1. Rethink (Vancouver)
These spots are very creative. And honestly having never heard of Rethink Agency out of Vancouver I would have to say I'm pleseantly surprised. The copy is straight forward and witty and the art direction sets the stage for what looks to be a pretty clean and well run junk picking up company. I understand that 1-800-got-junk may not be an ideal client, and it is really a testamate to the whole team at Rethink that they were able to take on such a tough client and do good such a good job. The whole "we'll bring rats to you, if you don't use us" is genius, and brands 1-800-got-junk as a funny and easy to use company. In fact, it just reminds consumers that the longer you leave trash around the more likely these "R.A.T's" will come after you. I would like to add though that this spot seems low budget and a little outdated, but It is probly just an old ad with bad video quality.
2. Droga5
The Net 10 "league of evil" spots are probably in my top 5 all time favorite commercials. First off they are hilarious. Theres no two ways about that. Second they are creative and make cell phone service look more evil than evil, while using cartoon characters. I love that they were able to take a client like Net 10, a small pay as you go cell phone provider and go head to head against these huge cell phone companies, while being more entertaining and getting their message across. This is only one spot, and I really suggest you watch them all on youtube because it was a seriously hard time picking which one was best. The dialogue and art is perfect. These are so funny I would actually like them to make a cartoon series about the league of evil much like how failed attempt at a series with the geico cavemen was done. I am seriously impressed with Droga5 and their wiz kid creative director. On another note they have a very simple, cool and easy to use website and a diverse list of clientell.
3. Mother (London)
Okay seriously I don't even know where to begin. I mean it's funny don't get me wrong, but how is the whole "rubberduckzilla" not offensive to Japanese people. I mean c'mon, after all this time Japanese people aren't sick of the stereotype of some big creature destroying Tokyo and tons of their people running around screaming helplessly. Regardless the costumes and dialogue are pretty spot on, and I get the whole branding Oasis as a drink for people who don't like plain old bland water. It's clever and weird but works. I remember Mother well from studying it in my Intro to Creativity with Dr. Griffin, and always thought the agencies practices with unique. I mean the whole picture of your mother on your business card and hanging in the lobby seems a little personal to me. Cool website that shows ever member of the teams profile. Seems like they really value family and once your in Mother I guess your in the family. The music at the end of this spot cracks me up, especially when they start kissing the duck. I love asian commercials. There just so intense and fast paced.
4. 72 and Sunny (LA)
I really didnt know what to expect with 72 and Sunny. I mean I'd heard plenty about them in both intro to creativity and ad literacy but I wasn't sure what there style, there niche was. I have to say the website is less than amazing but the work is solid. I like this spot and it's for a really fun client (NBA 2K10), the leading video game for NBA basketball. It starts off a little slow but the pick up is perfectly unexpected. The graphics are good, different than EA sports graphics but still top of the line. I not only like that they went with Kobe, the best player in the game today, but that the theme of "taking over" allowed them to include so many other big players in the game today (the people Kobe is flying right bye, you might have missed them). Anyway I think I saw Paul Pierce, Steve Nash, and Lebron in there too. Honestly theres not a better approach for a gaming commercial out there. Players want to be able to "school" their friends and show off moves with top players in the game. I especially like the consession stand guy and the mascots, which were obviously thrown in for a laugh that no one can stop you. I also like that it makes it feel lke your almost controlling the player as he goes through this gauntlet. And of course the best was saved for last with that insane move. My only critique is the cuts were a little fast, and they really could have drawn this spot out to a minute and done more with it without it feeling so awkwardly rushed.
5. StrawberryFrog (New York)
I've always really liked StrawberryFrog. I think there approach is fresh and I understand how there trying to market themselves as the creative agency that isn't too big and too dinosour-ish. I even like there name, which I can remember my survey of advertising teacher Bill Ford saying he hated, but maybe that was just cuz he's an old school kinda guy. Anyway the website is really fun and cool (the sound of the little frog swimming at the bottom of your screen can however get annoying when your trying to watch their commercials). This spot is really good, and a big step in what the agencies been putting out. When I first visited there site two years ago, they were primarily an interactive and viral type of agency but it's nice to see that change into full service with broadcast. The spot feels homey, really familiar to the hill top homes in my native california. The sunset and porch setting is absolutely perfect and absolutely puts the viewer in the relaxed mediterranian state of mind. The dialogue is simple and straight forward and the product looks very tastey. I actually really like Sabra Hummas, so maybe theres some bias. The crash through the window is perfectly timed too and unexpected which caught me off guard and got my attention. Not only is the whole party idea smart, but the kid saying "I thought your parents were on vacation in the mediterranean" is priceless. The mug thing thrown in too at the end was good as well. Overall the commercial was warm, informative, smart and too the point. It was sort of a refreshing commercial for the snack food industry which usually has boring commercials.
6. Venables, Bell & Partners (San Francisco)
I really don't even know where to start. I think I chose to go to Venebles website because they are an independently owned agency located in San Francisco, a place I chock full of cool agencies and maybe somewhere I'd like to start my professional career in advertising. I mean who knows where I'll end up. First off, I am very impressed with their website. It's easy to manuver around, not too complicated and has a really cool feature where there latest commercials just play for you on the front page on a big screen. Second, there work. It's phenomenol and I have to thank myself for finding these guys. I cant believe I didnt know there was an agency out there doing this kind of stuff. The video quality is excellent, like that of R/GA but the creative is funny and tops too. Now to this Intel commercial. Take a boring client (Intel), full of probly a lot of nerds, and turn it into rock star gold...i think so. I love the opening scene, its futuristic and it catches your eye. Then the door opens to slow motion and your surprised to see a little Indian man swavely walking through. It's a hilarious picture and along with the scenes of women swooning and men exposing there shirts with his picture on the front, it really brands Intel as rockstars in the software industry. Thats right, intel and rockstars in the same sentence. It pure genius. This commercial really does two things, one being branding a software company (which is hard to do), and two informing (that they have a man on staff that helped make the USB driver, something that even I use and is pretty impressive). This commercial is so good I'm still laughing and to be honest I hope the creative team gets an award for their work. My only real complaint, which is a minor one, is the cheesy ending where everyone sings "ba ba ba bom". I think it brings me off topic and is just sort of lame. They could benefit with a more simple ending that ties things together. Regardless I'm keeping my eye on this agency.
7. David & Goliath
This angency must be new, I mean real new or theres a problem. I mean theres barely anything on their website, I've never seen such a thing. I mean I wanted to check out a small agency and decided on these guys cuz of the name but this was the only TV spot I could find. Even their homepage was bare. Anyway I do like this commercial, it has just been over played on TV and come to be annoying. It makes me wonder whose running there media buying. I know im sounding picky and I should probly give a young agency the benefit of the doubt but honestly even this spot is just ok in my book. The whole thing seemed drawn out, I got the point in the first three frames, it really doesnt need to be a full minute spot. The ad is really made in those few seconds when the car pulls up and the window comes down to expose the hampsters bobbing their head. The music also helps the ad tremendously. Im not saying the ad was boring or uninformative, I just need something else, something more than a bunch of gerbles on wheels and 3 who are in a car that looks like a box with wheels. I understand they have a underlying message about the way most people get from point A to point B, but you gotta give me a reason to buy this pretty ugly car, and rodents wont do the trick. I would give this ad a B at best.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Large Independents
1. Dentsu
Dentsu is big. I mean really big. And for that reason I had a hell of a lot of trouble finding a commercial on their website. In fact, I gave up trying to find any on their international website because it seemed all the content was about investors and their vast array of services they offer. So I had to go to their USA website to actually see their work. The USA website is actually really cool and has this awesome welcome page with tons of changing colors and shadows of coy fish that make the screen look like a tie die coy pond. All together Dentsu is very much a mystery to me. It's an international agency but most the agencies work is done in asia. I like this spot, it's funny and creative and I was surprised to see it was from Dentsu. I'm not a huge fan of using celebrities to market products and I'm kind of wondering why the camera industry is so big into it. (Ashton Kutcher with Nikon and Maria Sharapova for Cannon). Regardless this commercial is cute and it works with the product. I think Dentsu and camera companies in general should ease up on the celebrity endorsements in the future because it can get old really fast and is kind of shameful. Im curious to see what else Dentsu does in the future in the American market.
2. Weiden+Kennedy
This is everyone in the advertising business' dream agency. And if your reading this and disagree with me than your lying to yourself, and you know it. I mean c'mon W+K is just cool. Everything they do is fresh and new and they really set the standard in the industry today. They have the coolest and most interactive agency website ive seen thus far (you can litterally scroll through the work they've done for brands since their inception). I choose this spot first off because W+K is responsible for making Nike what it is today, turning it from a small unknown shoe company into the internationally recognized powerhouse athletic apparel company it is today. I mean Dan Weiden came up with the slogan "just do it" himself. I also choose this video becaue it's an example of classic W+K. Theyre spots are dark, ominious, even scary. They have a distinct portland flavor and they never fall short of challenging and impressing the consumer. This spot is seamless. Top notch athletes wearing scary masks and looking so imposing that they might jump out of the screen and beat the crap out of you. I do however get frustrated sometimes when it seems all W+K ever does anymore is sell sports. Regardless I would love to work for this agency some day, just not in it's Portland office. It rains too much up there, maybe New York...
3. Bartle Bogle Hegarty
BBH's slogan is "when the world zigs, zag." I think that just about summs up this agency perfectly. They are very unconventional, and do truely original work. Their client list is impressive and by the look of their work, they really do something different and special. I think Johnnie Walker would be a dream account, and I think there are a lot of different ways they could have gone with marketing the worlds best scotch whiskey to consumers. But the road BBH has chosen to take is second to none. They are holding up to the brands reputation and not cheapening the product. They are making Johnnie Walker intellegent, tasteful, original yet still the packleader. This spot is incredible and the art direction is perfect for the copy. "Keep Walking" has also got to be one of my favorite tag lines of all time. BBH has really stuck out in my mind, and I hope they get more credit for the good work they do in the future.
4. The Richards Group
Ah the Richards Group...I've waited a long time to blog about our friendly neighbors across the 75. I mean you can practically see their headquarters from SMU, which provides Temerlin Advertising Institute a unique opportunity to see the largest independently owned ad agency in the US close up. I can tell you, our school takes full advantage of it, in fact two Richards Group Media Planners just spoke to my advertising media class this past wednesday. Richards Group is a cool agency, and an interesting mix of a business mentality mixed with good creative. They have a dream list of loyal clients and always seem to be making their billings quite easily. I think they do a good job of keeping their accounts happy. I have even interviewed with Richards Group a couple times for Brand Management internships and they are always very nice people and interesting to talk to. Both times I actually came very close to getting the job and was put on the on-hire list but was either too young or had a scheduling issue. Regardless I hold no grudge and hope to apply their again this coming Summer. They should know me by now. Anyway I choose this spot because I know they recently lost the Hyundai account which I assume is a major blow to the agency. I wonder tho, why they lost it because it this is the work they were doing, than they were doing a hell of a good job. Regardless, I love this spot and I think it's about as fresh and new as you can get for selling a car. I think we can all admit this kills the usual annoying car commercials on TV. The shadow play is incredible and these gymnast people or who ever they are are very talented. I look forward to seeing the Richards Group people more often and I know they love to recruit out of SMU.
5. Doner
I love this spot and sincerely had been wondering who made it. I mean seriously, it takes some major creativity to take a juice account and turn it into something funny, catchy, and almost dirty like this. I don't know much about Doner and from the looks of their website thats still under construction, ill have to wait a bit longer. They have some great accounts and I can't believe how funny their work is. I look forward to seeing what else they do for Minute Maid. The actors in this spot are perfect and the message is lound and clear: drink your juice and you'll stay sharp. Damn good commercial Doner party.
