TV

Evian’s “Baby & Me”

Evian strikes gold with another spot focusing on their “Live Young” branding and providing us with yet again a video featuring adorable babies, Evian’s signature. This time, instead of just showing the inner child that Evian’s water brings out in drinkers because of the pure quality, the brand decided to take the story a step further and have the adults actually meet their inner child. The casting for this campaign was spot on in both the commercial and print applications. Above you can see the dancing, youthful, children as they meet and below you can catch a glimpse of how the campaign is shown through print. Overall I think it’s a cheerful attitude that stick’s true to Evian’s previous advertising. And the use of cute adorable babies in ads is always a winner in my books.

Read more on Evian’s “Baby & Me”…

Mad Men Sundays

Mad Men fans waited in anticipation for the premiere of Mad Men last night on AMC. Now that the ad junkie show is back on, what should we do each week when we all gather together to celebrate? Throw an official Mad Men party with the help of their branded online party planner.

One of the Guys

If you’ve been around campus, you’ve had to have seen this picture in an ad, for the web series “One of the Guys”, that is all over buildings, elevators, you name it. Turns out it has a pretty great story to go along with it. The concept of “One of the Guys” is that a straight man signs a lease for the spare room in an apartment that three gay men currently live in, none of which knew he was straight. It’s a clever twist on stereotypes to see if the guys can really accept this straight guy into their lives as just another “One of the guys”.

Minority Leadership! – Comcast Launches 4 New Networks

Comcast announce its plans to make a change in the cable television network by launching 4 NEW networks! Starting soon as early in April 2012!

The headliners are Magic Johnson (retired professional basketball player), P. Diddy (entrepreneur), Robert Rodriguez (film director), and Constantino “Said” Schwarz (Spanish language tv veteran).

Can you Photoshop?

As students in the creative industry, we are always challenged with our Photoshop skills by making things look just right. We learn that we need to make sure when we use the Creative Suite programs, we need to try our best. In this example, we can see that it was done very poorly.

Ms. Brown is Coming!

Super Bowl 2012

So this Sunday is THE day when we get to see the Super Bowl XLVI. When the Super Bowl comes near we know the best advertisements of the year will be making it’s appearance. If you look at Adweek, you can see the previews for some of the commercials that will be appearing. (Let me just say, it’s very interesting and funny so go check it out!)

Inspiration In and Out

If there is one thing I have learned by interning at the Center City Public Relations agency Jenna Communications – it is that inspiration is everywhere. As a senior, I am at that time in my life where I do not know where to go from here. I have dreams and aspirations, but achieving them is a not-so-sure feeling. With the economy and lack of jobs available, it is hard to know what to do next with my career, life, and love for advertising. However, ever since working at Jenna Communications, I have been inspired in so many ways. It is assuring to gain that one thing many lack: hope. The women I work with, have given me this.

Fancy Feast~ Will You Marry Us?

I’m in my final semester at Temple and on more than one occasion I’ve heard people say that they’ve learned more in this last semester than all the others combined. I don’t agree completely, but I understand where they’re coming from to an extent. I see things differently now after hearing so many perspectives on the industry, on what makes a good campaign, and on what motivates people. Campaigns and portfolio (ad courses) really get to the root of building a case for branding and execution.

Kia: Korean or other Wie’s?

In the couple of weeks leading up to spring break, I was given the task of repositioning Kia for a portfolio (class) assignment. We first had to write a letter selling our idea (to the CEO… professor) and then follow that up with some print executions. I think the only rule is that we weren’t allowed to position on price– someone else can always undercut so it’s not a true position.

Soda’s So Stylish

The soda and beer industry are using a variety of new methods to promote their low-cal variations of beverages. Two “cans” that stand out especially are Michelob Ultra, and the newest 10-calorie Dr Pepper TEN. Michelob, known as one of the lowest calorie beers on the market, now has cans that are tall and thin, as opposed to the standard stout, cylinder cans we have all always known. This method of advertising is subtle and clever, as it implies skinniness without having to say it; it is recognized every time someone picks up the can to take a sip.

