Vanabbetotvessem (FromAbbeToVessem), founded in 2008, is named after Michiel van Abbe en Ronald van Vessem. A highly creative shop - or 'creative something' as they like to call it - that does more than just advertising. Vanabbetotvessem switch easily between art, advertising, design, photography, illustration and product development. This is illustrated best by their fantastic Lovelips app made in 2009 for SoaAids Netherlands.

www.vanabbetotvessem.com

Nieuwpoortkade 2A D080
1055 RX Amsterdam
+31(0)6 1941 2449
shop@vanabbetotvessem.com

A year ago we wrote about Vanabbetotvessem’s commercial for SoaAids about Frank(enstein) & Sally needing an STD test. Apart from the wonderful execution, we really liked the metaphor of Frank being built up out of different body parts: “But this could be anyone’s…penis”. Always use a condom, until you’ve done an STD test was the message. This commercial is very similar, though it uses a different insight. Apparently guys are afraid to do the STD test, because of horror stories about devices that have to enter your…well, you know. But nowadays ‘pissing in a pot’ is often sufficient – to Frank’s great relieve.

This week we read on Adrants about an iPod app made for Hardee’s, an American fast food chain that makes - among other things – supersized, cholesterol building French Dip Thickburgers. The app, called Parisian Pick Up, allows you to pick-up girls and Hardee’s burgers – both meat, right? Adrants' Steve Hall writes: “users can select their favorite French mouth image, select a message, and then hold the screen over their mouths to deliver it with a swarthy French accent or in perfect French with subtitles”. Great app, you would say. But the idea is not new, unfortunately. It’s practically identical to Vanabbetotvessem’s Lovelips app, we wrote about two months ago. And a remarkable detail - that more or less rules out the coincidence  of two great minds thinking alike - is that 72andSunny, the agency responsible for the Hardee’s app, has an office in Amsterdam. Opening up an office in Amsterdam for ‘inspiration’, now all of a sudden renders a whole new connotation.

This hilarious web film featuring Heidi Klum and Barack Obama (saying things in German like: "I am looking for a girl that likes me for who I am, not because I'm so incredibly rich") promotes the iPhone application called Lovelips. The application - available at the App Store - translates some handy Dutch pick-up lines into the most common European languages and was created by Vanabbetotvessem. It’s no coincidence that a high percentage of the phrases involves the word ‘condom’ (“I got a condom for my birthday, you want to unwrap it with me?”), since the app was developed for SOA-AIDS Netherlands to prevent teenagers from picking up an STD when traveling abroad this summer. The pick-up lines are – purposely - pretty lame, but what a brilliant way to start a conversation. And what a modern way to address such a delicate issue!

According to MobyPicture life online shouldn’t be too complicated and that’s exactly what this ad, made by Vanabbetotvessem, communicates: “Ever since the big bang, people love to shoot and share”. We like the creative tone and looks of it - fits well with the typical UGC target. Michiel van Abbe en Ronald van Vessem - who drew the entire commercial - not only gave Michael Jackson a cameo (?), but also their selves - they are cheering in the crowd after the scored penalty. And if you look long enough there are many more hidden messages.

In this beautifully executed commercial, the Amsterdam agency Vanabbetotvessem spoofs the world famous Frankenstein story. Interesting is that this ad makes the STD (in Dutch: SOA) test the strategical hero, instead of the condom. The reason is that in the Netherlands condom-use in risky situations already has a very high penetration (no pun intended). However, in a more-than-one-night stand situation the percentage drops worryingly. Hence the pay-off: ‘Always use a condom until you’ve done an STD test’. And to target the commercial also more specifically towards men, Vanabbetotvessem also created a second commercial in which Frank is the more sensible 'person'. To top it all off, there’s also a dedicated website – which unfortunately doesn't align with the commercial and is too messy.