6. Cramer-Krasselt
Much like Doner, I didn't know much about C-K as an agency. And Wow am I impressed. I mean taking those boring pharmecutical drug commercials and coming out with something innovative and creative like this, bravo. I like what they have done because not only is it incredibly creative and funny, but it still gives you the information and doctorish stuff you would wanna know if your having trouble sleeping but are worried about getting addicted to sleeping pills. And for that matter, their website is very straight forward too, getting you to their work and skipping all the jazzy hooplah agencies love to put on their websites these days. It's always so interesting seeing what some agencies can do with what most people would think are boring accounts.
Dentsu is big. I mean really big. And for that reason I had a hell of a lot of trouble finding a commercial on their website. In fact, I gave up trying to find any on their international website because it seemed all the content was about investors and their vast array of services they offer. So I had to go to their USA website to actually see their work. The USA website is actually really cool and has this awesome welcome page with tons of changing colors and shadows of coy fish that make the screen look like a tie die coy pond. All together Dentsu is very much a mystery to me. It's an international agency but most the agencies work is done in asia. I like this spot, it's funny and creative and I was surprised to see it was from Dentsu. I'm not a huge fan of using celebrities to market products and I'm kind of wondering why the camera industry is so big into it. (Ashton Kutcher with Nikon and Maria Sharapova for Cannon). Regardless this commercial is cute and it works with the product. I think Dentsu and camera companies in general should ease up on the celebrity endorsements in the future because it can get old really fast and is kind of shameful. Im curious to see what else Dentsu does in the future in the American market.
2. Weiden+Kennedy
This is everyone in the advertising business' dream agency. And if your reading this and disagree with me than your lying to yourself, and you know it. I mean c'mon W+K is just cool. Everything they do is fresh and new and they really set the standard in the industry today. They have the coolest and most interactive agency website ive seen thus far (you can litterally scroll through the work they've done for brands since their inception). I choose this spot first off because W+K is responsible for making Nike what it is today, turning it from a small unknown shoe company into the internationally recognized powerhouse athletic apparel company it is today. I mean Dan Weiden came up with the slogan "just do it" himself. I also choose this video becaue it's an example of classic W+K. Theyre spots are dark, ominious, even scary. They have a distinct portland flavor and they never fall short of challenging and impressing the consumer. This spot is seamless. Top notch athletes wearing scary masks and looking so imposing that they might jump out of the screen and beat the crap out of you. I do however get frustrated sometimes when it seems all W+K ever does anymore is sell sports. Regardless I would love to work for this agency some day, just not in it's Portland office. It rains too much up there, maybe New York...
3. Bartle Bogle Hegarty
BBH's slogan is "when the world zigs, zag." I think that just about summs up this agency perfectly. They are very unconventional, and do truely original work. Their client list is impressive and by the look of their work, they really do something different and special. I think Johnnie Walker would be a dream account, and I think there are a lot of different ways they could have gone with marketing the worlds best scotch whiskey to consumers. But the road BBH has chosen to take is second to none. They are holding up to the brands reputation and not cheapening the product. They are making Johnnie Walker intellegent, tasteful, original yet still the packleader. This spot is incredible and the art direction is perfect for the copy. "Keep Walking" has also got to be one of my favorite tag lines of all time. BBH has really stuck out in my mind, and I hope they get more credit for the good work they do in the future.
4. The Richards Group
Ah the Richards Group...I've waited a long time to blog about our friendly neighbors across the 75. I mean you can practically see their headquarters from SMU, which provides Temerlin Advertising Institute a unique opportunity to see the largest independently owned ad agency in the US close up. I can tell you, our school takes full advantage of it, in fact two Richards Group Media Planners just spoke to my advertising media class this past wednesday. Richards Group is a cool agency, and an interesting mix of a business mentality mixed with good creative. They have a dream list of loyal clients and always seem to be making their billings quite easily. I think they do a good job of keeping their accounts happy. I have even interviewed with Richards Group a couple times for Brand Management internships and they are always very nice people and interesting to talk to. Both times I actually came very close to getting the job and was put on the on-hire list but was either too young or had a scheduling issue. Regardless I hold no grudge and hope to apply their again this coming Summer. They should know me by now. Anyway I choose this spot because I know they recently lost the Hyundai account which I assume is a major blow to the agency. I wonder tho, why they lost it because it this is the work they were doing, than they were doing a hell of a good job. Regardless, I love this spot and I think it's about as fresh and new as you can get for selling a car. I think we can all admit this kills the usual annoying car commercials on TV. The shadow play is incredible and these gymnast people or who ever they are are very talented. I look forward to seeing the Richards Group people more often and I know they love to recruit out of SMU.
5. Doner
I love this spot and sincerely had been wondering who made it. I mean seriously, it takes some major creativity to take a juice account and turn it into something funny, catchy, and almost dirty like this. I don't know much about Doner and from the looks of their website thats still under construction, ill have to wait a bit longer. They have some great accounts and I can't believe how funny their work is. I look forward to seeing what else they do for Minute Maid. The actors in this spot are perfect and the message is lound and clear: drink your juice and you'll stay sharp. Damn good commercial Doner party.
6. Cramer-Krasselt
Much like Doner, I didn't know much about C-K as an agency. And Wow am I impressed. I mean taking those boring pharmecutical drug commercials and coming out with something innovative and creative like this, bravo. I like what they have done because not only is it incredibly creative and funny, but it still gives you the information and doctorish stuff you would wanna know if your having trouble sleeping but are worried about getting addicted to sleeping pills. And for that matter, their website is very straight forward too, getting you to their work and skipping all the jazzy hooplah agencies love to put on their websites these days. It's always so interesting seeing what some agencies can do with what most people would think are boring accounts.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Havas
1. Arnold Worldwide (Boston)
I was not impressed with Arnold's website. It was nothing impressive and it was extremely hard to watch their work, becaue all of the tv spots were either too slow to load or just didn't work. I was impressed at how many big clients they have and I really expected it because I know Arnold is a talented agency thats put out some great stuff in the past. I also didn't want to go with a spot that we have already seen a million times, like their progressive, cranberry ocean spray, or truth campaign stuff. I decided to go with the Carnival cruise lines account because it presents a very interesting challenge. Cruise line vacation sales have been going way down in recent years and the entire market seems very risky, so I was extremely impressed when I saw this fun spot. This spot is exactly what advertisers for cruise lines should be doing. It's about taking a break, a vacation. About unbuttoning your belt and loosenning your tie. Maybe even running out of the office frantically trying to get a shot at the giant beach ball. Whatever it may be it's about letting yourself relax and have fun. It's a big ensemble piece with a guerrilla marketing feel. I approve.
2. EuroRSCG
First off EuroRSCG's has the handsdown weirdest website i've ever been to. I hated it. It's strange, slow, and has this dumb cartoon story at the beginning that makes no sense and I'm not sure pertains to advertising. However, they are a good agency and have some impressive accounts. For example Dos Equis beer. I think these spots should win some kind of an award (if they havent already). They are funny, extremely clever, and damnit just make you wanna have a beer and be as cool as this guys pinky. I think the copy is wonderful and it pairs perfectly with the art directors vision of what the "most interesting man in the world" would be doing/look like. I always laugh when I see these spots and it happens a lot so they must be buying a lot of media time. These commercials are popular and their for good reason. Its also interesting to see that they hold both the Michelob Ultra and the Dos Equis accounts. I would think theres a little conflict of interest going on at EuroRSCG.
3. McKinney
This spot is okay. And I mean just okay. The art direction get a little repetative but thankfully the copy is good and carries the spot. It's sort of a boring account and I imagine the creatives at McKinney were not thrilled when they learned they would be working on the Caldwell Banker account. I absolutely hate McKinney's website though. It litterally was soo hard to click the little floating icons I wanted to punch my own computer. They also do not have an impressive list of clients and many of their spots I have never seen before. Makes me wonder how much media they are buying at this so called "full service" agency. Eh, not for me.
I was not impressed with Arnold's website. It was nothing impressive and it was extremely hard to watch their work, becaue all of the tv spots were either too slow to load or just didn't work. I was impressed at how many big clients they have and I really expected it because I know Arnold is a talented agency thats put out some great stuff in the past. I also didn't want to go with a spot that we have already seen a million times, like their progressive, cranberry ocean spray, or truth campaign stuff. I decided to go with the Carnival cruise lines account because it presents a very interesting challenge. Cruise line vacation sales have been going way down in recent years and the entire market seems very risky, so I was extremely impressed when I saw this fun spot. This spot is exactly what advertisers for cruise lines should be doing. It's about taking a break, a vacation. About unbuttoning your belt and loosenning your tie. Maybe even running out of the office frantically trying to get a shot at the giant beach ball. Whatever it may be it's about letting yourself relax and have fun. It's a big ensemble piece with a guerrilla marketing feel. I approve.
2. EuroRSCG
First off EuroRSCG's has the handsdown weirdest website i've ever been to. I hated it. It's strange, slow, and has this dumb cartoon story at the beginning that makes no sense and I'm not sure pertains to advertising. However, they are a good agency and have some impressive accounts. For example Dos Equis beer. I think these spots should win some kind of an award (if they havent already). They are funny, extremely clever, and damnit just make you wanna have a beer and be as cool as this guys pinky. I think the copy is wonderful and it pairs perfectly with the art directors vision of what the "most interesting man in the world" would be doing/look like. I always laugh when I see these spots and it happens a lot so they must be buying a lot of media time. These commercials are popular and their for good reason. Its also interesting to see that they hold both the Michelob Ultra and the Dos Equis accounts. I would think theres a little conflict of interest going on at EuroRSCG.
3. McKinney
This spot is okay. And I mean just okay. The art direction get a little repetative but thankfully the copy is good and carries the spot. It's sort of a boring account and I imagine the creatives at McKinney were not thrilled when they learned they would be working on the Caldwell Banker account. I absolutely hate McKinney's website though. It litterally was soo hard to click the little floating icons I wanted to punch my own computer. They also do not have an impressive list of clients and many of their spots I have never seen before. Makes me wonder how much media they are buying at this so called "full service" agency. Eh, not for me.
MDC
1. Crispin Porter + Bogusky (Miami+Boulder)
This commercial is pretty funny and in true CP+B fashion a bit risky as well. Crispin Porter + Bogusky has always taken chances as is known for pushing the creative envelope and this spot is a perfect example. I'm not even sure this spot has actually ever run on TV to be honest. I really like what they have done for branding Burger King and the "Wake up with the king" breakfeast spots. Regardless their Dominos work is funny, creative and get's the you've got 30 minutes branding concept across nicely. I do have to say that Im not a fan of the CP+B website. I don't like how it's formated like a blog and I especially found it hard to see the work they've done for their clients because theirs so much clutter it slows your computer. Regardless this agency is going in the right direction and behind the creative risk taking leadership of Alex Bogusky I'm sure were going to have much more to talk about from them in the future.
2. Kirshenbaum Bond & Partners (New York)
I like this commercial a lot. I really appreciate when commercials can be both funny and informative. I think this brands Snapple White Tea perfectly and educates the target audience while still remaining light and entertaining. I was very surprised by the Kirshenbaum Bond website. It was a little more quirky and unprofessional than I expected, and honestly sometime I think these agencies go a little over the top with their websites. I was also surprised by how many clients they have and how few of them I have heard of. This spot however is perfect and I would like to see more stuff like this from all agencies. This spot makes me wanna learn more about tea.
3. VitroRobertson
I'm not trying to be biased but I love VitroRobertson. Now this may partially be because they are housed in my hometown of beautiful, sunny San Diego or that they are one of very few agencies not in New York, LA, or Chicago, but whatever it is, I love this agency. There website is clean and simple. It's hip and easy to use while still retaining that modern agency flare. I love there "Vitro Agency" section and all the quirky jokes they pull on the advertising industry itself. I like their motto too: "we listen.we plan.we steal.", and by steal they mean market share. Cool huh? Anyway I was also impressed with their diverse and long list of clients. They have accounts ranging Oasics shoes to IHOP eateries and even Taylor guitars and Newcastle Beer. The agencies work is phenominal and I especially like what they've done for rebranding Taylor guitars, which is now one of the top brands for guitar enthusiasts. This spot is good, and I mean real good. I like celebrity apperances in commercials at least when done tastefully and not cheesey. In this case it works and it helps to brand their new NFC/AFC french toast, which is a pretty cool idea in it of itself. The dialogue and catching graphics are flawless and I love that guy at the end who yells "Nice hands Larry". I would love to intern for this agency over the Summer.
