Adland's adnews

Chinese Democracy brings free Dr. Pepper

Robblink — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 00:56:27 +0100

Back in March, Dr. Pepper announced that it will give away free drinks if Guns N' Roses releases their highly anticipated Chinese Democracy album in 2008. The album was supposed to be released in the '90s (before MP3s, iPods and Buckethead).

Chinese Democracy will drop this Sunday and so will free coupons for a 20 ounce bottle of Dr. Pepper. Just visit Dr. Pepper.com for a printable coupon starting 12:01 AM Sunday. The coupon will be available for 24 hours.

New Vodka Absolut vs. Tuborg

hlebarov — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:45:36 +0100

Part of the new "In an Absolut Wolrd" campaign for Vodka Absolut is this one print vission:

... 1:1 copy/past of the main idea in the last Tuborg TVC Grand Opening

Burger King dropping wallets!

Robblink — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:56:59 +0100

This is a pretty cool promotion. The King is dropping wallets full of cash and a Burger King gift card. Don't run out into the streets just yet though! The promotion is just happening in Chicago and Orlando right now.

The Motrin Boob-job spoof commercial.

Dabitch — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:04:48 +0100

All ads that go viral are destined to be mocked and this here might tell you how easy it is to do kinetic text these days. The Motrin ad gets mocked with babywearing versus boob-jobs. Indeed one of these things may make your back hurt (being naturally top heavy sure does, the help for that is to get a decent bra fitted - big girls please remember that bravissimo is your friend, they even have pyjamas with support. Man they should pay me or least discount my cute set habit for always telling my friends about them. ha!)

Hat tip to brand new adgrunt a_mayer. Tack.

So, what exactly went wrong with Motrins ad?

Dabitch — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:38:08 +0100

Was it the tone of voice, or rather snark? Was it not understanding the market? Was it offensive to 'babywearing' moms? Was it underestimating a mothers pride in her choices? Was it just being totally clueless about actual mom-habits when they snarked about baby-wearing being "a fad"? Was it offensive for calling practical "fashionable"? Was it the wrong copy, or the wrong strategy?

Your five cents wanted. Meanwhile if you missed it, you can catch up here.

The #Motrinmoms search on twitter.

The "How to Boycott Motrin for Bashing Babywearing" post.

The Youtube video with anti-Motrin tweets in it

The removal of the ad and apology email from Motrin.

My take on it - hated the kinetic font thing.

Caffeinegodess' take on it Motrin causes self headache

Marketingpilgrims take

and last but not least The offending Motrin advert

Shilo and Ogilvy Amsterdam Win Gold (and Silver) for MTV Burma P.S.A at the LIA

Dabitch — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 09:52:55 +0100

The filmmakers from creative production company Shilo (www.shilo.tv) are very proud to announce that their collaboration with Carl Le Blond, Executive Creative Director at Ogilvy & Mather Amsterdam, John Jackson, Director of Social Responsibility, MTV Networks, Suki Dusanj, Founder of The Burma Arts Board, activist Sam Roddick and others has earned the 2008 London International Awards Gold Statue for Television/Cinema Animation.

Here's a really happy Carl Le Blond receiving the award in London.

Check out the posters "none of us are free" here and of course, the winning commercial:
Free Burma - Bombings - (2008) 1:30 (The Netherlands)

Of the nearly 18,000 total submissions into the London International Awards from 81 countries, only five percent reached finalist status. From that elite group, less than two percent earned Silver and less than one percent won Gold. "The standard of animation in film has just made quantum leaps forward in the past few years," commented Barbara Levy, president of London International Awards. "Only the very best would be considered for metal."

Last month, the "Burma Viral" project was also presented with the Silver Shark Award during the 46th annual Kinsale Shark Awards, in the category of International Craft: Best Animation. One of the longest running international advertising festivals, the Kinsale Shark Awards celebrate the best work in broadcast advertising from Ireland and around the world.

Frexinet and Martin Scorsese win yet another award - Grand Cup

Dabitch — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 09:45:04 +0100

Congratulations to JWT Barcelona and Martin Scorsese for winning yet another award with their near nine minute epic Frexinet ad. They just won The Grand Cup for it as well.

