Friday, October 31, 2008

The Taste Of A(nother) New Generation

In search of a new generation, Pepsi has reworked its logo, and the price tag when all is said and done will be in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

The new logo took five months and more than $1-million (U.S.) to create, estimates Advertising Age. The real cost, however, will be in replacing the old logo on trucks, vending machines and stadium signs.

Brand gurus are divided on the new look, which is meant to suggest a smile. A Pepsi executive described it as "more dynamic and more alive." One brand expert said it looks "less durable, less permanent and classic."

The new logo is expected to make its debut in 2009.




I've yet to make up my mind on this logo but I'll think of something. What does this say about the whole Coke Vs. Pepsi thing? How many times will Pepsi rebrand themselves while Coke remains unchanged? I guess when you try to market yourself as younger and hipper you have to redefine yourself with each new generation. That's an awful lot of money though!

What would your transit bus say?

In the what's-coming-next file: Ads on the sides of buses that change depending on what neighbourhood they are cruising through.

Media company Titan Worldwide has launched three-metre-wide digital LED displays that show commercial-like ads on New York City buses. The signs carry GPS technology and can target audiences based on time of day, city block, postal code and demographics, according to Mediabuyerplanner.com.

The signs are being rolled out in key U.S. markets and in London, with Canada and Ireland soon to follow, according to Titan. New York plans to install the system on 200 buses in the first quarter of 2009.


This blurb from today's Globe somehow reminded me of Shorr's comedy routine about guys in dollar sign hoodies. I can totally see the bus switching from Hennessy ads, to Absolut ads, to Miller Lite ads, and finally to Colt 45 ads, as it makes it way from Manhatten to the "less affluent" neighborhoods. But I digress...

This could be a brave new world in racial and demographic targeting for advertising. Also, I'm pretty sure Titan Worldwide was the company putting those cool subway ads up in NYC that we talked about in Marketing. Those guys are rolling out a lot of cutting edge outdoor media, and that's good for everyone. Yay Outdoor Media!

Rememberance Day

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJctzkxFd08

I was watching tv with my brother last night and this ad came on. Neither one of us said anything after we saw it but about fifteen minutes later my brother started talking about what it would have been like to have gone to war. Obviously this commerical had an impact on him and after watching it a couple more times today I can see why my brother had the reaction he did.

I think this is effective commercial and is very well done. It use both shock and emotional appeal to reinforce its message of the importance of remembering and recognizing veterans.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

This is just getting a little ridiculous.

http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Car_Slams_into_Starbucks_Two_Hurt.html

This relates to our marketing class and our discussion on why Starbucks was failing as a brand. Part of their problem was that they expanded too quickly and bought up too much too close together. I can't think of any other reason as to why it would just happen to be two different Starbucks involved.



This is the only reason that I have a bottle of OS Sport aftershave in my cabinet. An effective use of a B-list celebrity with a huge cult following is guaranteed to sell to some film and television geeks, such as myself. Bruce Campbell, star of Army of Darkness and bit player in the Spiderman movies (Wrestling Announcer, Snooty Usher and French Waiter) has that "Not Quite Famous" charm to him that doesn't make him seem pretentious even though he is trying hard to be so. He's just there because he's glad to have the attention. I think this really works...it suckered me in so it's not all bad.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Is there hope for the humble bus bench?

As I was working on the mixtape campaign, I started thinking about bus benches as a possible media channel. Now, some other cities may have better approaches to bus bench creative, but here in Winnipeg, it's pretty bad. It seems like the only people willing to advertise on them are real estate agents who write their own ads.

I cite one in my neighborhood as an example of this phenomenon: It's for a real estate agent, Kisil & Associates, and it features an image of a guy and three women posed as if they are Charlie and his Angels. The copy is Get (in a different font from the rest of the copy) The team. The tools. The trust.
But what does a Charlie's Angels pose have to do with the copy? Am I missing something here?

Is there a way to make bus benches a decent form of outdoor advertising? Has anyone seen a cool bus bench that really caught their attention? Any thoughts?

Monday, October 27, 2008

Those cheeky Germans...

These are a couple new VW ads featuring Brooke Shields, pushing their new minivan the Routan. I was remembered these spots after our discussion in Ad today about how all car commercials seem to be the same. Burton pointed out the VW ads featuring the old Beetle as a talk show host which reminded me of these ones. They're different and kind of funny in a refreshing sort of way.

On another note, what's with VW using German names for all their new models? You have the Routan, the Tiguan, and the Touareg. Are they just really playing up the whole German engineering thing or is there some other reason for these new model names?





