Agency Work: Wongdoody

If you haven't gotten to see this campaign, go see it. Go on, I'll wait. Taken a quick look? Good, because this is some of the most incredible copy-work out there. As a poker player myself, it resonates with me on a whole different level from other advertising. I'll submit myself as evidence of the spot's effectiveness. I love the black and white scheme, the visuals are impressive. However, as I said, the true winner here is the copy. The commercial speaks the truth and poker players recognize that, and that's why they respect it. Wongdoody in Los Angeles has done some good work before, but I'd say this is some of their best.

Agency Work: Secret Weapon Marketing

To be honest, this ad isn't anything special. It's expected, and nothing we haven't seen before. Cell phone ads (even one previously reviewed, see Modernista! and the Palm Pixie) have used this first person view, as have many other products. I get that it's supposed to engage the consumer in a sort of "picture yourself here!" type of way, but it's gotten excessive to the point that it's now cliche. Secret Weapon Los Angeles probably could have done better. Clear WiMax a tough product to market, I'll give them that. However, I think they could have done a lot more with it, especially given the fact that they only take on 3 clients at once. Let's see some better stuff in the future, okay?

Agency Work: Venables, Bell & Partners

Here's an ad that definitely hits home with its target audience, selective as it may be (especially in this economy). Venables, Bell & Partners in San Francisco have done some great branding with Audi, but this takes the cake as far as I'm concerned. Beautiful copy, "Consider the cycle broken." This spot is able to brand Audi as a truly luxury car worth of competing with the likes of Mercedes Benz, BMW, and Lexus, however it does so without putting the others down. It's a positive spot with a good message for anyone: never let yourself be confined into a life. Choose your own life.

Agency Work: David and Goliath

As we've established already, if an ad can make fun of itself and still be effective then it's truly something special. This ad for Kia by David and Goliath Los Angeles is just that: special. It toys with the notion of expected visuals and visual cliches while still providing quality shots of the vehicle. It adds in the element of humor as well, but clever and sophisticated humor rather than juvenile humor. It compares itself to a luxury brand vehicle, something Kia is definitely not, and then ends on a big note by saying you also wouldn't expect something that does all this to be a Kia. I believe this commercial struck a powerful chord within its target audience, and because of that I'd expect such a spot to be very effective

Agency Work: Modernista!

Here's a spot you've probably seen recently for the Palm Pixi phone by Modernista! in Boston. The song, similarly to the "freecreditreport.com jingle," is something you either love or hate. Personally, I find it annoying. But you can't deny its popularity or its catchiness, and overall it was probably a good choice for the spot. I also like how the visuals indicate how a phone is supposed to apply in all parts of your life, no matter where you are. I think there are two ideas at work here with very little overlap (the song and the art direction), but besides that its an good commercial.

Agency Work: 22Squared

It's a bizarre concept, but is it so far from true? Toyota and the guys at 22Squared in Atlanta are working to make this idealized world a reality through positive advertising and eco-friendly cars. While the Prius hardly needs to be advertised (waiting lists, as I understand it, are ridiculously long), it is nice to put a message to a product and drive the point home with a commercial like this. I like that the spot starts out incredibly idealistic and then gradually shifts towards a reality: the Prius is "cleaner, smarter, and...friendlier."

Agency Work: Strawberryfrog

I love all the elements that are at play here. On the surface, theres an awesome mix of fantasy and reality. However, below that there's the concept of "initiation." For many Evo owners, that's exactly how they see the purchase: as a lifelong initiation into a community of performance-car lovers. They take great pride in their ownership of such a vehicle, and they therefore stick together. To use such cult-like imagery is not far from the truth. Then, there's the element that this car is something to be worshipped (a bit of puffery there). Overall, I like how the people at Strawberryfrog New York blended these elements into a fun, entertaining ad. It makes me want an Evo.

Agency Work: 72 and Sunny

For an up-and-coming agency like 72 and Sunny Los Angeles, this is some high quality work. Fusing an "MTV Cribs-like" element with G4's Star Trek 2.0 is no easy feat, yet these guys accomplish it like it's nothing. They are even clever and witty while they're at it. I think it really speaks to an agency's talent to be able to take something old and make it contemporary and relatable. The generation that this spot would be aimed at has probably never seen a non-rerun episode of Star Trek, so how are you supposed to market it to them? A wickedly creative idea from the guys at 72 and Sunny, I can't wait to see what else comes from them.

Agency Work: Mother

This is just a delightfully wacky spot for Coca-Cola by Mother in London. While I'm not sure if they were trying to put a different spin on the "Hilltop" scene from McCann Erickson, it certainly feels that way to me; a sort of contemporary version of the ad. While I'm not going to pretend to try and understand it or interpret the message, I will say that the little creatures are absolutely adorable and I want one. The organ player is quite the eccentric character as well, and overall I think this ad works great. It fits in line with the traditionally strange stuff from Mother while still embodying the happy Coke element.