"The Key to Reserva" (Original Title - "La Clave Reserva")

Awards so far:
CLIO Awards, 2008 (Gold) for Beverages/Alcoholic
The One Show, 2008 (Gold) for Innovative Use of Advertising - Single
The One Show, 2008 (Gold) for Branded Content
Cannes Lions - International Advertising Festival, 2008 (Silver Lion) for Internet Film
Cannes Lions - International Advertising Festival, 2008 (Silver Lion) for Other Screens
The New York Festivals International Advertising Awards in All Media, 2008 (Gold) for Spots longer than 120seconds
The Intercontinental Advertising Cup (The Cup), 2008 (Cup Winner) for Best of Products & Services / Beverages
The Intercontinental Advertising Cup (The Cup), 2008 (Grand Cup)
The Intercontinental Advertising Cup (The Cup), 2008 (Cup Winner) for Best of Admaking / Crafting (Award for Production Company)

The Beaver Stays Down Under

caffeinegoddess — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:24:44 +0100

The Sydney Morning Herald is reporting that the "Down-Under" "Beaver" ad campaign for Kotex won't be getting the ax, even with 150 complains since the ads began airing earlier this year.

Research found that 90 per cent of women have a nickname for their genitals and "beaver" was one of 181 recorded. "We realised that was how they [women] were talking

"It was none of this stuff like running along beaches and riding horses," said Mr Larkin, referring to euphemistic images used in sanitary pad ads. "We will stand out by being natural, is what we told them [the advertiser]."

Anastasia Barlas, divisional manager, adult and feminine care at Kimberly-Clark Australia, said of the campaign: "All we were doing was to try to make women feel comfortable about talking about their vaginas. The beaver is an icon that we created but it is too early to say … we need to see the concepts when they come back."

Even though the campaign has driven Kotex's share of the $250 million market by two share points to nearly 12 per cent in a year, don't expect to see the ads in Europe or the Americas, as they feel it's a very "Australian ad".

Apple - the Satisfaction Meter Banner

Dabitch — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 13:50:30 +0100

TBWA\Media Arts Lab, Los Angeles created this new banner ad for apple, where the Satisfaction meter goes oh yeah. (Watch quicktime inside folks)

Super Bowl ad lineup taking shape

caffeinegoddess — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:41:13 +0100

Yesterday, Cars.com announced their return to the Super Bowl for the second consecutive year with a 60-second spot that will air in the second quarter.

The Wall St. Journal is reporting that Anheuser-Busch, CareerBuilder.com, Hyundai Motor, PepsiCo, Paramount Pictures, E*Trade, and Coca-Cola (including at least 3 spots for CokeZero) will return, along with new brands like Pedigree.

Monster.com is debating a return after sitting out the past few years and FedEx is still undecided and according to sources, holding out to see if they can get a deal.

Twitter Betty Draper reveals herself - it's the Ad Broad.

Dabitch — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 12:24:14 +0100

Our fave ad lady has revealed that she is the one who twittered the now more popular Betty Draper in her post I am @bettydraper.

By the time I learned that what I'd signed up for was a volunteer effort⎯I was too hooked to quit. There is a thrill that comes with taking on another persona, interacting with the world as someone else, especially if that someone is as complex and interesting⎯ and as sexy and glam⎯as Matthew Weiner's Betty.

I found myself scouting for back issues of Life magazines, searching for things for Betty and Francine to do together. I ordered books online ("The Golden Age of the 60s") and spent hours and hours googling 60s culture, making sure that my tweets were historically accurate.

She also reveals that bud Melman, the mailroom guy tried to get all the Mad Men twitters to do exiting things like storylines, what a great idea. I knew that I gave that guy the right review on his Linkedin Profile: “Bud is detail oriented, pleasant and particularly good at seeing great opportunities where other people don't. An ambitious talent that can't stay hidden in the mail room for long.”

Don't forget to check out the objects tweeting from Sterling Cooper, the office copier Xerox914 and the Boylan Seltzer bottle.

Advertising has gone to the dogs - mini billboards, scratch and sniff & Bark if you love Bonzo

Dabitch — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 12:29:56 +0100

Silverbacked (and redheaded) adgrunts probably recall the Bark if you love Bonzo barking mad dog billboards that I proclaimed to be the worlds first Dog Billboards back in 2001 (I have yet to find any earlier example, but you never know).

Well, it looks like targeting the dogs rather than their owners (or the owners through their dogs) is becoming ever more popular, and while these are not identical I think it's fun to look at some related ideas (I am not accusing anyone in this group of purposely plagiarizing any other idea here)

Credits to the Bonzo billboard goes to Pim Gerrits, Ben Lambers, Raphael Bartels who worked a couple of doors down from me at Publicis, Amsterdam at the time. The billboards were fitted with a dog whistle, so dogs would indeed bark when they came near it.

Branding Analysis We Can Believe In

AlphaSquirrel — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 06:56:01 +0100

So, then, there's been some analysis of the role that Obama's branding played in his victory in the U.S. presidential election — but not as much as I thought there'd be ....

There's a nice, short summary at Ad Age, though it's noted that it doesn't really offer anything new. And it's true, there's been plenty written along the way, from a lengthy piece in Fast Company to a British perspective on the design. As part of the whole post-election wrapup, the NYT offered some observations as did the LAT; it's agreed that things really turned against McCain with the economic crisis, but they do note the value of focus and the importance of message.

