 08:34 AM