Agency Work: Ground Zero

A powerful outdoor print ad for an anti-smoking company by Ground Zero, New York. People tend to draw a line of separation in their minds between drugs and smoking tobacco, and advertising agencies typically play to that line. Anti-smoking ads traditionally take a very different approach from anti-drug ads. Often, one focuses on cause while the other focuses on effect. I'm so glad to see that someone has finally erased that line and addressed the elephant: nicotine is a drug. By imposing the needle image over the cigarette, they drive the message home.

Agency Work: La Comunidad

There is just something about this spot that makes me laugh every single time I watch it. Whether it's the juxtaposition of clowns, sadness, a lonely car, Bon Jovi, or whatever, I'm not sure. All I do know is that this work by La Comunidad in Buenos Aires for the Buenos Aires Independent Film Festival is absolutely brilliant. Even though it's a long spot, over 2 minutes, I still don't find it difficult to stay involved for the whole time. Sure, there's a lot of repetition, but sometimes isn't that what an ad needs to make its point? And, to top it off, the final 20 seconds make the ad so worth it. Also, a brilliant tagline. Great work all around.

Agency Work: Droga5

I'm not sure whether this ad is good or bad. I know that, for Droga5, it's nothing special. But then again, it's hard to follow up such advertising legends as "Stay Free," "The Tap Project," and the Guitar Hero Bicycle spot. I know that I do like the art direction here, and to be honest I had to watch it twice to realize that this isn't so much fantasy as it is fantasized reality. That is to say, it's not making any of this up, but with the strange, surreal imagery I thought that it was. It's entertaining and has a few clever lines, but of course Australian advertising is different anyways. Good work for VAustralia form Droga5 Sydney, let's see more legendary stuff in the future.

Agency Work: Taxi

This is perhaps my favorite ad to make fun of itself. Who would have thought we'd see an ad agency do work for a post-production client? That's exactly what Taxi Toronto did for JMB Post Production, and it works perfectly. This is part of a 3 spot campaign all depicting real actors in front of a blue screen, all ending with the tagline "It all happens in post." The concept is short, simple, and sweet: display actors being ridiculous in front of a blue screen in order to show the importance of post-production work. I only wish I could have seen how this footage ended up.

Agency Work: Rethink

I love to see alternative media work well, and this piece for the Science World by Rethink, Vancouver is no exception. Interesting, educational, and entertaining: 3 things that advertising rarely incorporates. Plus, it's effective: people see the fact at work; that scared faces invoke scared reactions. It's funny and clever, as is much of the work by Rethink. I love the guerilla tactics too. Of course, that's the only way to get a genuine scare. I just hope no one got too upset over it. To be honest, a photobooth is one of the last places I'd expect to see an ad. Well done Rethink!

Agency Work: Cramer-Krasselt

I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this ad by Cramer-Krasselt, Chicago. Yes, it's funny. Yes, it's got a monkey doing cute and funny things. But is it effective? I'm reminded of the E-trade spot featuring the dancing monkey, yet at least that one had the point of mentioning the ad was a waste of 2 million dollars. That was effective, but is this? I'm sure it reaches the target audience well. Many people can relate to having coworkers like that. Perhaps it's the context that makes it effective. Overall, this is a solid piece of work by Cramer-Krasselt, but I'm not sure if it's memorable.

Agency Work: Doner

I think this campaign really speaks well to small business owners. Doner Detroit must have an all-star planning team, because I imagine it does feel like a gladiator ring out there in the business world to some small business owners. This ad does a great job of touching its target audience, and it carries with it a wonderful message: small business owners should never feel small. If that's the mentality UPS really takes with its customers, I'd feel taken care of. And let's not forget the incredibly creative element of the spot: it's made entirely out of cardboard. Great work overall from Doner.

Agency Work: The Richards Group

I thought I'd seen everything a commercial could do with dogs, and then I saw this spot for Bridgestone by The Richards Group in Dallas. I don't even want to know how they got a dog in a tire, whether it was real or not. To me, what makes the commercial are the last 5 or so seconds. The look on the dog's face, the feeling of accomplishment and reward, that's what Bridgestone wants their customer's to associate with the spot. Not the tires, because any tire company could show that. Bridgestone did a great job of separating themselves from the pack here, and they did so with such a lovable dog!

Agency Work: BBH

Well I'll start by getting this out of the way: BBH London sure thought outside the box on this one. See what I did there? Having said that, I can't come up with enough good things to say about this spot. It's creative, clever, masterfully edited, and technically breathtaking. In addition to all those factors, it has a wonderfully juvenile quality to it: the poorly drawn character embodies this sense. It's like this is the product of a child's imagination. I can't even imagine the amount of man-hours that went into a spot like this, but I have the utmost respect for the guy who said "we can do it" when the rest of the room said "that'll be impossible."

