Jonathan Glazer Commercials: Ads That Changed TV Forever

Jonathan Glazer makes commercials that feel like short movies. His ads for brands like Guinness and Sony are famous for their beauty and emotion. They grab your attention and stick in your mind. This article looks at Jonathan Glazer commercials, his best ads, and why they matter.

If you love ads, films, or storytelling, Glazer’s work is a must-see. His commercials mix art and business in a unique way. Want to learn about his movies too? Check out Jonathan Glazer movies.

How Glazer Became a Top Ad Director

Glazer is an award-winning commercial director. His ads won big prizes at events like Cannes Lions and D&AD. For example, his Guinness “Surfer” ad was voted the best ad ever in 2002 by The Sunday Times and Channel 4.

Why are his ads so good? He tells stories that make you feel something. His commercials helped brands sell more, like Guinness after his campaigns. He made over 50 ads, working with stars like Samuel L. Jackson.

Check out his work on iSpot.tv or read why his ads feel like films at Pajiba.

Top Jonathan Glazer Commercials: Our Favorites

Here’s a list of the best Jonathan Glazer commercials ranked for their impact and style. Each uses visual metaphors in commercials to make them unforgettable.

1. Guinness “Surfer” (1999) Surfers wait for a giant wave that looks like white horses. It’s shot in black-and-white and feels like a classic story. The ad says, “Good things come to those who wait.” It cost $3 million and won huge awards. Jonathan Glazer Guinness Surfer shows waiting as a powerful idea.
2. Levi’s “Odyssey” (2002) Two people run through walls in a dream-like chase. Set to music by Handel, it shows Levi’s jeans as strong and free. Levi’s Odyssey commercial means breaking free from limits.
3. Sony “Paint” (2006) Colorful paint explodes over a building. No computer effects—just real paint and a big crew. It shows Sony TVs have bright colors. The Sony Paint advertisement is bold and fun.
4. Guinness “Swimblack” (1999) An old man swims fast to reach a pub. It’s funny and touching, part of the same Guinness campaign as “Surfer.”
5. Stella Artois “Ice Skating Priests” (2000s) Priests skate on ice in a funny, fancy way. It makes Stella Artois seem special. Glazer’s surreal advertising style makes it stand out.
6. Barclays with Samuel L. Jackson (2000s) Jackson talks straight to you about banking. It feels real and strong.
7. Cadbury Flake (Shelved, 2010) A devil throws chocolate at happy women. It was too wild to air, but it shows Glazer’s daring ideas. Want to know about behind the scenes of Jonathan Glazer’s Sony Paint ad? It’s just as bold.
8. Motorola (Shelved, 2006) A couple blends together like clay. It was too strange for TV but showed Glazer’s creativity.
9. Nike, Volkswagen, and Others Glazer made ads for these brands with cool visuals and big ideas.

For a full list of Jonathan Glazer commercials and music videos, check sites like IMDb.

What Makes Glazer’s Ads Special?

Jonathan Glazer’s advertising style explained: His ads feel like movies. Here’s why:

• Dreamy Scenes: Waves turn into horses, paint bursts like fireworks.
• Big Visuals: He uses ideas from films like 2001: A Space Odyssey.
• Few Words: Faces and pictures tell the story.
• Strong Feelings: His ads make you laugh, wonder, or feel excited.
• Real Effects: He avoids fake computer visuals.

This style shaped modern cinematic commercials. Directors like Spike Jonze learned from him. Jonathan Glazer visual symbolism in ads connects to his films, like Under the Skin.

See how he compares to others in directors who transitioned from commercials to films.

How Glazer Made His Ads

Making these ads was hard work. For the Sony Paint advertisement, real paint exploded in a building set to be torn down. It took 10 days and 250 people.

Guinness Surfer commercial analysis: Filmed in Hawaii, it used old and new footage. The horse idea came from a painting. Glazer worked with ad teams to get it right.

Tips for making ads like Glazer:

• Tell a story first, then show the product.
• Use big, bold pictures.
• Work with great camera people.
• Try new ideas, even if they’re risky.

Glazer draws every scene before filming, a trick from his theatre days.

How Glazer Changed Advertising

Jonathan Glazer’s influence on modern advertising is huge. His ads made commercials feel like art. Brands now want ads that last forever, like his.

Fun fact: After his Guinness ads, more directors tried big, visual ideas in ads. He inspired directors behind iconic TV ads like Michel Gondry.

Read about his Oscar speech at Jonathan Glazer’s Oscars speech.

How Glazer’s Ads Changed Over Time

Glazer’s ads started funny in the 1990s, then got wild and dreamy in the 2000s. Evolution of Jonathan Glazer’s commercial direction: He went from short stories to big spectacles like Sony Paint.

Jonathan Glazer commercials vs films: His ads have ideas that show up in films, like weird bodies in Motorola and Under the Skin.

Brands That Loved Glazer

Big names worked with him:

• Guinness: Made several ads.
• Levi’s: Created Odyssey.
• Sony: Made Paint.
• Stella Artois: Did skating priests.
• Nike, Volkswagen: Cool, abstract ads.
• Alexander McQueen: Won a big award.

These brands trusted Glazer to make them shine.

Storytelling Tricks in Glazer’s Ads

Here’s how he tells stories:

1. Build Excitement: Make viewers wait, like in Surfer.
2. Use Music: Big songs or quiet sounds add feeling.
3. Show Symbols: Horses mean power, paint means color.
4. Pick Great Actors: Stars add energy.
5. Edit Smart: Fast or slow cuts keep you hooked.

These tricks make his ads unforgettable. Learn about his short film at The Fall Jonathan Glazer.

Glazer and Ridley Scott Associates

At Ridley Scott Associates, Glazer learned from pros like Ridley Scott. This group made many Ridley Scott Associates commercials and helped Glazer grow.

From Ads to Movies

Glazer is like Ridley Scott and David Fincher, who also made ads before films. His ad skills helped him make movies.

Check out his early film at Birth Jonathan Glazer.

Glazer in British Ad History

In British advertising history, Glazer’s ads mark a creative time in the 1990s and 2000s. They aired on Channel 4’s “100 Greatest Ads.”

Why Glazer’s Ads Are So Famous

His ads last because:

• Big Ideas: They talk about waiting, freedom, or color.
• Like Movies: They feel like short films.
• Big Impact: People still talk about them.

Why Jonathan Glazer commercials are so iconic: They turn products into stories.

More About Glazer

Glazer won BAFTAs and got Oscar nods. Want to know his worth? See Jonathan Glazer net worth.

He also made music videos, like Radiohead’s “Karma Police.”

Conclusion: Why Glazer’s Ads Matter

Jonathan Glazer commercials changed how we see ads. From Jonathan Glazer Guinness “Surfer” to Sony Bravia Paint campaign, his work inspires everyone. His surreal advertising style and the art of cinematic advertising set a high bar.

Which Glazer ad do you love most? Tell us in the comments!