Also at the the NYT, Stephen Heller's been writing regularly on the campaign's design issues, including an interview with a political branding consultant and even covering such design geekery as analyses of Obama's use of Gotham vs. McCain's use of Optima.

But Obama's branding must have been effective — in the really, really, really close Minnesota race, the Republican candidate is trying to trade in on the success.

Anyway, I got into this all after reading a WSJ article that revealed:

But in a strategy session of five McCain advisers — campaign manager Rick Davis, pollster Bill McInturff, strategist Steve Schmidt, ad-maker Fred Davis and strategist Greg Strimple — the back and forth revealed a fundamental problem. Fred Davis posed a question designed to give the campaign a central focus: "Why should we elect John McCain?" Tellingly, after several hours of debate, the five couldn't reach a consensus.

We've all been there. Working with a marketing team that can't decide on a message, and instead going in all sorts of different directions. And we all know how well that goes.

Letting the consumers interact with your brand - Google gets it. Re-shoots Pittsburg to incorporate street art.

Dabitch — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 21:43:15 +0100

Blurring the boundaries between reality and fiction was what artists Robin Hewlett and Benjamin Kinsley wanted to do - what if Google re-shoot a Pittsburgh street, with quirky things happening along the way as hidden as easter eggs within the hood. The artists approached the Mattress Factory for help, and they were all surprised when they asked Google if they would join them in staging a google street view event, and Google said "yes".

Firemen rescue stuffed cats, garages host live bands, runners fake a marathon, and it all ends when all the neighbors join in a parade for you - here is a list of arranged scenes that you can find in Google Maps. Users want to play with your new toy? Let them! Google gets it.

I'm not sure which easter egg is my fave, the narrow escape or the giant chicken? The Mad scientist laboratory is pretty funny as well.

Palin 2012

Robblink — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 04:55:09 +0100

To my fellow Americans who are going to rock the vote tomorrow, think about the future!

Election Party for Ad Agencies in NYC

AgencyNYC — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 16:31:44 +0100

Join NYC advertising agencies in celebrating Election Night. All agencies are welcome!

Hosted by George Scribner, SVP Account Planning, Jessica Jacobson, Media Planner, and Ken Sacharin, EVP and Managing Director. Also hosted by Poull Brien from Way Over Budget Productions. Complimentary drinks courtesy of Bulldog Gin from 8-10PM (or until they run out), as well as Live Coverage of the Election!

Simpsons Mad Men

Robblink — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 23:32:50 +0100

The Simpsons will air its Halloween Special this Sunday and one story is a parody of Mad Men! Don't miss it!

Samsung Omnia (i900) Unboxing - hahaha, check out the marching band

Dabitch — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 11:36:07 +0100

The Viral Factory (UK) mock all those youtube films where people unbox their latest tech gear. So far it's been viewed 650,000 times.

RTCRM BOOT CAMP - agency makes employees work out at the crack of dawn.

Dabitch — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 09:02:44 +0100

Brief: Motivate RTCRM employees to willingly show up at work at seven am twice a week and get down and sweaty.
Solution: Make funny T-shirts and posters, hope for the best.
Surprise: They actually showed up and joined in the extreme exercises!

I don't think you could ever pay lazy old me enough for that but I must admit, I love the "advertising stinks" T-shirt, as well as the "ass you kick" one. :))

Crumpler crapvertises! Seriously, they have a toilet paper campaign.

Dabitch — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 09:16:23 +0100

Yet another "+tises" word is invented as Crumpler - known for their bags for everything but you creative folks probably have the slip covers for your laptops - advertises on toilet paper. And it's not just any old toilet paper folks, it's now a paint by number toilet paper where every color you need is "brown". Oh yes, they went there. PR blurb:

Crumpler is known for their out of the box, unique brand. From Beer for Bags events, to a ton of viral street marketing initiatives…they always find the most unique way to reach their customers and further their brand. Their latest endeavor is distributing customized toiler paper in an array of areas in USA, Australia, Asia, Canada, and New Zealand. Crumpler plans to distribute 100,000 rolls of Paint By Numbers Toilet Paper to unsuspecting bathrooms around the country. Crumpler is an Aussie designer of trendy, colorful, and stylish bags that are perfect for ever day use, whether it be commuting to work, going to the gym, an outdoor trip, and more. Crumpler bags are available online, through selected specialty retailers nationwide, and at their two Crumpler NYC retail stores.