Agency Work: Wieden + Kennedy

As with many of Wieden + Kennedy's ads, the ad about more than just the product. This spot for Honda by W+K London proves that point. The themes addressed involve heritage, meticulous craftsmanship, labor, and brand, yet the actual product message isn't given until the last few seconds. It's more a story of the effort Honda puts behind all its products than an advertisement for a single one. While it is a little visually overwhelming, it does a good job of transcending above the level of just selling the product; rather, it promotes the brand in a positive manner. Perhaps my only criticism is that I wish the visuals weren't so choppy.

Agency Work: Dentsu

Well, Japan certainly is different. I posted this work by Dentsu to show just how different Japan can be. Mameshiba teaches viewers interesting trivia, and it does so through a series of these tiny adorable bean-nut-dog creatures. Can you imagine something like this running in America? I can't either. This goes to show exactly how much context matters, since this is typical for Japanese advertising. Either way, perhaps the next time you lean in to kiss someone you'll remember this little fact. Who knows?

Agency Work: Kirshenbaum Bond and Partners

I haven't posted much viral stuff yet, so I figured it was time to praise some amazing viral work. This spot is for Wendy's, done by Kirshenbaum Bond and Partners out of New York. As with much viral advertising, it's made to look amateur-ish, and it's got the laughter and voices in the background to simulate a person actually making a home video. Clever and effective, and it does a great job of addressing the "politically correct vegetarian" movement sweeping the nation. Not only does it address it, it calls it out and dares it to match the "meatatarian" movement. Good stuff.

Agency Work: Cliff Freeman and Partners

This is just delightfully wacky, as with many spots by Cliff Freeman in New York. While it may be a little on the long side (I'd prefer to see a 30 second spot, personally, rather than the full 1 minute), it's just entertaining. I'd love to think that the man delivering my pizza actually went through this "bootcamp-esque" style of training, however even after seeing this I'm still sure he didn't. It may glorify the delivery-boy job a little, but who cares? It's entertaining and it makes me laugh. It's a shame that such a clever and creative agency is shutting down. We'll miss you, Cliff Freeman and Partners!

Agency Work: VitroRobertson

Living in Dallas, I've actually seen this billboard for Pei Wei. However, I never knew it was done by VitroRobertson in San Diego. Of all the billboards I pass daily, this is one of the few that has stuck in my head. How else would I remember seeing it? It's clever, and clearly effective. I don't know how great the overall idea is, but you're certainly limited with outdoor billboard advertising and I believe that VitroRobertson is pushing those limits. A good job by a relatively small and new agency.

Agency Work: Crispin Porter + Bogusky

Here's some really recent work by CP+B in Boulder for Burger King: the 1$ Holiday Gift Card. This just started a few weeks ago to inaugurate the 2009 holiday season, and it's genius. At a time when everyone is concerned with purchasing gifts and sending cards, and given the state of the economy, Burger King has helped people kill 2 birds with one stone, and they've done so in only the off-beat type of humor that CP+B can provide. The cards, which come with funny sayings, come with actual 1$ bills good for a BK double cheeseburger. This is an example of non-traditional advertising at its finest, so go pick up a 1$ holiday gift card for an [un]loved one today!

Agency Work: McKinney

What a haunting ad for the Ad Council by McKinney. We've seen the "above the influence" spots depicting inner-city teenage boys caught up in the bad stuff, but I think this ad speaks more to the truth of the matter: it's not just inner-city boys who experiment with drugs, everyone's at risk. I think it's clear we're supposed to be looking at two teenage girls, made more vulnerable depicted as mice. I like that McKinney is addressing the elephant in the room, and I'm sure this print ad is a wakeup call for many parents out there. This was part of a great print series, and I recommend looking up the others as they are equally powerful.

Agency Work: Euro RSCG

You didn't think I could mention Euro RSCG without mentioning this little campaign, did you? Love them or hate them, you have to respect them. No brand personality has so effectively permeated popular culture like this one has in quite some time. I find myself looking forward to new versions of the ad simply because of the brilliant copy and outrageous imagery. And, of course, the message is never lost. The campaign brings it back home for a powerful ending with a great tagline: "I don't always drink beer, but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis." No advertising icon has ever been so lovable while saying so few words. Great work by Euro RSCG in New York for Dos Equis.

Agency Work: Arnold Worldwide

I love any ad that can make fun of itself, and that's exactly what this spot does. The ad presents lovable characters, while managing to not take itself seriously. This is a truly difficult concept to master, and I definitely respect the guys at Arnold Worldwide in Boston for their work. Ocean Spray has some of the best commercials, so I definitely recommend looking some others up as well. They make you laugh while also making a strong message about the product; very effective work!

