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Failure Will Not Be Tolerated. Copy That.
Hello 12 Point Type readers! I’m a new writer to this blog and I’ve been wracking my brain trying to come up with an eloquent and compelling first post on par with my fellow bloggers here that would convince you to subscribe so fast you’d chalk it up to an outer-body experience. Unfortunately, my aspirations fail me. Instead, I offer this:
Now I know a good deal when I see one, but I think it’s safe to assume copy-writing just isn’t for everyone;
even if you do it for a living.
A little something to keep in mind when writing is content and…
Life’s About Sharing
Well, that is according to T-Mobile’s newest spot. I am a huge fan of anything dance related. Enjoy!
Beat the Snot out of a Banker?
During this time, a lot of people are under a huge amount of stress – rightfully so of course. But if your like me, you are probably reaching for that stress ball frequently…am I right? Well, CreativeFeed, a boutique agency with offices in New York and San Francisco, has launched an awesome line of “Squeeze the Banker” dolls in the guise of former Fed chairman Alan Greenspan, current Fed chairman Ben Bernanke and former Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson. Who, of course, are the most unpopular men in the Continental United States – am I right? The agency notes that a percentage of the revenues (assuming…
Watching the ‘Watchmen’ viral ad campaign
Warner has created a Web site for The New Frontiersman, the fictional right-wing conspiracy magazine beloved by Rorschach. The awesome old-school NBS video report, purported to be from 1970, is just awesome. Though it resembles 42 Entertainment’s Dark Knight viral campaign, the design is actually courtesy of The PPC Group. The New Frontiersman will be updating until the release. You can catch them on Twitter, too, if you want up-to-the-minute leads on conspiracy theories from an imagined alternate history. Now lets see if this will work for them, like it did for the Dark Knight.
Brinkley Milks ‘Mustache’ Anew
Remember those milk mustache spots? Well apparently their making a come back. I don’t think they should make a come back. It’s over and done with people! Move on! I mean, did it really work? Were people really influenced to drink more milk just because their favorite movie/sports/music star wore a milk mustache? Heres an article from Adweek.com:
The iconic “Milk Mustache” campaign this week kicked off a new initiative, “Drink well. Live well,” that brands milk as “Nature’s Wellness Drink.” The push from IPG’s Lowe in New York includes an ad featuring Christie Brinkley, one of the first celebrities to wear…
Is Star Power Enough to Sell Beer in Hard Times?
With ads striving to be more creative and eye-catching during this economy, there are two big brewers who are seeking to push star power as a sufficient way to counteract a failing economy. Here is a great article from NewYorkTimes.com regarding this new campaign:
Anheuser-Busch InBev and Heineken are preparing efforts to reach beer drinkers who have been watching their spending since the recession began. Beer has long been thought to be less affected by downturns than other consumer purchases, but the severity of current conditions has called into question the most cherished of marketing assumptions.
“Now more than ever, you need to give…
Obamabilia
Have you heard the term? If not, I know that you can guess what it means. But it is running rampant everywhere. From the simple coin to Ellen DeGeneres giving away plates with President-Elect Obama’s face on it – granted you get her face too, but you get my drift. I was on NYTimes.com and I found this interesting article:
THE ardor among marketers for Barack Obama is intensifying with the approach of Inauguration Day, when, it seems, they intend to name him the nation’s new consumer in chief.
Mr. Obama’s election set off a boom in merchandise, official or otherwise, that has…
Why would anyone want to do that?
So I saw this spot the other day for Big Happie Hair. All I have to say is: Why would anyone want to do that? Am I completely out of the style loop? I thought big hair went out with the ’80’s. I just shake have to shake my head in disbelief.
If this is in style now, then I will most assuredly say: I want to be out of style. Am I really all alone in this?
Simpsons – 20 Years and still going strong
WOW! Can you believe The Simpsons has been on the air for 20 years? It seems just like yesterday the fun started
. In celebration, Fox has decided to honor the show that bucked the odds and remained on the air, in a yearlong 20th-anniversary Simpsons-fest dubbed “Best. 20 Years. Ever.” The first contest includes their faithful fans who are invited to submit their designs for a poster contest. The deadline is March 4, and the lucky winner gets a trip to L.A. to attend a Simpsons party and tickets to The Simpsons Ride at Universal Studios Hollywood (which you can enjoy virtually on the ride’s…
N.Y. Lottery gets creative…
You have to admit the appeal of a lottery-jackpot windfall is more potent than ever, especially afterr the economic crisis we are in the midst of. Now, part of its attraction is that a winning ticket can suddenly make you as wealthy as the corporate drones who (amid all the recent disasters for which they’re responsible) still ‘get the big bucks.’
