This ad is fantastic. Like the kind that makes you want to go buy the product. The kind that makes you laugh until the guy two desks over asks you to stop. The kind that makes you wish the A-team would get back together for one more reunion special. The kind that makes you…I guess that’s enough.
For anyone who has ever gotten totally obsessed with any game like World of Warcraft, Mr. T portrays the feelings perfectly. And he has probably never played the game in his life. Or any video game, for that matter. I’m pretty sure if T really tried to play a video game, he would smash the controller, console, TV, coffee table, and walls if he got frustrated.
So either he has never played, he has played and is the best player ever, or he has Home Depot on speedial (to repair the holes in the walls, of course). I’m like a quarter of his size, and I’ve put some controller-sized holes in walls after a frustrating game of Madden.
So now I’ve written three or four posts on that incredible Cadbury Gorilla commercial. But now Adfreak is reporting that Wonderbra has created an awesome spoof of the now famous Gorilla Drummer. Right down to the opening nose twitching. And then they added…boobs. Well you can see for yourself here. Or now check it out below:
To me, this is great work for Wonderbra. They clearly have ear close to the ground, and have caught all the buzz on the Cadbury’s spot. They found a good (and not annoying or destructive) way to include their key brand concept. Great, and so very watchable. Enjoy (and don’t kill me Marisa!)
We have all seen some incredible animatronics in our time. But the most popular lately has no doubt been that gorilla from Cadbury’s. Their spot for Dairy Milk has been an internet phenomenon, helped relaunch Phil Collins to a new generation, and has even (gasp) boosted sales! It seems good creative and a well placed viral ad still works afterall.
The article reports all kinds of fun facts about the gorilla, from the actor behind the mask to the tech that makes it possible. Check out the full article here for more. Thanks to Adfreks for the tip-off.
So I’m sure you’ve seen the new Renault “Ballet” commercial. If not, here it is on YouTube:
Reader’s of this blog know I love to look at and dissect auto advertising. I have no clue why, I just find it fascinating. There are few other industries where the types of commercials vary so widely in their artistic quality and message. You start with incredible, thought-provoking stuff like the “Go Beyond” spot for Land Rover, to total push-type crap like Billy Fuccillo:
I enjoy him for comedic purposes, and he has definitely blanketed the East Coast with his repetitive and, ahem, inventive spots. Guess it goes to show that if you have enough money, you can get your name out there big-time.
My point is, this Renault ad has really caught a lot of people’s attention lately, and I started thinking – what if all car ads were like this? But specifically, what if everything related to cars went something like this.
My main client is a large, American-based Auto Insurance company. And up till now, they have always played it conservative, with direct mail, basic online presence, and fairly common-style television spots. But I’d love to see them take a bit of their budget and move it towards something off the beaten path, something totally different and eye-catching.
Looking at Auto Insurance, it’s hard to show the product working. But how about a new look at car damage, the way the ballet ad did here for Renault. How can the interaction between the car owner and their insurance company become a dance, not a cold or troublesome experience? It occurs to me that I’m not just looking at the advertising, but the product and customer touchpoint design as well. Maybe that means I’m on to something…
Please, don’t post your thoughts below (a little reverse-psychology)
Just saw the new Sony Bravia ad, it’s awesome. It’s had so much hype and build up, I can’t believe that it totally delivered. I really enjoyed it, I think you will too. The graphics and music are really fun and work together so well.
Great for Sony, I hope this results in a whole bunch of sales so we can see more ads like this!
Also, here’s the “making of” they did on this commercial – so inspiration for somebody like me (and you too):
So after I thrashed eBay’s windorphins campaign here and then posted some good old eBay campaigns here, I went over to my good buddies at Agency Spy and watched the latest ad for the windorphins campaign.
Alright, its cute. I’m so glad they got rid of those damn annoying little windorphins blobs. And I’m so happy they didn’t go with the “doctors” concept they illustrated on their windorphins website. Instead, they centered on the windorphins concept, which I think is good in abstract and doesn’t need to be the narrow focus of the entire campaign. I think they have a great idea here, displaying what the ‘race’ to win an eBay contest is like in metaphor.
Stay with the ‘cute’ idea eBay. Your service is simple and easy to use. Many people, from kids to stay-at-home moms, use your product. Keep the humor light and the message simple. I really enjoy that.
Saw this over at Cool Loking Ads, also known as the Official Cannes Lions blog. (And by the way, that is no typo – the site is actually spelled ‘loking’. I don’t get it, but who am I to judge?)
I think this is a cool, original way of looking at the man-dog relationship. Instead of actually showing the dog relaxing in their favorite spot, the image shows the aftermath, with the human owner uncomfortably situated on the floor.
