JOHN SMITH’S | THE WRONG CROWD | 1985
Tempted by the wrong crowd? Who could blame you / JOHN SMITH'S "THE WRONG CROWD"
Two slightly rough-looking guys at the pub. Convincing enough to lead anyone astray — that's the tagline of this ad. A piece of British advertising from 1985.
The problem
John Smith's built its reputation through the 1970s and 80s with a series of unpretentious commercials starring down-to-earth Yorkshire men. This one belongs to that same lineage.
The idea
The ad takes a situation everyone can recognize — running into a 'bit of a bad crowd' at the pub — and packs it straight into a short spot. There's no big gimmick, just a small temptation unfolding in the everyday setting of a pub.
What happened
It won Gold at the British Arrows Awards in 1985.
Afterthought
Honestly, my bear-paws couldn't dig up much about the thinking or behind-the-scenes story for this particular spot. But given how many advertising awards the John Smith's brand has picked up over the years, this 'wrong crowd' feels like one more drop in that same bloodline. Since there isn't much information to go on, I'd just say: watch the footage itself and soak in the atmosphere of a pub back then.
Awards
- Cannes Lions Gold 1985
