Are parodies acceptable? I don't like them very much. Maybe if they are timely, but 18 years later?
Below see the original British Airways ad circa 1989 then look at the 2007 SilverJet ad that premiered during the Rugby World Cup.
I agree that they are positioning themselves against BA as in BA talks about serving 24 million, while SilverJet only serves the privileged few but still something just doesn't feel right.
British Airways
SilverJet
I also wonder why Hugh Hudson the acclaimed Director of many commercials and movies including Chariots of Fire (1981) would want to direct a parody?
Tuesday
Acura - Smile
I like this spot as a 60 second; but I feel it loses its magic when cut to 30 seconds. Nonetheless it is a new way to show the standard SUV driving through different landscapes ad.
30 Second spot embedded below. Link to 60 second here.
30 Second spot embedded below. Link to 60 second here.
Surveillance Camera Screensaver
i.document has created a screensaver application that you can download onto your computer. This application creates a screensaver that serves up images from 600 public access security cameras.
From Boingboing reader Micheal:
"SurveillanceSaver is an OS X screen saver that shows about 400 live security camera videos from public accessible Axis network cameras. It shows surprising scenes from underwater pool cameras, cows in milking machines, to shopping malls and street cameras. "
Can you imagine the possibilities for marketers? Off the top of my head Smirnoff could create a screensaver that links into cameras in nightclubs around the world so when you are at work your screensaver shows a nightclub from the other side of the world partying. Branded Smirnoff of course.
Titleist could have cameras on golf courses showing live rounds being played; what better way to convince a target to visit Titleist.com and search for a local course with an afternoon tee-time available?
Public Transit (subway, etc) systems could link into traffic cameras showing traffic jams juxtaposed against their moving trains.
Target Creates Model-less Fashion Show
No models, no attitude but unfortunately no sexuality.Why do men watch fashion shows? It is an excuse to look at women. If you want to stop a busy couple as they make there way through Grand Central station they both need a reason to stop. She looks at clothes, he looks at women. I admit most guys will stop to check out the technology but then move on without giving the clothing a second thought.
Great promotion for women, but I don't see the connection for men. Below is a section of the press release.
Target adds a new dimension to fashion with the Target Model-less Fashion Show, transforming Grand Central Terminal's Vanderbilt Hall into the site of the world's first virtual fashion show. State-of-the-art technology will produce High Definition holograms allowing Target clothes to strut down a virtual runway -- models not included. Audiences can expect a theatrical show in which Target clothes and accessories are the stars and the laws of physics no longer apply.
"Everyone will have a front row seat at the Target Model-less Fashion Show, where the stars of the show are the clothes and the accessories," says Trish Adams, senior vice president, Target. "This is the first time a fashion show will be completely produced with hologram technology, without models, without a runway and easily accessible to all fashion fans."
Powered by hologram innovator Musion Systems Limited, the presentation will employ an illusionary technique that uses Eyeliner(TM) foil to give two dimensional images the illusion of depth. The installations are recorded, played back and projected in true High Definition giving the holograms unprecedented quality and clarity.
The Target Model-less Fashion Show will take place on Tuesday, November 6, and Wednesday, November 7, in Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Terminal on E. 42nd Street between Park and Lexington Avenues.
See full press release here. I will post pictures tomorrow.
YOTOPHOTO - Free Stock Photography
Yotophoto is a site currently in beta that offers access to free photos that exist in the public domain. It has search functions just like a standard stock photo site.
I admit that the quality of photos is noticeably lower; however for students looking for free photos for spec work or just a art director looking for free images to use it is a great resource.
Monday
Crazy Condom Video From India
"I am good natured and provide satisfaction"?????
I can't remember the last time a condom provided satisfaction. Yes, it helps to get it; but then it dulls sensation, numbs ummmm and well nevermind....
Watch this video and thank god we never had to watch crazy dancing condom videos as kids. Does Bollywood make porn? What is that like?
Found on my first visit to the blog Advertising & Marketing made easy
London Week - Jesus is Back!
Another tube execution from London.
I really enjoy the dramatic lightening bolt around the bible. Fantastic work from one of the top creative teams in the UK.
