The Interpublic Group

1. McCann Erickson - New York

I don't really understand this ad. I understand the fast concept, but why a newspaper? The other ads in this campaign featured things such as a water bottle, which I also don't understand. What does a newspaper have to do with using your mastercard, and why would the newspaper be faster? I feel like McCann could have done so much more with this ad. It is a simple concept of faster and easier process with Mastercard, but I feel like this ad and the whole campaign could have been more creative and just more outside the box than the obvious. I can imagine many people getting lost with this ad and simply skipping over it because it is not compelling or attention grabbing.

2. The Martin Agency
Richmond, VA

I think this ad by The Martin Agency was a cute way to
show what the client is really about. The line reads "The Greatest Stories in the World. Now in D.C." I think this ad is great because even though it's simple, it shows so much for such a wide audience. There is something for everyone. Everyone can see something they recognize and be pulled in with an emotional attachment. Even though this may not be the most innovative ad, and may be a bit too literal, I think it works for the client and the target audience.

3. TM Advertising - Irving

I think this is a great ad by TM Advertising. TM took that extra step in doing something new, and something beyond the expected. They made an impact and this ad really grabs attention in the way it is executed. TM often does things that are more than they need to do, as in their Group Health ads which make a simple magazine page interactive. They do the same here, where they make a simple building sign into a whole exhibit. I really love this ad, and I think it fit the client perfectly while making a statement to it's viewers.

4. DraftFCB

I think this ad is one of those ads that is supposed to be funny, but it is just too cheesy to really get a laugh out of you. Draft FCB does take a new approach to the traditional mac and cheese ads that have lots of cheery kids eating mac and cheese, so it's good they got away from that. However, this ad just doesnt have anything exciting about it, it is just there. Draft FCB has also done some work for Lego and Honda that follows this same type of humor. I think these ads tend to be skipped over, and leave no impact on the viewer.


5. Lowe - Toronto, Canada

I've never been a big fan of the Axe ads. I understand that sometimes sexual reference can be used to sell a product, I just feel like they push the sexual concept too much. In this campaign, they went outside the box from traditional ads to actually place pieces of lingerie in bathrooms with the line "Turns Nice Girls Naughty." I do like the creative choice of the placing of the ads, however, I think it is in bad taste. I think all ads should be classy enough to avoid stuff like this, and to not have to go to this level. As with their commercials, where women are running towards the man once he uses Axe, I think these ads can be offensive towards women and could just be done in a more sophisticated way.





6. Carmichael Lynch - Minneapolis

Carmichael Lynch does a lot of amazing work for Harley Davidson, and this print ad is no exception. The layout itself is beautiful, the copy is wonderfully written, and even the picture seems like the perfect choice. The way everything is put together just makes this a great ad. They really capture what Harley Davidson is all about, as they do with all of their Harley Davidson ads. They were able to make a manly, tough guy, brand into a work of art and I think they do great work for this client.


7. Hill Holliday - Boston, MA

This spot for Dunkin' Donuts by Hill Holiday, takes a cheesy yet friendly approach. The musical commercial is a bit worn out, but it seems to work for this commercial. They show the product used by many people in everyday life, which is exactly where they want to place it. The music is not too "in your face" or annoying, and it creates a happy and friendly atmosphere which will later be associated with the brand by consumers. Hill Holiday does not have many exciting clients, they do work for other clients such as CVS and Bank of America, and this may be why their approach is not breaking any limits. Although not the most creative approach, Hill Holiday manages to keep the commercial friendly and inviting, as Dunkin' Donuts may want to create for their stores.

8. Deutsch - Los Angeles, CA

This ad, by Deutsch, gives adults some light humor in the animated form. The great thing about Dr. Pepper advertising, is they avoid comparisions and competition with other soda companies that many brands such as Pepsi have done in the past. Dr. Pepper stands firm in their brand, especially their diet drinks, and they build around that. This ad supports the Dr. Pepper personality very well. I think the use of animation and humor attracts adults because it is different than a lot of ads out their that are targeted at adults. Also, adults who drink Diet Drinks don't want to be reminded at the lack of taste or calories, and this ad does a great job of reinforcing the fact that it tastes like regular. I think this is a cute ad that goes along with the brand image but is able to show soda advertising in a new and more entertaining light.

9. Mullen - Boston, MA

This ad, by Mullen, is simple yet effective for the client. I love the image itself and the positioning of the copy, it makes the ad so much more inviting than if the copy were simply written out next to a picture of a seal. Also, the copy itself, written in the point of view of the seal, is cute and charming. The copy shows how much more there is to an aquarium than just looking at fish. This ad also invites adults, which are the ones making the family decision to go to the aquarium.


10. Campbell Mithun - Minneapolis

This ad, for Above the Influence, is aimed at encouraging teens to speak out against drugs. I think the layout itself, with the color choices and magazine clip-out looking type is very attractive to teenagers. However, I think this type of ad is overdone. I have seen so many ads that have words coming out of someone's mouth. If advertisers want to reach teenagers, they need to go beyond the color choices and text type. There has recently been one agency that has created an entire website, street art, and much more to attract teenagers. Ad agencies need to remember their audience and do whatever it takes to reach them.

11. T.A.G.

I think this is a very artistic ad for Zune by Campbell Mithun. This ad has a very mysterious and full of wonder "Alice in Wonderland" feel to it, which are great characteristics to transfer to the product itself. The colors, the music, and the images all work together to create a piece of art. This commercial reminds me of the Clorox mermaid commercial, they both use their imagination to go beyond the product itself. This ad for Zune managed to create a beautiful ad without the mention of price, colors, specs, or it's competitor Ipod, and to do it in such an artistic way makes this a great ad.

12. R/GA - RGA Comunicação, Recife, Brazil

When I first saw this ad, I laughed. But not a real laugh, it was more like a ha...ha? laugh. First of all, when I saw this, it looked like the people sitting next to and behind the guy screaming were dead. That just made the ad creepy, and definitely not attractive. Once you realize what is actually taking place, you are not impressed. It just makes me want to say... really R/GA? R/GA is known for great digital work, and this print ad is just simply not their strong suit. This is one of those ads that you would simply keep flipping the pages, and this is one of those ads that gives people an annoyed feeling towards advertising. This ad simply takes up space, and unfortunately, this is not what R/GA would want in their advertising.