We hear that phrase repeatedly in this spot for the New York Lottery (via DDB in New York) as the mailroom guy, pushes his cart through the office and points out a familiar cast of corporate characters — the executive (receiving an in-office…
For the Honda Brand, a Cinematic Stroke
With the automobile industry going down the “tubes”, Honda has decided to introduce a corporate image campaign. Here is an interesting article from the New York Times about this new campaign:
WITH the automotive industry battling an economic downturn, is it the right time for a car-maker to introduce another installment in a corporate image campaign that carries the theme, “The power of dreams”?
The American Honda Motor Company believes so, bringing out this week three short films — a k a long commercials — to be watched online. The so-called webisodes, each about seven minutes, will be available, starting on Monday,…
Terrify Your Kids into Obedience
Ok…thats not the way I feel but apparently the UK does. Check out this PSA from Leo Burnett London, “encouraging” kids to be safe near roads. It speaks of “The Girl Who Didn’t Dress Bright in the Dark.” Apparently the inspiration comes from the poet Hilaire Belloc, whose tales, that were allegedly for children, attempted to frighten them into always doing the right thing. His tales included such timeless classics as “Matilda, who told lies, and was burned to death” and “Rebecca, who slammed doors for fun and perished miserably.”
Hmm, there’s not much I can say except: CREEPY.
…
Atlantis Weathergear defeats perfect storms
I’ll admit, I’m very picky about what I like. So there are very few print ads lately that make me stop and say: “WOW – thats awesome.” I know its still early in the year but so far this is my favorite of the year (8 days in) – the relaunch of Atlantis Weathergear. Mullen’s positioning line says: “Don’t let the weather get you.” Its so wonderfully scary. Makes me glad I get seasick too easy. What about you? Do you have any favorite print ads?
Sweet, Sexy, Science
Who doesn’t remember the Atkins Diet? Its greatest accomplishment was the huge jump in popularity during the middle of this decade. I remember just about everyone was trying out that diet – and I mean everyone. It promised great results in less time.
I caved in and jumped on the Atkins Bandwagon – and lost a bunch of weight. But I don’t think I need to tell you that my weight loss was very short lived. Not a shocker as that happened to many people – which is what probably caused Atkins to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January 2005.
Well ladies…
HBO Is Hiding Little About ‘Big Love’
Remember that show on HBO? You know the one about the the polygamous Henrickson family? No? Not much of a shocker as ‘Big Love’ showed its last new episode in August 2007. Why do they always have to wait so long between seasons on HBO?
Interestingly enough, HBO has thought outside the box for their campaign promoting the show. They’re viewing this as no one will remember why they liked the show in the first place. What is up with that anyway? If its a good show…they shouldn’t worry about that. Or am I wrong in that thought?
Anyhow, HBO is beginning an…
Pepsi’s New Year!
Happy New Year! This year will be a time of changes – big changes. Every where I turn, people are telling me what big changes they are implementing in their life. Whether or not it will take is another story… for a different blog. :o)
Yes, the New Year is certainly a good time for positivity – a great time for change. But given that 2008 was, in many ways, a seriously lousy year, this first Pepsi work from TBWA\Chiat\Day might seem a tad disconnected. Then again, it’s aimed at millennials, those born between 1980 and 1990, who are an innately optimistic…
Billy Mays Can Sell Anything
Whatever Billy Mays sells, he enunciates wildly in exactly the same pitch, while wearing his signature shoe-leather black beard and trademark blue work shirt and khakis. That goes for the “amazing!” product attributes of this ESPN 360 web site, which allows you to “watch your favorite teams and sports online, anywhere, anytime!”
Three TV spots, which are parodies of infomercials — are pretty funny. They’re not ESPN Sports Center-level funny–but good enough for a chuckle here and there. In one spot, the always hyper one explains that it’s so easy to use, “even my family loves it,” as his blonde wife and daughter…
Honda is Reliable
Honda as it seems has decided to take the high road. Instead of showing us the glitz and glamour of its most expensive vehicles; it shows us several self-sacrificing parents as they get out of bed at the crack of dawn, to drive their kids to hockey practice. It’s an effective buildup to the voice-over, “As reliable as the people who drive them. Honda, official vehicle of the NHL and hockey parents everywhere.”
Now here are my questions: viewers who fall into this category (or, for that matter, who are dutiful parents in non-hockey ways) will they accept the spot’s praise of Honda?…
What Were They Thinking Part Three
I had to add a part three to this “series” because I came across this commercial from Skittles. Now Skittles has been known to make some very odd, but very memorable, commercials. Well I would have to say that this spot, is about the creepiest spot I have seen in a while. Even creepier than the talking moustrap. What were they thinking??
