This is the true story about how one agency locked three creative types (a copywriter, art director and creative technologist) in a room for 24 hours and challenged them to, you guessed it, “get creative.” The end result was a viral hit of sorts from a few weeks ago called “Couchella,” which debuted just in time to coincide wit the annual weekend-long music extravaganza in California. As we previously mentioned, the trio who were put to the test were Julie Matheny, Scott Blew, and Ivan Cash, whose experiment is captured in the clip above. The “Couchella” project, essentially an internet music festival, actually marks 72andSunny’s involvement with Portfolio Night 11, specifically the Los Angeles installment. Whether it worked or not is up to the audience that took part, but hey, at least “Couchella” provided a free alternative to the now-bloated event that inspired it.
If his subtle Instagram post from a few days ago (above) doesn’t provide a clue, a handful of tweets late last week from Mike Jacobson (below) basically confirms that the veteran 72andSunny strategist is heading east and taking a job at Dentsu-owned 360i next month.
We’re trying to get confirmation/details from either 360i or its new hire, the latter of whom recently (and perhaps unfortunately) received a heap of backlash in the comment thread of our post regarding his efforts to raise money for Boston Marathon first responders. We’ll avoid dwelling on it further so as not to rain on his parade. So, let’s just tell you that Jacobson, who as some of you may know also has a second career as a magician, spent five years in all aat 72andSunny, leading day-to-day strategy for clients including Activision (on Call of Duty: Black Ops efforts) and NBA 2K12.
Update: Sources familiar with the matter confirm that Jacobson is joining 360i as a strategist in mid-June.
Update 2: And Jacobson himself has responded in kind, confirming that, ” Yes. But this move is mostly to be closer to the AgencySpy headquarters.” We’re not sure if we should be thrilled or worried. Carry on.
There are knights in armor, Aztec warriors, ninjas, samurai and special ops commandos outside. There goes the neighborhood! This trailer by 72andSunny (and director Mark Romanek from Anonymous Content) for Activision's upcoming Call of Duty: Ghosts features assorted masked warriors, most sporting ornate headgear or fearsome face paint. "There are those who wear masks to hide. And those who wear masks to show us what they stand for," the voiceover says. "There are those who wear masks to protect themselves. And there are those who wear masks to protect us all." That's about it. We don't really learn anything about the nature of Ghosts itself. I'm guessing it's one of those games where you bat a blob of light across the screen, but I could be wrong. We'll know for sure when Ghosts debuts at an Xbox event on May 21, with the actual release set for November. Some may yearn for gameplay footage, but I'm enjoying Activision's teaser approach, which initially masks the details. The riotous "Replacer" spots for Black Ops 2: Uprising, by the same agency, generate excitement while giving little way, and I'd wager the ominous tone and impressive visuals of the Ghosts promo will get the faithful stoked for battle. Well played!
A few folks from Cali-based 72andSunny led by strategist Mike Jacobson are trying to show their support and give something back to some of Boston’s finest who first responded to last week’s marathon bombings with an effort called “This One’s On Us.”
With the help of online fundraising site gofundme, the 72 crew tells us, “We’re partnering with EatBoston to give gift cards from Boston’s restaurants and bars to the men and women who put their lives on the line for the city they love, and to help us all feel safe again.” The monetary goal is $10,000 with all proceeds going to those who responded and as of now, a few hundred dollars have been raised in two days. If you’d care to donate and help out, go here for more info.
Activision needed some high-impact firepower to tout its downloadable Black Ops 2: Uprising content, which is set for release next week on Xbox 360. Two riotous "replacers" answered the Call of Duty. Veteran movie tough guy Peter Stormare reprises his role as a nattily attired, ludicrously intense dude who substitutes for average Joes in their daily lives so they'll have more time to play the massively popular game. Stormare, just as insanely on edge as he was in his January debut, is joined by equally well-dressed, righteously kick-ass sidekick J.B. Smoove, aka actor-comedian Jerry Brooks.
The pitchmen wring every drop of humor from absurd "replacement" situations in this new three-minute clip from 72andSunny. They're both tightly wound, yet handle pressure differently. Stormare speaks softly and with great deliberation; it seems like his face might crack open from the tension building up inside. His barely repressed murderousness bubbles up as he tells a slow-choosing customer to "Pick a Sammmich" when he and Smoove substitute for counter help at an oddly named fast-food joint. (Note how he threateningly brandishes a knife, just as McDonald's crew members do in real life if you don't order fast enough.)
Smoove, conversely, lets it all hang out, and his loud, rapid-fire bursts of dialogue ricochet through the pair's adventures. Replacing an attorney, he delivers his closing argument: "Is my client guilty? Probably. Who cares?" When Stormare chides him from the defense table ("You're doing it wrong"), Smoove explodes, "I'm doin' it the way I'm gonna do it, OK? Let me do this, OK? … I'm in my zone right now! Did he do it? I DON'T KNOW!" He's also great as a happy-happy, hyperactive fill-in TV weatherman, emoting to the max as he warns, "There's a 45 percent chance of swamp ass today, New Orleans. Be careful out there!"