Don't worry though, he's funny this time!
(Found the writer standing next to it...)
Recycling Ideas
This ad goes back to one of my previous posts about how there are no new landscapes only new eyes.This concept has been done for public transit, trains and planes all before however never with Sudoku. Is it effective? I bet people in New Zealand are talking about it.
Webvershoptainment - HoneyShed.com
I admit I completely made up the word webvershoptainment and I agree it is horrible, but HoneyShed.com is looking to become the first venture of merged online entertainment with branding and drive to purchase. As Andrew Essex says below it is "MTV meets QVC".
"Honeyshed is a broadband destination that celebrates the sell," says Andrew Essex, CEO of Droga5, who was left to field calls in the agency's offices in New York City and who describes the venture as "MTV meets QVC." "There's a lot of so-called branded content out there, but it doesn't have many places to live," he says. "It gets lost on YouTube or it's like bud.tv, a brand in isolation. In contrast, this is totally transparent and completely entertaining. It's overt advertising based on the idea that people love brands. They just don't necessarily love it when brands interrupt or deceive them. This will make brands the life of the party rather than the uninvited guest."
So far, Publicis, Droga5, and Digitas have invested between $5 million and $10 million in developing the project, which they hope will allow them to tap into the projected $19.5 billion that will be spent on online ads this year, according to an eMarketer report from February, 2007.
I believe that there is an opportunity for something like this to work. Consumers are constantly online looking to be entertained, educated about new products from their favourite brands and/or shop. I doesn't hurt either that the 3rd largest agency network and Microsoft is behind it.
Article found here.
Mazda Makes Another Horrible Commercial
Maybe it is just me, but making fun of Mazda commercials has become like the tabloids cutting up Britney; too easy.
The shite they produce continues to amaze me month after month. View my last post about a Mazda spot where Japanese ninja porn meets gay strip club techno music. Then to top t all off they hit us with the line of the century..."Fitness comes standard". WTF.
Back to the spot below, Advergirl's post sums it all up:
"An all-black chorus singing in gospel-style ... a song that includes the phrases 'come shine here with me' and 'I'm finally free.' The the zoom out hits as they sing the brand's hallmark 'zoom, zoom' in a closed circle around a car.
Excessive religious references aside, it seems like a particularly offensive cultural lift.
In principle, I agree with the approach. Car buyers have changed. Over 50% of them are women. Growing numbers are Hispanic and African-American. Yeah, we need to get away from the white guy in a convertible zipping around the windiest roads of the Italian countryside with a thrilled woman by his side. But, there's a big, big 'in between' from talking to a niche to lifting an experience."
Mazda & JWT please quit throwing crap at me every time I watch TV.
The shite they produce continues to amaze me month after month. View my last post about a Mazda spot where Japanese ninja porn meets gay strip club techno music. Then to top t all off they hit us with the line of the century..."Fitness comes standard". WTF.
Back to the spot below, Advergirl's post sums it all up:
"An all-black chorus singing in gospel-style ... a song that includes the phrases 'come shine here with me' and 'I'm finally free.' The the zoom out hits as they sing the brand's hallmark 'zoom, zoom' in a closed circle around a car.
Excessive religious references aside, it seems like a particularly offensive cultural lift.
In principle, I agree with the approach. Car buyers have changed. Over 50% of them are women. Growing numbers are Hispanic and African-American. Yeah, we need to get away from the white guy in a convertible zipping around the windiest roads of the Italian countryside with a thrilled woman by his side. But, there's a big, big 'in between' from talking to a niche to lifting an experience."
Mazda & JWT please quit throwing crap at me every time I watch TV.
I can feel Cadbury beating the Gorilla to death
With the viral success of the drum-pounding, Phil Collins loving chocolate promoting Gorilla; Cadbury Canada has decided to try to extend the popularity creating a cinema camapign showing the viral spot but adding a drive to promotional web component.Sunday
FFFOUND!
Looking for a visual orgy of images? Don't waste time on Flickr when you can spend time on FFFOUND!
Currently in beta FFFOUND allows users to bookmark or add photos that they like on Flickr then you can visit the site and check out the best of Flickr.
