One Long Noodle

Your imagination is the limit when it comes to advertising. Any surface can be used to promote a brand -- but the challenge is to do so in a way that hasn't been done. What will catch the passerby's eye? What will be talked about?

I think that this Mondo Pasta ad is super clever! I personally have never heard of the brand Mondo Pasta, but I'd be willing to check it out after seeing this ad! It just goes to show that creative advertising DOES make a difference!

Old Spice, You So Funny

I enjoyed the latest group's assessment of Old Spice. Isaiah Mustafa is perfect for these quirky ads. I like how Old Spice didn't take the easy way out and do a typical men's body wash/cologne advertisement. Girls aren't falling from the sky to chase after a man who has recently bathed his body in a certain scent. These Old Spice ads are different and break through the clutter.

One of my favorite quotes that one of the group members said was that Old Spice "takes its target seriously". They need a reason besides "getting the girl" to listen to the ad.

Give Me a Break!

Jenna Lyons is J.Crew's Creative Director, and MAN has she done an impressive job in the last few years. She has broght J.Crew into the 21st century, keeping its preppy style but adding a modern and more trendy twist.

J.Crew's website has a section called "Jenna's Picks" where shoppers can see Lyons' favorite items. Recently, J.Crew featured Lyons in a more up-close-and-personal ad series.

This ad shows Lyons with her son, painting his toenails. The ad has sparked a bit of controversy, asking if it is appropriate for parents to support boys participating in what is traditionally a girl's past time.

What I have learned here is that some ads can be controversial even when they aren't meant to be. We all have different values and beliefs. What I say is....LET HIM WEAR PINK!

Yes, I know my ABCs

Talk about brand recognition! One simple letter and a few simple colors equals successful branding. It is fun to see how labels and brands have infused their way into our brains.

How many can you correctly identify? Answers below...NO CHEATING!

Facebook Not So Social...

I am not good with change. So, when Facebook decides to make changes - whether they be miniscule or drastic - I notice. I find myself becoming frustrated asking, "Why, Facebook, Why?!?" and see that my other friends are posting similar grievances about such changes. Is Facebook listening? Do they even care? Can I change anything? The answer is pretty much no. I have tried, and there is no way for me to tell Facebook what I am thinking about their new changes.

What a surprise! Facebook would not exist if it weren't for the users. Facebook simply provides the framework for users to publish what they want and to interact with other users. So why not listen to what these users have to say? The reason is that Facebook doesn't need to. As the most popular social media network, Facebook has the ability to slowly manipulate the way the site works. Us users pretty much have to roll with the punches.

Hmm....food for thought!

Red Bull and Product Information

When I first starting evaluating Red Bull's creative for my group project, I was impressed with its Red Bull Cola advertisements.

Red Bull's strong suit has never been product information. The ingredients that Red Bull uses have never been transparent, adding to an ora of mystery surrounding each product.

The Cola campaign has started something new for Red Bull. The ingredients are all out in the open. No confusion, no mystery.

I would like to see Red Bull continue this product information campaign with it's other products like the Red Bull energy drinks and two-hour energy shots.

Absolut...

My friend Peggy passed this on to me a few days ago. The ad mimics Absolut Vodka's "Absolut ____" campaign. This drunk driving campaign was actually produced by the Bucharest Traffic Police. It just goes to show how effective the Absolut Vodka campaign has been. 

When I read "20 Ads that Changed the World" by James B. Twitchell in the beginning of the semester,  the "Absolut ______" by Absolut Vodka was one of the campaigns that he praised. It discussed how the campaign was successful due to the consistency and wit that the advertisers used from execution to execution.

While this adaptation of the Absolut campaign may be harsh, it gets the point across.

In this ad, the outline of the Absolut bottle is all that is shown. The bottom reads, "Absolute Stupidity". Applause to the Bucharest Traffic Police for this production. I'd like to see Absolut Vodka do it's own campaign like this against drunk driving.