Michel Gondry's Razr2 ad: Too creative for TV?

Pretty much everyone is aware that Motorola's Razr phones are skinny. Much fewer people know about director Michel Gondry's own skinniness.

But anyone who's seen director Gondry's films (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The Science of Sleep), music videos, or straight-to-YouTube clips is aware that his work is exceptionally creative, visual, and artistic.

Gondry was hired to create a TV commercial for Motorola's highly rated Razr2 phone, but apparently, the result was far too interesting to air on TV. See for yourself.

According to AdWeek, Motorola CEO Ed Zander felt the spot didn't focus enough on the Razr2's sleek design. Tensions mounted between Motorola and Cutwater, the ad agency that hired Gondry to direct the commercial.

In the end, Gondry's commercial never aired. But the commercial has received more than 50,000 views on YouTube at the time of writing. That's a win for Gondry, and (unfortunately, given the lack of support it gave the spot) a ton of visibility for Motorola.

[Via psfk.com.]

[Mike Rios-Belden]

And yet, another reason why I'll never buy a Moto!

I can't stand Motorola phones, from their design aesthetic down to the
antiquated technology (up unitl recently) that they put into phones. Now you dis
Michel Gondry? Tut tut. Three words to Motorola "Skinny is out" and so are you!

[Donaldsc]

Really Dumb Commercial

As much as I hate to admit it, the function of a commercial is to sell a product. When you have to watch until the last 2 seconds of a commercial to see the product and, even then, the product is not named, this is not a commercial or if it is one, it is a dumb one.

DON

[DuckInA.Pond]

I could never come up with something this creative

Well, it was an amazing commercial... and they should've aired it. Everyone know that the razr is super thin. Why would you need to advertise it again?

[eng.dan]

oh boy!!!!