I will never forget my first time at Java: it was around 2003 at Adams Arcade. I’d never been to a coffee shop before and I wanted to impress a family friend who was visiting from the US. When I got there, I decided to order an expresso. I didn’t know what it was and the guy in me didn’t ask. Since my friend was running late, I decided to make it a double – I thought it’d drink it for longer as I waited. Lo and behold when the smiling waitress delivered in the tiniest of cups full of the stiffest drink I had ever tasted!

Fast forward to 2015 when ARK were called upon to develop communication for the new Java brand. It was an exciting brief that I was eager to dig into. Timelines however clashed with other projects I was on, so I only got to work on a few campaign items.

First were images of staff in the new uniforms. These we shot with the help of Ben Owiti and Elizabeth Gathoni with whom I serve at Mavuno Church.

The natural diffused sunshine at Java Garden City allowed us to shoot using available light. This meant the colours were nailed perfectly, which is important for any brand.

We also shot the new-look cups.

The last time I worked on a radio campaign was in 2009 or thereabouts when Zuku were launching in Kenya. For the past couple of months, I’d been itching to work on another. When the Java brief came through, I knew my prayers had been answered.

The creative freedom I was given was above and beyond what I’d experienced since 1999 when I joined the ad industry. Unlike other briefs I’d worked on, I did not share an idea or a script with Java, just the fully produced ads which they loved.

Finally, I got to be part of the crew that shot the TV ads. This was the first time Java was advertising on TV and I was happy to be part of the creative minds that made history.

Here are some behind-the-scenes shots that show Fady and Allan did most of the work. I just wiped tables and cleaned lenses to make sure everything was perfect.

When scouting locations, Fady and Allan noticed that at Java Waiyaki Way, opposite Safaricom House, the sun casts a 45-degree streak on the wall at precisely 2.30pm. It was something beautiful that had to be included in the film.

Here are the final ads.

What I enjoyed most while working on Java’s Love is Here campaign is the creative freedom I had. It is something I’ve always desired. It however placed a huge sense of responsibility, because when a client trusts me this much, I have to put in my all and deliver work that will not just look good on screen, but drive customers through their doors.

I believe this will.

Thanks Java. Love is definitely here.