Art & Copy: An Independent Lens

I watched something cool on PBS recently, that I think everyone will find to be very interesting! Check out “Art & Copy: An Independent Lens.” It’s an extremely interesting documentary about Advertising in which you “find out how they [the major faces in advertising] changed the way we see, feel, dream, buy. The story behind the real mad men and women; where they came from and where they’re taking us.” This film will be of especial interest to those of you who are communications majors, AND even those individuals who have nothing to do with advertising, but want to watch a really awesome documentary! Watch the trailer for the film here!
Cool reference: Advertising is poison gas–it should cheer you up, choke you, give you the chills, and maybe make you pass out when you watch it.
As an individual of the creative field, I can identify with this concept quoted from the film:
“The thing about being a creative person, is that you can’t necessarily explain where your thoughts came from then, nor can you predict where they are going to come from tomorrow.”

1Billion Hungry

Well this completely relates to the project that most Art Direction two students just finished, and what some graphic design majors are still working on.

1Billion Hungry is a campaign that is a little more edgy than anything City Harvest has done.

Starring Eminem: Super Bowl Ads 2011

This super bowl series of commercials was filled with themes of violence, nostalgia, references to the actual making of a commercial (within a commercial), the havock that may ensue while house-sitting, and…. Eminem? The rapper’s first appearance came in the form of a half-cartoon-character version of Eminem, starring in a Brisk commercial. The next ad in which Eminem starred was Chrysler’s “Motor City” spot. Unfortunately for Chrysler, the angry character figure of Eminem from Brisk who appeared first in the series of ads ended the commercial furiously screaming “SEE?! THIS IS WHY I DON’T DO COMMERCIALS!”… And then a few minutes later, took on the serious role of a rapper from Detroit for Chrysler.

Really? Windows Phone…

“It’s time for a phone to save us from our phones.” People spend so much time on their phones they’re missing out on life. Interesting concept. I suppose Windows Phone is so fast that each of these people can do what it is they do and still have enough time left over to live. It sounds like a great idea… really. I don’t have a smart phone, so I don’t have this problem, but I will say that it piques my interest.

Read more on Really? Windows Phone……

Honest to Goodness Lunches May be Too Honest

“Honest to Goodness” is a new campaign from Healthy Choice. It demands more attention than the previous campaign with Julia Louis Dreyfus. It’s easier to sell an idea with unknowns than it is with a celebrity. What about people who don’t care for a particular celebrity? It creates an instant disconnect from the product. There’s no prior expectation with unknown actors. That’s not to say that celebrities don’t help, but the product should bare most of the liability. It should be able to stand on it’s own.

Dentyne: Practice Safe Breath

This campaign has been around for a little while, but I didn’t notice it ’til recently. Almost a year ago, I entered a contest where one of the objectives was to create a few Dentyne ads that were both fun and bold with a relationship vibe. Mine weren’t even close to being on this level. Like they say, “sex sells.” I think the concept is interesting, but by today’s standards the innuendo is dated. “You’re prepared no matter how close you get.” 15 or 20 years ago, this may have been a groundbreaking spot. Bad breath can still break the mood, but times have changed. For some people, hooking up is like saying “hello” and then afterward saying, “Oh by the way, what’s your name?”

Mr. Opportunity: Knock it off…

I think he’s suffering the same ailments as the caveman. He’s a person by default and for him to stand out he has to be more than what he is.

Best Buy: The obvious choice…

Each geek would much rather have a woman who understands him rather than just any woman even if she’s not real.

Geico: Anything Goes!

Its campaigns aren’t really consistent; it has a spokesman and a mascot; and it isn’t the best nor the first yet Geico remains the most popular.

Fútbol Fetus: A March of Dimes PSA

This one speaks (kicks) for itself. I originally saw the Spanish version. I guess it was placed again for the World Cup (being an older commercial and all).

La Vie Grand Marnier!

It looks good enough to frame.

Does your marriage matter?

I wouldn’t be at all surprised if this “campaign” was really launched by someone at Ashley Madison operating under a pseudonym. “Well played.” is what I’d say.

Honda: Gawk Responsibly.

Their bikes are better than his and he would rather be riding than babysitting a chain gang.

Capital One: Everyone Knows Two is Better Than One

The charm of the Capital One commercials is the announcer format with the Nordic accent and the fact that the Vikings are so destructive.

Peco: Somebody has overstayed their welcome…

It’s hard to unload large appliances. They actually offer to pick them up and pay for them. What’s not to like about that given the consumer is getting a replacement.

Has GM redeemed itself?

Many Americans didn’t agree with bailing out GM (among others), but it’s very American to feel entitled to the benefit of the doubt.

We Changed Everything About the Name!

Suppose we know from experience that Verizon is better in just one of these areas, the fallacy that we are supposed to assume that Xfinity is automatically better in the other area.