Hasta La Creative!

Just two months after launching its “Wonderful World” anthem ad for Miller Lite, TBWA/Chiat/Day Los Angeles returns with a bevy of spots for the brew brand that take place in the most ideal of locations: the convenience store. Helmed by Arts & Sciences director Matt Aselton and starring Eastbound & Down alum Marco Rodriguez–who’ll still always be the “supermarket killer” from Stallone’s classic Cobra to us–the campaign introduces us to a variety of quirky characters whose evening is officially set with a six-pack of Miller Lite and a bit of inspiration from Rodriguez’s bodega clerk.

Whether they be the chardonnay party crasher, muscular like-minded twins, the karaoke enthusiast or the “one-tripper,” Rodriguez is there to help throughout the eight (!) spots unveiled by TBWA/Chiat/Day LA, which of course took over as creative AOR for Miller Lite last fall. Considering the theme, scenarios and settings of this rather ambitious campaign, it should be familiar to the partygoer in all of us–though the choice of beer may vary.  You can check out the rest of the spots here.

Lorraine Bracco (she of The Sopranos and Goodfellas fame, of course) lends her familiar voice to Deutsch LA’s new holiday spot for Netflix, and predictably, makes the ad work.

In the spot, “Tree Topper,” Bracco voices the part of the smiling porcelain tree topper that has been part of the McDermott family for 34 years. Through the tree topper we see the wild antics of the McDermott boys, as well as Christmas cooking failures and Uncle Luther’s fake snow. Despite the occasional difficulties living with the McDermott family, Bracco’s tree topper enjoys when the family curls up to enjoy watching something on Netflix.

It’s not the most original of concepts, but Bracco makes it work. Her voice is not only recognizable, but dramatic and expressive. This helps make the idea of a sentient tree topper seem less ridiculous, and even imbues the character with emotion and personality. It helps make the spot not seem overly sentimental, and her delivery of the spots’ final line really brings out just the right amount of curmudgeon from Bracco’s character. While celebrity voice acting is so often an afterthought used as an easy cash-in, Deutsch LA hits the mark by casting Bracco for “Tree Topper.” Hopefully other agencies are taking notes. Credits after the jump. continued…

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A new NFL brings new DDB Chicago State Farm ads featuring Packers QB, Aaron Rodgers, and his bastardized touchdown dance, the “Discount Double-Check.”

Now, even though the Packers are my favorite team and Rodgers is my favorite player, it’s clear that he has gotten no better at acting over the past off-season. I would hope, and assume, that this is due to his hours spent in practice. Supporting Rodgers in this spot (by taking the focus momentarily off of him) are SNL “Superfans” Robert Smigel (part of the original sketch) and George Wendt (who joined later and was also on Cheers so yeah). Apparently, the highest-paid NFL player doesn’t fly first class and is forced to hang out with Bears fans in coach.

Oh, and the “Discount Double-Check” becomes the “Discount Daaa-ble Check” because fuck you, Packers fans. State Farm giveth, and State Farm taketh away. But, they’re trying to make it up to you with a social extension, in which you submit yourself to public Facebook embarrassment based on bets over fantasy football. It’s called Fantasy Football Double Down because we all needed a reminder about KFC’s gross sandwich of the same name. Credits after the jump.

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