Friday 15 January 2016

Best Escape Room–Themed Game Shows on Television

It’s far from a secret that escape rooms are getting more and more popular and landing on more and more people’s lists of things to try. So it’s not really all that surprising that television networks are getting in on the escape room action. 

At last count, there are three currently airing TV shows that not just feature escape rooms—like Big Bang Theory, Conan, and Two Broke Girls have done—but completely focus on them. Like escape games themselves, this sort of puzzle-rific television has deeper roots.

To help escape game fans catch up on this essential TV viewing, we’ve rounded up the best escape room–themed TV out there.

1. The Crystal Maze (1990–95)

One cannot talk of today’s puzzle- and escape-themed TV shows without first mentioning The Crystal Maze. Hosted by Richard O’Brien (aka Riff Raff from Rocky Horror Picture Show), The Crystal Maze was one of the biggest and most beloved UK game shows ever to air.

Many Canadians may have missed out on the craze, so luckily there’s quite a few episodes on YouTube to catch you up. And, if you’re heading to London any time soon, it’s even coming back as a “live and immersive interactive experience” (aka, a sort of escape game).






2. Takeshi’s Castle (2002–04)

From the other side of the world—Japan—comes Takeshi’s Castle. The premise is that contestants are trying to make it through a trap-filled castle in order to reach the count, aka actor Takeshi Kitano. More physical than puzzley, Takeshi’s Castle is nevertheless a forebear to today’s escape room–themed television shows. Plus, it’s by far the zaniest—what else would we expect from Japanese TV?




3. Race to Escape (2015–)

Race to Escape is the brainchild of the folks at the Science Channel. Their inspiration comes directly from real-world escape games, with contestants trying to solve clues and bust out of the various themed rooms. Though perhaps not as exciting as actually playing a game yourself, it’s definitely some useful viewing for anyone preparing to take on the Asylum room at our Vancouver escape game—the hardest room we have.

4. Hellevator (2015–)

Another new addition to the genre is Game Show Network’s Hellevator—but this one comes with a twist. Like our own Krakit team, the people behind Hellevator know a good scare when they see one—or make one, rather. This is unsurprising, as the show’s hosts are Vancouver’s own Soska sisters, the directors behind American Mary.

Contestants of Hellevator are challenged to escape an abandoned warehouse, which just happens to have a haunted elevator. Unsurprisingly, screams abound.



5. Code (2016–)

This show has literally just hit the airwaves, broadcast by Korean network JTBC beginning this month. To spice up the format, Code has celebrities as contestants (it was only a matter of time!). The group starts eight floors underground, with the winners advancing one floor per week by solving puzzles and unlocking doors.

Try out the real thing at our Vancouver escape game  rooms by booking here.

Tuesday 31 July 2012

Wonderlust Photography

Congratulations to Wonderlust Photography for winning the Immersion Creative Vancouver Transit Advertising Contest.

The company is run by two talented wedding photographers. Look for their photos on the buses this fall.




Tuesday 24 July 2012

A Disturbing Sand Sculpture




LINK TO VIDEO:




CREDITS:

Advertised brand: Lifesaving Society of BC and Yukon
Advert title: Drowning Prevention Sand Sculpture
Headline and copy text:
HEAD: The beach isn’t all fun and games.
SUB HEAD: Educate yourself on water safety.
COPY: National Drowning Prevention Week. July 21 – 29, 2012.

Advertising Agency: TAXI, Vancouver, Canada
Agency website: http://www.taxi.ca
Creative Director: Kevin Barclay
Art Director: Darcy Twarog
Copywriter: David Giovando
Photographer: Dan Barham
Additional credits: Editor: Chad Jones, Account Manager: Brett Willis, Account Director: Ben Tarr, Production Manager: Leah Fladgate, Sculptor: David Billings
Published: July, 2012

Short rationale: To promote National Drowning Prevention Week and remind beach-goers of the dangers of being around water, the Lifesaving Society of BC & Yukon created a sand sculpture depicting the aftermath of a drowning scene at Kitsilano Beach in Vancouver.

Tuesday 17 July 2012

Immersion Creative Has A New Website

See what's new with Immersion Creative and enter their contest for a FREE transit ad in Vancouver.

Click here to read their latest marketing newsletter.



Friday 20 May 2011

The Prize

A fun stunt for Honda by Dare Vancouver.

Tuesday 13 July 2010

Freeze!

Here's a funny spot by Hot Tomali.

Wednesday 26 May 2010

Advertising Aztec-Style

But of course, a billboard made out of gold. Why not?

