"Party Cardis"

"New party cardis on sale this week at Old Navy! But are they too much fun?"


what?

Why did they have to ruin the ad completely with that last line? Usually I stare at these mannequin ads and just wonder where the hell this idea came from, but this one I actually laughed once! But then they added... "are they too much fun?" What?? What does that have to do with anything? And why would an article of clothing be too much fun? Sometimes it's best not to overthink things, and just leave things alone.

Fun Advertising

This event, sponsored by T Mobile, is such a great way of advertising. This approach is completely nontraditional, completely innovative and interactive. While this display is so fun and entertaining, T Mobile still gets their name out there. Millions of people have viewed this video on You Tube, and T Mobile's name is clearly listed as responsible for this event. I wish this happened everyday, everywhere. I want to have 5 minutes a day where everyone does this dance in unison. I think the world would be a better place. This is one of the few great ads that changes people's attitudes about advertising. Advertising here is fun and entertaining, not in your face and annoying.

Large Independents

Dentsu- London

This ad, by Dentsu, is for the National Express transportation system. The thing I don't like about this ad is the use of the side by side. You often see side by sides with cleaning products, laundry detergent, etc. However, Dentsu does use side by side in a different way, in a humorous way. This ad does remind me of other airline advertising, such as the American Airlines ad that shows different signs in the airport with sentimental sentences. However, that ad is sentimental and sweet, while this one is funny but kind of mean! I understand the humor, however, I prefer the sweet ads for airlines, the bottom half of this ad could have been removed.

Weiden & Kennedy - Portland

Weiden & Kennedy has truly created art with this campaign. This campaign is one of the great campaigns they have done that have estalished them as a great agency. This ad, along with others in this campaign features beautifully written copy. It is truly inspirational. This campaign is similar to the work that Weiden & Kennedy does for Nike in the fact that it is not directly about the product. Weiden has a talent for making their ads inspirational, beautiful, and leaving the viewer with a positive feeling. Weiden does not attack you with the product, but makes it about something more, which they have done in this case with the sense of adventure in Levi's.

Bartle Bogle Hegarty - London

BBH's ad for Levi's is a classic. As opposed to the work that Weiden & Kennedy has done for Levi's, this older work by BBH does not focus on adventure or inspiration. However, this ad breaks ground. It is something completely new for it's time. This is what makes it so great. Just like when DDB put out the "Think Small" campaign, it was something never seen before, a great kind of different. This ad, was also great different, and the fact that it went out on a limb and did something risque is what makes it so great.

Richards Group - Dallas

The Richards Group takes this opportunity to make a usually boring client, more exciting and fun. They have created a sense of wonder and imagination in a fairy tale environment. This ad reminds me of the Clorox commercial where the bath tub becomes a whole different world filled with mermaids and creatures. Ads like the Clorox one as well as this one, create a world of possibilities and succeed at giving the client an appealing sense of wonder. This ad makes Michaels less about sales, prices, and picture frames, and it really is able to give Michael's a personality.

Doner - Canada

This ad, which was created to advertise a $500 off offer for college students, is great at hitting it's target audience. College students would be the ones who really appreciate this because they would really understand it. This ad would not be successful if it were aimed at a different targent audience. For example, the Axe campaign, done by many agencies - mainly BBH , is perfect for it's target audience but it is not necessarily attracting old women. This ad shows the importance of understanding your market, and I think Doner does a great job of capturing their target.

Cramer-Krasselt - Milwaukee

Cramer - Krasselt takes a new twist on speeding signs with this ad. I think this ad is extremely clever, and is able to really get someone's attention and really make them think.. maybe I am going a little too fast. I think this ad, kind of like the Truth campaign, is very effective because it lays out the facts, however harsh they might be. Sometimes people need to see a glimpse of the consequences in order to stop their actions. For example, many people seeing 1200 body bags laid out on the street in the Truth campaign commercial, might see that and realize that if they continue smoking that could be them. In the same way, this ad showing people how their medical bills would just continue to increase as their speed increases, might make them realize it isn't worth speeding, and I think Cramer-Krasselt has done a great job getting that message out there.

MDC

MDC is a holding company full of great creative agencies. They are based in Toronto, Canada, and consider themselves a partner, taking majority stakes.

1. Crispin Porter + Bogusky - Miami

Crispin Porter & Bogusky is an incredibly admired agency that has done tons and tons of great work. This ad for the Mini Cooper, succeeds in making giving the Mini Cooper a personality, much like DDB did with Volkswagen. This commercial seems to be imitating many fast car commercials as it shows the Mini Cooper zooming through many twists and turns. However, instead of a long, sleek design, it is a little funny looking car. This commercial aims at putting the Mini Cooper up there with the fast and the sleek cars, and aims to make the Mini Cooper the car that you want to speed through the twists and turns with. I think this is a really cute ad, and I think it succeeds at giving the Mini Cooper that fun and cute image.

