Hasta La Creative!

To tout its association with the Sochi Olympics, Carnival is out with an amusing and fun, Arnold-created ad which has a band of boys slowmo-ing their way to a Carnival water slide to bobsled their way down as a star-struck girl looks on.

And that’s really al there is to sat about that. Enjoy.

A Super Bowl ad is no longer just a Super Bowl ad. For most brands in the big game, the ad itself is the anchor for something that plays out — largely on the web and in social — for weeks before and hopefully for months after the game is over.

So, how are the Super Bowl advertisers doing? Overall, quite well. Four days after the Super Bowl, the campaigns have racked up 344 million views. That’s up 31% from last year at this time when Super Bowl ads had 240 million views, according to Visible Measures.

Below you’ll see how the 2014 ads stack up. Few surprises here: Budweiser’s “Puppy Love,” which lead going into the Super Bowl, is extending its lead on the way out. Anheuser-Busch also owns the No. 2 spot with its Bud Light “The Perfect Beer For Whatever Happens” campaign. VW’s “Wings” is hanging in there and so is Doritos, but its “Crash the Super Bowl” campaign has fallen a bit, perhaps because the voting is over.

Continue reading at AdAge.com

Le Museum of Contemporary Art à Chicago a eu une bonne idée de publicité pour sa dernière exposition « The Way of the Shovel: Art as Archaeology » : ils ont créé un panneau d’arrêt de bus sur lequel les passants peuvent gratter l’affiche pour en révéler une autre. Ils deviennent eux-mêmes des sortes d’archéologues.

Using children in politically tinged advertising is often problematic. Some would say it's tantamount to propaganda. Still, the kids who sang "America the Beautiful" in other languages for Coca-Cola's Super Bowl ad are so charmingly innocent in these behind-the-scenes videos—and so optimistic about how the ad will be received—that it makes the whole ruckus seem extra ridiculous.

Of course, Coke isn't as innocent. It knew the ad, by Wieden + Kennedy, would be controversial. Even these clips from the recording sessions hint at that—why else would they ask the girls how people might react to the ad? And yet it's irresistible when Naomi, the girl who sings in Spanish, says: "They might feel joyful. They might feel like, 'Wow, America has all these different things.' And they might feel, like, really proud of their country, I hope. Cause I know I am pretty proud."

Coke released its own statement about the ad this week, saying in part: "For centuries America has opened its arms to people of many countries who have helped to build this great nation. 'It's Beautiful' provides a snapshot of the real lives of Americans representing diverse ethnicities, religions, races and families, all found in the United States. … We believe 'It's Beautiful' is a great example of the magic that makes our country so special, and a powerful message that spreads optimism, promotes inclusion and celebrates humanity—values that are core to Coca-Cola."

The ad's director, John Hillcoat of Skunk, has also spoken out this week. "We all know there are those kind of bigots out there, but I had no idea how deeply embedded it was. It seems that the divide in America has never been greater," he said in a statement.

Despite its optimism, Coke recognizes that divide, too. Tellingly, YouTube comments are disabled on all the videos featuring the girls—to protect them. Comments are enabled on the main ad, though, and are at 12,500 and counting. Wade into that debate at your own risk.

If ever there were an indication ageism is alive and well in advertising, it would be this DDB New York-created campaign for the Art Directors Club ADC Young Guns 12. The campaign uses imagery from George Lois’ Muhammed Ali Esquire cover; Bill Bernbach’s print ad for Volkswagen; Massimo Vignelli’s NYC Subway map and Saul Bass’s Vertigo poster and the headline, “Old Dies For New.”

I mean come on, two of these guys aren’t even dead! Now, yes, the baton does have to be passed from one generation to the next but do we have to leverage, both figuratively and literally, the deaths of advertising’s greats just to promote and advertising competition for hungry 20-somethings?

Anyway, the ADC is hosting a Call for Entries party for Young Guns 12 on March 13 at the ADC’s new gallery at 106 West 29th St. Beginning February 13, those interested in participating in the competition can do so on the Young Guns website.

As I said in part one of this two part series I wrote for Central Desktop which examines the relationship between agency account managers and agency creatives, it’s a partnership that can be both positive and, at other times, disastrous.

And while neither account managers nor creatives want to work in a disastrous relationship, fostering a positive working relationship can be quite challenging.

In part one, we heard from account managers and what they need from creatives. Now we hear from the creative side. What do they need from account managers in order to create the stellar work everyone wants?

Read on…

It's hard to say what we were expecting from reality TV star Clay Aiken's first campaign ad in his congressional campaign, but this certainly isn't it.

Instead of leveraging his fame or playing to the media circus around his decision to run for a House seat from North Carolina, he has created a political ad that's thoughtful, sincere and just an all-around example of great storytelling.

Filmed in one seamless five-minute shot, Aiken's ad was filmed in the home where he and his mother sought refuge from his abusive father. Aiken patiently unravels the story of his life and political awakening, gradually transitioning into his criticisms of his district's current legislator, U.S. Rep. Renee Ellmers. 

Ellmers is a Republican and Aiken a Democrat, a fact he quickly shrugs off as if it's a mere technicality unrelated to the matters at hand. But of course it will matter. This ad is sure to have its critics, since we live in a political era that seems incapable of respecting any message that comes from a messenger on the other side of the aisle.

But politicians from both parties would be wise to watch Aiken's video and learn from his ability to come across as humble, informed and sincere. He may not have the "aw, shucks" everyman persona of Jimmy Stewart in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, but he's about as close as you're going to find in 2014.

Nike’s European social lead Adam Field today said the brand is looking to extend the capabilities of its social teams into its sports marketing and events divisions, as the company moves to better integrate social into its core business.

With the opening ceremony just a day away, and Sochi apparently still in shambles, McGarryBowen has unveiled their Winter Olympic campaign for United Airlines.

The friendly 60 second spot, entitled “Welcome Aboard, Team USA” is as straightforward as that title implies. Athletes from speed skaters to curlers (yay curling!) board the plane in ways representing their respective sports (the speed skater glides into the terminal, ski jumper is loaded onto a conveyer, figure skater twirls and stores her overhead, etc.), while the United crew is all smiles — even when the captain stops a curling stone with his foot. “Welcome Aboard, Team USA” ends with the tagline “Team USA Friendly,” followed by United’s revived “Fly The Friendly Skies” slogan. The athlete-filled spot should stoke viewers’ excitement for the games, and act as a friendly reminder of United’s sponsorship of Team USA. Credits after the jump. continued…

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