Phil Collins LVO is a goddamn legend and master of the closeup headshot album cover. His successful career in music spans decades and he’s a member of the Royal Victorian Order (only a lieutenant, but cross fingers for full knighthood soon - I mean he is Emily in Paris’ dad!). He also wrote and played maybe one of the most important drum breaks since Clyde Stubblefield laid down ‘Funky Drummer’ for the GFOS in 1970.

So…as far as the FYMD Music Division (and general principles) is concerned there are only two acceptable uses of “In The Air Tonight” in a marketing context:

1: Michael Mann filming Crockett and Tubbs speeding around Miami in a faux Ferrari Daytona circa 1985

2: Cadbury Chocolate Gorilla ad from 2007 (www.youtube.com/watch?v=La7B8mBnTXs)

That’s it. Full stop.

Now a quick search of the Googles shows that Phil sold at least half of the rights to his publishing a ways back to a big conglomerate which markets and licenses music against the upfront payment Philly-Phil got…Meaning ’the man’ owns the rights , which means ‘the man’ sold this to some agency, which then sold this to their LG clients. Whatever.

Anywho, The FYMD Creative Excellence Team went with the darkhorse nominee and awarded the ELU to the The Planner…who most likely pointed out that:

1: This is literally devoid of creativity

2: Maybe combining your TikTok feed and alcohol does not quality as ‘creative development’

3. The LG CordZero is NOT one of the only 2 acceptable uses for ‘In The Air Tonight” in marketing

…but nicely, in a polished British accent.

So cheerio to you Nigel or Iain or Sherlock, you get to say ‘told ya’ to the creative team because you were right…but FYMD wouldn’t recommend that ‘cause everyone hates a smug planner.

…Now if they figured out how to use “Sussudio” for a vacuum ad, it’s a whole other ballgame…(see DampRid)