Sunday, October 26, 2008

Learning Manipulation

Quote from "Advertising and the Invention of Postmodernity"
http://www.transparencynow.com/advertise.htm

"Most viewers know it is all a manipulation, even if they don't always reflect on what they know. But many still respond by buying the product, voting for the candidate and admiring the celebrity, as if they have been taken in by the message. It is as if the radio audience in 1938 had realized it was listening to a performance by Orson Welles but decided to panic anyway because the play was so convincing and so much fun to believe."

This article made me think about the power of advertising in modern society and how much influence we, as advertisers, can have on an audience. Are we learning how to be creative or are we just being taught how to become great manipulators?

Thursday, October 23, 2008




This ad caught my eye for obvious reason. I don't know if it was the words BEER or the fact that I could make $5000. Or the fact that they got my age right...

This ad is why Facebook values itself at 100 billion without having a business plan. The prospect of big money using extremely well targeted ads.

Facebook is just information for marketers looking to sell you a product, and so far they've accrued some major scratch from investors.

Needless to say I have joined the beer panel.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

John Smiths.



I...I can't even describe how much I love these! No nonsense indeed!
So I am obviously trying to catch up on my blogging. I have had these posts in my head for a while now but just found the time (and memory) to post them today. I will save the rest for another time though!
Anyway, here is a website that I enjoy for its fabulous time wasting qualities but a lot of the entries are ad related. Check out the whole website if you have time: www.oddee.com
But here is a specific link to "The 15 Most Creative Bus Ads". Enjoy! http://www.oddee.com/item_96486.aspx

PSAs

So on the same note as Vanessa's PSA post here is a website for the "The Meth Project". My question is: does the shock value of these commercials work for you? Do you think they are actually reaching the "kids of today" with these edgy ads or are they trying to shock simply for the sake of shocking? Anyway, if you want to view the ads go to this website: http://notevenonce.com/View_Ads/index.php. All the tv, radio, and print ads for The Meth Project are here.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Duck, Duck... Mongoose

I just saw this commercial while I was watching the AST Dew Tour on NBC. Considering the target audience of teenage boys is this ad effective? I felt like there was too much "Mongoosing" in the spot which seemed to lessen any impact it might have had. This is pure image advertising for the brand so there's no real call to action but shouldn't they at least put up a website address or something? Any thoughts?

Mighty Awesome

I find this infomercial spot so funny. Every infomercial is ridiculous but this one is just so good on so many levels. The unintentional comedy meter is really peaking on this one. I especially love how it needs a dry time of 24 hours to mount a shelf bracket yet only 5 minutes of dry time to become a link in a chain lifting a cinder block.

The greatest irony is that I saw this spot on Teletoon Retro this morning. I don't know if anyone ever watches Teletoon Retro but it's really funny how most of the commercials aren't for kids stuff but for adults. Do kids even watch this station? It seems like the channel targets people who are old enough to remember watching this stuff 20+ years ago more than actual kids.

P.S. This is the US version of the spot because the Canadian version off the company's website auto starts when the blog loads and I didn't want to subject everyone to it unless they wanted to be. You're welcome!

Friday, October 17, 2008

I truly wish all advertising was like this. I really think this is some of the greatest advertising I've ever seen.

Last one like this



I swear I'm not trying to be debbie downer...
This ad is pretty good too, look at the production skills! Despite the bad, (really bad) judge in the end, the rest of the commercial is pretty good. These are more so PSA's but a commercial is a commercial. Drinking and driving ads have been done so many ways, but I had never seen one like this.

Wade needs to be stopped!



Kidding of course, Wade.
I don't want to give anything away with this ad, so I'll leave it open to discussion if anyone is up for it. I don't know how much we've touched on ads such as this but this one might hit home for some people. Also, for ads such as this, are ad agencies still hired or is the process a little different?

I think I'm Gonna Puke... Oh look, an ad!

From today's Globe and Mail. Personally, I find this kind of funny. My favorite part is branding the barf bags. You have to be the right kind of business to jump on that opportunity. Probably an insurance company would be the best fit. I'm pretty sure one of them uses the slogan "There when you need us." but I can't remember which one it is.

THIRTY SECOND SPOT: DISPATCHES FROM THE WORLD OF MEDIA AND ADVERTISING
October 17, 2008

What could make the flying experience more pleasurable? How about plastering the cabin with ads.
So far, airlines have resisted the urge to make planes look like buses. But as they look for new ways to make money, "the sky's the limit," says Harlan Platt, a finance professor at Northeastern University.
Look for ads on overhead bins, cabin washroom doors and tray tables, Mr. Platt told the Associated Press.
US Airways Group Inc. was the first major U.S. carrier to put ads on tray tables and is now courting advertisers for its airsick bags.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Oops

Just realized that Paul posted the same ad weeks ago. Thanks for beating me to the punch, Blawat.

