This is what advertising should be. A big-budget long-form commercial for Das Handwerk (an organization that promotes German craftsmanship), Craft is rousing, funny, clever and insightful, and set to the perfect whimsical musical accompaniment. The rough copy translation: “What is life without craftsmanship?”

Mark it down for a Clio/Gold Lion/Gold Pencil, etc. By Scholz & Friends, Berlin.

If you haven’t heard of Kid Cudi, please punch yourself until you lose consciousness. After you come to, just know that he’s a peddler of hot beats and is an accomplished hip hop artist and remixer. I always felt he was sort of a poor man’s Kanye West, only without the ego. Until now.

You see, talented production company MegaForce created an amazing video for Kid Cudi’s collab with MGMT and Ratatat that defied convention with its feats of perspective trickery. Watch it here.

All is good right? Nope. Kid Cudi decided to go with the alternate video above that doesn’t so much as defy convention, but define it. Obviously, Megaforce was none too pleased about his decision. A scan of their Twitter feed found this sentiment:

Thankfully, not all was lost, as Megaforce still has been able to peddle their fine video techniques into other areas, such as this wonderful campaign for Orange.

UPDATE: After fans pitched a fit, Kid Cudi has decided to christen the Megaforce video as the official one, thus ruining the social importance of this post but placing the universe back into balance. Thank you Kid Cudi for pulling your head out of your ass.

The best ads and creative videos featured in the Creative Brief/Ad News email newsletter from 2007. There’s a lot of fun stuff, so don’t miss out! Enjoy.

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BEST AD OF 2007: Fathead ‘Urlacher’

Irreverent. Well-written. And a fire-breathing bear. I rest my case.

By Weiden+Kennedy, New York.

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Runnerup: Nike ‘Leave Nothing’

Probably the popular choice, this is an adrenaline-pumping roller coaster ride  that draws chills. The ‘Last of the Mohicans’ soundtrack brings it all together.

Also by Weiden+Kennedy (Portland).

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Honorable Mention: Lux

A great concept fueled by high production values, top-notch art direction, and a rousing soundtrack.  This is storytelling advertising at its finest.

Agency unknown.

Watch the Lux ad.

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