Here's the latest Science World ad from Rethink. The Grand Unveiling is today, but it will only be up until Friday.

This $11,000 baby comes with its own security guard.



You can read more about it here: Bling Billboard in Vancouver

Tuesday 11 May 2010

Rethink Plastic

Here's a fun stunt by Rethink. They put giant six-pack rings on many of the famous statues and landmarks around town.

You'd think the enormity of the stunt and the awareness it brings to the issue would trump the fact they used plastic to make their point, but hey, you can't please everyone.

Monday 10 May 2010

Naughty Fun From Cossette

Sunday 11 April 2010

Axes to Grind

Here's a fun series by Grey.





Thursday 1 April 2010

What Happened to Community?

Here's a colourful call to action at YMCA, by TBWA.

Tuesday 30 March 2010

Design Currency

Here is an intriguing piece by Rethink, Giant Ant Productions and Wave Productions.

Something's up with this embedded URL, so just click the image to go to the site.

Monday 15 February 2010

Love the Clock

Great ad from DDB.

Thursday 11 February 2010

Every Step You Take

A little creepy, but probably effective. The latest from Rethink.


Wednesday 20 January 2010

High Praise for A&W

Another great ad in this series from Rethink.

Tuesday 15 December 2009

It's Beginning To Smell A Lot Like Christmas...

A little holiday cheer from Wasserman and Partners.

Wednesday 2 December 2009

˙˙˙lloɹ ɐ uo ǝʇʇǝssoɔ

This is a great campaign by Vancouver advertising agency: Cossette.

Thursday 12 November 2009

Think of the Children

Here's a new cute campaign by Cossette.

Tuesday 20 October 2009

Chair Pants

Well, I know what I'm giving for Christmas this year.

A fun ad by DDB.

Tuesday 6 October 2009

What the VIFF?

Here's a fun spot by TBWA/Vancouver.

Tuesday 29 September 2009

Spooked!

On the streets of Kitsilano. The latest in Vancouver advertising.

This hair-raising stunt is by Rethink.

Monday 21 September 2009

Received!

In mailboxes across Vancouver. The latest in Vancouver advertising.

This colourful direct mail piece is by Immersion Creative.

Friday 18 September 2009

Brewed!

From the bus shelters around Vancouver. The latest in Vancouver advertising.

This stunt is by Cossette.

Thursday 10 September 2009

Seen!

On the buses, beaches, billboards and backpacks about town. The latest in Vancouver advertising.

This quirky project (for a very unusual client) is from Wasserman.




Wednesday 2 September 2009

A Revolution!

Bike advertising in English Bay. The latest in Vancouver advertising.
You can rent these fun machines from English Bay Bikes.





Sunday 30 August 2009

Agency #26

This husband/wife team recently celebrated their 10 year anniversary. The catchy title comes from a hybrid of the couple's own names (and was not, to my knowledge, designed to re-direct those searching for hotmail.com). They have some funky stuff on their website. My hands down favourite is this one:




I see they've just moved, here's their new digs:

Hot Tomali
1441 Pender St.
E, Vancouver, BC
V5L 1V7‎
(604) 893-8347‎

Tuesday 18 August 2009

Coors Down

Apparently the latest in the "colder than" series left some Toronto folk with a bad taste in their mouth.

Judging from the press it got, I'd say it was a success.

Coors Light Ads Seen As Offensive

Chewed!

In the forests around Vancouver. Here's a tasty idea from Rethink.

Thursday 13 August 2009

Seen!

In the bathrooms of Vancouver.

The latest in Vancouver Advertising. This campaign was made by Taxi.

Wednesday 12 August 2009

#25

Behold! The #1 advertising agency on Google! No small feat.

Here is some of their recent work.





KOLKE Communications, Creative Advertising + Design‎
402 W Pender St Unit 514
Vancouver, BC
V6B 1T6‎
(604) 782-9663‎

Tuesday 11 August 2009

Seen!

On the streets of Vancouver. A wobbly ambient stunt by Immersion Creative.

Thursday 30 July 2009

Seen!

On the beaches of Kits. A gorilla marketing stunt by Rethink.

Guerilla Gone Wrong

I was on CBC Radio One a couple of months ago talking about guerilla advertising.

Sometimes it's awesome.



Sometimes it backfires.

Ikea ad gone wrong

Thoughts?

Tuesday 28 July 2009

The latest in Vancouver advertising

Here's a fun spot from DDB Vancouver.

Sunday 26 July 2009

Advertising Agency #23

The beauty of advertising in Vancouver is all the outdoor options you have. Vancouver advertising is going to get a bit chaotic in 2010 with Olympics sponsors and all, but at least there will be ambient and outdoor options available for the everyman and woman.