A Visceral Reaction

Remember what Audra told us about getting a visceral reaction from the audience? It's not always important whether it's good or bad, as long as they react so strongly that they remember the product or message. These Axe ads do just that. I couldn't find the North American version on youtube, but I did see it on TV and I couldn't stop thinking about it. Maybe because I have an intense phobia of armpits. Check it out.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Coming next year: Christmas in July

Has anyone noticed how Christmas seems to come earlier each year? It is becoming common to see Christmas decorations out before the Halloween candy and decorations are even available. Costco is always really bad for this (This year I saw a selection of Christmas items in my local Costco on Labour Day weekend) I've always found this really bizarre, but a simple theory for this came to me this past weekend.

With the current economic difficulties and Christmas' place as the bread and butter of retail, starting Christmas earlier gives retailers a chance to make the most of the season. It also gives cash-strapped shoppers a chance to spread out their shopping. This leads to the possibility that consumers will actually spend more, which retailers love. In this scenario, everybody wins, eh?

Any thoughts?

Not to go political again...

...but this is definitely worth a look.

X-BOX Obama

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Look at me, Look at me!!

This video about mobile advertising trucks is from an Atlanta area company but I'm sure people have seen them around Winnipeg. Are these a good type of out-of-home advertising?

Things to consider:
1) Pollution
2) Cost vs. effectiveness (Someone has to gas up and drive the truck all day long)
3) Distraction to motorists
4) The possibility of driver fatigue?

Dekalb Ad

First, I would like to say that we should change the name of this blog to "Wade apocalypse" since he seems to be the most dedicated blogger. yay Wade.

I was looking for Dean Cooper's Dekalb ad and I came across this one:

Dean is the robot on the right. ;-P

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Stay In the Pool Phelps!!

Michael Phelps has to be the worst athlete/spokeperson I have ever seen. And don't even get me started on his hosting SNL, that was beyond sad. I like how they didn't even let him speak in this AT&T commercial, and yet he still makes it look hard. If anything, his inability to act should turn people off from the products advertised. Viewers know they're just trying to cash in on his 15 minutes yet because he can't act it really seems to amplify how desperate they must be for his celebrity endorsement. Why not just get a Michael Phelps cut out? It couldn't be any stiffer or more awkward looking than the real thing.

Effective? Maybe. Funny? Oh yeah!

I saw this ad for Buffalo Wild Wings during college football today. It's pretty funny but,is it effective? Is the joke overshadowing the message?
Any thoughts?






The above commercial just reminded me of this Bud Light commercial from a couple years ago.

Woooooo-Hoooooo!

This commercial for the Jeep Wrangler is very well done. It really captures that theme park feeling and ties it back to the brand. I like it!

This Post Isn't About Politics

I'm wondering what people think of the new Swiffer ads that are running? Personally, I like them a lot more than the last campaign with the "pep talks".
I like how they have personalized the broom and mop and made them seem so sad. These ads seem pretty effective, and they both mention a money back guarantee which shows confidence in their product.



Friday, October 10, 2008

Three Effective Negative/Fear Political Ads

I was going to reply to Wade in one of my earlier posts, but I felt this warranted one of it's own. Wade claims that political ads are a waste of money because most people have made up their mind anyway. Here are three ads that were negative and/or played on fear that were quite effective and shifted the moods of the electorate:

1988 - Willy Horton



In this election VP Bush Sr v D-MA Gov. Dukakis, the republicans played this ad in regular rotation and hammered the issue hard at a time when crime rates were high and very much on the minds of the electorate. This effectively painted Dukakis as soft of crime and is considered to a significant factor in his losing the election.

1984 - Bear in the Woods



In this election Pres. Ronald Reagan v fmr VP Walter Mondale, Reagan successfully gave the impression that Mondale had his head in the sand about the USSR nuclear threat. People were made fearful of how Mondale would take on that "bear" and Reagan won handily.

1964 - The Daisy



In the original and arguably the most famous fear mongering ad in the '64 Pres Johnson v. Sen. R-AZ election, a very jarring image is being conjured of an innocent little girl getting obliterated by the atom bomb while picking a daisy in the field. This is post Cuban Missile Crisis a time very much like the mood after 9/11 where peoples fears where at their highest, and one of the few times the democrats successfully branded themselves as the party of international security.