One feature that I like is that they recommend other photos for you based on your preferences.
Check it out at FFFOUND!
Horrible Media Placement
Ok look closely below. First the article is scary. A 66-year old man who only has 20% vision in one eye is caught downloading over 2000 images of child porn.
What gets placed on this article? First, a leaderboard boasting how they have doubled the number of items on their online store. Second look at the Colgate ad. No words can do this justice
Found on Bannerblog
What gets placed on this article? First, a leaderboard boasting how they have doubled the number of items on their online store. Second look at the Colgate ad. No words can do this justice
Found on Bannerblog
London Week - Sex Sells in London?
Saw this in a tube station.
"Scotch Beef. Always hot in the winter"
Nothing like hairy legs and a dude to make me want to eat beef for dinner.
(Sadly, I'd had beef ribs about 30 minutes before and puked in my mouth after seeing this...thanks Scotch Beef.)
London Week - Gilette's Crap Spreads...
PJC posted a spot from Gilette that probably cost about $3 million to produce. And, as he mentioned, it's the worst TV spot in the world.
It seems, though, that the smart marketers at Gilette have decided to leverage their sponsorship dollars and include the "big" three on their packaging as well.
Just remember, if you shave with Gilette, you will be the next Tiger Woods.
London Week - Close The Sale
We all know that Apple is a great brand. When we buy an iPod or Mac Book, it makes even the most boring (PC like) people feel creative.
The products themselves aren't substantially different. Sure, there are unique programs like iLife or iTunes, but when it comes to technology and price, Apple can be beat by the likes of Dell and others.
What makes Apple different is their brand. It's so strong that people (like myself) defend the company and their Mac's at all costs.
A great planner I work with once told me a quote from an Apple lover she'd met:
"When my PC used to break down, I'd call the I.T guy and say 'Hey, can you get over here.' But when my Mac Book used to break down, I'd call the I.T. guy and scream 'Oh my god, somethings wrong, please get up here as fast as you can."
We've written a lot about some of the great spots that Mac has produced over the years, but I wanted to post about the unique way that Apple closes the sale.
It seems that these days, retail advertising has become the ugly step child to mass and interactive. Once you've got the people in store with great ads, what more is there to do?
A lot. Ever seen a great car commercial, become interested in the car, done a bit of research and then gone to the dealership? Things are a bit different, aren't they? Although the greasy, pushy salesmen just wants to get you to buy, buy, buy, after watching a wonderful ad about customer service you feel a bit...well...lied to.
This is where Apple does not fall down. When you walk into an Apple store, you are instantly engaged with an Apple enthusiast. This person helps to answer any questions you might have and point you in the right direction.
But what if you already own an Apple product and are just looking for help? In the UK, and in many other Apple stores, they run all-day tutorials for their popular programs and devices.
From the iPod bar to the iMac tutorial session, you can find out how to be creative in easy ways; from editing your latest home movie with iMovie to recording your next Podcast.
Many brands create great mass campaigns but fail to close the sale in-store. This is the final place where your brand promise must come alive. People have heard about it, seen it in your ads and read about it in the papers but if your staff, store and space don't showcase it perfectly, all the work you've done will come crashing down.
An Unbelievable Statistic
Found on Interesting SnippetsInteresting Snippets is a visual blog of sorts that is a wonderful way to learn, waste some time and entertain yourself.
View the full slide show here.
Transformers Brand Placement
I was checking out BrandChannel today and I came across this clusterf#ck of brands that all managed to find their way into Transformers. I can't believe that they had time to feature the actors and animation.I wonder how many paid and how much?
Featured brands:
AAA, Apple, Aquafina, AT&T, Austin-Healey, Beretta, BMW, BOSCH, Bose, Boston Red Sox, Burger King, Cadillac, Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet, Chevrolet Camaro, Cisco, CitiGroup, Daewoo, DeWALT, Dickies, Ding Dong, Dodge, eBay, Enterprise, Fila, Ford, Ford Mustang, Furby, GMC, GMC Yukon, GPX, G-Star Raw, HO HOs, HP, Hummer, Kidrobot, Lexus, Meltdown Comics, Mountain Dew, My Little Pony, NFL, Nike, Nokia, Oakley, Panasonic, PayPal, Pepsi, Pepto-Bismol, Peterbilt, Pontiac, Porsche, RadioShack, Realistic, Reebok, Roar with Gilmore, Saturn, Sennheiser, Sikorsky, Taco Bell, Technics, Toyota, USA Today, USPS, Volkswagen, Volkswagen Beetle, Washington Redskins, Wells Fargo, Xbox, Yahoo!