Sure, it's basically just a sendup of the familiar buddy-cop/action-flick formula—there's even a "Bad Cop, Bad Cop" bit where both actors smash every prop in an interrogation room. But these two elevate the material, which is superior to start with, to a stratospheric level. They share a rare chemistry, the kind attained by John Hodgman and Justin Long in Apple's "Get a Mac" campaign, or James Garner and Mariette Hartley in Polaroid commercials of yore—for those of a certain age who, like myself, have to bump up the point size to read these advertising reviews. Stormare, Smoove—what are you waiting for? Guys, for the love of God, replace me!
Carl's Jr.'s notorious Memphis BBQ Burger commercial, which features two half-dressed women fighting over pulled pork on a cheeseburger—aka, "barbecue's best pair"—recently arrived in New Zealand. It was promptly banned there, however, for running afoul of two of the country's advertising rules—prohibiting the use of sex appeal in an exploitative and degrading manner, and the use of sex to sell an unrelated product. (Are there any Carl's Jr. ads that New Zealand doesn't ban?) In response to this particular censure, Carl's Jr. decided to describe the TV spot in a radio ad—which, left to the listener's imagination, is perhaps as suggestive as the TV spot. (Special Group did the radio work; 72andSunny did the TV.) It's not a bad use of radio, which is sometimes said to be the most visual medium. Of course, the radio spots will probably be banned soon, too. Via The Ethical Adman.
Nearly three months after 72andSunny introduced us to “The Replacer”–aka Fargo baddie Peter Stormare–in its campaign for Activision’s Call of Duty: Black Ops II – Revolution trailer, the agency has brought back the character, now with sidekick JB Smoove in tow, for its Black Ops II – Uprising promo. Jesus, how many entries are in this franchise? Anyhow, the newly formed dynamic duo embarks on several replacing adventures from serving as weatherman to fixing cable, with Stormare being his usual, somewhat menacing self and Smoove giving us the fast-talking delivery that we first came to know and love in Curb Your Enthusiasm.
We’re not sure what the budget is here, but as the Black Ops franchise expands, so do seem the timeframe and scope of the clips promoting it. But, if you have the patience for it (it is lunchtime on the East Coast, after all), don’t let us stop you from taking in this slightly entertaining, slightly grating clip. Credits after the jump.
Heidi Klum is the latest person who doesn't eat Hardee's/Carl's Jr. to film an ad for the fast-food chain. The spot, from 72andSunny, which spoofs The Graduate for whatever reason, has Klum chowing into a Jim Beam Bourbon burger in front of a younger man (and his pathetic attempt at a mustache) while the voiceover sort of compares the experience to losing one's virginity. Gross. What they should compare it to is unhinging your jaw like a boa constrictor. That burger is as big as Heidi's head. Beyond that, ads like this are destined to underperform, in a way. As an audience, either we don't pay attention to the burger because of Heidi's fabulous body, or we do pay attention to it and, well, that's weird and off-putting. If Morgan Spurlock taught us anything, it's that fast food can't be sexy. Period.
Both fast-food eateries are running “Mrs. Robinson,” a 30-second homage to The Graduate with Heidi Klum doing her best Anne Bancroft. The spot, created once again by 72andSunny (last work for the CKE chain here), promotes the Jim Beam Bourbon Burger. Odds are that Klum doesn’t regularly eat the fine cuisine she endorses, but we won’t hold it against you if you replay the part where she sucks up barbecue sauce from her finger.
Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s have actually turned down the overt sexuality in their ads–remember last year’s Kate Uptoncommercial? I’ve eaten their burgers once or twice in my life, and I can assure you, they are not aphrodisiacs unless you’re a local gastroenterologist who needs more business. Credits after the jump.
Hardee’s/Carl’s Jr. seems to be in a constant marketing tug-of-war between using half-naked girls to sell their menu and attempting to move away from sexualizing their products entirely. When David & Goliath won the biz at end of 2010/beginning of 2011, the agency starting producing spots for the fast-food chain that seemingly mocked the company’s usual over-the-top, sex sells approach while, simultaneously, not skimping on the bikini-clad models.
It seemed as though everyone was happy, that is until David & Goliath stopped putting sexy girls in the ads altogether. Rumor has it that this angered higher-ups at Carl’s Jr./Hardee’s parent, CKE, who were all like, “Where are the sexy ladies, dudes?” So, in less than a year, D&G lost the business. 72andSunny, which took over on the CKE account almost immediately, has proven their loyalty to the topless-girl-eats-a-sandwich-in-slow-motion style of execution with their ongoing TV spots. However, the above ad, “No Tomorrow,” seems to again be moving away from sexy people in favor of sexy ingredients.