4. Cliff Freeman & Partners
RIP Cliff Freeman & Partners. You'll be missed. I wanted to go way back with Cliff Freeman and use a nostalgic old spot for this one. And honestly I wouldn't have been able to find many others because to my surprise their website has already been taken down. This is simply sad, and no matter how competetive the advertising industry is, no one ever wants to see another agency close it's doors and turn off it's lights for good. I selected this spot too because to me it represents something American and old fashioned about our industry. Cliff Freeman & Partner's stuff was always wacky, funny, quirky and off the norm. I liked that about them, but in the end that may have been what done them in. They were a niche agency and I guess the recent downturn in the economy just squeezed their billing too tight, who knows? Regardless this commercial is a classic. It's funny, heart-warming and gives us that little cesar's "pizza pizza" branding quality that is so familiar. This commercial for me represent the agency as a whole and we'll be sad to see them go.
This commercial is pretty funny and in true CP+B fashion a bit risky as well. Crispin Porter + Bogusky has always taken chances as is known for pushing the creative envelope and this spot is a perfect example. I'm not even sure this spot has actually ever run on TV to be honest. I really like what they have done for branding Burger King and the "Wake up with the king" breakfeast spots. Regardless their Dominos work is funny, creative and get's the you've got 30 minutes branding concept across nicely. I do have to say that Im not a fan of the CP+B website. I don't like how it's formated like a blog and I especially found it hard to see the work they've done for their clients because theirs so much clutter it slows your computer. Regardless this agency is going in the right direction and behind the creative risk taking leadership of Alex Bogusky I'm sure were going to have much more to talk about from them in the future.
2. Kirshenbaum Bond & Partners (New York)
I like this commercial a lot. I really appreciate when commercials can be both funny and informative. I think this brands Snapple White Tea perfectly and educates the target audience while still remaining light and entertaining. I was very surprised by the Kirshenbaum Bond website. It was a little more quirky and unprofessional than I expected, and honestly sometime I think these agencies go a little over the top with their websites. I was also surprised by how many clients they have and how few of them I have heard of. This spot however is perfect and I would like to see more stuff like this from all agencies. This spot makes me wanna learn more about tea.
3. VitroRobertson
I'm not trying to be biased but I love VitroRobertson. Now this may partially be because they are housed in my hometown of beautiful, sunny San Diego or that they are one of very few agencies not in New York, LA, or Chicago, but whatever it is, I love this agency. There website is clean and simple. It's hip and easy to use while still retaining that modern agency flare. I love there "Vitro Agency" section and all the quirky jokes they pull on the advertising industry itself. I like their motto too: "we listen.we plan.we steal.", and by steal they mean market share. Cool huh? Anyway I was also impressed with their diverse and long list of clients. They have accounts ranging Oasics shoes to IHOP eateries and even Taylor guitars and Newcastle Beer. The agencies work is phenominal and I especially like what they've done for rebranding Taylor guitars, which is now one of the top brands for guitar enthusiasts. This spot is good, and I mean real good. I like celebrity apperances in commercials at least when done tastefully and not cheesey. In this case it works and it helps to brand their new NFC/AFC french toast, which is a pretty cool idea in it of itself. The dialogue and catching graphics are flawless and I love that guy at the end who yells "Nice hands Larry". I would love to intern for this agency over the Summer.
4. Cliff Freeman & Partners
RIP Cliff Freeman & Partners. You'll be missed. I wanted to go way back with Cliff Freeman and use a nostalgic old spot for this one. And honestly I wouldn't have been able to find many others because to my surprise their website has already been taken down. This is simply sad, and no matter how competetive the advertising industry is, no one ever wants to see another agency close it's doors and turn off it's lights for good. I selected this spot too because to me it represents something American and old fashioned about our industry. Cliff Freeman & Partner's stuff was always wacky, funny, quirky and off the norm. I liked that about them, but in the end that may have been what done them in. They were a niche agency and I guess the recent downturn in the economy just squeezed their billing too tight, who knows? Regardless this commercial is a classic. It's funny, heart-warming and gives us that little cesar's "pizza pizza" branding quality that is so familiar. This commercial for me represent the agency as a whole and we'll be sad to see them go.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Publicis Groupe
1. Publicis
Okay honestly, I don't often dog agencies but I'm very unimpressed with Publicis worldwide...or maybe I just don't understand them as an international agency. I was excited when I first got to their website and it looked like their work could be pretty good, but when I started looking at their list of clients I was just confused. I litterally have never heard of half of their accounts and never even seen any of these campaigns. Now I realize this may be because I'm not the target market or that most of them are primarily european accounts. But honestly after watching a few of them on the website I was still unimpressed. Even with the accounts I didnt recognize I still thought the campaigns lacked creativity. This was the best ad I could find and still I don't even really like it. I dont understand the whole animal flying metaphor and really the whole spot just bores me. I guess I was just expecting more from the founding paris agency that spawned the massive holding group that Publicis Groupe is today. I don't do this often but I really don't care for the work this agency is putting out.
2. Saatchi & Saatchi
This is not a mistake. I realize I'm posting a 1 second ad...and I did it for a reason. This ad played in super bowl XLIII, and is reminicent of the old E-Trade commercial "we just wasted $3 million dollars" dancing monkey commercial that also played in a super bowl. I wanted to highlight this because spot because I honestly think this is where our industry is going. And that destination, while new and kinda funny, kinda shocking and kinda creative, is really just shameless and is really just a poorly thought out marketing tactic. I get the concept, and I'm sure they achieved their goal by getting people to talk about that rediculous 1 second commercial. But really it's dumb. It doesnt make me wanna drink high life and I't is a far cry from the revolution in creativity our legends like Bill Bernbach, David Ogilvy and Leo Burnett inspired our industry to strive to be. I'm not trying to be negative but if I was the VP of marketing for Miller Brewing Co. I would have walked right out of the pitch meeting with the Saatchi & Saatchi people. This is just one bad joke of a marketing ploy.
3. Leo Burnett
Let me preface this paragraph with the fact that Leo Burnett is my favorite agency period. I am a sucker for their humble beginnings, their founder and advertising legend Leo Burnett, their culture and history, their work and of course the big black pencils and their apples. I think they have one of the coolest agency websites and honestly I would consider a working for them up in Chicago a dream job. Now honestly some of the work they have put out in the past is kinda weird but I just like them. I perused their website for awhile and this was one spot I was pretty impressed with. Granted it's in some foreign language I can't understand and honestly don't know what it is (maybe French), but it's a solid example of creativity. This is art people. A good song and stunning visuals paired with a solidly modern branding message. I'm not sure what the copy voice over was and I'm fairly certain this is for an HD TV brand but regardless it's an impressive spot. I'll be honest and say I didn't like some of the work posted on their website but I really do like this particular one. I am definitely one of those believers of the "Chicago School" of advertising, just like I believe that agencies housed in San Fran have a "San Francisco" style of advertising. So if this is "Chicago School" im definitely buying in. Good, solid work Leo, your name remains on the door.
4. Fallon Worldwide
Perfect, absoulutely perfect. Ladies and Gentlemen this is advertising. This is successful and well thought out branding. Now I also believe in a "Minneapolis School" of advertising believe it or not with agencies like Fallon and Carmichel Lynch who have put out such great work and really put Minneapolis on the map as an advertising capital and a force to be reckoned with. This particular spot stole my heart as a sports fan. I mean c'mon Joe Buck at a holiday inn, a funny supporting cast of actors and comedians doing what probly every single of one my friends would do including me, it's just gold. I can litterally picture any sports loving guy doing this and that's what I think steals this spot. Not to mention it informed me that Holiday Inn is infact the official hotel of the MLB (I don't actually believe this because I'm pretty sure the away teams that play my hometown Padres stay at the OMNI hotel) but anyway its a great example of subtle branding. I love this spot and check out some more of their spots in this campaign, their all very well done.
5. Kaplan Thaler Group
My first reaction with this agency was that it had a cool website. When I looked into their case studies I realized they don't have very many accounts and that surprised me, even though I haven't heard much about this agency. But I can assure you the few accounts they hold are HUGE COMPANIES that you've heard of and buy tons of media time, so I'm sure they're doing fine on billings. I was also surprised to see that they do the ad campaigns for Trojan condoms which I think would be a really hot account, no pun intended. I even remember this pigs "evolve" spot and I like it a lot. It's not subtle at all, it's creative, funny and it really does get the point across that yes us men can be pigs sometimes and need to "evolve" aka use protection. Great spot, and honestly I would look to do work with them if I was a marketing VP for a brand. Look for good stuff from Kaplan Thaler in the future.
6. Team One Advertising
First off, Team One's got a very simple and cool website thats easy to get around and see work, which is more than I can say for the majority of agencies websites today. Now the website is kinda weird in that they won't show work from all their clients and make you agree to some weird copyright no downloading policy thing before you can watch any spots which I've never seen before and struck me as kinda odd. I was also surprised to see that they've done work for Boost Mobile, which I always thought was a quirky but entertaining campaign. I like this spot a lot, regardless of my usual belief that using old people is most of the time trite and shameless in advertising. But let's be honest, its funny and the dialogue is just soo over the top you can't help but laugh. I also dig the self depricating copy at the end that both gets the message across and brands Boost as the "for young people" phone. Good stuff Team One.
Okay honestly, I don't often dog agencies but I'm very unimpressed with Publicis worldwide...or maybe I just don't understand them as an international agency. I was excited when I first got to their website and it looked like their work could be pretty good, but when I started looking at their list of clients I was just confused. I litterally have never heard of half of their accounts and never even seen any of these campaigns. Now I realize this may be because I'm not the target market or that most of them are primarily european accounts. But honestly after watching a few of them on the website I was still unimpressed. Even with the accounts I didnt recognize I still thought the campaigns lacked creativity. This was the best ad I could find and still I don't even really like it. I dont understand the whole animal flying metaphor and really the whole spot just bores me. I guess I was just expecting more from the founding paris agency that spawned the massive holding group that Publicis Groupe is today. I don't do this often but I really don't care for the work this agency is putting out.
2. Saatchi & Saatchi
This is not a mistake. I realize I'm posting a 1 second ad...and I did it for a reason. This ad played in super bowl XLIII, and is reminicent of the old E-Trade commercial "we just wasted $3 million dollars" dancing monkey commercial that also played in a super bowl. I wanted to highlight this because spot because I honestly think this is where our industry is going. And that destination, while new and kinda funny, kinda shocking and kinda creative, is really just shameless and is really just a poorly thought out marketing tactic. I get the concept, and I'm sure they achieved their goal by getting people to talk about that rediculous 1 second commercial. But really it's dumb. It doesnt make me wanna drink high life and I't is a far cry from the revolution in creativity our legends like Bill Bernbach, David Ogilvy and Leo Burnett inspired our industry to strive to be. I'm not trying to be negative but if I was the VP of marketing for Miller Brewing Co. I would have walked right out of the pitch meeting with the Saatchi & Saatchi people. This is just one bad joke of a marketing ploy.