Breaking Up is Hard To Do…
There have been a million different ways for people to break up. Phone calls, Face to Face, IM, Email, Leaving a message on an answering machines, and this list goes on. Well, Adidas showed one of the more convenient ways to break up with someone. The “No Sad, Big Smile Break up Service.” A man will go around and do the breaking up for you; while being decked out in Adidas finest apparel. Here is the funny spot from TBWA, London for Adidas.
Marketing Broadway: Selling Hope for a Song
Although Broadway, like pretty much every other industry, is taking its lumps this season, some theater veterans are hoping that as portfolios go down, the appetite for entertainment will go up.
That view is part of what is prompting Disney to alter its marketing to fit the mood. A recent television advertisement for “Mary Poppins,” one of three Disney shows on Broadway, featured enthusiastic customers talking about the musical being “so full of hope for the family, for better times ahead.”
You can read more about their campaign here.
A Show Meant to Cure the Ills of Network TV
Madison Avenue is supporting a surprise decision by NBC to give Jay Leno a prime-time weeknight talk and comedy show. The program, titled “The Jay Leno Show,” would be shown during prime-time hours. That is when advertisers pay top prices — in the hundreds of thousands of dollars — for 30 seconds of commercial time.
The show Mr. Leno will host on NBC,is to be “stripped” from 10 to 11 p.m. each Monday through Friday, beginning in fall 2009. You can read more on this here.
Geico’s Kash
In this new campaign for Geico from The Martin Agency, a stack of bills, topped with some primitive Mr. Potatohead eyes, shows up to remind us of how much money we can save on our car insurance. And the stack has a name — Kash. In this sad economy, will consumers find these spots amusing or out of place? Seems a little weird to me.
Don’t Drink and Drive this season….
Here’s a silly but amusing PSA from New Zealand warning against drunk driving. It’s never a good idea, on Earth or anywhere else.
BBDO goes a little too far…
BBDO Dusseldorf has released a new suicide-themed Pepsi Max ad campaign that DEFINITELY should be pulled. The ads show a blue, bean-shaped character simultaneously shooting himself in the head, with blood coming out the back of his head. While there is a noose round his neck, and poison in his other hand. The bean is supposed to be “one very very very lonely calorie.”
Haven’t they learned yet? Suicide ads have generally landed agencies and marketers in hot water. For example; Volkswagent pulled an ad which showed a man trying to jump off a roof. Similarly GM received backlash from anti-suicide groups for an ad which showed…
Lexus’ The Big Hint
This morning I was sent a link to a pretty great site. TheBigHint.com is a great site from Lexus where you can email your loved ones a hint about which Lexus vehicle you want this Christmas. It’s a fun site to visit. When you get to the site, you are greeted by a very happy looking avatar of different people showing great excitement, one would have to guess that they are getting a new Lexus this year. Next to the excited faces is the tagline: You’ve been extra good this year. Here’s a chance to drop a subtle hint that you deserve…
The fabulous effects of shaking a bottle Coca-Cola
I came across this video from Ogilvy Argentina for Coca-Cola. It’s an interesting take on the after effects of shaking a bottle. The world turns into a fun…video game of sorts. Check it out:
Playstation 3 Murals
Lately the spots for Playstation have been a little odd, reaching beyond the realms of normality – definitely attention grabbing. This newest spot from Deutsch in Los Angeles for Playstation 3 is no exception. Entertainment basically takes over an urban neighborhood because of one person’s drawing. The ad is all about the effects, keeping viewers trained to the video graphics and movie scenes as they come to life and literally invade a cityscape with the action.
In History Magazine, North and South Clash Again
American Heritage, the history magazine recently revived under new ownership, is gamely plowing ahead under the old-media dynamic — trying to combine editorial content with print advertising. Its current issue shows how stirring that mix can be.
Currently on newsstands is the magazine’s special Lincoln issue, focused on the 16th president. The Illinois Bureau of Tourism bought the back-page ad, depicting Lincoln with the caption, “Walk the same halls and streets that led him to the White House.”
On the flip side of that page, however, is an ad for a commemorative Civil War ring emblazoned with the Confederate Flag.
“It’s a little uncomfortable,”…
Looking at the world a different way…
I began watching this spot for Canadian Tire scratching my head thinking “What the heck?” But this is no normal spot gone awry; this is actually a well-executed concept. This is the type of commercial Philip K. Dick would’ve created if he had been in advertising. Philip K. Dick was a mind-bending novelist whose works inspired Blade Runner, and Total Recall. Indeed, such mind games are probably best suited to films and books, as they require more attention to detail than the average consumer normally gives to a 30-second commercial, but it works in this spot.
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