Sometimes it doesn’t take much to bring me a little bit of happiness. In this instance, it was a simple equation. All I needed was one part Martin Scorsese, plus one part Alfred Hitchcock, plus one part mockumentary. Take it all in with some fine champagne and you get a totally wonderful bit of sly advertising, guaranteed to put a smile on the face of any movie buff. See for yourself. (Thanks to Daring Fireball for the heads up).
Posted by Trev on November 30th, 2007
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As I was trying to think of my blog topic, I started reading my Vitamin water bottle. Has anyone ever read these bottles? Maybe I just noticed because I am that girl reading the back of the cereal box as I am eating it because the TV isn’t on to entertain me and the remote is too far to reach. But anyway…I highly suggest taking notice the next time you pick one up, they are quite amusing. Each flavor has something different, the one I happen to be looking at is “essential, orange-orange.”
The blurb goes on to say how orange juice commercials are funny because no one’s mom is really that cheery making everyone a complete breakfast every morning and if they are, perhaps they are on drugs and if that’s the case they should not be operating machinery. But they do recommend, for those of us who don’t live in Stepford, the orange-orange drink because it has calcium and vitamin c and everything you need to start your day. Now I’m not saying I buy Vitamin water for the blurb’s on the bottle, but it sure as hell doesn’t hurt.
However, someone I know used to buy Molson beer because of the funny sayings on the labels. A few examples: “On The Rebound,” “I See London, I See France,” “I Just Want To Be Held,” “Be Different. Say Yes,” or the more direct, “Can I Get Your Number?” He tried to get all 80 sayings but never quite made it. Now that Molson has gone back to the original label, he doesn’t buy Molson anymore. So maybe the label and the packaging really does make the difference.
Posted by Kristin on November 30th, 2007
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Another advertising legend has passed on. Please take a moment to bow your head and pay tribute. It is only right. Three forefathers of advertising are no longer with us. God bless them. Most recently we lost, Mr. Whipple. Earlier this month we lost Tom Cadden. And, back in August, we said goodbye to Jerry Ringlien.
Not following?
Mr. Whipple influenced our desire for soft paper tissue.
Tom Cadden helped us fall in love with the power and scent of a strong, bald man.
Jerry Ringlien (please scroll to second “Remembrance” listed) taught us the value of loving our food the way we’d want to be loved.
It is incredible to look back at commercials of yore — to see how easily we were entertained and enticed. To discover the history of these ads and learn about the men behind some of the first jingles we probably ever memorized as a child. If you are like me, it probably didn’t dawn on you that these jingles were advertisements. To me, and maybe to you, they were funny little rhymes that you could sing with friends while making sandwiches… “My bologna has a first name!” or with sisters while conducting chores…”Mr. Clean! Mr. Clean!” And, it probably didn’t dawn on you that Mr. Whipple’s silly attempts at getting women to leave his product alone was anything other than laughable entertainment. The simplistic and humorous approach of these ads is universal and elementary. But I fear they haven’t stood the test of time. Rather, we are bombarded with and annoyed by commercials these days. We have stripped the subtleties of brand messaging and the values of entertainment out of our advertisements in favor of creating fast catch phrases to cram into our consumers’ minds. “Can you hear me now?”
Posted by Marrianne on November 20th, 2007
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Does anyone watch commercials anymore with tivo and dvr readily available? I know I don’t, even though I do love to see the advertising creativity, there are just not enough hours in the day and we’re all in a rush. So this is the same discussion that we all have been having but now I am giving my opinion on the newfound advent of advertainment on TV specifically. I feel as though advertising on TV shows has taken on a life of its own lately and is ruining the integrity of the shows.
The biggest culprit I think is the new “Cavemen” show which features the characters from the Geico commercial on primetime TV. For a full half hour they are a constant reminder of Geico. Brilliant on their part to make it work, but for us viewers, a little annoying. However, the one that takes the cake for a branding show in my opinion is “The Apprentice”. After the first season, the show has been dedicated to promoting brands like Levi’s and Mattel and tons more, As the show continues, companies line up to be featured on the Trump show (not to mention all the advertising Trump does for his own brand through the “Apprentice”). Its as if watching an hour long commercial.
At the more subtle level are the products that appear for a few screen shots or a jingle. “The Office” is a prime example of this with singing the “Chili’s” and “Kit Kat” jingles. They also helped increase sales of “The Desk Apprentice” which was created for Staples by an “Apprentice” team and featured on “The Office”. It was odd listening to the dialogue trying to get in the product features, but Staples is sold out so I guess it worked.
Then you have the free plugs because the products are now part of the English language like “Ipod” or “Macs” for any music or computer item. My favorite is “just Google it”. Talk about free advertising!
I know this is nothing new but have just realized how much more apparent TV shows are being now about featuring random products. Personally, I think that it is getting a little ridiculous and storylines are being driven by them and don’t make sense so there should be some control. Or maybe I just need to stop myself from thinking about these things and just enjoy mindless television!
Posted by Nirali on November 16th, 2007
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As a design job, a corporate annual report is sometimes met with yawns and disinterest. Personally, I’ve always found them to be a compelling assignment. The fun comes in trying to come up with a unique spin on the old formula.
Apparently, the designers at the Croatian design firm Bruketa & Zinić feel the same way. The report that they designed for the food company Podravka, (titled Well Done) really breaks the mold – it actually has to be baked to be read! Read all about it here. (thanks to Jason Santa Maria’s blog for the heads up).
Posted by Trev on November 15th, 2007
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