3. Leo Burnett
Let me preface this paragraph with the fact that Leo Burnett is my favorite agency period. I am a sucker for their humble beginnings, their founder and advertising legend Leo Burnett, their culture and history, their work and of course the big black pencils and their apples. I think they have one of the coolest agency websites and honestly I would consider a working for them up in Chicago a dream job. Now honestly some of the work they have put out in the past is kinda weird but I just like them. I perused their website for awhile and this was one spot I was pretty impressed with. Granted it's in some foreign language I can't understand and honestly don't know what it is (maybe French), but it's a solid example of creativity. This is art people. A good song and stunning visuals paired with a solidly modern branding message. I'm not sure what the copy voice over was and I'm fairly certain this is for an HD TV brand but regardless it's an impressive spot. I'll be honest and say I didn't like some of the work posted on their website but I really do like this particular one. I am definitely one of those believers of the "Chicago School" of advertising, just like I believe that agencies housed in San Fran have a "San Francisco" style of advertising. So if this is "Chicago School" im definitely buying in. Good, solid work Leo, your name remains on the door.
4. Fallon Worldwide
Perfect, absoulutely perfect. Ladies and Gentlemen this is advertising. This is successful and well thought out branding. Now I also believe in a "Minneapolis School" of advertising believe it or not with agencies like Fallon and Carmichel Lynch who have put out such great work and really put Minneapolis on the map as an advertising capital and a force to be reckoned with. This particular spot stole my heart as a sports fan. I mean c'mon Joe Buck at a holiday inn, a funny supporting cast of actors and comedians doing what probly every single of one my friends would do including me, it's just gold. I can litterally picture any sports loving guy doing this and that's what I think steals this spot. Not to mention it informed me that Holiday Inn is infact the official hotel of the MLB (I don't actually believe this because I'm pretty sure the away teams that play my hometown Padres stay at the OMNI hotel) but anyway its a great example of subtle branding. I love this spot and check out some more of their spots in this campaign, their all very well done.
5. Kaplan Thaler Group
My first reaction with this agency was that it had a cool website. When I looked into their case studies I realized they don't have very many accounts and that surprised me, even though I haven't heard much about this agency. But I can assure you the few accounts they hold are HUGE COMPANIES that you've heard of and buy tons of media time, so I'm sure they're doing fine on billings. I was also surprised to see that they do the ad campaigns for Trojan condoms which I think would be a really hot account, no pun intended. I even remember this pigs "evolve" spot and I like it a lot. It's not subtle at all, it's creative, funny and it really does get the point across that yes us men can be pigs sometimes and need to "evolve" aka use protection. Great spot, and honestly I would look to do work with them if I was a marketing VP for a brand. Look for good stuff from Kaplan Thaler in the future.
6. Team One Advertising
First off, Team One's got a very simple and cool website thats easy to get around and see work, which is more than I can say for the majority of agencies websites today. Now the website is kinda weird in that they won't show work from all their clients and make you agree to some weird copyright no downloading policy thing before you can watch any spots which I've never seen before and struck me as kinda odd. I was also surprised to see that they've done work for Boost Mobile, which I always thought was a quirky but entertaining campaign. I like this spot a lot, regardless of my usual belief that using old people is most of the time trite and shameless in advertising. But let's be honest, its funny and the dialogue is just soo over the top you can't help but laugh. I also dig the self depricating copy at the end that both gets the message across and brands Boost as the "for young people" phone. Good stuff Team One.
5 ads that use technique of large scale performance
1. Wieden + Kennedy
This ad is a perfect example of many different moving parts coming together to promote a product (Honda). The commercial for the Honda accord is titled "COGS" and is indeed real, having taken 606 trys to get it right (something minor went wrong in the first 605 takes). The crew spent day and night working on the commercial and even hired a team of engineers to design this impressive spot. The commercial cost $6 million dollars to produce and was originally aired in the UK. I think every cent is worth it in this case, and if I was the VP of marketing at Honda in Japan I would be extatic about this spot, realizing not only is this spot incredible but it is the exact type of creative branding Honda needs to promote. This ad is insanely intricate.
2. BBDO worldwide
This commercial always makes me thirsty. I like the creativity behind it, how they are replacing what you would think would be beer served in these bars and turning it in to water. It's just good clean fun and the copy "drink to your health" really gets the point across. Regardless I chose this commercial because it definitely has a lot of people, and many many moving parts. The moving parts come together to resemble a boisterous fun loving party, with aquafina at the center of it all. I love this playfull ad.
3. Strawberry Frog New York
This commercial is the epitomy of many moving parts coming together to sell a product, and oddly enough in this case, it's beer. Now I don't understand whay the "champions league" has to do with Heineken other than the beer maker is probably a heavy sponsor but I'll give it to them, this commercial is very entertaining. I think agencies need to be careful in the future with the whole "everyone join in on a soccer game" idea because it is becoming a little trite. Regardless, I like the spot from viral marketing gurus Strawberry Frog, and it must have taken them a long time to film and edit all of those shots. Soo many people, makes me wonder how they pay them all...
4. TBWA worldwide
It's no secret, I am completely biased toward Absolut. They are my favorite brand, favorite campaign of all time, my dream account, and they're even handled by one of my favorite agencies in TBWA. This commercial obviously has a ton of moving parts and clearly shows how a bunch of different things going on can turn a large scale performance into a advertisement for a product. But what else does it have? Well for starters it's clever, very very clever. It's playful and fun, and makes the consumer want to get up off the couch, grab that pillow their leaning on and jump right into the riot. And lastly it's not what you expect from a Vodka bottling company, which leads right into the creative and ironic "In and Absolut World", which although straying from the usual "Absolut _______" print ads we've seen for the past fifty years, is not bad. I really appreciate the new campaign TBWA is putting out for Absolut and it just goes to show that large, well thought out, complex and expensive spots can very much be worth the money when done right.
5. McCann Erickson
So the word on the street is that this, like the Wieden+Kennedy Honda spot, McCann Erickson shot this spot all in one continuous take, without the use of CGI. One word, Incredible. Not only does this idea capture the idea of multi player online play but it's unusually large game of double dutch is playful, fun and entertaining. Not surprising this commercial won an Addy from The American Advertising Federation (AAF) at their annual awards presentation. I especially like when the heavy girls, and the biker goes through. I wonder how long it took to get it right, or how long it took to teach the rope spinners the right pace. I love commercials that seem like they achieve the impossible, and it inspires me as a young advertising student. This commercial is the ultimate example of many moving parts coming together in a performance like way to advertise a product. I want more.
This ad is a perfect example of many different moving parts coming together to promote a product (Honda). The commercial for the Honda accord is titled "COGS" and is indeed real, having taken 606 trys to get it right (something minor went wrong in the first 605 takes). The crew spent day and night working on the commercial and even hired a team of engineers to design this impressive spot. The commercial cost $6 million dollars to produce and was originally aired in the UK. I think every cent is worth it in this case, and if I was the VP of marketing at Honda in Japan I would be extatic about this spot, realizing not only is this spot incredible but it is the exact type of creative branding Honda needs to promote. This ad is insanely intricate.
2. BBDO worldwide
This commercial always makes me thirsty. I like the creativity behind it, how they are replacing what you would think would be beer served in these bars and turning it in to water. It's just good clean fun and the copy "drink to your health" really gets the point across. Regardless I chose this commercial because it definitely has a lot of people, and many many moving parts. The moving parts come together to resemble a boisterous fun loving party, with aquafina at the center of it all. I love this playfull ad.
3. Strawberry Frog New York
This commercial is the epitomy of many moving parts coming together to sell a product, and oddly enough in this case, it's beer. Now I don't understand whay the "champions league" has to do with Heineken other than the beer maker is probably a heavy sponsor but I'll give it to them, this commercial is very entertaining. I think agencies need to be careful in the future with the whole "everyone join in on a soccer game" idea because it is becoming a little trite. Regardless, I like the spot from viral marketing gurus Strawberry Frog, and it must have taken them a long time to film and edit all of those shots. Soo many people, makes me wonder how they pay them all...
4. TBWA worldwide
It's no secret, I am completely biased toward Absolut. They are my favorite brand, favorite campaign of all time, my dream account, and they're even handled by one of my favorite agencies in TBWA. This commercial obviously has a ton of moving parts and clearly shows how a bunch of different things going on can turn a large scale performance into a advertisement for a product. But what else does it have? Well for starters it's clever, very very clever. It's playful and fun, and makes the consumer want to get up off the couch, grab that pillow their leaning on and jump right into the riot. And lastly it's not what you expect from a Vodka bottling company, which leads right into the creative and ironic "In and Absolut World", which although straying from the usual "Absolut _______" print ads we've seen for the past fifty years, is not bad. I really appreciate the new campaign TBWA is putting out for Absolut and it just goes to show that large, well thought out, complex and expensive spots can very much be worth the money when done right.
5. McCann Erickson
So the word on the street is that this, like the Wieden+Kennedy Honda spot, McCann Erickson shot this spot all in one continuous take, without the use of CGI. One word, Incredible. Not only does this idea capture the idea of multi player online play but it's unusually large game of double dutch is playful, fun and entertaining. Not surprising this commercial won an Addy from The American Advertising Federation (AAF) at their annual awards presentation. I especially like when the heavy girls, and the biker goes through. I wonder how long it took to get it right, or how long it took to teach the rope spinners the right pace. I love commercials that seem like they achieve the impossible, and it inspires me as a young advertising student. This commercial is the ultimate example of many moving parts coming together in a performance like way to advertise a product. I want more.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Interpublic
1. McCann Erickson
First off, Wow. The art direction here is unbelievible and frankly beautiful. Not only are the actors/models perfect but the paint and color is so bright and vibrant you can't help but stop, stare and pay attention. It's amazing when you see spots for things like this ie paint which is boring and they do something incredible. I especially liked the guy in the black in white paint and the women in the yellow. This ad has to get an award.
2. The Martin Agency
It's no secret. And I'm not afraid to admit it. I love the gieco cavemen. First off I dont care what people say about the campaing being annoying. Thats branding people. And second, the cavemen are hilarious. They always have good cheesy music to go along with the spots and frankly I get the deeper meaning here. Men are like cavemen and it's easy to use gieco...even a man can do it. Simple, funny and always entertaining. Go Geico!
3. TM Advertising
I never really knew much about Temerlin McClain even though it's right here in our own backyard of Dallas and the advertising institute I attend is named after it. And I have to say I'm very impressed with their website and especially proud to be in Temerlin after watching some of their work. First off, Im impressed that they landed such a large account as American Airlines. Also it's impressive to see how entertaining their creative is. Not only is it funny, witty and "not about what its about"-thank you Dr. Griffin, it is actually better than the stuff Southwest is putting out. The Southwest "wanna get away?" ads have always been very funny and I like to see American following suit. This ad is imaginative, has great dialogue and reminds me of movies like Office Space, poking fun at the day to day corporate insanity. Great ad.
4. DraftFCB
I think this ad must be Tom Cruise's worst nightmare. Anyway, I really like this ad. It's simple has great one to one dialouge and the kid is perfect for it. It brings up an important and often overlooked issue which is kids having access to lethal drugs just by openning up their parents medicine drawers. I like ads that are hard to watch or uncomfortable which means to me that they are challenging your conventional ideas of what commercials should be. This ad feels very real and I was surprised to find it because it looked like most of DraftFCB's accounts were international ones.
5. Lowe
First off I was very unimpressed with Lowe. The website was not as up to speed as other agencies, and it took me sometime to find a tv spot that I actually liked. They have a lot of strange accounts and seem to have a dominant ammount of them from abroad companies. I do however like this spot. It's catchy, creative and introduces me to a sort of "female axe" product that I never knew existed. And it's impressive because they come about it in a soft way, sensative to women. I hope Lowe can continue to put out more stuff like this.
6. Carmichael Lynch
I love this campaign. They have done soo much with it and it never seems to get old. I wasn't very familiar with Carmichael Lynch out of Minneapolis, but after looking through all their campaigns on their website, I'm very impressed with their clients and their creative work. This particular spot is seamless, and funny. Your hooked from the start and you cant help but laugh at the sasquatch as the beer explodes in his face. You never see the revenge flip of the cart coming. This is the definition of an ad that doesnt advertise the product, but rather brands the product and focuses on sticking in your head. One of my favorites.