These ads came not just from extensive numbers research, but also from consumer insights. These insights create an instant emotional connection with dog owners, who are their target. It definitely brought a knowing smile to my face, as I thought about moving Marisa’s golden from his favorite spot.
The art is good too, with the lighting and design separating these ads from traditional dog food fare. Taking the dog out of the ad made it that much more eye-catching and appealing.
My only question is: is the dog food really called Crack Active? Sounds pretty scary.
They have done better, and I have no doubt they will in the future.
To recognize some of their past work, I dedicate this post to eBay and their marketing work. I’m still trying to find some of the “it” commercials from this past year, but here are a few I grabbed quick.
I feel like these show the eBay benefit really well, are cute, and are sometimes hilarious. They really create a personality for the eBay brand and I am happy when I catch them on TV.
I also really enjoy the “it” campaign, so I will be looking for that throughout the day today. Sorry about the windorphins campaign, but I hope it dies a quick and painless death.
So after seeing this EA ad for Playstation 3 over at AdRants, I decided to check up on my favorite agency, 72 and Sunny. I wanted to watch their DC Ads again, and see what else they were up to. Luckily, I found a YouTube copy of one of the spots 72 and Sunny made for DC Shoes so this time I can include it for everyone who is too lazy to drop on over to the 72 and Sunny site.
What is most important about this spot is, it’s cool to the SKATERS. To the crowd that already owns the product. They aren’t just trying to convince new little converts to beg their parents for a skateboard. That’s part of the goal, sure, but they are also showing their support for skaters as talented athletes. And they made an video that’s purely entertaining on top of it. That’s something that is sorely lacking in a lot of the “extreme” sport (for lack of a better term – can someone make one up please?) advertising. Don’t just try to convert new groms, but give some support and entertainment to the already converted who are out there busting their butts (literally).
Anyway, I’m over on the 72 and Sunny website and I see a link for spots they did for G4 TV. I’m a recent G4 evangelist, I just started watching “Ninja Warrior” a few weeks ago, but now I’m hooked. So I checked out the spots, and they are amazing. Here is one for Star Trek (the original), which G4 is now playing weeknights at 11 pm.
So good! There are others, like a Star Trek Cribs, and some Man Show ads. The animation is absolutely incredible, so fun to watch. And I won’t forget that Star Trek runs 11 pm on G4 either.
72 and Sunny seems to have it exactly right – pull in creatives from all kinds of backgrounds, throw them together, and watch creativity inspire creativity. Don’t be afraid to try something new, and amazing things can happen. Be motivated to let your product drive innovation! Man I’d love to see their offices! Way to go 72 and Sunny, and keep kickin’ ass!
Today was a rough day. In my “super creative” day job, I spent most of the day sorting through various job bags and learning a lot about the business side of the industry. I know this is stuff I have to learn, and I’m happy to learn it, but I’m also glad when it’s over. Sometimes I just get so compelled to create, to surround myself with my creative, with other’s creative outputs. It can be very confining. We are given a pair of speakers on our desk. I long to walk down the corridors and hear music softly weaving out of offices. It makes me feel like people are alive in there.
Know what the worst part is? I can’t use a Mac. That’s right. And I won’t keep it a secret – that really sucks! I feel like my productivity bombs and my organization sucks without my mac. You Windows users…figure it out, will you? It just boggles my mind that everyone doesn’t use every Apple Computers product they can. It enhances my life…and that is an unreal statement about a brand. Everyone should be so lucky.
When I get really down, I do a few things. First, I go for a walk. I pick up my jacket and leave the office for a while. Today I walked down to Trump Financial Tower. I really ought to get a small camera to take on my walks. That and a sketch pad are next.
The second thing I do is read. I start at a blog I know, like Shedwa, and I just let the blogroll take me where it will. Before I know it, I have twenty windows open and lists and lists of links to look at when I get home. I have started a Tumblr Blog that I hope will hold them all in the future.
Today, I was truly lucky. The ad gods were smiling on me. I got a hold of some awesome ads today that really brightened everything up. Maybe people are wrong. Maybe TiVo won’t be the end of the television spot. It will be the cleanser, the cleaning lady who will sweep away the bad ads. Survival of the Fittest will be applied, and only the smartest ads will survive.
So please, join me wherever you are in enjoying these ads. They were my inspiration on a dreary day.
beautiful ad, brings out such real emotion – and the music is great! Tells a great story with real characters. Man it’s a great time to be a runner right now.
Again, the music, the emotional tone, the storyline narrative…these are what gorgeous ads are made of. They transcend the television spot and bring us ‘brand awareness’. We more fully understand the brand, and are moved closer to brand loyalty. Now if VW could just stop their cars from breaking down…
I have so much more to write…but the eyelids are getting weary. I hope everyone is well and you find that dream job tomorrow.