Negative and fear based ads don't always work, (think 2AM Phone Call and Chretien's Speech Impediment) but many more do (Swift Boaters for Truth)

US attack ads...

Here's a real "attack ad" against Al Franken. These are more typical of Norm Coleman and US campaign ads as a whole.

Thursday, October 9, 2008

More Politics

Obama is buying a primetime 30 minute block to speak to the American public. More from

The Live Feed.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Speaking of Crap Political Ads

This is an ad that's been running on the Twin Cities stations lately. It's an anti- Norm Coleman ad that just really bothers me (he's the Republican incumbent that Al Franken is running against). I don't really care about the political affiliations of the ad, I'm bothered more by the misguided anger these parents have. Their son made a choice to join the military and ended up making the ultimate sacrifice for his country. He was obviously doing something he believed in (because why else would you voluntarily join the military?) and holding politicians responsible for his death just seems really misguided to me.

It raises the question in my mind of what kind of attack ads shouldn't be done? They're so common these days that I think most people just ignore them, but are there certain things that should be off limits?

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Vote Conservative or your Children will Perish

This isn't a political forum so I won't espouse political rhetoric or endorse a party, but lets take a look at this new Conservative ad I saw during the Daily Show.



Now, we know that the markets are jittery and we don't know how bad the economic ramifications will be. But won't somebody think of the children? The woman in this ad looks at the headline in the paper, looks at her daughter, has an inner monologue, looks at her daughter, sees Stephane Dion and looks at her daughter.

So let's look at the linear motion here:
1) The Economy Goes to Hell
2) Stephane Dion gets elected
3) Your children will die

Just sayin'

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Just do it.

This ad is for Nike, without copy. But I'm really going to need a second opinion on where the signature "check mark" is positioned in the ad...

I feel GREAT!



I actually hate Nutrigrain bars, but I laughed so hard at the insane woman in this ad that I just might buy some.

Friday, October 3, 2008

Interesting Ad Related Tidbits...

Hey there, here's a couple bits of info from the Globe and Mail's Persuasion section that ran in today's paper.

1) It should come as no surprise that this week's financial meltdown will affect the advertising world. Here are observations from the U.S. magazine Media Life: The ad economy will be grim well into 2009. Some forecasters think the slump could extend into 2011. Experts are predicting a short-lived bump in spending as merged companies inform consumers about their new holdings. But over the longer term, spending will decline. Local media outlets will suffer more than national ones as the remaining big companies promote their products and services in single campaigns all across the country.

2) Ads that appear on top of website content are becoming more acceptable, according to a study by the New York research firm Dynamic Logic. The number of Web surfers who feel that content-covering ads are never appropriate has dropped to 21 per cent from 32 per cent five years ago. A majority of respondents also said that the "appropriate" number of over-content ads is two per hour, a figure that has remain unchanged since 2003. Two-thirds of respondents also felt that Web ads have increased on the pages they frequent, though researchers say this is likely because surfers have broadened the number and types of sites they visit.

3) Ever wondered what those free samples at Costco and Loblaws accomplish, other than providing a nice cumulative snack?
A new study from Arbitron shows that samples work. More than one-third of customers who tried a sample during a shopping trip ended up buying the product on that visit, according to the phone survey of 1,857 people in the United States.
In addition, 24 per cent of those surveyed said they bought a product they sampled instead of the item they initially set out to purchase.

Nacho Cheesey and Cool Ranchy

This ad is a little bit older, but a lot of people may not have seen it. I think it only ran once, during the Superbowl in 2007. It was from a contest where people could submit their ads with the grand prize being an airing of the spot to an audience of 90 million, no pressure there. I think it's an awesome spot...

Thursday, October 2, 2008


The imagery in this is super creative and has a real film like quality to it. The copy "You're never alone" is pretty lame though. It would work better without any copy.


This one really made me laugh out loud. Love it. So quirky and pushes some boundaries, but great.

Pantene


Damn, she's got some nice hair.

Unbutton your beast

This is the new campaign for Levis Jeans.
http://www.unbuttonyourbeast.com/
This is a link to their website to where you can chose the beast of your choice. My favorite is Sir Reginald Mighty Pants. You can chose your beast, create a message and then send it to your friends. I think it's hilarious but I could see it being somewhat controversial. Sir Reginald Mighty Pants pokes with his pointy steel sword. Again... I think this is hilarious but that's just me. I don't know, what does everyone else think? Or if you go to the website which is the beast of your choice?

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Sweet

This ad has an interesting concept.

It holds attention.