Vitro Robertson - San Diego

This ad, for Land Rover, is very mediocre. First of all, the copy is just a cliche saying. There was nothing very creative about the copy, it is sort of just there and bleh. Also, the angle of the picture is not very flattering of the car. It is an awkard angle, it doesn't highlight any great aspects of the car, and it just isn't a great picture. The awkard picture mixed with the bland copy makes this one of those ads I would skip over, I wouldn't remember, and is just another car advertisement.
Cliff Freeman And Partners- NYC



I love this ad. This ad is fun, catchy, and simple yet brilliant. Cliff Freeman really made the cakes exciting by making them come alive... literally. The fact that the song gets stuck in your head doesnt' hurt them too much either. This ad reinforces what Baskin Robbins is partly known for - ice cream and cake. And I can bet that when people want ice cream cake they are going to easily remember this commercial. It's just so fun and cute, and this is probably one of the main reasons I'm sad to see Cliff Freeman close its doors.

Kirshenbaum Bond - NYC

Kirshenbaum Bond's ad for Wendy's is creative in a not so creative way. It defeinitely isn't like most fast food commercials. However, they go to the stereotypical white guy boy band rappers. The first time I watched this commercial, I was kind of just staring at it in shock. I had to watch the commercial a second time, and the second time I was actually laughing, I'm not going to lie. It reminds me of the v dub commercials with the awkward guy with the accent and his strange female assistant, both trying to look cool, but failing miserably. Even though this was a pretty stupid commercial, it kind of works. This is the type of ad that would get sent around from youtube because many young people are attracted to this type of humor.

Havas

Havas is the second largest advertising group in France. The largest aspect, Euro RSCG made a prescence in America when its headquarters were moved to New York in 1997. The three agencies that make up Havas are Arnold Worldwide, McKinney, and Euro RSCG.

Arnold Worldwide - Boston

Arnold Worldwide is one of several agencies that have worked on the Volkswagen account. As DDB made groundbreaking ads for Volkswagen with the "Think Small" campaign, Arnold followed in their footsteps to keep the unique personality of Volkswagen intact. However, this commercial just isn't exciting to me. First of all, I don't think this ad needed to be a one minute spot. If I saw this ad on tv, this would be the time I would get up to go the bathroom or switch channels. There is not enough going on to keep me interested. In comparison with the Volkswagen "Night Drive" ad and many other Volkswagen ads, this one doesn't seem to keep up. Other Volkswagen ads have focused more on how Volkswagen is different, but in a great way, and I think this ad loses some of that because they take a humerous route instead,which doesn't exactly make me laugh out loud.

McKinney - Durham

Mckinney's ad for Sherman Williams paint definitely goes beyond what one would expect for a paint advertisement. This campaign shows similar images but with different places in the home. This ad may not be the most eye catching or out of the box advertisement, but I think it does its job. The color chosen, and the way the color serves as the background for the ad and as the wall color gets the message across. The ad is simple, yet effective. I also like how Mckinney makes this ad about more than just paint, but more about life. Unlike many of the paint ads you see on tv, such as the lowe's ad where the parents are painting the room green and the kids come in reading, this ad isn't obvious or too "out there." I appreciate the simplicity, and I think it is effective for the target. Not everyone is going to be interested in looking at a paint ad, and if you aren't it doesn't annoy you but if you are it intrigues you.

Euro RSCG - Buenos Aires, Argentina

This ad just screams "BORING." Not only is this almost a replica of the Mastercard campaign by McCann Erickson, but it is just too easy. It seems like the creative team got together and said "Oh, let's just make the picture blurry so it looks like we're moving really fast..." And everyone else just said "uh okay," and everyone moved on with their lives. I feel like nobody took the time or effort to sit down and say how can we make this ad innovative and really make it something that will make a difference? I'm very unimpressed, and actually upset that agencies don't do more innovative work. Eh. bleh. boring.

Publicis

Publicis is a French holding company and agency that currently ranks #3, competing with Havas, and has a very large impact worldwide.

1. Publicis - Venezuela

This ad, by Publicis in Venezeula, is definitely a visually appealing ad. However, I don't really understand the point of the visual. Yeah I understand that straws have to do with drinking, but I don't really understand how using that many straws to create that image would make me want to purchase Nestea. I think Publicis' idea of creating a strong visual image was a good strategy, however, it seems misplaced. I guess I'm just not crazy about this ad. Although it may grab my attention, it confuses me more than intrigues me, and I don't find myself attracted to the product. As opposed to ads that use this technique such as Weiden & Kennedy's large gatorade installment, this ad doesn't resonate, and just doesn't make enough of an impact.

2. Saatchi & Saatchi - Singapore

This ad, by Saatchi & Saatchi, for ESPN shows just how widespread yet similar of an audience ESPN reaches. The thing about this ad that I love, is for once an ESPN ad shows the fans and not the athletes or the announcers. It really gives the target audience that feeling that they are a part of something great, and something that is bigger than just one fan. It gives fans that sense of community, the sense of belonging, and makes a great use of visual space.