7. Hill Holiday
Very very good work by Hill Holiday. This is another agency I knew very little about but I can safely say I was pleased to see the work on their website. This ad is funny, implements a catchy song (always a favotite of mine), and even kind of shameless when the man gets his hand stuck in the bus door and the dunkin' donuts cup faces the camera. Most of all, it's relatable, as we have all in one time or another been in a position like this and had to get breakfeast on the go. Im also convinced the voice over in the end is a celebrity...just can't get my finger on which one.
8. Deutsch
The direct tv campaign is very cool. It takes picture perfect art direction and clever copy to minmic these movies soo closely. I especially love the range of movies in the campaign. From Star Trek to Austin Powers and even King Kong, I wonder how expensive it was to hire all these big time actors and get these shots soo perfect. These are very creative spots and I really do love where their going with this. Kudos to Deutch, and I expect DirectTV will stay on board with them for a long time to come. On another note, I see these play like every third commercial. They must be buying a huge ammount of media time.
9. Mullen
This is one of my favorite ads ive seen since starting this blog project. I was completely unaware that Mullen existed as an ad agency and am now a big fan of their work. Tremendously funny and creative and frankly just seeing that 1970's style ron jeremy looking dude standing next to a giant desheveled bear makes me laugh. Then with no words said the bear instantly slaps the man and a "godfather swimmin' with the fishes" fish comes flying out. Simpley genius. Although I laugh at any slapping in pretty much any commercial it is arguably one of the cheapest laughes in television. Regardless its impressive to see that the Boston Bruins gave the rebranding and sports marketing responsibilites to an agency like Mullen. Very exciting.
10. Campbell Mithun
Good, not great. They really could have made this spot more funny or creative, or at least a little less cheesy. I get where they were going with this and it is cute, but I just feel they missed out on a great opportunity to go a little bit further with the whole death and taxes metaphor. Honestly after looking at their site and seeing the stuff they put out for burger king, I can't help but think all of their work is cheesy.
11. T.A.G. SF
Im really glad I did enough aimless wandering around the T.A.G SF site to find this spot. I remember when they used to run this campaign when I was younger, and I always loved it. The music by the Shins is perfect and the art direction/film quality is simply incredible. I was really impressed with the filming they can do and even more than that, by their list of clients, which includes amazing work they've done for Xbox. I especially love their Halo stuff. Anyway back to this commercial, it really makes you feel like they took you inside a dream. It makes the Zune seem more personal than an Ipod, more imaginative too. My hat is off to the creative team for "dreaming" this one up. I love commercials that push art direction to new bounds and take us on adventures of the mind. Very cool tv spot for Zune.
First off, Wow. The art direction here is unbelievible and frankly beautiful. Not only are the actors/models perfect but the paint and color is so bright and vibrant you can't help but stop, stare and pay attention. It's amazing when you see spots for things like this ie paint which is boring and they do something incredible. I especially liked the guy in the black in white paint and the women in the yellow. This ad has to get an award.
2. The Martin Agency
It's no secret. And I'm not afraid to admit it. I love the gieco cavemen. First off I dont care what people say about the campaing being annoying. Thats branding people. And second, the cavemen are hilarious. They always have good cheesy music to go along with the spots and frankly I get the deeper meaning here. Men are like cavemen and it's easy to use gieco...even a man can do it. Simple, funny and always entertaining. Go Geico!
3. TM Advertising
I never really knew much about Temerlin McClain even though it's right here in our own backyard of Dallas and the advertising institute I attend is named after it. And I have to say I'm very impressed with their website and especially proud to be in Temerlin after watching some of their work. First off, Im impressed that they landed such a large account as American Airlines. Also it's impressive to see how entertaining their creative is. Not only is it funny, witty and "not about what its about"-thank you Dr. Griffin, it is actually better than the stuff Southwest is putting out. The Southwest "wanna get away?" ads have always been very funny and I like to see American following suit. This ad is imaginative, has great dialogue and reminds me of movies like Office Space, poking fun at the day to day corporate insanity. Great ad.
4. DraftFCB
I think this ad must be Tom Cruise's worst nightmare. Anyway, I really like this ad. It's simple has great one to one dialouge and the kid is perfect for it. It brings up an important and often overlooked issue which is kids having access to lethal drugs just by openning up their parents medicine drawers. I like ads that are hard to watch or uncomfortable which means to me that they are challenging your conventional ideas of what commercials should be. This ad feels very real and I was surprised to find it because it looked like most of DraftFCB's accounts were international ones.
5. Lowe
First off I was very unimpressed with Lowe. The website was not as up to speed as other agencies, and it took me sometime to find a tv spot that I actually liked. They have a lot of strange accounts and seem to have a dominant ammount of them from abroad companies. I do however like this spot. It's catchy, creative and introduces me to a sort of "female axe" product that I never knew existed. And it's impressive because they come about it in a soft way, sensative to women. I hope Lowe can continue to put out more stuff like this.
6. Carmichael Lynch
I love this campaign. They have done soo much with it and it never seems to get old. I wasn't very familiar with Carmichael Lynch out of Minneapolis, but after looking through all their campaigns on their website, I'm very impressed with their clients and their creative work. This particular spot is seamless, and funny. Your hooked from the start and you cant help but laugh at the sasquatch as the beer explodes in his face. You never see the revenge flip of the cart coming. This is the definition of an ad that doesnt advertise the product, but rather brands the product and focuses on sticking in your head. One of my favorites.
7. Hill Holiday
Very very good work by Hill Holiday. This is another agency I knew very little about but I can safely say I was pleased to see the work on their website. This ad is funny, implements a catchy song (always a favotite of mine), and even kind of shameless when the man gets his hand stuck in the bus door and the dunkin' donuts cup faces the camera. Most of all, it's relatable, as we have all in one time or another been in a position like this and had to get breakfeast on the go. Im also convinced the voice over in the end is a celebrity...just can't get my finger on which one.
8. Deutsch
The direct tv campaign is very cool. It takes picture perfect art direction and clever copy to minmic these movies soo closely. I especially love the range of movies in the campaign. From Star Trek to Austin Powers and even King Kong, I wonder how expensive it was to hire all these big time actors and get these shots soo perfect. These are very creative spots and I really do love where their going with this. Kudos to Deutch, and I expect DirectTV will stay on board with them for a long time to come. On another note, I see these play like every third commercial. They must be buying a huge ammount of media time.
9. Mullen
This is one of my favorite ads ive seen since starting this blog project. I was completely unaware that Mullen existed as an ad agency and am now a big fan of their work. Tremendously funny and creative and frankly just seeing that 1970's style ron jeremy looking dude standing next to a giant desheveled bear makes me laugh. Then with no words said the bear instantly slaps the man and a "godfather swimmin' with the fishes" fish comes flying out. Simpley genius. Although I laugh at any slapping in pretty much any commercial it is arguably one of the cheapest laughes in television. Regardless its impressive to see that the Boston Bruins gave the rebranding and sports marketing responsibilites to an agency like Mullen. Very exciting.
10. Campbell Mithun
Good, not great. They really could have made this spot more funny or creative, or at least a little less cheesy. I get where they were going with this and it is cute, but I just feel they missed out on a great opportunity to go a little bit further with the whole death and taxes metaphor. Honestly after looking at their site and seeing the stuff they put out for burger king, I can't help but think all of their work is cheesy.
11. T.A.G. SF
Im really glad I did enough aimless wandering around the T.A.G SF site to find this spot. I remember when they used to run this campaign when I was younger, and I always loved it. The music by the Shins is perfect and the art direction/film quality is simply incredible. I was really impressed with the filming they can do and even more than that, by their list of clients, which includes amazing work they've done for Xbox. I especially love their Halo stuff. Anyway back to this commercial, it really makes you feel like they took you inside a dream. It makes the Zune seem more personal than an Ipod, more imaginative too. My hat is off to the creative team for "dreaming" this one up. I love commercials that push art direction to new bounds and take us on adventures of the mind. Very cool tv spot for Zune.
WPP Group
1. Ogilvy & Mather
I love this spot. For obvious reasons it was mainly run in Europe and South America due to its risky art direction. Regardless it is funny and the rythym is seamless. I dont know how they changed the extremely attractive girl in the beginning into an overweight man so well. The digital art people at Ogilvy are very talented and this spot is very entertaining. While this spot doesnt exactly make me want to reach for an icey cold sprite, it definitely sticks out in my memory. Sprite has traditionally run strange advertising with their agencies and I look forward to seeing whats next.
2. Y&R (Young & Rubicam)
To be honest it was really hard to find work on the Y&R website that I liked, which surprised me because Y&R is a very large and well respected global agency. Regardless I was very excited to see this spot for Virgin Atlantic. The art direction is great and you really don't see what's coming till it hits you. The yuppy dressed man in the french cut dress shirt in the beginning is remenicient of Bret Easton Ellis' Patrick Bateman in American Psycho and the 80's outfits are perfect. I like how they unapolagetically brand Virgin as the cool, stylish and hip airlines. In an industry where people are soo focused on prices and getting the best deal, its refreshing to see virgin doing something new and dangerous. This spot actually makes me want to pay more money so I can be in the trendy flyers club.
3. JWT (Jay Walter Thompson)
I t hink this is one of the most genius campaigns I've ever seen. Not only are the spots creative and funny, but they actually made an entire interactive website for stride trying to get people to spit out their gum. The website came complete with games and applications to help stride track down people who have been chewing their gum too long and get them to spit it out. JWT even took it a step further and created a fake lawyer webstie protecting people attacked by stride "spit outters" where you could post your own imaginary claim online. Now tell me that isnt 180 degree branding.
4. Grey
I like this print ad a lot. It's cute, simple and straight to the point. I think it goes after the perfect target market and reaches the people who use febreeze most ie people with smelly dogs. The copy is also straightforward and amiable. For products like these, I think its best to not be flashy or over the top. Keep it simple, and get to the point.
I love this spot. For obvious reasons it was mainly run in Europe and South America due to its risky art direction. Regardless it is funny and the rythym is seamless. I dont know how they changed the extremely attractive girl in the beginning into an overweight man so well. The digital art people at Ogilvy are very talented and this spot is very entertaining. While this spot doesnt exactly make me want to reach for an icey cold sprite, it definitely sticks out in my memory. Sprite has traditionally run strange advertising with their agencies and I look forward to seeing whats next.
2. Y&R (Young & Rubicam)
To be honest it was really hard to find work on the Y&R website that I liked, which surprised me because Y&R is a very large and well respected global agency. Regardless I was very excited to see this spot for Virgin Atlantic. The art direction is great and you really don't see what's coming till it hits you. The yuppy dressed man in the french cut dress shirt in the beginning is remenicient of Bret Easton Ellis' Patrick Bateman in American Psycho and the 80's outfits are perfect. I like how they unapolagetically brand Virgin as the cool, stylish and hip airlines. In an industry where people are soo focused on prices and getting the best deal, its refreshing to see virgin doing something new and dangerous. This spot actually makes me want to pay more money so I can be in the trendy flyers club.
3. JWT (Jay Walter Thompson)
I t hink this is one of the most genius campaigns I've ever seen. Not only are the spots creative and funny, but they actually made an entire interactive website for stride trying to get people to spit out their gum. The website came complete with games and applications to help stride track down people who have been chewing their gum too long and get them to spit it out. JWT even took it a step further and created a fake lawyer webstie protecting people attacked by stride "spit outters" where you could post your own imaginary claim online. Now tell me that isnt 180 degree branding.
4. Grey
I like this print ad a lot. It's cute, simple and straight to the point. I think it goes after the perfect target market and reaches the people who use febreeze most ie people with smelly dogs. The copy is also straightforward and amiable. For products like these, I think its best to not be flashy or over the top. Keep it simple, and get to the point.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
OMNICOM
BBDO
Guinness has a history for original, well thoughtout, creative ads, and BBDO didnt dissapoint with this great spot. As I've said before, one of my favorite quotes about advertising is that "it's not about what it's about". This is a perfect example of that quote. What does a beer have to do with little men being launched through tunnels and bouncing off of drums to make music have to do with beer?? Nothing, but it's interesting, engaging and catches the viewers attention. Great art direction and incredibly creative immagination by the team at BBDO. This is one account that I would love to have a crack at working on.