Agency Work: Kaplan Thaler Group

Here's a commercial that you really have to stick with in order to appreciate it. There's a lot of filler time, which is excusable so long as the spot comes back with a powerful ending. It'll take a few seconds, but hopefully you get it. It's an interesting play on words, the whole "free" concept. Either way, it's a solid piece by Kaplan Thaler New York for Pepboys. I think it could have been better, but I think we all know that it also could have been much worse. Perhaps less filler time or less time just displaying the tire in its cell might have helped. Either way, it's an interesting idea.

Agency Work: Fallon Worldwide

This is just an awesome spot by Fallon Worldwide in Minneapolis. The work they do for Holiday Inn Express is always clever, but this takes the cake in my opinion. The ad keeps you involved and entertained for the whole duration, never slipping up or providing any filler. What I find funny is that I actually wanted to watch it again and again to pick up on all the things I couldn't catch the first time through. What other ad makes you do that? And my feeling is that I'm not alone there. Prove me wrong and try only watching this once, I dare you.

Agency Work: Leo Burnett

In an environment like Piccadilly Circus, much like Time Square, you are bombarded by hundreds of ads at once. From a consumer's standpoint, you essentially learn to tune them out. What does that mean from an agency's standpoint? You have to make your ad stand out. And that's exactly what the guys at Leo Burnett London did for McDonald's with their interactive billboard. This is a fantastic way of getting the consumer involved in the advertising. Non-traditional advertising, while risky for some brands, is a great way to separate yourself from the noise of all the other ads. And when it's done well, as you can see, it's incredibly effective. 1.1 million views / week.

Agency Work: Saatchi & Saatchi

As we've seen already, I'm a sucker for "fun" ads. What's more fun than watching a GIANT tire swing into the ocean? Or a father become a hero in his son's eyes? Or the kid getting back at another kid saying his house is better? There's so much fun, good material in here; but what's most impressive is that you don't even see Toyota until the last few seconds. It's a bold move by the client, but admirable and respectable for sure. It makes the ad feel like less of an ad and more of a story. I can't praise this one enough, great work by Saatchi and Saatchi Auckland. You may have to watch it a few times to understand the conversation in the beginning: accents are pretty heavy.

Agency Work: Publicis

This is fun. I love the slow progression, and the song works perfectly for the spot. And then, as is necessary, the commercial brings it home with a giant "yes!" in the middle of the city, surrounded by thousands of small letters. Overall, I'd say that the commercial's element of flow is what makes it effective. It has a clear beginning, middle, and end. And the message is about something more than just Western Union. A really creative and fun commercial by Publicis Hong Kong. I want to see more of this idea of floating letters.

Agency Work: R/GA

While I think it partially plays upon and takes advantage of the "politically correct" movement that's swept the nation, I do like that R/GA recognizes how traditional taboos like "stalking" and "harassment" have taken newer, more subtle appearances in the digital age. People tend to ignore that increased responsibility comes with increased reach. Kids and teens can reach each other just about anywhere now, and so I do think that they have to be taught about where the appropriate boundaries are. This is just an example of the phenomenal digital work that R/GA in New York is doing for the world, specifically the Ad Council with this campaign. It promotes good causes while being interactive and educational, but at the same time entertaining. Bravo and keep defending the good name of advertising, R/GA!

Agency Work: Campbell Mithun

There's a lot of potential here for Toro, but I think Campbell Mithun in Boston might have dropped the ball. I'm not quite sure how I feel about it. I like the pilot concept, and I like juxtaposing him with a lawn mower. I like the camera shots and I even like the part at the end where the "cool job" belongs not to the fighter pilot, but to the lawncare guy because he gets to use a Toro Mower. However, I'm just not sure about how it all works together. Something seems missing, and as a result the spot just doesn't flow. Perhaps with more concepting it could have been better.

Agency Work: Mullen

There was a series of these commercials for Timberland boots, but this one took the cake for me. Mullen in Boston did a great job of appealing to their audience through timing, context, and imagery. Dramatization or not, if advertising is the art of persuasion then this is top notch persuading. If I were more of a handyman I'd be sold on these. The commercial screams "manly" and "tough," and this is all ignoring the fact that Mullen was able to add personality to a boot. Good job on this one, however the others in the series definitely lack the same quality.

Agency Work: Deutsch

Of course this commercial won't appeal to everyone. However, Deutsch knows that it will do its job. Beautiful visuals, stunning sound, and dramatic elements all come together to provide an unbelievable 30 second experience. The gamer, especially the Playstation 3 gamer, respects such high-quality visuals. The gamer knows that such intense scenes of battle don't come from just any game. And the gamer knows that Killzone 2 will present all this and more. Deutsch in Los Angeles did a phenomenal job of whetting the gamer's appetite and of knowing their target audience. Bravo and keep up the gorgeous work.