Saturday
Graphic Design Gangsta Rap
Thank you Christina for posting this on the AdJoke Facebook group. The group is now 96 strong. Who is going to be the lucky 100th member? Maybe you.
My Ad Industry Book Review
When I am not blogging, working or trying to impress women you can usually find me reading books about this little industry of ours. Below is a group of my favourite books from that have something to do with the ad industry.
If you agree or disagree feel free to let me know. Also, I am always looking for great books to read. If you have one you liked share with me.
If you are an author and you want AdJoke to review your book leave us a comment and we will email you an address that you can send a copy to ;)
Perfect Pitch by Jon Steel.
His winning pitch record speaks for itself. His analysis and dissection of the London 2012 bid presentation is incredible.
Another interesting and well written book from the legend Jon Steel.
Cutting Edge Advertising by Jim Aitchison
If you are a creative you should read this. If you are a suit you definitely should read this. A time-tested masterpiece on what makes print advertising effective.
A New Brand World by Scott Bedbury.
The man who was the VP of advertising at Nike for Bo knows & Just Do It. The man who convinced Phil Knight to keep W+K in 1988. The man who left Nike to build Starbucks into a world class brand brings us his life of learning in this quick read. He tells his intriguing story complete with behind the scenes knowledge and life lessons that only a world class brand builder could.
One of my all time favourites.
Why We Buy by Paco Underhill.
Some will say that this book is about merchandising, store design and customer service not advertising. My response is that the job of advertising is to bring people towards products and the job of merchandising and retail is to bring the product to people. For us to properly execute our half of the equation we need to understand the other half. Hell, who says advertising can't functionally influence the design of stores, the look and feel of a retail space. It has with many brands and will continue to do so.
Very entertaining and at times you will catch yourself laughing out loud.
On aside note Wikipedia is probably one of the worst books I have ever read. Boring, repetitive and way too long.
If you agree or disagree feel free to let me know. Also, I am always looking for great books to read. If you have one you liked share with me.
If you are an author and you want AdJoke to review your book leave us a comment and we will email you an address that you can send a copy to ;)
Perfect Pitch by Jon Steel.
His winning pitch record speaks for itself. His analysis and dissection of the London 2012 bid presentation is incredible.
Another interesting and well written book from the legend Jon Steel.
Cutting Edge Advertising by Jim Aitchison
If you are a creative you should read this. If you are a suit you definitely should read this. A time-tested masterpiece on what makes print advertising effective.
A New Brand World by Scott Bedbury.The man who was the VP of advertising at Nike for Bo knows & Just Do It. The man who convinced Phil Knight to keep W+K in 1988. The man who left Nike to build Starbucks into a world class brand brings us his life of learning in this quick read. He tells his intriguing story complete with behind the scenes knowledge and life lessons that only a world class brand builder could.
One of my all time favourites.
Why We Buy by Paco Underhill.Some will say that this book is about merchandising, store design and customer service not advertising. My response is that the job of advertising is to bring people towards products and the job of merchandising and retail is to bring the product to people. For us to properly execute our half of the equation we need to understand the other half. Hell, who says advertising can't functionally influence the design of stores, the look and feel of a retail space. It has with many brands and will continue to do so.
Very entertaining and at times you will catch yourself laughing out loud.
On aside note Wikipedia is probably one of the worst books I have ever read. Boring, repetitive and way too long.
Sony 2. Toshiba 1.
Blu-Ray DVD is currently outselling HD-DVD 2 to 1 in the US.The Sony backed product is expected to pull in $186 million in sales, versus only $91 million for HD-DVD.
I believe it is the titles that is driving the acceptance not the technology.
Full Story here via American Copywriter.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)