Hasta La Creative!

Michael Caine makes what is, to the best of our knowledge (feel free to chime in if you know better), his UK commercial television debut in a new ad for Sky Broadband, a unit of Rupert Murdoch-owned broadcasting conglomerate, BSkyB. Unfortunately, it’s not exactly something to write home about.

The rather blase spot features the famous British actor touring a lighthouse that is for sale and centers around Sky Broadband’s free wi-fi booster that “makes your signal reach up to 100% further,” a selling point for Caine. It’s unfortunate that Caine’s talents weren’t better utilized (someone resurrect Alfie, or hell, even Alfred for that matter), as the writing falls flat and the acting — aside from Caine’s, obviously — is strained and unnatural. The ad feels very familiar (in a “not another one of these” kind of way) and is, ultimately, extremely forgettable. I’ve pretty much already forgotten it, and I just watched it several times. Stay tuned for brief credits after the jump. continued…

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

SEAN MULLER

For all the ad innovation and shifting consumer behaviors of the last decade, the advertising dollars still reside primarily in TV. Let’s forgo the debate about why and jump right into another truth: TV advertisers aren’t ignoring the digital lives of their target audiences, but increasingly focusing on how those expensive TV ads can drive digital behaviors. After all, if an ad can generate a search, a social action or online video view, the audience isn’t just engaging with the brand — he or she could even be helping in promotions. That bounce is important bang for the buck.

Continue reading at AdAge.com

Ah yes, it’s that time of year again where we attempt to pile on during a time filled with a billion countdowns, best and worst ofs, etc. But rather than draw this out over days like we have in the past, we’ll spare you lovely readers and split it up into just two parts for today and tomorrow. Compared to previous years, our 2013 most popular list, complete with items we scooped, swooped or just expounded upon, isn’t all that surprising, but hey, maybe we’re just jaded at this point. Anyways, on with the show.

10) Publicis Groupe Acquires Engauge, Merges it with Moxie

9) G2 is Dead: Welcome Geometry Global

8) Here’s Jeff Goodby’s Note to Staff Regarding ‘Changes’ at GS&P

continued…

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

Se você acompanhou o noticiário este ano, percebeu que ganhou um certo destaque na mídia casos de adolescentes sofrendo bullying nas redes sociais. Em um território livre como a internet, e sem o devido filtro por parte de seus usuários, qualquer um pode ser vítima de trollagens, de pessoas à marcas. Com o objetivo de bloquear – ou pelo menos diminuir o estrago causado pelos trolls, a SMCapture criou uma plataforma chamada SMC4.

Disponível somente para Android, pelo menos até segunda ordem, o aplicativo deve ser conectado às redes sociais para funcionar como uma espécie de filtro, que busca palavras que demonstrem abuso, racismo, sexismo, palavrões ou até mesmo reclamações. A partir daí, estes posts podem ser enviados diretamente para a lixeira ou ainda serem direcionados para alguém responsável pela solução do problema.

No caso de marcas, a vantagem do aplicativo é que ele também controla as postagens do próprio usuário, evitando algumas saias-justas que vira-e-mexe aparecem nas redes sociais. Por outro lado, a utilização de um filtro torna ineficiente a monitoração das redes sociais. Tudo depende do que se quer ouvir.

Post originalmente publicado no Brainstorm #9
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More than 50 percent of consumers who own smartphones used them to scan at least one quick response code in 2012 alone, according to eConsultancy.com. Studies have confirmed that quick response codes have become one of the newest marketing tools available that can effectively connect prospective consumers to brands and manufacturers. Viewed by many as a major upgrade and enhancement of the standard bar code design and structure, it is very easy to assume that all of these codes are exactly alike, especially since they share key similarities. However, there are actually several different types of codes that have been used by different companies and brands over the years.

Model 1 and 2 Code

The original quick response code is known as the QR code. At its largest size, this particular code is capable of storing close to 1,200 numerals. When Model 2 was released, it was evidently clear that it was an enhancement and overall upgrade from the original structure. Instead of reaching the maximum size of 73 x 73 modules, Model 2 QR codes were capable of being extended to 177 x 177 modules and retained over 7,000 numerals.

