Hasta La Creative!

In an attempt to boost holiday sales, GSD&M enlisted the services of one Weird Al Yankovic on behalf of the struggling Radio Shack.

The resurgent Yankovic, of course, just had the first number one album of his career with his fourteenth full-length, Mandatory Fun. Radioshack CMO Jennifer Warren cited Yankovic’s resurgent popularity and “cross generational appeal” in explaining the decision to enlist the King of Parody, telling MediaPost, “He’s had a resurgence, including a No. 1 album, and an appearance on the Grammies, as well as a recent tour of the talk shows.”

And, indeed, Yankovic has appeal from everyone from those introduced to the parodist in the eighties, to those of us who bought Bad Hair Day on compact dist in elementary school, to the kids just being introduced to him today through the music videos he released to promote the new album. But does GSD&M make it work?

Kind of. Yankovic’s quirky, nerdy charm is certainly on display in the ad, and Radio Shack could benefit from the association, but the spot stops short of fulfilling its comedic potential. When a customer asks if Radio Shack carries HeliQuads, Shack employee Yankovic bursts into song about how it is the perfect place for holidays toys for, boys, girls, and your cousin Bob who is 43 and lives at home. GSD&M worked from a script, collaborating with Yankovic from there, according to GSD&M President Marianne Malina. Given Yankovic’s distinct personality (which is what you got him for), it may have made more sense to just let him come up with his own ideas.

Interestingly, the ad will debut in cinemas, where viewers can use the Shazam app to download a longer version. The ad is part of GSD&M’s larger “Gift Smart” campaign as the agency continues to attempt to start conversations around the sinking Radio Shack brand. Recent efforts include the suggestive back-to-school campaign, which ruffled a few conservative feathers with its innuendo.

“Everything we’ve done together…is about getting buzz, and getting back into the conversation,” Warren told MediaPost. (more…)

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Yeah bitch, science!

If you’ve been paying attention to education in this country, you probably know that U.S. students aren’t stacking up so great against students around the world. They’re currently ranked 25th globally in what educators have taken to calling STEM: science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

In an attempt to get more students to pursue careers in science and technology (other than meth manufacturing), the U.S. Air Force teamed up with agency GSD&M to create a project called the Air Force Collaboratory, described as “an online educational platform that pairs students with Air Force experts to tackle three unclassified military projects.” The projects include a prototype technology to rescue people trapped in collapsed structures, determining where to launch the newest GPS satellite, and designing the next generation of unmanned aerial vehicles.

GSD&M partnered with interactive design consultancy Welikesmall to create video content from three Air Force bases, including Air Force Space Command — one of the most restricted-access areas in the country. Using video, including shots captured by crawling through debris in simulated earthquake conditions, GSD&M and Welikesmall created an informative and engaging video. They make science and technology seem kind of cool, not always an easy feat. The video was lacking one crucial piece though: Bill Nye.

Welikesmall also created a social media network that allows the Air Force to constantly update the site with new content, projects and notifications. They even turn the project into something of a game, with users able to see how their ideas rank against their peers. It will be interesting to see what new ideas emerge from this endeavor. Credits after the jump. continued…

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