Agency Work: Hill Holiday

As we've seen before from Hill Holiday in their work for Liberty Mutual, 1 good deed can have a drastic effect. I've shown a similar piece from the Boston agency earlier in the blog, but this one is a little less...mushy. The theme still stands just as strong, however. The pay-it-forward random act of kindness type of world that they depict just shows how much 1 thoughtful act can have. And, of course, my favorite part is how they bring it full circle to show that it can come back to help you in the future, too. A good ad for a good company promoting a good cause. This is what advertising was meant to do.

Agency Work: Carmichael Lynch

This commercial is stunning. Porsche certainly knows its audience and how to cater to them. All true car enthusiasts love the sound of the engine, and this commercial plays to just that. The idea of having the sound system be the car's engine: it's brilliant. Not everyone can appreciate such a concept, but similarly, not everyone drives a Porsche. Believe me, this commercial definitely resonates with its target audience. Carmichael Lynch in Minneapolis really knocked it out of the park with this one in my opinion. Simple and sweet, the way a performance car television spot should be.

Agency Work: Lowe

Ah, this spot had so much potential in my opinion. All it lacked was a powerful ending, something to really bring it home. I don't know quite what I was expecting it to end on, but this sure wasn't it. The guys at Lowe Mexico sure had a great idea here. And they even managed to execute it beautifully (or not so beautifully). I just wish there was a bit more "oomph" behind the final few seconds. Or something to transition better between the slow people and the car shots. All in all a hilarious and resonating ad from Lowe for the Clio. I wish there was a series of this.

Agency Work: DraftFCB

A clever, creative ad for Greenpeace by the guys at DraftFCB Australia. Powerful, yes, but also meaningful. However, I think the end makes the ad; the simple zoom out to show the pile of logs and the tagline. The ad wouldn't be nearly as well done if it wasn't displayed on ends of logs in my opinion. This subtle nuance ads depth (figuratively speaking) and context for the ad. Cause advertising is a tricky business, and Draft certainly got it right here. Perhaps the only thing I disagree with is the music. It seems to not only take away from the whole message by distracting and overpowering the spot, but it also seems out of place for such a serious topic. All in all a good spot, very well done.

Agency Work: T.A.G. SF

I love any television spot that makes use of surrealism and interest imagery in order to send a message. If reading lets you explore whole fantasy worlds, than TAG in San Francisco challenges you to imagine what a Microsoft Zune can do for you. By diving into the device, you become immersed in a fantasy world of music and bizarre visuals. Pink rabbits, moving pictures, and giant jellyfish are but a few. If I didn't know better, I'd say this was the work of a Wieden or a Crispin type of agency. I was surprised to find out that was, in fact, TAG. If they can keep up imaginative and creative stuff like this, good stuff will follow for sure.

Agency Work: TM Advertising

The guys at TM in Dallas are known for being funny and witty, and they sure show it here. While the office brainstorm session is certainly a cliche, the "serious" expert in the room is a different take on things. And as far as I'm concerned, as long as there's a new take on things, the cliche is forgivable. In addition to the main message that GroupHealth lets you keep your old doctor, there's also the more subtle message that GroupHealth takes the drama out of health insurance. Since context is key, I wouldn't show this commercial at 11 am on a Saturday, but for the after-dark crew I think it's appropriate. TM certainly did well with this one: simple, funny, and concise.

Agency Work: The Martin Agency

So apparently The Martin Agency did the promoting for the ESPN X Games 13, and this was one of the spots they created for it. I would bet that it's difficult to do good creative work for something like extreme sports, but I think this is as good as it gets. The copy, while not revolutionary, is clever and witty and fluid. In addition, the visuals are an interesting play on words. Spark, fuse, bomb, it's all pretty creative stuff. The imagery goes along well with extreme sports as well. Good job overall for a very difficult client by the guys at The Martin Agency in Richmond.

Agency Work: McCann Erickson

It's funny in a strange way. McCann Erickson Germany certainly went out on a limb here, and I'm honesty not sure what to make of it. I get that it's making fun of itself, I do. Is that all there is to it, though? I question Coke Zero's choice of target audience here. I feel like the people this commercial would appeal to wouldn't be drinking Coke Zero, so as a result I'd be interested in seeing the effectiveness of such a spot. Production-wise, it's a great commercial. I just wonder if the substance is deserving of the same praise...

Agency Work: Grey

I've got mixed feelings about this spot. I get what they were going for. In fact, I love the idea here. However, I just don't know if the actual execution carries through. Don't get me wrong, it's a stunning message; the synchronous comparison of football to ballet. I just wonder if the guys at Grey New York could have found more "ballet-like" footage out there. And does the fact that it needs to be slowed down to 1000 frames per second really help? I mean, if you have to slow it down to see the beauty, what kind of message is that? Overall, I think it was good planning with poor execution here for the NFL. Better luck next time.