DDB
First off, this commercial is hilarious. I know this is my back to back beer commercial and that may look a little sketchy but the beer industry puts out a tremendous ammount of advertising and usually have some of the best commercials on air. Usually I would criticize a commercial like this; I think the kooky office scene is a little trite in ads these days and I dont usually appreciate cheap laughs based on swearing or sex, but in all honesty this ad pulls it off. The scripting is perfect and the lines are original. You feel like they could use the same F-this F-that jokes but the scenes are surprisingly creative and I ask myself at every juncture, how are they gunna cuz here?? Kudos to the copywriters and well done DDB. Also its interesting to see that the Bud.tv account is seperate from Budweiser. I dont understand why these companies dont put all of there advertising under one umbrella company.
TBWA
This is honestly one of my favorite ads of all time. The art direction is so moving and visually stunning. The copy is simple, clean and elegant, as expected with an Absolut ad. The ad doesnt talk down to us, but instead challenges us to see vodka is a different light. The soundtrack provided by electro-punk-pop band New Order also just seems to fit this commercial like the last piece of a thousand part puzzle. I especially love the bottles hanging in the forrest, or the ballons when they are released into the night sky. They actually sent a director and creative team to different locations across the globe to film this spot and I recommend you watch the making of this commercial on youtube.com, it's incredible. If Ive ever found an ad that nailed what purposeful advertising should be and inspires and rewards the consumer, than this is it. This ad has stuck in my head and I wont forget it. Every agency should strive to put out work like this. Overall this ad is an 11 out 10 in my book.
Goodby Silverstein
Okay, this commercial is kind of ridiculous, but c'mon it's pretty funny. Now Goodby is pretty known for doing some off the wall ads such as this. In fact all of the Emrald Nuts commercials are this same type of goofy offput acronym humor, and I love them all. It's right along with my "it's not about what it's about theory" and it doesnt take itself too seriously. It just makes me laugh at the random words they bring together to spell out Emrald Nuts. I mean does the copywriter for this account think it up on his own?? Regardless, it's a funny spot and I like the use of irrevrent humor when trying to pitch nuts to people.
180 Amsterdam/180 LA
Guerrilla advertising...Finally! First off I like this ad, but I don't love it. It's nice to see agencies trying non-traditional for once but I can't help but think that they stole the idea from Iprove everywhere. Regardless the spectators said it themselves. They liked mixing fashion with technology, and it caught there attention and made them stop, watch and think. WHICH IS PERSISELY WHAT GUERRILLA ADVERTISING IS MEANT TO DO. Not sure I like the actual application of this ad for sony, but it was a nice gesture.
GSD&M Idea City
Now I know GSD&M has fallen into some rough times and lost some major accounts lately, and I especially know this when it took me 20 minutes to find an acceptable ad that I actaully liked on their website. For a large agency, their work isn't great, at least not as good as it used to be. And for that matter, their client list seems to be thinning out a little bit. Let's just say I'm not impressed with "Idea City" here in Austin Texas. This was the best spot I could find. It's for Kohler. It's a playful and interesting ad, and I like the suspense it builds. The art direction did a good job with the scenery and it is funny they spoof the whole Godfather package behind the toilett thing. The script is clever and the copy "The Bold New Look Of Kohler" works. Im just not sure if their work as a whole isn't going down that perverbial kohler toilett.
Dieste Harmel & Partners
This is utterly terrible. I would never expect such horrid work from one of our local Dallas agencies and especially Dieste Harmel and Partners, the leading agency in Latin advertising. I mean Pedro from napolean dynamite? Chris Crocker?? And the ad doesnt even make sense. It's not funny and it kind of creeps me out. This is takes the "its not about what its about" way too far. Wag of the finger to Dieste Harmel & Partners.
Latin Works
This ad is weird, funny, random and surprisingly it works. Starburst, like the Skittles account is famous for kooky irreverent tv spots like this. The llama idea is strange ill admit but it immediatley snatches our attention and doesnt give it back. I like this ad because it keeps me on edge and I think it's a step in the right direction for Latin Works. By the looks of it it's also gotten a lot of buzz on youtube.com
Martin Williams
This ad is awesome. I can't believe they got Alice Cooper to do a cameo. First off the ad is very cute, and you really don't know why the little girl is so bothered until you realize Alice "the chicken slayer" Cooper is her father. The script copy is perfect and Cooper's music works beautifully. This is one of those ads where the creative concept is so simple but works so seamlessly, you wonder why you didn't think of it yourself. Very clever ad. Watch out for this agency, cuz they got some talent.
Guinness has a history for original, well thoughtout, creative ads, and BBDO didnt dissapoint with this great spot. As I've said before, one of my favorite quotes about advertising is that "it's not about what it's about". This is a perfect example of that quote. What does a beer have to do with little men being launched through tunnels and bouncing off of drums to make music have to do with beer?? Nothing, but it's interesting, engaging and catches the viewers attention. Great art direction and incredibly creative immagination by the team at BBDO. This is one account that I would love to have a crack at working on.
DDB
First off, this commercial is hilarious. I know this is my back to back beer commercial and that may look a little sketchy but the beer industry puts out a tremendous ammount of advertising and usually have some of the best commercials on air. Usually I would criticize a commercial like this; I think the kooky office scene is a little trite in ads these days and I dont usually appreciate cheap laughs based on swearing or sex, but in all honesty this ad pulls it off. The scripting is perfect and the lines are original. You feel like they could use the same F-this F-that jokes but the scenes are surprisingly creative and I ask myself at every juncture, how are they gunna cuz here?? Kudos to the copywriters and well done DDB. Also its interesting to see that the Bud.tv account is seperate from Budweiser. I dont understand why these companies dont put all of there advertising under one umbrella company.
TBWA
This is honestly one of my favorite ads of all time. The art direction is so moving and visually stunning. The copy is simple, clean and elegant, as expected with an Absolut ad. The ad doesnt talk down to us, but instead challenges us to see vodka is a different light. The soundtrack provided by electro-punk-pop band New Order also just seems to fit this commercial like the last piece of a thousand part puzzle. I especially love the bottles hanging in the forrest, or the ballons when they are released into the night sky. They actually sent a director and creative team to different locations across the globe to film this spot and I recommend you watch the making of this commercial on youtube.com, it's incredible. If Ive ever found an ad that nailed what purposeful advertising should be and inspires and rewards the consumer, than this is it. This ad has stuck in my head and I wont forget it. Every agency should strive to put out work like this. Overall this ad is an 11 out 10 in my book.
Goodby Silverstein
Okay, this commercial is kind of ridiculous, but c'mon it's pretty funny. Now Goodby is pretty known for doing some off the wall ads such as this. In fact all of the Emrald Nuts commercials are this same type of goofy offput acronym humor, and I love them all. It's right along with my "it's not about what it's about theory" and it doesnt take itself too seriously. It just makes me laugh at the random words they bring together to spell out Emrald Nuts. I mean does the copywriter for this account think it up on his own?? Regardless, it's a funny spot and I like the use of irrevrent humor when trying to pitch nuts to people.
180 Amsterdam/180 LA
Guerrilla advertising...Finally! First off I like this ad, but I don't love it. It's nice to see agencies trying non-traditional for once but I can't help but think that they stole the idea from Iprove everywhere. Regardless the spectators said it themselves. They liked mixing fashion with technology, and it caught there attention and made them stop, watch and think. WHICH IS PERSISELY WHAT GUERRILLA ADVERTISING IS MEANT TO DO. Not sure I like the actual application of this ad for sony, but it was a nice gesture.
GSD&M Idea City
Now I know GSD&M has fallen into some rough times and lost some major accounts lately, and I especially know this when it took me 20 minutes to find an acceptable ad that I actaully liked on their website. For a large agency, their work isn't great, at least not as good as it used to be. And for that matter, their client list seems to be thinning out a little bit. Let's just say I'm not impressed with "Idea City" here in Austin Texas. This was the best spot I could find. It's for Kohler. It's a playful and interesting ad, and I like the suspense it builds. The art direction did a good job with the scenery and it is funny they spoof the whole Godfather package behind the toilett thing. The script is clever and the copy "The Bold New Look Of Kohler" works. Im just not sure if their work as a whole isn't going down that perverbial kohler toilett.
Dieste Harmel & Partners
This is utterly terrible. I would never expect such horrid work from one of our local Dallas agencies and especially Dieste Harmel and Partners, the leading agency in Latin advertising. I mean Pedro from napolean dynamite? Chris Crocker?? And the ad doesnt even make sense. It's not funny and it kind of creeps me out. This is takes the "its not about what its about" way too far. Wag of the finger to Dieste Harmel & Partners.
Latin Works
This ad is weird, funny, random and surprisingly it works. Starburst, like the Skittles account is famous for kooky irreverent tv spots like this. The llama idea is strange ill admit but it immediatley snatches our attention and doesnt give it back. I like this ad because it keeps me on edge and I think it's a step in the right direction for Latin Works. By the looks of it it's also gotten a lot of buzz on youtube.com
Martin Williams
This ad is awesome. I can't believe they got Alice Cooper to do a cameo. First off the ad is very cute, and you really don't know why the little girl is so bothered until you realize Alice "the chicken slayer" Cooper is her father. The script copy is perfect and Cooper's music works beautifully. This is one of those ads where the creative concept is so simple but works so seamlessly, you wonder why you didn't think of it yourself. Very clever ad. Watch out for this agency, cuz they got some talent.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Bill Bernbach Quotes
"Advertising doesn't create a product advantage. It can only convey it."
"Advertising is fundamentally persuasion and persuasion happens to be not a science, but an art."
"An idea can turn to dust or magic, depending on the talent that rubs against it."
"Forget words like 'hard sell' and 'soft sell.' That will only confuse you. Just be sure your advertising is saying something with substance, something that will inform and serve the consumer, and be sure you're saying it like it's never been said before."
"Word of mouth is the best medium of all."
"You can say the right thing about a product and nobody will listen. You've got to say it in such a way that people will feel it in their gut. Because if they don't feel it, nothing will happen."
"I warn you against believing that advertising is a science."
"In advertising not to be different is virtually suicidal."
"In communications, familiarity breeds apathy."
"In this very real world, good doesn't drive out evil. Evil doesn't drive out good. But the energetic displaces the passive."
"It is insight into human nature that is the key to the communicator's skill. For whereas the writer is concerned with what he puts into his writings, the communicator is concerned with what the reader gets out of it. He therefore becomes a student of how people read or listen."
"Just because your ad looks good is no insurance that it will get looked at. How many people do you know who are impeccably groomed... but dull?"
"Nobody counts the number of ads you run; they just remember the impression you make."
"Our job is to bring the dead facts to life."
"Properly practiced creativity can make one ad do the work of ten."
"Properly practiced creativity must result in greater sales more economically achieved. Properly practiced creativity can lift your claims out of the swamp of sameness and make them accepted, believed, persuasive, urgent."
"The most powerful element in advertising is the truth."
"All of us who professionally use the mass media are the shapers of society. We can vulgerize that society. We can brutalize it. Or we can help lift it onto a higher level."
This is a letter a young copywriter named Bill Bernbach wrote informing his boss at Grey Advertising that he was quitting to start his own ad agency. You might know it, its called DDB.
"May 15, 1947
Dear ___________:
Our agency is getting big. That’s something to be happy about. But it’s something to worry about, too, and I don’t mind telling you I’m damned worried. I’m worried that we’re going to fall into the trap of bigness, that we’re going to worship techniques instead of substance, that we’re going to follow history instead of making it, that we’re going to be drowned by superficialities instead of buoyed up by solid fundamentals. I’m worried lest hardening of the creative arteries begin to set in.