3. Leo Burnett - New Dehli, India

This Leo Burnett ad for Mcdonalds is possibly one of the creepiest ads I have ever seen. If someone who has a fear of clowns saw this ad, I think they would be very afraid. Besides the creepy factor, this ad has nothing to do with what Mcdonalds is about. Mcdonalds is not about Ronald Mcdonald, and it is not about a baby Ronald Mcdonald. (As if the real size Ronald Mcdonald is not scary enough) I think Leo Burnett was trying to take a different approach to fast food advertising, but did it in the wrong way. Kind of like the Burget King ads tries to make use of the King himself, they are trying to make use of Ronald Mcdonald but they miss the target. There is nothing about this ad that makes me want Mcdonalds. In fact, now when I see a Mcdonalds, I will think of this ad, get scared, and probably go to Wendy's. Try again Leo Burnett.

4. Fallon worldwide - Minneapolis

I love this ad. I have never said I loved a bank ad, but I love this ad. I may be a sucker for something cute and sentimental, but I think Fallon did a great job. Fallon managed to make a banking commercial that gives people a warm and fuzzy feeling inside. Most people don't like banks, they may feel that banks are all about money, but Fallon shows that Citi is truly different than these other banks. Fallon sends the message that Citi cares about you, about your family, about your life, and not just about your money. I think the visual, the music, and the message are really beautiful and really capture a great moment. The fact that Fallon is changing the way banking is seen is revolutionary. It is no longer about money, but it is about captured moments and beautiful parts of life.

5. Kaplan Thaler Group- NYC

I think this ad fits the mold of advertising. It has the cheesy song, side by side comparison, and attempt at humor. When people think of advertising, it is ads like this that they probably think of. Basically, there is nothing ground breaking about this ad. It may seem hard to advertise for household products such as Swiffer, but this ad is just too formulatic.

6. Team One Advertising - LA

I love this ad by Team One Advertising. I think this ad does it's job for the client very well, while still making a creative statement. This ad, for the Ritz Carlton, manages to elevate hotel advertising which is exactly the goal - to show the elevated status of this hotel. This ad is simple and elegant. The visual is appealing, yet not too much is needed to send the message that this hotel is a relaxing, luxurious atmosphere, different from all others.

5 Commercials Building on Each Other

Ad agencies often use a series of images, or objects, to create a larger picture in the end. This can be very effective depending on the client, and it can make the ad about more than just the product. I love these ads that get a lot of people together, these ads can turn out to be a lot of fun.

Guinness- AMV BBDO London





This ad, for Guinness beer, is unlike all other beer commercials. This commercial makes it about so much more than just the man aspect, or the getting the ladies aspect, or just any of the macho man ordeal that is usually included in a beer commercial. This ad makes use of the domino effect to show that Guinness is worth waiting for. I love how this ad creates a sense of community, everyone is in on this project, and it is so much fun to watch something like that. AMV BBDO has managed to make this ad about more than just beer, and they have given a softer and more clean fun approach to it. The image at the end of the Guinness is incredible. I think the idea of Guinness being something worth waiting for, and the domino effect using so many things building off of each other works very well together. This ad is actually similar to a Sony Bravia ad which also uses the domino effect to create color, and I think the idea of building off of each other has become more popular with ad agencies.

Sony Bravia- Y&R Singapore





This ad, by Y&R Singapore, is a beautiful vision of color which is exactly the message they are trying to send about their televisions. The image of beautiful colors and spools of thread being thrown over a pyramid all comes together at the end of the commercial to show the beautiful array of colors offered by Sony Bravia. I love that this commercial gets the message across without any image of a television, without any mention of size, specifications, or price. This ad has managed to make a television commercial beautiful, and this whole campaign was very well done.

Shelter- The Homeless and Housing Charity, Leo Burnett - London





The use of many things building off of each other, or in this case falling from each other, was a great choice for this client. This visual is very effective in getting the point across that many people lose their homes just as easily as a house of cards can fall. I think the use of a great visual without having to actually show homeless people, can really get to people emotionally. It is also more effective than just one house of cards falling, but shown in this effect was a great and appropriate choice for the client and is another great example of ads using things to build off of each other in order to create a whole effect.

Toyota Prius - Saatchi & Saatchi Los Angeles

The Toyota Prius commercial is revolutionary when it comes to car commercials. Once again, an ad agency has managed to make the commercial about more than specifications and prices. The effect of everything coming to life, being musical, and being happier creates this chain reaction as the car passes along the path. This shows the effect this hybrid car can have on the environment, and makes this a fun and colorful ad. Saatchi & Saatchi used the idea of a chain reaction beautifully in this ad, and it worked perfectly for their intention.

Truth Campaign - Arnold Worldwide - Boston





The Truth Campaign has used the technique of having a lot of items coming together many times to create a shocking effect. In this case, they started placing body bags on the street, one after the other, until there were 1200 body bags lining the street. The technique of visually showing so many of these body bags is what creates the shocking effect, and shows just how big the problem of smoking really is and what the negative effect of smokign really looks like. Using so many of these, placing them one by one on top of each other, is what makes the commercial effective and is another great example of this technique.