Hasta La Creative!

McDonalds truly took the word “supersize” way too seriously when it came up with this creative advertising gimmick. Actually, there are plenty of other companies that have made great use of billboard advertising. Guerilla marketing tactics such as this one are beginning to pop up all over and are great because they don’t cost a ton of money, yet they allow for a high amount of creativity. Most importantly, it grabs our attention, which is kinda’ the point-isn’t it?

One thing that television advertising offers is that you have to be wise as to what time slot you want your ad to come out. In events such as the Oscars or the closely watched sporting events such as boxing and the Super Bowl, slots will surely be packed and if you really want the exposure, you have to think ahead and get the ideal ad slot to get your money’s worth.

Often, you will find tough picking when you are up against the aggressive advertising giants who want maximum exposure. While they are preferred by most event organizers, the best you can do is find the next best slot to place your ad and get the required exposure your product or service needs.

Via ScampBlog comes this spot from Fallon’s UK office for Budweiser. The one thing that jumps out immediately is that it’s a :60 (when was the last time you saw a :60 in the US that wasn’t a launch spot for a major brand.)

The second is that it’s another in a line of UK TV spots that fetishize the rural American South (Levi’s UK advertising did a good job of this.) Not criticizing, but it’s always fascinating to see an outsider’s take on something uniquely American. To the Brits, the rural South is uniquely and authentically American.

Third is there’s no product sell. It’s a nice minute-long movie about a band that uses instruments made of Budweiser bottles. No lovingly lit pour shots, no hot chicks in bikinis and all the other clichés of American beer advertising. Shot by Harmony Korine, a noted avant-garde movie director best know for his debut film Kids, my only question here is what role did the agency actually play? Did they come to Korine with the idea “rural Southern band plays with instruments made from Budweiser bottles. Go.” Or did they have the basic action plotted out and Korine just added detail, tone and style? I sort of hope it’s the former.

For although many creative purists will look down on an agency for engaging a director at that stage, one of the biggest lessons we have to learn from the digital age is that it can’t always be about the copywriter and art director team anymore. That we need to engage and involve other people– be they technologists, user experience experts or film directors– early on and collaborate with them fully. The result can be something as charming as the spot above.

I have to admit, I’m a pretty big fan of the Sony spots, even including the momentarily controversial play-doh spot. When I first saw the clips on YouTube hyping this new spot from Sony, i have to say I was a bit excited. The continued buzz about the spot kept me eager, although it also got my hopes up.

Well, the newest Sony/Fallon UK spot is finally out, advertising Sony’s line of digital cameras with the tag “images like no other.” The similar tag, similar beautiful cinematography, and an excellent soundtrack make for another impressive spot. Not to mention the fascination and joy at the idea of Miami being flooded with foam.

More info, including a download link for the spot, which will air worldwide beginning in May, at Sony’s website. Enjoy!

We are all aware that arts and images are not the only thing that makes ads complete. There will be always the famous slogans and taglines to which contributes to the ultimate purpose of making brands stick into the minds of the consumer market.

Brand recall is a perfect pitch to make any product or service become totally familiar in the minds of the consumer. Although it may not immediately create an impact, effective slogans will really be something you should aware of if you want your whole advertising campaign to serve its purpose well.

Some famous slogans:

1. Coca Cola – “Always Coca Cola”
2. Camay Soap – “You’ll be lovelier each day, with fabulous pink Camay.”
3. Playstation 2 – “Fun anyone?”
4. Singapore Airlines – “Singapore Girl, you’re a great way to fly”
5. Verison Wireless – “Can you hear me now?? Good!!”

You can find more of the famous advertising slogans here.

As far as deciding on which proper mode of advertising to turn to, it is no longer restricted to the big three, namely:

1. Television
2. Radio
3. Print

These are traditional advertising techniques. We have seen the evolution of other advertising strategies such as the Internet advertising era but that is too restricted to people who are frequenting the web.

With that in mind, check out the new way of advertising to get attention. The Sign Spinners who are hailed as the new sandwich men of the US are sure to get the attention of people in neighborhoods where they may be assigned. Paid at a fair $10 per hour to walk around and spin signs given to them, people are bound to take notice and become curious at what the sign being spun holds.

Read more about it here at the AFP.

You might remember the Cadbury Gorilla spot we wrote about a while back. The question was posed:

Is it a worthwhile piece of content simply because it makes people watch? Or is it missing the boat because it has no connection to the brand?

Well, something as unique (and bizarre) as a gorilla drumming to Phil Collins is hard to top, but Cabral and Fallon have certainly done their best.

Both the drumming gorilla and this new spot share a bizarre semi-disconnect from the brand, and a similar feeling of enjoyment and satisfaction. And as touchy as I am at the use of Queen, this spot does it beautifully, just as the Gorilla did justice to “In The Air Tonight.” And then there’s the whole whole Cadburyesque purple sky, which is creatively beautiful.

Does it work? Can the “campaign” be continued successfully (and if so, does this accomplish it?) or was the drumming gorilla enough?

One thing that you can count on when it comes to producing the whole script of commercials is the creativity part of each segment. Most companies like the makers of Budweiser know what the public want.

While some may criticize them for placing some sort of some malice, as long as there is nothing offensive about them, you got to take your hats off to the makers of these commercials.

So the next time you feel the heat, grab a bud. But once you do, make sure you cool it first before proceeding. Some things may not be what as they seem in the world of creative advertising.

Shower – The best video clips are right here

Sure, there are dozens of ways to judge advertising as “good,” but it’s important to remember that good advertising needs to grab the attention of the target. GSD&M|idea city certainly kept that in mind with this spot introducing the BMW V8 M3 – my auto enthusiast friends (and not advertising/creative-minded folk) have been talking a lot about it – which I’d imagine is the most important goal for BMW.

After touring Europe and visiting the BMW M factory in Munich to study the engine, idea city folks figured out how to take three of the Belgium-build V8 engines and cram cameras, lenses and lighting into ‘em. Then after filming for four 20-hour days, they captured (at 10,000 fps) what happens in a single revolution inside of the 420hp beast of an engine. Without any CGI. It’s amazing that something like that still happens. But it’s incredible, and certainly creating a bit of buzz in the auto world.

Regardless of whether or not it’s a 100% accurate representation of the engine under full running load, it’s an impressive feat in terms of cinematographic execution and in not falling back on CGI. It definitely makes a powerful statement for BMW.

One thing that will surely get the attention of the target market you are catering to is the presence of well-known celebrities such as NBA superstar LeBron James. James has not only been a phenom in the National Basketball Association but also elsewhere as more and more kids are looking up to this athlete who made the big jump to the big leagues over a college education.

While the move may not necessarily be your typical role-model move, you just have to admit that he is the top personality that most people, young and old, are looking onto these days. Here is a commercial with so many people involved portrayed by only one person, LeBron James.