Advertising: Carlton beer ad an epic hit

The big news in Australian advertising is the Carlton Draught beer ad.

Literally featuring a cast of thousands, the "made from beer" truth in advertising campaign is an innovative internet and television strategy.

The ad was made by George Patterson and involved an Academy Award winning cinematographer and special-effects company, Animal Logic, known for their work on The Matrix trilogy.

It really is spectacular with thousands of men wearing different coloured kaftans running at each other across what appears to be a battlefield. Accompanied by opera music they sing, "It's a big ad/Very big ad ... expensive ad/This ad better sell some bloody beer."

The finale shows the two groups forming a huge image of a man drinking a beer. If you want to see the ad visit www.bigad.com.au