Agency Work: JWT

Usually I'm not a fan of liquor commercials. They tend to be very cliche. But rarely do you find one as visually stunning as this one by JWT New York for Smirnoff Signature. The copy is extraordinary, and the visuals that go along with it take my breath away. The message of strong heritage and background is wonderful, and I love the color scheme most of all. The simple and minimalist red on white appearance is genius. While it's not my favorite liquor spot, it certainly ranks above the majority of liquor ads out there depicting merely nightlife and sexy women.

Agency Work: Y&R

So I've got mixed feelings about this ad. When it started I thought, "great. another ad that manipulates and utilizes high speed cameras." This was nothing I hadn't seen before. However, as I stuck with the ad, I realized it wasn't just putting high speed footage out there and leaving it for what it was. The ad rose above the easy route and did something amazing: they made art out of art. They took high speed footage and beautified it. And then, of course, there's the message. Once again, this ad isn't just about what it's about. It's about the experience, the feeling, and the sensation of "burst." My hat's off to Y&R Melbourne for their work with Schweppes. Incredible.

Agency Work: Ogilvy and Mather

Incredible! I love this commercial by Ogilvy Chile for ANFP! In case you don't speak Spanish, the copy reads something like "there is a sport you play with your arms: tennis. there is a sport you play with your legs...etc." And even if you don't speak Spanish, could you really not understand it? This unity between copy and art direction is wonderful, a true balance that universalizes the advertisement's message. This is some incredible work from an agency that's not traditionally very creative. Bravo, Ogilvy.

Agency Work: Martin|Williams

Oh I get it. Uplifting. Because it lifts up stains out of the carpet. Could Martin|Williams please bring themselves out of the need for "puns," which have to be one of the lowest forms of humor? I'm sure Hoover doesn't appreciate it. Or maybe they do. Perhaps this was a case where the client liked it and the agency didn't feel the need to stand up to them? Either way, this isn't creative or clever in my opinion. And least of all is it humorous. Try harder next time, Martin|Williams.

Agency Work: Latinworks

Here's another one of those commercials where you have to stick with it. We've seen the gawky teenager's before from agencies like Lowe for Axe (ie "get a girlfriend") but here's a different take on it. Latinworks does a pretty good job here for Stubb's BBQ Sauce. I like the Napoleon Dynamite-esque environment and poor production quality. Little things like that really improve the ad and make it more believable. I think it goes on a bit too long to expect us to stick with it, but if you do it's rewarding and funny.

Agency Work: Dieste Harmel

I'm not sure how I feel about this ad by Dieste Harmel in San Francisco for Clorox. I follow the idea: a childlike animation to simulate how the minds of children can make up incredibly imaginative stories. But then what? I feel like perhaps I'm missing something, but all in all I'm not too fond of this spot. The animation, for me at least, is gritty and hard to look at. It's all very...simple. Even the overall theme is simple. I don't feel very rewarded, but perhaps other stuff by Dieste Harmel does a better job of that.

Agency Work: GSD&M Idea City

What would you say if I told you this was made without any computer-generated effects? That's what the guys at GSD&M Idea City in Austin managed to accomplish here for BMW. What a remarkable tribute to how far technology has come: both in film and automotive industries. A V8 M3, sure that's impressive. But how about this unedited footage of the inside of an engine? Now that's truly something. Great job on this one! Truly entertaining.

Agency Work: 180

As I learned in Introduction to Creativity, good advertising typically "is not about what it's about." Yes, this is an ad for Sony. Yes it features elements from Sony's various consumer electronic products. But if you stick with it (which isn't hard considering the fantastic visual quality and fun conceptual ideas), the ad transforms at the end. Suddenly, with the copy "believe that anything you can imagine, you can make real," the ad has become about more than just electronics. It's become about imagination and possibility. Amazing job by the guys at 180 Los Angeles for Sony, here. Real potential.

Agency Work: Goodby Silverstein

Okay, so I'm not a fan of the split screen. In fact, it's becoming a bit of a visual cliche. However, I love and respect the copy in this ad for the NBA Finals by Goodby in San Francisco. And who better to feature in an ad about rivalries than Magic and Larry Bird? I love the subtle nuances, from the fact that they're wearing their jerseys (despite the obvious old age) to even just watching each of them blink. It's robotic without feeling monotonous. Great job, and perhaps one day we'll see a rivalry that rivals even that of Johnson and Bird.

Agency Work: TBWA

TBWA/Chiat/Day in New York, I love you guys. This commercial is priceless; pure gold. Funny. Clever. Short. And Simple. Had they just left it at the pun playing off of Patrick Ewing, I'd say it was a flop. However, by integrating it into the tagline: "get dunked on by Patrick Chewing" with a funny, over-the-top scene to hit it home, I've got to say this is one of my favorite Snickers ads to date.

