Certain categories of advertising always suck: Razors (see previous rants). Any pharmaceutical product. And watches. Especially watches.
I'm not sure how you legally get to use an ex-President to hawk your expensive timepiece (by plugging the JFK Library at bottom left??), but Omega decided to go for it. Kennedy is not wearing/did not wear this brand of watch, but apparently the astronauts who went to the moon did.
Just what an astronaut needs on the moon: a watch! Would that be on the inside or the outside of your spacesuit?
So two thumbs down to Omega for this lame-ass "commerative" ad. You have no concept and you have no taste.
A touching example of how media can be used in unexpected ways to cut through the clutter (which is often when it's most powerful). Though one hopes the sappy music in this video isn't playing at the bus stop. It's a bit much.
Pedigree is a mediocre dog food at best. But the company probably understands how to appeal to dog owners (and potential dog owners) better than anyone out there. They've taken the dog adoption/shelter support issue and made it their own.
Here's an ever-changing electronic outdoor board for McDonald's in London's Piccadilly Circus that engages all those tourists with cameras and digital camcorders.
Not only is it fun, it's smart, because those little Golden Arches in the bottom right corner are going home with every one of those folks.
Of course, with the economy in shambles, who can afford to go to out-of-town meetings? But when it turns around, this could indeed be what we've been missing.
Thanks to the Advertising Is Good For You blog where I stole these ads (see the link on this site), and to Vancouver for feeling our pain.
Let's see...a video that's about two minutes too long, yet another white "rapper," fake bling (only $50!) bad acting, and a useless product with a really bad name.
With newspapers folding (pun intended) left and right, the Evening Standard of London is trying a campaign of apologies to woo back readers. It also promises a slightly less conservative viewpoint, to appeal to a broader audience.
It began as a "teaser" campaign to get heads scratching, though the type is from their masthead. They eventually added a small logo to make it clear just who was sorry.
Not sure if it'll work long term, but they certainly got people's attention.
The recession makes companies do strange things. First Harley wings a desperate Hail Mary ad (see April's posting), and now Starbucks is feeling the heat of an aggressive McDonald's and their McCafe offerings.
So, here's a full page ad from The Wall Street Journal where Starbucks reminds folks just why their coffee is a little more expensive.
It's a thoughtful, well-written piece, but there are two problems: one, Starbucks' core audience already knows the company's commitment to "fair trade" practices, health insurance, and cozy atmospheres. It could be a good reminder, but I think they're preaching to the choir.
Secondly, will anyone in Attention Deficit Disordered America take time to read all these words? I doubt it. Even with a good cup of joe in hand.
Finally, let me say that Starbucks gets a lot of grief in the media for selling a $4 cup of coffee to the public. But the truth is, if you just want coffee (not a cappuccino or such), you can get a big cup for under 2 bucks.And it's good, too.
Not a bad deal for saving the planet, promoting health care, and hearing good music...
It's two minutes long, and I'm not normally a fan of crazy fast editing, but this football (aka "soccer") spot for Nike rocks the house. Titled "The Next Level," it shows a player getting there--entirely through his POV, which is what makes it so damn unique. Would love to see an American football (aka "football") spot using the exact same concept.
I am an opinionated guy with 25 years experience as a creative writer for agencies from Honolulu to Savannah. The thoughts expressed here are my own, but as Dennis Miller used to say (back when he was funny) "That's just my opinion. I could be wrong."
