DDB Canada Waxes Nostalgic for Nordstrom

DDB Canada has a new campaign for Nordstrom entitled “Shoes That Move You,” that takes a nostalgic look back at customer’s childhoods.

In “Cardboard Box,” for example, a voiceover says, “When you were young, you could see endless possibility inside of a cardboard box…” over whimsically shot scenes of children making imaginative use of cardboard boxes. The spot then cuts to a woman opening up a box of Nordstrom shoes, as the voiceover finishes “…some things never change.” This transition is handled well, suggesting to the viewer that the woman at the spot’s conclusion is the cardboard astronaut from the previous shot. In the similarly-themed “Cake,” meanwhile, Nordstrom shoes are likened to getting the biggest slice of cake at a party. Both spots aim to capitalize on the cute factor, while making customers associate the brand with fond childhood memories. (more…)

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

DDB Canada’s Netflix ‘Pep Talk’ Falls Flat

While Netflix is absolutely everywhere in the US, the streaming service has had some trouble catching on in Canada, where “research showed that Canadians struggled to see the value in the service.” So how do you get Canadians to like something? Hockey, definitely hockey.

So, DDB Canada Vancouver whipped up (and it does feel whipped up) a locker room spot for the new Canadian brand campaign entitled “Pep Talk,” in which a coach tells his players to “remember that scene from that movie on Netflix” where “the coach…gave that speech…well that, gentleman, is what I am saying!” rather than provide a speech of his own. The whole thing is reminiscent of a Simpsons joke from the 1992 episode “Homer at the Bat” in which Mr. Burns tells his softball team, “So I want you to remember some inspiring words that someone else might have told you over the course of your lives, and go out there and win!” But, you know, a lot less funny.

The idea was to show “how stories you can find on Netflix stay with you anywhere, anytime.” It would have helped to create an ad that stuck with you, instead of one this forgettable. Credits after the jump. continued…

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.