Agency Work: DDB

Anyone think this is a little reminiscent of the BMW Films by Fallon? From the celebrity inclusion, dramatic plot line and even similar production techniques, I've got to say this work from DDB Berlin screams BMW Films. But hey, you can't knock them for trying it. And it's pretty good, too. I like that they took The Bourne Ultimatum, the 3rd film in a series of very well-recognized and well-received films, to do this. It was a smart move to go with such an action-packed trilogy as the Bourne movies. It really does a good job of rebranding the VW image.

Agency Work: BBDO

What a fantastic use of alternative media by the boys at BBDO Malaysia for Mini! I love the intricacy of the entire plot. From the creation of actual protagonists and drama to the exciting conclusion, they kept the consumer interested all throughout. And isn't that what effective alternative media is designed to do? Moreover, isn't that what good advertising is designed to do? Engage the consumer, keep them engaged, and deliver a point home that is both meaningful and valuable to them. I can't praise this work enough. How creative and genius!

5 Commercials Full of "Stuff"

As an Apple employee I am deeply saddened to present a commercial for the Zune portable media player by Microsoft, but this one by 72andSunny out of Los Angeles certainly qualifies as using a lot of "stuff." I like the graveyard setting, the sharing aspect between devices, and the catchy (if annoying) song. Overall, a colorful and enjoyable commercial but I don't know if it's one that will stick with me forever.

Next up is one of my favorite commercials involving color: the Sony Bravia Pyramid spot. Hundreds or thousands of spools of colored thread reel down one of the great pyramids, cascading it in color to bring across Sony's message clear and simple: their TV's have amazing color. Y&R in their Singapore office really knocked it out of the park on this one. Indeed, the whole campaign is wonderful to watch, however this was one that I selected for the "stuff" assignment.

Of all the "Truth" campaign spots out there, this one fills the screen more than any others. Literally, thousands of people flow in mass like a river down the streets of New York to make a very clear point: smoking kills this many people every day. This efficiently overcomes the old saying about how "1 death is a tragedy, 1000 is a statistic." By physically 'seeing' the thousands of people, it brings it all into perspective. Arnold Worldwide did a great job on this particular spot. The boys in Boston did it again.

Fourth up is Saatchi and Saatchi's spot for the new Toyota Prius 3 out of Los Angeles. The "Harmony" ad uses hundreds of people in costumes to provide the illusion of an earth filled with trees, grass, sun, clouds, etc. It's a dreamscape like environment with the new Prius putting along the road, alluding to how nature-friendly the hybrid car is. Apparently it's so environmentally sound that when you drive it, nature sings and dances with you. Overall a solid spot: original and creative.

Finally, what just might be the most fun-looking commercial ever, I have to commend Sony and the boys at Fallon Worldwide, London office, for their amazing work. Foam floods an entire city, essentially creating a free-for-all atmosphere. You simply CANNOT frown when you're covered in foam, I think. The commercial spot is simply brilliant. I only wish I could have been there when it was being filmed.

3, 3, and 3: Part 3

And now, only having already praised the good commercials, I must wag my finger at the bad. These are the irresponsible, the ethically unjust ads that give advertising as an industry a bad name. Previously in this blog I've tipped my hat to Weiden + Kennedy for their work with Levi's. Now, comparatively, I am disturbed by the "Live Unbuttoned" campaign done by BBH London for the same company. These ads irresponsibly utilize sex, sexiness, and innuendo to sell a completely unrelated product. Have a one night stand, break the rules, disregard all intimacy in the pursuit of pleasure. These are the messages I receive when I watch these ads. And it's even more upsetting to think that with a few small changes, the ads could be tastefully redone to get a proper message across.

Next up is a rather recent Verizon ad by McCann Erickson. Now I'm not sure if it's only because I work at Apple, but this ad strikes me as a direct insult to all that Steve Jobs and the iphone have done for the world. By stating "there's a map for that" in direct comparison to iphone commercials' "there's an app for that," I feel you have sunk to the lowest form of advertising: if you can't beat em, mock em. And mock they have. Verizon has, for me at least, left a lasting sour taste in my mouth with this one. Do something a little more clever next time, guys. Please?

Finally, I'd like to mention a series of ads done by Goodby Silverstein out of San Francisco for Cheetos. In each of these, potentially annoying people are made victims of "Cheetos-related" crimes. The spots seem to be advocating vengeful or hateful acts rather than appropriate conflict resolution. Context is clearly an issue here, and should Cheetos (a chip marketed towards children) really be sending this sort of message? I'd like to think not.

3, 3, and 3: Part 2

Let's start with a basic understanding of what responsible advertising is, whether it be for a cause or a product. I believe that it promotes its client in a way that provokes thought, interest, humor, happiness, or any other positive emotion. Irresponsible advertising provokes negative emotions. That being said, this first print ad by JWT out of Dubai blends humor and impact to create a very well done piece. This is taken from a series designed around promoting ocean cleanliness in honor of Earth Day. I find that the ad resonates with me particularly effectively because of my own love for sushi.