You can advertise on ice cream trucks. You can advertise on bikes. And let’s not forget about our favourite mobile 3D chamber.

They contacted me through Twitter a while back, so without further ado…



Cube Concepts
2062 William Ave
North Vancouver, BC V7J 2P4, Canada
(778) 338-3896

Thursday 23 July 2009

Seen!

On the streets of Vancouver. This spooky number is by Spring Advertising.

Monday 13 July 2009

Vancouver Advertising Agency #22

What is it with these Vancouver advertising agencies and their strange names?

Indeed, today's small shop shares Hangar 18's passion for super-secret aviation. And they also have a penchant for lawyers, apparently.

Their name may raise an eyebrow and flare the odd nostril, but it's certainly unforgettable. They have some nice work on their site. I like the outdoor stuff the best.



Skunkworks Creative Group
100 - 111 Water St.
Vancouver, BC
V6B 1A7
Canada‎
(604) 739-8976‎

Monday 6 July 2009

Vancouver Advertising Agency #21

Strangely enough, I heard about this shop from an intern at another agency. I checked out the website, very nice.

They've recently done some acclaimed work for BC Cancer Society as well as the new BC Ferries website.

Here's a chilling spot.



Elevator Strategy Advertising & Design Inc
300-1505 2nd Avenue West
Vancouver, BC V6H 3Y4, Canada
(604) 737-4346

Tuesday 30 June 2009

Seen!

On the streets of Vancouver.

I heard about this stunt from my director. That kind of talk power can't be beat.

Thursday 25 June 2009

Advertising Agency # 20

Not only do they produce some interesting work (my favourite being this one), this agency has hidden evidence of UFOs and a Megadeth song named after it. Take that Ogilvy!



Hangar 18
220-1737 3rd Avenue West
Vancouver, BC V6J 1K7, Canada
(604) 737-7111

Monday 22 June 2009

Vancouver Advertising Agency # 19

Today I was contacted about this mid-sized shop based out of Yaletown.

They have some great work on their website, which I recommend you check out.

My favourite is their Capilano Suspension Bridge work.

Here is their reel:



Here it is in higher resolution.

Spring Advertising
301 - 1250 Homer Street
Vancouver, BC
V3B 1C6
604 683 0167
grow@springadvertising.com

Sunday 21 June 2009

Toronto Advertising

Okay, so this is from out east, but it's the best ad I've seen in ages.

Friday 19 June 2009

Vancouver Advertising Agency #18

Next up in our compendium is a mid-sized agency that is now 20 years old. That is like 140 in any other industry.

I think this ad is fun.



Big House Communications
1777 West 3rd Avenue, 1st Floor
Vancouver, BC
V6J 1K7
P: 604.731.8232
F: 604.731.8233

Wednesday 17 June 2009

Vancouver Advertising is now on Twitter

Follow us on Twitter and I'll keep you posted on new agencies, new work, new accolades and whathaveyou.

We'll see how it evolves from there.

Vancouver Advertising on Twitter

Thursday 11 June 2009

Vancouver Advertising Agency #17

This agency came as a recommendation in the comments section.

I am always a little curious why these small shops (even the branding/consulting ones) don't post up any work on their sites.

Either way, if you work at Brand Live, or know someone who does - send me some samples.

From their blog, I see they've helped to organize a few notable street parties. Everyone loves a good street party.



Brand Live
165 – 1020 Mainland Street
Vancouver, BC V6B 2T5
604.733.7171
info@brandlivegroup.com

Thursday 4 June 2009

Vancouver Advertising Agency #16

This agency was recommended to the list by a photographer friend of mine on Twitter.

They are a small shop with a passion for certainty.

Here is some of their work.







Concerto Marketing Group Inc
Suite 400 - 220 Cambie Street
Vancouver, B.C. Canada V6B 2M9
t: 604-684-8933
f: 604-684-8934
Toll Free: 1.877.873.2738
info@concertomarketing.com

Vancouver Advertising Agency #15

Another mention from Twitter.

This agency is known for its un-chicken approach to advertising.




Green Eggs Creative
info@greeneggscreative.com
604.984.4654

Wednesday 3 June 2009

Nicked!



From the skytrains of Vancouver.

The latest in Vancouver advertising.

Vancouver Advertising Agency #14

I heard about this Vancouver advertising and design shop through Twitter.

I like their MEC interior design. It gives you something to read while your friends shop for snowshoes.




Karacters.com
1600-777 Hornby Street
Vancouver, BC
V6Z 2T3

Friday 8 May 2009

Seen!