Micro Code

Although the Model 1 and 2 codes are able to retain a substantial amount of information within them, the overall size of the actual code does not provide very much flexibility. Therefore, the Micro code was developed as an alternative. Since it was capable of hosting only one detecting pattern for its integrated orientation, business owners and marketing specialists were able to print it much smaller than even before. Even though it is very small, it can still hold a maximum of 35 numerals within it.

iQR Codes

The “I” class of QR codes was the very first to have a versatile design that could either be generated as a square or a rectangle. Therefore, business owners and marketing specialists were able to have more flexibility when it came to discreetly featuring these codes within their advertising and promotional materials. For example, a rectangular code is big enough to be clearly visible to the average consumer but small enough to not become a visual eyesore. Theoretically, the maximum size (422 x 422 modules) can retain close to 40,000 numerals, according to QRCode.com.

SQRC Codes

One of the major differences of the SQRC code design is that it comes with a reading restricting function that efficiently stores confidential information. For obvious reasons, this is definitely not something that you would want to place on your marketing materials or promotional advertising. However, it is an efficient way to relay important information to your employees. Even though the structure and formatting of the code is different than other codes that are designed for public use, the visual appearance of these QR codes is exactly the same.

LogoQ

The final type of QR code that is currently being used right now is known as the LogoQ. This particular code has the most distinct look and appearance out of all other types primarily because of the logo that is engrained within the center of the colorful code. Instead of sticking to the usual pattern of black and white pixelated lines and boxes, the LogoQ can consist of logos, illustrations and even letters as well. Even though it may seem that these codes are the easiest to hack, breach and compromise, they were designed with proprietary logic which essentially prevents those cybercrimes from occurring.

Same Appearance, Different Codes

Therefore, it is clear that not all QR codes are the same even though the majority of them are very similar in appearance. Before you embark on a journey and decide to use them for your own brand marketing strategies, it is imperative for you to understand the differences and select the code type that is the most suitable fit for your specific needs.

This is a guest post.

The post Identifying the Different Types of Quick Response Codes appeared first on AdPulp.

Une excellente compilation d’animaux en liberté et en pleine nature, avec une sélection de plus de 50 photos magnifiques. Une captation des différents animaux dans de multiples endroits à travers le monde. Plus de détails avec les crédits des photographes sont disponibles ci-dessous dans la suite de l’article.

Crédits Photography : Carole Deschuymere, Frederick Van Heerden, Don Johnston, Rahul Alvares, Francisco Mingorance, Patrick Kelley, Geo Messmer, Phil Cousins, Cesar Badilla, Chuck Spence, Huub Keulers, Wojciech Ptak, Candice Sedighan, David Fleetham, Justus Vermaak, Thomas Will, Jessica Trinh, Thomas Pepper, Anup Shah, Brandon Harris, Bill Holsten, Paul Souders, Paul Anthony Wilson, Cesare Naldi, Judah Zada, Emmanuel Keller, Roeselien Raimond, Steve Bloom, Yanai Bonneh, Daniel Botelho, Randy Kokesch, Shoayb Khattab, Dmitry Marchenko, Indre Viseckaite, Todd Bretl, Kal Michael, Cristobal Serrano, Jon Hrusa

Here are the 30 most read stories on AdFreak in 2013:

30. Intriguing Ads Tell Young Girls: 'You're Not a Princess' and 'Life's Not a Fairytale'
By Rebecca Cullers

A tiny, all-female Catholic college-prep academy in Kentucky has created a curious ad campaign, via agency Doe-Anderson, that tells young women, "You're not a princess" and "Life's not a fairytale," and advises them: "Don't wait for a prince." The tagline is: "Prepare for real life."
Read the full story.
 

29. Low Self-Esteem Is Not a Problem in Dove's Real Beauty Sketches … for Men
By Tim Nudd

Ogilvy Brazil's "Real Beauty Sketches" campaign for Dove took the Internet by storm this week with its clever use of a forensics artist to show women that they're really more beautiful than they think. What would happen if you tried the same experiment on men?
Read the full story.
 