Next up is a print ad that utilizes vivid colors and the beauty of nature get its message across. This series out of Jakarta by McCann Erickson for the Jakarta Reptilian Lovers Association is a perfect example of responsible advertising at its best. The ad evokes entirely positive emotions: awe, happiness, excitement, etc. in order to pull you in and prove a point. It also uses the tricky concept of optical illusion to present a dual-effect: you have a beautiful image composed of individually beautiful examples of nature.

Third is an online piece by AMV BBDO for gun control and peace advocacy. This ad is by far one of the more controversial of the "responsible cause advertisements" because it utilizes a touchy subject: shock effect. While I would not go as far as to say it is a negative form of promoting a cause, it certainly is not the highlight of the spot. I personally find the jaw-dropping high speed camera footage to be stunning. For me at least, this ad is very responsible because it evokes interest, awe, and even shock from me. I love this piece.

3, 3, and 3: Part 1

To begin with, I would like to highlight 3 spots that advertise a product in a responsible manner. This first commercial for Heineken by Wieden + Kennedy out of their Portland office is one of my absolute favorites. It combines humor with a cool, trendy hipness to promote a positive and effective message: Don't Drive Drunk. "Let a stranger drive you home," the ad states: a valuable message aimed at the cool, trendy crowd of Heineken drinkers the commercial targets.

Next on the list for spots that advertise a product in a responsible way is an ad for Liberty Mutual by Hill Holiday in Boston. This 'warm and fuzzy' ad delivers a powerful "pay it forward" type of message that lends credit to both the insurance agency and the human race as a whole. It speaks to the power of one good action and the resulting cycle of good actions, and it falls in line perfectly with the Liberty Mutual "Good Deeds" campaign it belongs to.

My third spot that advertises a product responsibly is yet another piece by Wieden + Kennedy's Portland location, this time for Coca-Cola. It piggybacks on the controversy revolving around the Grand Theft Auto video game series and its violent content by turning the main character into an iconic "good guy" personality. Add that to the soundtrack "You Give a Little Love" from Bugsy Malone and you've got a pretty powerful television spot. While assuming that sharing a Coke is equivalent to sharing love is certainly a lofty claim, the commercial gracefully pushes a positive message across while making Coca-Cola look great as well.

Advertising Literacy Assignment 1: 5 "Artful" Ads

So this will be my first post here and I'd like to start things off with one of the most beautifully artistic ads out there. It's done by Wieden + Kennedy out of their London office and you've probably seen it at one time or another as it's shown up on countless video sites. It's their Rube Goldberg-esque spot composed entirely out of Honda parts that speaks perfectly to the versatility, synchronicity, and sleekness of Honda's automobiles. This is a true example of advertising as an art form because every piece comes together in a beautiful harmony that makes you forget it took over 600 takes for this to work.

Next up I'd like to mention a fantastic commercial for Visa by TBWA/Chiat/Day out of Los Angeles. While there are countless spots out there involving the fluidity and liquidity of water, none do it so well as this one. There is a flow the the commercial that truly captivates and lends "credit" *pun* to the ad being artful in its very nature. As you'll see throughout the rest of these ads, music can play a large role in how a television spot can flow artistically. It can make or break the commercial. I genuinely believe this is one of the most compelling ads on television today. In addition, I love the message it carries. It sure makes me want to do something fun with my Visa Debit Card.

For my third advertisement I'd like to post a series of print ads done by Saatchi and Saatchi out of New York for Ultra Tide Stain Remover. While these fascinating and original pieces could easily appear in an art gallery, what makes them truly interesting is that upon a closer look what was originally a carpet becomes individual people all closing in on a smaller group. While it emphasizes the power of the stain remover, it also shocks by way of illusion, an effective artistic tool when it comes to print ads.

Fourth is a beautifully crafted ad by JWT New York for De Beers, quite possibly my favorite De Beers television spot out there. Two dandelion seeds do a romantic dance as they flow across a landscape filled with breathtaking images including spiderwebs, water droplets, and waves. While a tad cliche, as all De Beers ads tend to be, the commercial highlights a key element of advertising as art: flow. All of these ads thus far display an absolute mastery of the art of fluidity. This ad epitomizes it. I love the part where one seed gets stuck, however mushy and sappy it might be.

Finally, I'd like to present one of my favorite campaigns of all time, the "Go Forth" Levi's campaign by Wieden + Kennedy's Portland office. These spots are flawless in my opinion, absolutely beautiful. Between the use of Walt Whitman's poem and strategic filming, the vivid and powerful images come to life to present a strong message: go forth and live your life in America, the land of freedom and unity. Dress how you want and express yourself. Express your soul through our denim.