There are a lot of great technicians in advertising. And unfortunately they talk the best game. They know all the rules. They can tell you that people in an ad will get you greater readership. They can tell you that a sentence should be this sort or that long. They can tell you that body copy should be broken up for easier reading. They can give you fact after fact after fact. They are the scientists of advertising. But there’s one little rub. Advertising is fundamentally persuasion and persuasion happens to be not a science, but an art.
It’s that creative spark that I’m so jealous of for our agency and that I am so desperately fearful of losing. I don’t want academicians. I don’t want scientists. I don’t want people who do the right things. I want people who do inspiring things.
In the past year I must have interviewed about 80 people – writers and artists. Many of them were from the so-called giants of the agency field. It was appalling to see how few of these people were genuinely creative. Sure, they had advertising know-how. Yes, they were up on advertising technique.
But look beneath the technique and what did you find? A sameness, a mental weariness, a mediocrity of ideas. But they could defend every ad on the basis that it obeyed the rules of advertising. It was like worshiping a ritual instead of the God.
All this is not to say that technique is unimportant. Superior technical skill will man a good man better. But the danger is a preoccupation with technical skill or the mistaking of technical skill for creative ability.
The danger lies in the temptation to buy routinized men who have a formula for advertising. The danger lies In the natural tendency to go after tried-and-true talent that will not make us stand out in competition but rather make us look like all the others.
If we are to advance we must emerge as a distinctive personality. We must develop our own philosophy and not have the advertising philosophy of others imposed on us.
Let us blaze new trails. Let us prove to the world that good taste, good art, and good writing can be good selling.
Respectfully,
Bill Bernbach"
"Advertising is fundamentally persuasion and persuasion happens to be not a science, but an art."
"An idea can turn to dust or magic, depending on the talent that rubs against it."
"Forget words like 'hard sell' and 'soft sell.' That will only confuse you. Just be sure your advertising is saying something with substance, something that will inform and serve the consumer, and be sure you're saying it like it's never been said before."
"Word of mouth is the best medium of all."
"You can say the right thing about a product and nobody will listen. You've got to say it in such a way that people will feel it in their gut. Because if they don't feel it, nothing will happen."
"I warn you against believing that advertising is a science."
"In advertising not to be different is virtually suicidal."
"In communications, familiarity breeds apathy."
"In this very real world, good doesn't drive out evil. Evil doesn't drive out good. But the energetic displaces the passive."
"It is insight into human nature that is the key to the communicator's skill. For whereas the writer is concerned with what he puts into his writings, the communicator is concerned with what the reader gets out of it. He therefore becomes a student of how people read or listen."
"Just because your ad looks good is no insurance that it will get looked at. How many people do you know who are impeccably groomed... but dull?"
"Nobody counts the number of ads you run; they just remember the impression you make."
"Our job is to bring the dead facts to life."
"Properly practiced creativity can make one ad do the work of ten."
"Properly practiced creativity must result in greater sales more economically achieved. Properly practiced creativity can lift your claims out of the swamp of sameness and make them accepted, believed, persuasive, urgent."
"The most powerful element in advertising is the truth."
"All of us who professionally use the mass media are the shapers of society. We can vulgerize that society. We can brutalize it. Or we can help lift it onto a higher level."
This is a letter a young copywriter named Bill Bernbach wrote informing his boss at Grey Advertising that he was quitting to start his own ad agency. You might know it, its called DDB.
"May 15, 1947
Dear ___________:
Our agency is getting big. That’s something to be happy about. But it’s something to worry about, too, and I don’t mind telling you I’m damned worried. I’m worried that we’re going to fall into the trap of bigness, that we’re going to worship techniques instead of substance, that we’re going to follow history instead of making it, that we’re going to be drowned by superficialities instead of buoyed up by solid fundamentals. I’m worried lest hardening of the creative arteries begin to set in.
There are a lot of great technicians in advertising. And unfortunately they talk the best game. They know all the rules. They can tell you that people in an ad will get you greater readership. They can tell you that a sentence should be this sort or that long. They can tell you that body copy should be broken up for easier reading. They can give you fact after fact after fact. They are the scientists of advertising. But there’s one little rub. Advertising is fundamentally persuasion and persuasion happens to be not a science, but an art.
It’s that creative spark that I’m so jealous of for our agency and that I am so desperately fearful of losing. I don’t want academicians. I don’t want scientists. I don’t want people who do the right things. I want people who do inspiring things.
In the past year I must have interviewed about 80 people – writers and artists. Many of them were from the so-called giants of the agency field. It was appalling to see how few of these people were genuinely creative. Sure, they had advertising know-how. Yes, they were up on advertising technique.
But look beneath the technique and what did you find? A sameness, a mental weariness, a mediocrity of ideas. But they could defend every ad on the basis that it obeyed the rules of advertising. It was like worshiping a ritual instead of the God.
All this is not to say that technique is unimportant. Superior technical skill will man a good man better. But the danger is a preoccupation with technical skill or the mistaking of technical skill for creative ability.
The danger lies in the temptation to buy routinized men who have a formula for advertising. The danger lies In the natural tendency to go after tried-and-true talent that will not make us stand out in competition but rather make us look like all the others.
If we are to advance we must emerge as a distinctive personality. We must develop our own philosophy and not have the advertising philosophy of others imposed on us.
Let us blaze new trails. Let us prove to the world that good taste, good art, and good writing can be good selling.
Respectfully,
Bill Bernbach"
Sunday, September 13, 2009
3 Ethical Product Ads/3 Socially Responsible Ads/ 3 Socially Irresponsible Ads
3 Ethical Product Ads
1. Ogilvy & Mather
This is a very ethical and responsible way to advertise a product like Dove Soap. It never really occured to me how bombarded young girls are by the beauty and fashion industry in todays world. This ad is suspensefull and keeps the viewer interested the entire way through. It deals with anxieties most girls have about weight, perception, and beauty. I believe it is just the type of message girls should hear when making beauty or soap decisions. Ogilvy & Mather took it even further with Dove Soap launching an entire campaign, interactive website and even an off broadway play based on the "Dove Real Beauty Campaign". I applaud Dove and Ogilvy & Mather for this responsible and ethical advertising. We need more of this in the industry.
2. TBWA/Chiat/Day
I absolutely love this spot. The copy reads like a poem and the on screen work is optomistic and playful. I think this ad is ethical and responsible because it doesnt try to sell you on pedigree dog food. It tries to get across the point that dogs help our everyday life and are an essential part of happiness. It makes us want to trust pedigree with our dogs health, while reminding us just how much our little doggie means to our family and that dogs are really a mans best friend.
3. Saatchi & Saatchi LA
This ad is probably one of the most beautiful displays of art direction I have ever seen. But thats only part of the appeal. This ad takes a fresh approach to going green. Its not the same pushed clutter attack most green advertising has done in the past. It is simple, clean and elegant. It reminds us that using a prius reduces smog forming emissions, while keeping us optimistic that this car is as close to harmony with nature as you can get. Very responsible advertisement, for a good cause.
3 responsible social causes
1. Crispin Porter + Bogusky
This ad is powerful, not matter how you feel about peoples right to smoke or not. I like the guerilla style of these ads and it helps to bring a sense of reality to the situation because a stunt like this was actually pulled outside of a major tabacco building. I think the message speaks for itself. The truth campaign by CP&B wants to know how many more lives the big tobacco companies are willing to take, while highlighting that major tobacco is so concerned with profits that they wont even take a day off. This ad sends a very important social message in a powerful yet ethical way.
2. Young & Rubicam
This ad is probably the most famous PSA (public service announcement) of all time. I like how it tells a story using such a classic character as the Native American. Also its nice to see an ad against pollution which is something you don't see often and seems like people have forgotten hurts our environment. Now im not a huge green person, or environmentalist, and I actually think this commercial is funny when the Indian starts crying, but it is a great example of an ad for a cause that is socially responsible, and it is indeed become a famous one stuck in the minds of many people. Im pretty sure it was even parodied on an episode of The Simpsons. Great Ad.
3. Ogilvy & Mather China
This is an incredible print ad. The art direction is seamless, and the copy is straight forward and to the point. It is obviously ethically sound and a very thoughtful and responsible ad. But what else does it do? For starters it makes me think about all the times I've driven by homeless people, or shunned a young person begging on the streets. I remember my old intro to creativity professor once tell me that good ads "worked and rewarded". Well I think this ad does just that, in terms of both working to get the message across while rewarding the consumer with an opportunity for self reflection. If this ad makes just one person stop and help an underprivlidged child in the streets of China, it's already done its job.
3 Socially Irresponsible Ads
1. Arnold Boston
This ad is obviously going to get flack for being offensive. I do not use Axe or Tag body sprays and I usually can laugh at how ridiculous the commercials are at trying to convince young men that a cheap arisol spray will get them laid, but hey thats advertising for ya. Anyway, not only does this commercial objectify women, but it suggests that all women are slutty and premiscuous, including elderly mothers who must always cheat on their husbands with their daughters boyfriends. I mean c'mon this commercial is ridiculous. She basically attacks him and her breasts seem to just exponentially grow out of her shirt popping off her buttons like cannons from a naval battle. The art direction is tasteless and the copy at the end just reassures us that all girls are easy. This ad goes on my socially irresponsible list.
2. DraftFCB
This ad, while midly funny really just further progresses our societies fears of homophobia and anti-gay/ anti-transvestite propoganda. First the man assumes the girl/guy needs help and is a "damsel in distress", then once he realizes its a man, he is horrified and his friend ridicules him. This is probably also offensive to men with long hair. Secondly he goes on to mistake a woman with semi short hair for a man, suggesting all women should take up an A-typical gender role and wear long hair so as not to be mistaken by drunk men in liquor stores. Now im not attacking all beer ads, as many have recently self regulated themselves and are airing ads geared toward warning younger generations about the dangers of drunk driving. But this keystone "always smooth" ad takes the beer industry back to a time of irresponsible and conciously ignorant advertising. Even homosexuals and transgendered people like to drink a tall cool one every once in awhile.
3. DDB Sao Paulo
Im sorry but whoever made this ad is retarded. Reminding a post 9/11 America about the trajedies of that day is uncontionable. Im glad this ad has recieved so much media outrage, beacuse the people of DDB Sao Paulo should have known that this was just too touchy of a subject. Maybe they didn't know because their office is in Brazil, but 9/11 was a horrific day that shocked our nation and ruined thousand of lives. The public should not be subjected to seeing it replayed in front of their eyes and then reminded that its "not really that many deaths compared to tsunamis". I mean c'mon, the creative director at DDB should be fired if he let this come out of his shop. I was absolutely floored when I saw this ad for the first time. I think it is reprehensible to compare tragedies. They were both terrible things, but saying one is worse than the other is ignorant. This ad takes the cake for my most unethical and irresponsible ads.
1. Ogilvy & Mather
This is a very ethical and responsible way to advertise a product like Dove Soap. It never really occured to me how bombarded young girls are by the beauty and fashion industry in todays world. This ad is suspensefull and keeps the viewer interested the entire way through. It deals with anxieties most girls have about weight, perception, and beauty. I believe it is just the type of message girls should hear when making beauty or soap decisions. Ogilvy & Mather took it even further with Dove Soap launching an entire campaign, interactive website and even an off broadway play based on the "Dove Real Beauty Campaign". I applaud Dove and Ogilvy & Mather for this responsible and ethical advertising. We need more of this in the industry.
2. TBWA/Chiat/Day
I absolutely love this spot. The copy reads like a poem and the on screen work is optomistic and playful. I think this ad is ethical and responsible because it doesnt try to sell you on pedigree dog food. It tries to get across the point that dogs help our everyday life and are an essential part of happiness. It makes us want to trust pedigree with our dogs health, while reminding us just how much our little doggie means to our family and that dogs are really a mans best friend.