On the streets of Vancouver.

The latest in Vancouver advertising.

Wednesday 6 May 2009

Top Advertising Agency in Vancouver

How does one judge the top advertising agency in Vancouver?

Is it by the number of awards, or clients, or billings, or ROI?

Or is it by who produces the work you like?

When searching for the top advertising agency in Vancouver be sure to keep in mind the kind of creative work that you would like to have yourself. It's all listed right here in this Vancouver advertising blog.

The idea behind this blog is to list the best advertising agency in Vancouver, or rather the best advertising agencies in Vancouver.

The Top 25 advertising agencies in Vancouver can be found here. Also, as other creative work from Vancouver advertising agencies pops up, I'll post it on the Vancouver advertising blog as well.

Enjoy!

Tuesday 5 May 2009

Vancouver Advertising Agency #13

McCann is known as one of the first advertising agencies. Back when, it worked within newspapers to make the ad space easier to sell to prospective clients.

Today, it is the second-biggest network worldwide. Its motto is: "Truth Well Told."

When I first started out in advertising, it was with McCann, albeit its Brisbane office.
Here is some of its Vancouver work.




Maclaren Mccann Vancouver
900 Hastings Street West
Vancouver, BC V6C 1E5, Canada
(604) 689-1131

Wednesday 29 April 2009

Best Advertising Agency in Vancouver

Looking for the Top Advertising Agency in Vancouver will take you to this outdated list.

Bryant, Fulton, and Shee (BFS) isn't even on the map in Vancouver anymore. I believe it became TBWA\Vancouver.

Either way, looking for the best advertising agency in Vancouver shouldn't take you to outdated directories and hopeless lists.

It should take you a concise, compelling compendium, like this: Vancouver advertising agencies

Sunday 26 April 2009

Vancouver Advertising Agency #12

I worked at this agency for a couple of years. Its focus is on LOHAS (lifestyles of health and sustainability) and sustainability advertising






Creative Wonders Communications Inc.
Suite 102-315 West First Street
North Vancouver, BC, V7M 1B5
Tel: 604.987.8401
Fax: 604.987.8464
E: adbiz@creativewonders.ca

Thursday 23 April 2009

Immersion Creative

Immersion Creative is unique because it starts with you, the client, and the way you do business. By spending anywhere from a week to a month immersed in your working environment, Immersion is able to put together a creative strategy that is specifically tailored to your style and humour.

Immersion Creative has re-branded a variety of companies in recent years.

Here is some of Immersion's latest work.




Immersion Creative
815-207 West Hastings St.
Vancouver, BC
V6B 1H7
604.551.1682
1-800-785-1958

Saturday 18 April 2009

Vancouver Advertising Agency #10

This is what I love about Twitter.

You can ask the world, "What are some good small Vancouver advertising agencies?" and people out there, in the Twitterverse, will reply.

This agency came up, from a client no less. Nice! I like the work they've done for lululemon.




Cowie and Fox
#201-1062 Homer Street
Vancouver, BC
V6B 2W9

T. 604.608.1049
F. 604.608.1079

Wednesday 15 April 2009

Vancouver Advertising Agencies Catalogued

Here is my latest article about this very blog:

Vancouver Advertising Agencies Catalogued, Sorted and Easy to Find

Tuesday 14 April 2009

Vancouver Advertising Agency #9

Grey is one of the big multi-nationals based in Vancouver. I see they've recently updated their website.



Grey Worldwide Northwest
1000-850 Hastings Street West
Vancouver, BC
V6C 1E1, Canada‎
(604) 687-1001‎

Saturday 11 April 2009

Vancouver Advertising Agency #8

I have haunted this Vancouver advertising agency probably more than any other, sending resumes, skis, and golden goose eggs over the years. Alvin's a great guy with a good sense of humour.

They do some really fun work, my favourite being:



Wasserman & Partners Advertising Inc‎
160-1020 Mainland Street
Vancouver, BC V6B 2T5, Canada
(604) 684-1111

Friday 10 April 2009

Vancouver Advertising Agency #7

Next up in our series of Vancouver advertising agencies is Cossette.

They are the biggest agency in Canada, and they do award-winning work for blue chip clients.




Cossette Communication Group
1085 Homer Street
Vancouver, BC V6B 1J4, Canada
(604) 669-2727

Saturday 4 April 2009

Vancouver Advertising Agency #6

DDB Vancouver consistently puts out great work.






DDB Canada
1600-777 Hornby Street
Vancouver, BC V6Z 2T3, Canada
(604) 687-7911