People think that advertising is their last stop. When people think of advertising they often want to fast-forward if they have DVR or some other form of streaming service. Geez. Even Hulu has commercials. My proven theory is that the average consumer believes advertising is boring, bland, and otherwise uninteresting — and they're not at fault. A lot of advertising, is, just that.

BUT advertising doesn't have to be boring. If we are human, if we show empathy through branding, then we certainly can break away from non-creative advertising.

We need to change our ways of thinking and there are agencies that do this very well — they simply refuse to create shitty advertising — no matter the client. At times client’s don’t know what they want and agencies are afraid to throw in the funnies and the break-out-of the stigma copy and art.

I still believe one of the very best mediums of telling a story is film and video — even if it’s digital video. Grab your audience, captivate them, build brand equity and awareness — and make your brand(s) likable.

All of these ads make you think, feel some type of emotion, and tell a story.

I don't know, maybe a cat in skinny jorts would help this. Some of these are indie shops from which you may not have ever seen any of these adverts, some are global shops on the forefront of every advertising blog and magazine.

Some from across the big body of water some call a pond, but I call an ocean, but we'll just call it a pond, because it sounds hipster and all. Here are a few worthy ads of 2014 that I think deserve some notion of a pat on the back, and that maybe, just maybe — have won a few awards:

Client: Bell’s Whisky

Agency: King James Group

Production Studio: Velocity Films

Synopsis:

This short film esque ad shows an inspired father learning how to read on account his son publishes a book. Bell’s doesn't come into the story until the last act of this advert, a humble story of triumph with a drink of Bell’s at the end.

Client: Newcastle

Agency: Droga5

Synopsis:

I would have added purple unicorns and skinny jeans to the ideas listed in this ad made not for the super bowl, but really made for the super bowl. It’s like if South Park and Jimmy Fallon got together in a bar and wrote an ad on a napkin over some Martinis.

Client: Sainsbury’s

Agency: AMV BBDO

Production Studio: Rattling Studio

Synopsis:

Based on historical journals kept by soldiers during World War I, this advert shows British and German soldiers grasping humanity without bullets for just one day while sharing chocolate and playing soccer.

Presenting the new Sainsbury’s Christmas advert. Made in partnership with The Royal British Legion. Inspired by real events from 100 years ago. This year’s Christmas ad from Sainsbury’s — Christmas is for sharing.

Client: Simon Community

Agency: Irish International

Synopsis:

An advert on not just the homeless, but how one becomes homeless and how they can transition back to a normal and habitable life. Hey Irish International, I think this ad should be used for a global cause.

Client: Ohio Lottery

Agency: Northlich

Synopsis:

Man loses bet. Man dances on top of table whilst being in a family restaurant. Man learns, do not bet and crazy dance events at family restaurants won’t happen.

Client: AIB

Agency: Rothco

Synopsis:

For the love of the game. Soccer is in Ireland like Football is in America. ‘Merica. But for these true fans County comes before Club. Share the emotion of these contestants asked to make choices by ripping up their tickets and taking a check.

Client: London Department of Transportation

Agency: Leo Burnett London

Synopsis:

Leo Burnett London’s new Pub Loo Shocker campaign for the Department for Transport’s THINK! campaign is turning heads. Imagine, you’re at a bar and have had a few too many beers, it makes you piss like a racehorse and you walk into the men’s room — wash your hands because your sanitary and all — and a head comes smashing through the mirror. “hello” I don’t think anyone’s there mate. This ad really punches you in the gut, makes you want to call a cab or the fancy Uber service that I, myself have used. Anti-drunk driving. For sure.

Client: Twentieth Century Fox

Synopsis:

I’m sorry. This made me laugh. But the reaction from people is ‘just.’ The production team did a good job with the creative direction for the release of “Devil’s Due.” Seriously, 50 Million views and counting. An animatronic “devil baby” in a remote controlled stroller goes on a rampage through the streets of New York City and hidden cameras record people’s reactions.

Client: Bojangles

Agency: BooneOakley

Synopsis:

Oh BooneOakley you gave your North Carolina shop more brand awareness in the AMC show “The Pitch” and synonymously have created explosions of the oldest Ruby Tuesday’s. Literally, not figuratively. But this Bojangles commercial was just awkward. Are those man-hands or man-feet. The good good kind of funny awkward that your agency usually produces.

Client: Planet Fitness

Agency: Mullen

Synopsis:

Umm. What do you do for a living? I pick things up and put them down. Umm. Excuse me. Planet Fitness is known for their long hour non-meat head, non-grunting facilities. Literally, if you’re caught grunting you will be thrown out the back door, just like this guy.

Client: Ford

Agency: JWT, Auckland

Synopsis:

What’s not better than a Robert Frost inspired poem turned ad for Ford. Probably one of my favorites — the narrative, the cinematography, the music. It feels more like a short film than an ad. I see it as man finding himself, he comes to a fork in the road and must make decisions. He could go one way and get a totally different outcome — in a 1:30 we see the road taken — a journey through New Zealand.

Client: Tullamore Dew

Agency: Opperman Weiss

So, let’s break out of advert form and go full short film esque form. This ad reads more like a well done ‘really’ short film than any type of advertisement. What’s better than drawing on the surreal edge of a funeral and turning that into men actually getting together because their best friend is departing in another way — hint, has to do with romance — all while enjoying the best tasting Irish Whiskey, bar none.