28. Model From Famous Photoshop Video Gets More Drastic Makeover for the Holidays
By Tim Nudd

It's agency holiday-card season, and we're going to start posting some of the more interesting and amusing examples—beginning with this one from Victors & Spoils.
Read the full story.
 

27. H&M Winning Raves for Having a Normal-Looking Woman Model Its Beachwear
By David Griner

It would be nice if we didn't live in a world where this is considered news, but for better or worse, it is. H&M has selected a swimwear model who actually has a normal human body.
Read the full story.
 

26. It's 2013, and People Are Still Getting Worked Up About Interracial Couples in Ads
By Tim Nudd

It's another one of those things that shouldn't be a story but is—an ad from a major U.S. brand featuring an interracial couple and their daughter.
Read the full story.
 

25. Did Lego Already Win Christmas With This Fantastic Father-Son Ad?
By Tim Nudd

Christmas ads are just around the corner, and Lego storms out of the gate with this wonderful TV spot from Amsterdam agency We Are Pi and director Joanna Bailey.
Read the full story.
 

24. April Fools' Day 2013: Best of the Brand Hoaxes
By Rebecca Cullers

Ah, April Fools' Day. The Super Bowl of satire. The one day when brands are free to indulge in off-brand, often hilarious communications without catastrophic repercussions. Click below to see our list of this year's pranks.
Read the full story.
 

23. Check Out the Trailer That Was Just Named the Best of the Year
By David Kiefaber

This is it: the best trailer of the year. Or at least that's the opinion of the top awards show for advertising in the cinema, TV and video game industries.
Read the full story.
 

22. IAC's PR Chief Apparently Tweeted a Bizarrely Tasteless Joke About AIDS and Africa
By David Griner

If Justine Sacco is on a flight to Africa right now, I don't envy her the notifications that will be waiting for her when she lands.
Read the full story.
 

21. Company's Amazing Reply to a Raging Customer Has Fans and Orders Pouring In
By David Griner

Every once in a while, giving a foul-tempered customer a public skewering can be good for business. At least that seems to be the lesson of Liberty Bottleworks, whose polite but eviscerating reply to a Facebook complaint has gone viral and generated vocal support for the small business.
Read the full story.
 

20. How to Totally Freak People Out Simply With the Info They Share in Social Media
By David Griner

Every once in a while, it's good to be reminded just how much information we're giving to complete strangers every day, and I'm not talking about the NSA.
Read the full story.
 

19. The Corporate States of America: A Map That Shows Each State's Most Famous Brand
By David Gianatasio

Artist and writer Steve Lovelace is getting some buzz for his "Corporate States of America" map, showing the most famous brand (as of 2012) that originated in each of the 50 states.
Read the full story.
 

18. McDonald's Won't Be Lovin' This NYC Sidewalk Art Piece by Banksy
By Tim Nudd

Anti-Ronald McDonald art has a long, proud, often vomitous history. Banksy adds to that tradition today, unveiling a menacing Ronald having his giant shoes shined as part of his "Better Out Than In" artist residency on the streets of New York.
Read the full story.
 

17. Mock Commercial for Beans Is Better Than Almost Any Real Commercial for Anything
By Tim Nudd

Visual effects studio Cinesite produced this crazy-good mock commercial as a way to show off its creature animation skills.
Read the full story.
 

16. Chuck Norris Does His Own Epic Split in This Festively Insane Holiday Video
By David Griner

How do you one-up Jean-Claude Van Damme doing splits atop two Volvo trucks? With Chuck Norris doing splits on two airplane wings, of course.
Read the full story.
 

15. The Most Stunning Ad Ever Made for a Used Car With 128,000 Miles That's Been Puked In Twice
By Tim Nudd

"You're going to need an abacus to keep track of all the ass you'll be getting in this thing!" That's one of dozens of stellar lines in this homemade ad—a truly astonishing collage posted to Craigslist by one Nate Walsh.
Read the full story.
 

14. Star Wars Imperial Forces Invade Thomas Kinkade Paintings
By David Griner

Artist Jeff Bennett has invaded the cloying world of Thomas Kinkade with the full might of the Galactic Empire.
Read the full story.
 

