In what is becoming a frequent blog post, the ‘Start Thinking Soldier’ campaign has picked up yet more trophies.

Firstly, at the prestigious FITC (Flash in the Can) Awards, where it was rewarded for Best Flash Motion Graphics. Skive’s very own Dan ‘Greyskull’ Bradshaw and Stephen ‘Penfold’ Archer were on hand to collect the distinctive prize in Toronto, and evidently celebrated with a few cold ones afterwards. The full roster of award-winners is here.

The project also picked up a Silver in the AME (Advertising & Marketing Effectiveness) Awards for Best Integrated Campaign, and has been shortlisted at the D&AD Awards for a gold pencil in the Integrated category. Fingers crossed.

We’d been nominated in four categories, the others being Best B2C Campaign, Best Website, and Best Use of Video – and to be honest thought we had a much better chance in those than the hotly contested Integrated Campaign, which featured a shortlist of 7 including work from CHI, Dare and AKQA, as well as T-Mobile and ComparetheMeerkat.com.

It was fitting to be there with the creative team from Publicis Modem, Jon Groom and Asan Aslam, who were integral to appointing us and whom we’d first met some 18 months previously - as well as client Nic Cary from the COI.

It was also pleasing recognition on the back of winning an IAB Creative Showcase Grand Prix, for Most Innovative Campaign. Next up for the Start Thinking Soldier Awards Rollercoaster: FITC in Toronto…

In above the line categories, it also won a Bronze Best Press Ad for ‘Football’ and a Silver Best Public Service Ad for ‘Girlfriend’ and a handful of commendations, so congratulations to the creative team of Matt Anderson and Steve Nicholls of Publicis, who were also responsible for the four TVCs.

Skive's Louis Clement and Publicis Modem's David Prideaux grapple over a BIMA while posing for the cameras

Team Skive enjoyed a big night out in Camden last Thursday at the BIMAs, held this year at Koko.

Together with Publicis Modem, we picked up 2 awards from a possible 7 for Start Thinking Soldier, including Best Interactive Advertising and Best Advergame – and later found out we were within a whisker of the coveted Grand Prix, which ended up going to Philips Cinema 21:9.

Matt Stafford keeps the paparazzi at bay with his crutches while Jon Groom, Asan Aslam and Jim Hall reap the applause

The agency took a whopping 16 Skivers to the event, showing the scale of the project and the sheer number of people involved, and a good night was had by all – not least when beatbox wizard Beardyman took to the stage and jolted the audience awake with his ‘verbal hellfire’.

Matt, Louis and Jim

Skive recently picked up a bronze at the London International Awards, in the Online Games category.

Under the impression that the statues would be shipped to Skive HQ within the next two weeks, a few of the team went to the UK Winners party at the Paramount Club to scarf down the complimentary drinks and canapes on offer, and the chance to ‘mingle, with a cocktail or two…..or three to celebrate’.

Rolling in at half eight, we were surprised to see the awards had already been handed out (mostly to the ever-gracious AKQA), a lone bronze statue sitting neglected on its own on the Awards table.

Needless to say it was ours, so we grabbed a beer and happily made the most of a photo op.

It’s a very thorough account – from inception through production and delivery – and worth a read to really get a clearer picture about our involvement.

It’s in the latest publication but also reproduced here.

The third phase in our Start Thinking Soldier campaign for the Army has launched,  focusing on the theme of Leadership.

This Mission differs from the other three in that it’s set in Africa, with the user dilemma spawning from civilians rather than possible insurgents.

The interactive challenges put you in the boots of the base commander, assessing and deploying troops after a natural disaster, as well as a Battlefield ambulance driver and Lynx helicopter crew member, guiding Rigid Raiders over floodland below you.

Experience Mission 3

It beat Tribal’s GTI Project for VW, which is certainly a nifty piece of work.

Hopefully this is an indication of more awards to come – especially as Mission 2 is even better than its predecessor.

The next phase in The Army’s Start Thinking Soldier campaign has launched.

Focusing on the theme of ‘Decision Making’, Mission 2 features heavy use of video-to-interactive Flash in a close combat fire and manoeuvre challenge, as well as allowing the user to plan and carry out a mortar attack.

Experience Mission 2