As someone who tries to avoid fast-food UNLESS we’re talking about breakfast, Hardee’s Pork Chop ‘N’ Gravy Biscuits actually look very mouthwatering in this spot. I understand that Hardee’s advertising usually is a bit more conservative than Carl’s Jr.’s, but I wonder if this is the kind of execution that the latter could benefit from as well. As history has shown, a lack of sexy girls is a risky move for any agency working for these brands in particular. However, I hope this works out for 72andSunny, as they are able to do for Hardee’s what McGarryBowen tried (and failed) to do for Burger King. Credits after the jump. continued…
A Samsung não está economizando esforços (e dinheiro) para trazer aos seus smartphones aquilo que sempre pareceu propriedade da Apple: a aura cool. Na época do lançamento do primeiro iPod, por exemplo, sair com fones branco na rua te transformava automaticamente em alguém legal e moderno.
Mas além do tom de provocação em seus últimos comerciais, a Samsung tem apelado para a quase infalível tática do endosso de celebridades. E veja bem, não é qualquer celebridade, não estamos falando aqui de um clamor para as massas, e sim de jovens estrelas que falam diretamente com o público capaz de trazer para a marca a influência que tanto deseja “roubar” da concorrência.
O Galaxy Note foi promovido, primeiramente, por James Franco. Um ator multi-tarefa e carismático que transita perfeitamente no universo early adopter, de gente descolada.. Agora, o mais novo garoto-propaganda do produto é Lebron James, o astro da NBA, três vezes MVP e campeão na temporada passada com o Miami Heat.
É fácil pensar que um jogador de basquete teria sido escolhido para falar com o público médio, mas Lebron James não é exatamente uma unanimidade entre os fãs do esporte, considerado um anti-herói e traidor por muitos depois da sua conturbada saída do Cleveland Cavaliers.
Sem revelar o valor do acordo, a Samsung agora quer mostrar que Lebron James é um usuário entusiasta do novo Galaxy Note II, com uma versão especialmente criada para ele, e até com a inscrição “LJ” na capa, como se pode ver no comercial.
Ainda que a Samsung não tenha abandonado a sua estratégia de ser extremamente expositiva em suas campanhas, com a necessidade exagerada de mostrar e exemplificar usos de seu produto, dessa vez pensaram em um filme totalmente coordenado com a vida real.
O comercial com Lebron James se proprõe a mostrar um dia na vida do jogador de basquete. Justamente o dia da sua estreia na atual temporada da NBA e, não por coincidência, o dia em que o comercial iria ao ar na televisão norte-americana.
Filmado uma semana antes do jogo, a agência 72andSunny procurou prever no comercial diversos detalhes que estariam presentes quando Lebron James entrasse em quadra para a partida contra o Boston Celtics, primeira pela temporada 2012-2013, e que contaria também com a cerimônia de entrega do anel de campeão da temporada passada.
Aproximadamente duas horas antes do jogo – e consequentemente antes do comercial ir ao ar – Lebron postou no Twitter uma foto da roupa que pretendia usar na entrada do estádio: um terno claro com gravata vermelha, como mostrado a um minuto e sete segundos do filme da Samsung.
A foto foi publicada com desenhos supostamente feitos com caneta S Pen do Galaxy Note II, que o filho do jogador aparece usando no início do comercial.
Aos 14 segundos do filme, Lebron James recebe um SMS de Magic Johnson o parabenizando. No dia anterior ao da veiculação, o jogador agradeceu via Twitter. A pulseira com a inscrição “I PROMISE”, mostrada no comercial, é da fundação The Lebron James Family, que ajuda crianças e que também participam da publicidade.
No segundo 1:15, Lebron James é mostrado tirando uma foto do seu tênis dourado da Nike. Momentos antes do jogo, ele realmente publicou no Twitter uma imagem do par.
Horas depois da partida, em que o Miami Heat venceu o Celtics por 120-117, o jogador postou no Instagram uma série de fotos de seu novo anel de campeão, assim como o comercial da Samsung sugeriu que ele faria.
A escolha de Lebron James parece uma das mais acertas escolhas publicitárias da marca no últimos tempos, que sempre oscilou entre emplacar virais de sucesso, mas veicular enfadonhas campanhas formais na televisão. Segundo declaração de Teri Daley, VP de relações públicas da Samsung, a proposta é se associar com pessoas que “são a próxima grande coisa [slogan do Galaxy] em suas áreas, e que estão organicamente interessada nos nossos produtos”.
Já que Activision continua saturando o mercado com um novo “Call of Duty” todo ano – afinal, a franquia também continua quebrando recordes de vendas – é preciso que novos jogadores se interessem pelo jogo.
Essa já foi a intenção com a campanha do ano passado para “Black Ops”, onde a TBWA/Chiat/Day mostrou todo tipo de pessoa como um soldado em potencial.
Com o lançamento iminente de “Modern Warfare 3″, a campanha mantém a mesma proposta e assinatura – “There’s a soldier in all of us” – mas dessa vez abordando a interação entre um jogador veterano e um novato, o popular n00b.
Estrelado por Jonah Hill e Sam Worthington, o filme bem-humorado segue a linha de super produção do anterior. Muito menos por isso, e mais pelo roteiro, piadas e referências do multiplayer de CoD, esse entra fácil na lista de melhores comerciais do ano.
Vale dizer que a criação mudou de mãos, agora a é da 72andSunny.
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A few folks from Cali-based 72andSunny led by strategist 