13. Jesus, Gandhi and Mother Teresa Stump for Unicef in Extremely Virtuous Holiday Ads
By David Gianatasio

Forget about those famous Internet felines in Friskies' Christmas spot. The real holiday supergroup is in this campaign from Forsman & Bodenfors for Unicef Sweden.
Read the full story.
 

12. The 25 Biggest Brand Fails of 2013
By Tim Nudd

Arrogant, intolerant, sexist, disgusting, cheesy, tasteless, just plain stupid. Brand fails come in all kinds of off-putting shapes and sizes, though one thing remains constant—the guilty adrenaline rush of ad-enfreude that onlookers feel while watching brands implode for everyone to see.
Read the full story.
 

11. 3 Girls Smash Gender Roles to Smithereens in Toy Company's Glorious Debut Ad
By David Griner

One of the most anti-feminist songs of the 1980s, "Girls" by the Beastie Boys, is recast as an empowering theme for young women in a new toy ad looking to break gender stereotypes.
Read the full story.
 

10. Famous Photos Reimagined as Selfies in Newspaper's Wonderful Print Ads
By David Kiefaber

Lowe South Africa developed a campaign for the Cape Times newspaper last spring in which famous photographs—the wartime kiss, Beyers Naude and Desmond Tutu, Winston Churchill smoking, etc.—were reimagined as selfies.
Read the full story.
 

9. Ron Burgundy's Hilariously Stupid Dodge Durango Campaign Is Destined for Greatness
By Tim Nudd

The only thing better than Will Ferrell doing brilliantly stupid ads as Will Ferrell? Will Ferrell doing brilliantly stupid ads as Ron Burgundy.
Read the full story.
 

8. Burger King's Name Change to Fries King Is Making People Hungry and Confused
By Tim Nudd

Between the French Fry Burger and the new Satisfries, Burger King has been really into fries lately. Now, the chain is taking this obsession a step further by pretending to change its name to Fries King—and posting a load of photos to Facebook showing the unveiling of a new corporate identity.
Read the full story.
 

7. Watch the Thai Commercial That Has Half the World Sobbing Uncontrollably
By Rebecca Cullers

Looking for a tear-jerker today? Thai mobile company TrueMove has got you covered with this story of a noodle seller whose generous act toward a young boy with a sick mother brings unexpected rewards 30 years later.
Read the full story.
 

6. Amazing Pantene Ad Defiantly Tackles How Women in the Workplace Are Labeled
By Roo Ciambriello

Pantene Philippines has launched a powerful campaign pointing out how identical behavior often earns men and women different labels in the workplace.
Read the full story.
 

5. Bertolli Makes the Most of Barilla Chairman's Anti-Gay Comments
By Tim Nudd

Barilla is struggling enough this week without its competitors piling on. But Bertolli doesn't care.
Read the full story.
 

4. Watch the Most Bafflingly Awesome New-Product Demo of 2013 So Far
By David Kiefaber

Everyone is raving about NeverWet, a spray-on waterproof coating that Rust-Oleum is manufacturing and distributing in North America in return for royalty payments. I didn't get what all the fuss was about, but then I saw this product demonstration video.
Read the full story.
 

3. Dove Hires Criminal Sketch Artist to Draw Women as They See Themselves and as Others See Them
By Rebecca Cullers

Gil Zamora is an FBI-trained forensics artist with over 3,000 criminal sketches under his belt. Dove (through Unilever's U.K. office) and Ogilvy Brazil hired him to interview and draw seven different women—two sketches of each.
Read the full story.
 

2. Powerful Ads Use Real Google Searches to Show the Scope of Sexism Worldwide
By David Griner

Here's a simple and powerful campaign idea from UN Women using real suggested search terms from Google's autocomplete feature.
Read the full story.
 

1. Kmart Hunks Play 'Jingle Bells' With Their Junk in Crazy Christmas Ad
By Tim Nudd

Check out the Kmart studs in the retailer's crazy Christmas cross-promotion with Joe Boxer via Draftfcb in Chicago—swaying their sacks to chime out their own impressive version of the holiday standard.
Read the full story.