Icelanders slap back against Brown for freezing bank's assets with 'We are not terrorists' campaign

Dabitch — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:12:46 +0100

The Icelanders are pissed off that the UK has labelled them terrorists, and opened up the web page indefence.is where cute babies, old grannies, cheeky redheads and icelanders of all ages pose with cards stating that they are not terrorists. See, Gordon Brown used the Anti-Terrorism Act to freeze the assets of an Icelandic bank after Rekyavik failed to guarantee British deposits, sending the vikings into a rage. Since that raping and pillaging stuff is so passé, icelanders built a website instead of a longboat to protest.

On Wednesday October 8th, the British Government invoked Anti-terrorist legislation, which was in effect aimed at the people of Iceland. This devastating attack on our society was received with disbelief here in Iceland. The people of Iceland have always considered themselves great friends of the United Kingdom. Our nations have a long history of mutually beneficial trade and have been close allies in NATO and Europe.
Hour by hour and day by day the actions of the British government are indiscriminately obliterating Icelandic interests all over the world and, in so doing, diminishing the assets that could be used to reimburse depositors with Icelandic banks in the United Kingdom and Iceland. The government's actions are also endangering the future of nearly all Icelandic companies and of the entire nation, in addition to over 100,000 employees of British companies with Icelandic connections. In this regard we would like to stress that the Icelandic authorities have always maintained their intention to honour their obligations in this matter, contrary to claims made by Chancellor Alistair Darling and Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

So far, 56.953 people have signed the petition.
(The only thing I know how to say in Icelandic is "einn fleiri bjór þóknast" which keeps me too tanked to learn anything else. All hail the drink known as the submarine!)

United Nations campaign against landmines from Ogilvy Stockholm calls upon Stink and Ivan Zachariason

Dabitch — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 13:24:54 +0100

Ogilvy Stockkolm ganged up with king of epic-directing Ivan Zachariason at Stink and web agency Palladium t create this film (left) and website or the United Nations, and their quest to rid the world of land mines. The website is at http://www.thisworldofmine.com/.
Jonas Åkerlind, one of the creative team behind this campaign, explained to me;

The idea is to make people aware of the industry that is behind this madness. There are now 100 million undiscovered land mines in around 70 countries around the world. Every hour they kill or hurt someone. To add to that, five million new mines are produced every year. Why? A lot of this is because super powers like the United States, China, Russia still won't sign the Ottowa-convention that forbids producing, storing, and exporting mines. On teh website you can send messages to these companies, if you wish.

Also, during the campaign you can support the cause by texting the word MINA ins a SMS to the number 72 900 (works in Sweden only) - that way you donate 50 SEK which will clear five square meters of land from landmines.

Resumé: Adland's near death experience

Dabitch — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 12:28:49 +0100

I meant to tell y'all about the article in Resumé about "Adland's near death experience" on Friday, but then I got the stomach flu of the "oh god, I wish I was dead" variety so it was put on the backburner until today.
I thought my "big plans need big server" bit was terribly quotable alas it didn't make it in, but then the headline which was the reporters subject line on an email requesting to talk to me is hilarious, and I get to vent a little about the lack of Swedish submissions, so in the end that's all good baby.

For you folk that don't read Swedish, here's a wee bit translated, and the subject of the article was our scary disk-crash last week.

Adland has around 40 000 visitors daily in the fall. The most visitors per day is in February during the Superbowl when well 100 000 visitors can stop by each day. During the low season in the summer around 30 000 people visit the site daily.
Swedish representation on the site is small however, both in content and in the visitors.
- "I have tried to get Swedish agencies to send in their films, but nothing happens. As a Swede, I want people around the world to see the Swedish work as well. But I get 70-100 submissions a day from all around the world, so I'm not sure why I have to run with a blowtorch to the Swedish agencies" Åsk Wäppling.

Yes, it's a bizarre expression, but I like blowtorches. And hand on your heart people, how difficult is it to email your work to host - at - ad-rag.com? Email me baybeh, and don't forget the credits! ;)

Adage power 150: The number 13 has been following me around all day.

Dabitch — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 16:23:19 +0200

You know that strange phenomena some call synchronicity? I've had the number 13 pop up in nearly everything I've done today - from the amount of steps I've used in the stairs, to the amount of bread slices available, to strange wrong numbers calling, to email subjects and so on. Files submitted have had 13 in them. Someone even SMS:ed me "in a meeting, I'll ring back in 13 min."

Thirteen, thirteen thirteen - everywhere thirteen. What the heck?

And now, guess what place we're at on the ad age power150 adblogs? Yes, that's right, number thirteen.

Ain't that a hoot? (So we're number one in Europe and kicking tush while at it.)
I have no idea how we ended up there considering our less than great uptime this past week, but it cheered me up. :)

Arial: I am the devil.

Dabitch — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 16:03:22 +0200

Lars Willem Veldkempf has posted a hysterical set called Typocalypse at flickr which I think the font nerds here will get a chuckle out of.