3. Saatchi & Saatchi LA
This ad is probably one of the most beautiful displays of art direction I have ever seen. But thats only part of the appeal. This ad takes a fresh approach to going green. Its not the same pushed clutter attack most green advertising has done in the past. It is simple, clean and elegant. It reminds us that using a prius reduces smog forming emissions, while keeping us optimistic that this car is as close to harmony with nature as you can get. Very responsible advertisement, for a good cause.
3 responsible social causes
1. Crispin Porter + Bogusky
This ad is powerful, not matter how you feel about peoples right to smoke or not. I like the guerilla style of these ads and it helps to bring a sense of reality to the situation because a stunt like this was actually pulled outside of a major tabacco building. I think the message speaks for itself. The truth campaign by CP&B wants to know how many more lives the big tobacco companies are willing to take, while highlighting that major tobacco is so concerned with profits that they wont even take a day off. This ad sends a very important social message in a powerful yet ethical way.
2. Young & Rubicam
This ad is probably the most famous PSA (public service announcement) of all time. I like how it tells a story using such a classic character as the Native American. Also its nice to see an ad against pollution which is something you don't see often and seems like people have forgotten hurts our environment. Now im not a huge green person, or environmentalist, and I actually think this commercial is funny when the Indian starts crying, but it is a great example of an ad for a cause that is socially responsible, and it is indeed become a famous one stuck in the minds of many people. Im pretty sure it was even parodied on an episode of The Simpsons. Great Ad.
3. Ogilvy & Mather China
This is an incredible print ad. The art direction is seamless, and the copy is straight forward and to the point. It is obviously ethically sound and a very thoughtful and responsible ad. But what else does it do? For starters it makes me think about all the times I've driven by homeless people, or shunned a young person begging on the streets. I remember my old intro to creativity professor once tell me that good ads "worked and rewarded". Well I think this ad does just that, in terms of both working to get the message across while rewarding the consumer with an opportunity for self reflection. If this ad makes just one person stop and help an underprivlidged child in the streets of China, it's already done its job.
3 Socially Irresponsible Ads
1. Arnold Boston
This ad is obviously going to get flack for being offensive. I do not use Axe or Tag body sprays and I usually can laugh at how ridiculous the commercials are at trying to convince young men that a cheap arisol spray will get them laid, but hey thats advertising for ya. Anyway, not only does this commercial objectify women, but it suggests that all women are slutty and premiscuous, including elderly mothers who must always cheat on their husbands with their daughters boyfriends. I mean c'mon this commercial is ridiculous. She basically attacks him and her breasts seem to just exponentially grow out of her shirt popping off her buttons like cannons from a naval battle. The art direction is tasteless and the copy at the end just reassures us that all girls are easy. This ad goes on my socially irresponsible list.
2. DraftFCB
This ad, while midly funny really just further progresses our societies fears of homophobia and anti-gay/ anti-transvestite propoganda. First the man assumes the girl/guy needs help and is a "damsel in distress", then once he realizes its a man, he is horrified and his friend ridicules him. This is probably also offensive to men with long hair. Secondly he goes on to mistake a woman with semi short hair for a man, suggesting all women should take up an A-typical gender role and wear long hair so as not to be mistaken by drunk men in liquor stores. Now im not attacking all beer ads, as many have recently self regulated themselves and are airing ads geared toward warning younger generations about the dangers of drunk driving. But this keystone "always smooth" ad takes the beer industry back to a time of irresponsible and conciously ignorant advertising. Even homosexuals and transgendered people like to drink a tall cool one every once in awhile.
3. DDB Sao Paulo
Im sorry but whoever made this ad is retarded. Reminding a post 9/11 America about the trajedies of that day is uncontionable. Im glad this ad has recieved so much media outrage, beacuse the people of DDB Sao Paulo should have known that this was just too touchy of a subject. Maybe they didn't know because their office is in Brazil, but 9/11 was a horrific day that shocked our nation and ruined thousand of lives. The public should not be subjected to seeing it replayed in front of their eyes and then reminded that its "not really that many deaths compared to tsunamis". I mean c'mon, the creative director at DDB should be fired if he let this come out of his shop. I was absolutely floored when I saw this ad for the first time. I think it is reprehensible to compare tragedies. They were both terrible things, but saying one is worse than the other is ignorant. This ad takes the cake for my most unethical and irresponsible ads.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Advertising as Art
1. Y&R New York
I love this ad, and thats exactly why I put it at my #1 spot for artful advertising. The background music by Brooklyn's alternative pop rock duo "Matt & Kim" sets a perfect scene. The art direction is simple, clean and sophisticated without going over the top, which is a refreshing treat from the trite oversexed alcohol ads pervasive in todays industry. The ad gives off an air of coolness, a sort of confidence and swagger one can only get from crowded parties and the consumption of alcohol. As the man moves through the different 1900's themed rooms of the bar, the change of scenery is gradual and not too quick. I especially appreciate the shots of the band and the girl on the swing which suggest a playfull atmosphere to the rooms. The outfits/surroundings from room to room are just enough to convince us we've changed decades without getting retro and while still maintaining a modernly hip touch. From the 2000's through the 80's 60's and 40's and 20's and 1800's saloon style bar, everyone is happy, smiling, and dancing. The coy look from the beautiful victorian dressed woman he recieves before he calmly and confidently nods his head to the bartender in a seemingly silent order makes you wish you could step into his shoes for that moment. The bartender knows exactly what he wants, and it suggests to us, the viewer that there is simply no other choice. We want an original, an established rum. A rum thats stood the test of time. A metaphoric scene for which the entire commercial has been building to. As you watch the drink be artfully made with the bright color mint leaves and crushed ice, you cant help but feel this ad has rewarded and inspired you in a way only true art can.
2. Fallon London
This ad is another one of my favorites. It's absolutely beautiful and is a perfect example of how advertising can be art. The music is soft and thoughfull, which sets the stage for the seemingly empty hilled resedential streets of San Fransisco's downtown. The ad comes in soft but immediately grabs your attention. I love the little boys curiousness, and the havoc of the multi-colored balls striking and boucing off of parked cars. I especially love the slow motion shots of the balls spinning close up, and the sudden rest of the balls collecting at the bottom. The frog dancing through the beautiful mayhem or the back shot of the lonely women looking out her living room window also add a humanity to the piece. I think the most important part of the entire artful ad is that it gets the point across with the simple "colour like other" copy on screen which ties everthing together. Overall a great example of amazing art in advertising.
3. Fallon London
Here's another sony bravia "colour" ad. I think this too serves as a great art symbol in advertising. I like how they start by reversing the day and moving backwards. How they did all of those colorful bunnies in clay still amazes me. While I'll admit I don't like the song and the action is very chaotic, it again gets the point across. I love when they slow it down to show random peoples faces and speed right back into the clay sculptures. It's beautiful when the bunnies come together to form the wave and then break again into the multi-colored cubes. My absolute favorite part is when the whale's tail become a giant bunny and they panoram out to the city to show just how large it is. This ad is remenicent of an artfull expression of non traditional guerilla advertising.
4. TBWA
I think this ad is a perfect example of non traditional guerilla style print. I like how it covers two sides of city streets as it would seem to follow you as you walk. I like the bright colors contrasted with the black, making the ad pop to passerbys. The pictures are playful and the models are hip and fun. I think this ad is definitely art.
5. TBWA Madrid
This print looks like it could be hung in a measeum. The colors are vivid and the picture is somewhere between incredibly high resolution and a cartoon. It vaguely reminds me of the famous dogs playing poker, drinking and smoking picture. I like how simple it is, and that the man can walk his dog while still staying connected to his psp. My only criticism is that theres a lot of free space they could have filled with something other than the grey sidewalk
I love this ad, and thats exactly why I put it at my #1 spot for artful advertising. The background music by Brooklyn's alternative pop rock duo "Matt & Kim" sets a perfect scene. The art direction is simple, clean and sophisticated without going over the top, which is a refreshing treat from the trite oversexed alcohol ads pervasive in todays industry. The ad gives off an air of coolness, a sort of confidence and swagger one can only get from crowded parties and the consumption of alcohol. As the man moves through the different 1900's themed rooms of the bar, the change of scenery is gradual and not too quick. I especially appreciate the shots of the band and the girl on the swing which suggest a playfull atmosphere to the rooms. The outfits/surroundings from room to room are just enough to convince us we've changed decades without getting retro and while still maintaining a modernly hip touch. From the 2000's through the 80's 60's and 40's and 20's and 1800's saloon style bar, everyone is happy, smiling, and dancing. The coy look from the beautiful victorian dressed woman he recieves before he calmly and confidently nods his head to the bartender in a seemingly silent order makes you wish you could step into his shoes for that moment. The bartender knows exactly what he wants, and it suggests to us, the viewer that there is simply no other choice. We want an original, an established rum. A rum thats stood the test of time. A metaphoric scene for which the entire commercial has been building to. As you watch the drink be artfully made with the bright color mint leaves and crushed ice, you cant help but feel this ad has rewarded and inspired you in a way only true art can.
2. Fallon London
This ad is another one of my favorites. It's absolutely beautiful and is a perfect example of how advertising can be art. The music is soft and thoughfull, which sets the stage for the seemingly empty hilled resedential streets of San Fransisco's downtown. The ad comes in soft but immediately grabs your attention. I love the little boys curiousness, and the havoc of the multi-colored balls striking and boucing off of parked cars. I especially love the slow motion shots of the balls spinning close up, and the sudden rest of the balls collecting at the bottom. The frog dancing through the beautiful mayhem or the back shot of the lonely women looking out her living room window also add a humanity to the piece. I think the most important part of the entire artful ad is that it gets the point across with the simple "colour like other" copy on screen which ties everthing together. Overall a great example of amazing art in advertising.
3. Fallon London
Here's another sony bravia "colour" ad. I think this too serves as a great art symbol in advertising. I like how they start by reversing the day and moving backwards. How they did all of those colorful bunnies in clay still amazes me. While I'll admit I don't like the song and the action is very chaotic, it again gets the point across. I love when they slow it down to show random peoples faces and speed right back into the clay sculptures. It's beautiful when the bunnies come together to form the wave and then break again into the multi-colored cubes. My absolute favorite part is when the whale's tail become a giant bunny and they panoram out to the city to show just how large it is. This ad is remenicent of an artfull expression of non traditional guerilla advertising.
4. TBWA
I think this ad is a perfect example of non traditional guerilla style print. I like how it covers two sides of city streets as it would seem to follow you as you walk. I like the bright colors contrasted with the black, making the ad pop to passerbys. The pictures are playful and the models are hip and fun. I think this ad is definitely art.
5. TBWA Madrid
This print looks like it could be hung in a measeum. The colors are vivid and the picture is somewhere between incredibly high resolution and a cartoon. It vaguely reminds me of the famous dogs playing poker, drinking and smoking picture. I like how simple it is, and that the man can walk his dog while still staying connected to his psp. My only criticism is that theres a lot of free space they could have filled with something other than the grey sidewalk
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
L8tEr Sk8Ter
This is the original song "Heartbeats" from the swedish brother/sister duo The Knife. This video makes me want to start my own little family of numerous pairs of twins, all dressed in goofy outfits, and trained to be rediculously good downhill old-school beach skaters. Jose Gonzalez makes a really good cover of this song too.
The only cool thing to ever come out of Canada.
I think Grandmas should run the world. My Grandma would certainly make a better world leader than that pin-head Obama. She would fix the economy by selling her amazing apple and pecan pies (thus raising demand for consumer items)and settle international conflict over a spirited game of tile rummy.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Banned Commercial.
This is a very funny commercial from Sweden. It was banned in Europe and I'm not surprised why. This goes against just about everything I've learned in my Advertising Ethics class this semester. While the commercial is hilarious and gets its message across in a creative way, It clearly doesn't speak to the intrinsic beauties of raising a child. This ad especially hits home to young 20 something college students like myself. I really can't watch this video more than once though, because that kid is so loud and obnoxious it makes me want to beat him with a club while gouging my ear drums out with rusted nails. Guess I should hold off on having kids for awhile.
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