What are you Doing New Years Eve?

Though this ad is supposedly from 1998, I wanted to share it in the spirit of the season! Simple, relying on good feelings and music to draw the audience in and using a simple "Gap" image to finish it off leaves the viewer with good feelings toward the brand. Plus, gotta love Rufus Wainwright.

Peace...and Happy New Years,
Shannon

I love business catch words and phrases and the second hottest (after sustainability) seems to be innovation. BMW has always gone above and beyond its competitors to reiterate their commitment to delivering top performance always.

Here is a piece that tickles my curiosity and makes me appreciate design all the more. Though the content is very loosely connected to the auto maker, the effects are nevertheless powerful.

Take Charge

I find this ad to be highly entertaining. Just look at the design inspiration and brilliancy in it! I love looking at things in new ways and having an ad force me to do so is great wealth! The music, the images, everything just blends together to completely captivate the audience. It's one of the few ads on television right now that captures me.

Peace,
Shannon

One day I'm going to drive a BMW...until then this guy will:



What is cheating and what is not? ;)

This steamy couple is about to find out:



Or maybe not.

More on automotive dreams to come.

Stay faithful,

Dmitriy

Gossip Girl=Scandal!

Though these ads are old now, I am still in love with the concept. Using a target market of teens/twenties, the ads for "Gossip Girl" focus on the scandal and "negative" publicity surrounding the show. Look at each quote and what media group made the quote, and you'll see why these ads attracted so many people! Saying that "parents will hate this" is the perfect thing to get rebellious, or simply curious, teens riled up and channeled in!







Peace, (or should I say, XOXO)
Shannon

What's older than the United States and might be responsible for more poor unilateral decision making?

For him:



For her:



For those who respect tradition/Russia:



I guess Vodka is classier than beer after all! Sorry Tequila and Rum, you'll have to rely on the rap industry.

Remember your limits,

Dmitriy

Xmas 2009

At first I didn't see where this Coca-Cola ad was going, but once the story starts making sense (person sees something flying in the sky, gets Christmas spirit, and "pays it forward), I fell in love with it. It was blatantly about the brand but created a feeling of joy and worldwide peace, two of the main concepts surrounding Christmas, that you can't help but feel happy and respect the brand, even if the ending message is for another language/country. Merry Christmas all!

Peace,
Shannon

My Old Friend Jim Beam

Jim and I have been friends since middle school....Sike. That would be mad illegal as I would be drinking way underage and Jim would be a pedophile. The brand is not for the young of heart/age, seemingly marketed to men with "hair on their back" and who have "a little fat" as in this piece.



If those described me and if I were single, perhaps her accent and "perfection" would entice me too, but alas, I'll just stick to buying flowers for my wonderful girlfriend and enjoying "younger" drinks.

This other piece inspired me not only to write a business plan, but also to share Jim's creativity with you. Actually, Jim shouldn't receive credit for anything except being bourbon that never changes. BBDO, one of the top ad agencies, deserves all the credit, but more on them at a later date.



Drink Responsibly,

Dmitriy

Church Advertisement?!

This is completely shocking to me...advertising for Christmas services? Just to give you an idea of the context, this was a MASSIVE banner hanging in a MASSIVE mall. Question: When has it ever been an issue for churches to get all of the "believers" to show up for Christmas services? IT'S THE ONLY DAY OF THE YEAR MOST OF THEM EVER WILL! And this particular church creepily already has such a massive following that it shuttles people from parking lots elsewhere (overflow from their massive lots next to the church) and offers Starbucks when you arrive. Looks like they're spending the members' hard earned money on the right things, like advertising for no apparent reason!

Sorry...obviously ticks me off.

Peace,
Shannon

Microsoft...Really?

I haven't even heard of Windows 7. In fact I'm typing on a Mac right now. Take that Bill Gates. All of these unattractive people (they really are) are making it seem like their idea...really clever. The better strategy would be to make competitive/actually good products instead of trying to get away with marketing for a crappy product.



Stay innovative Microsoft! Keep making new software to make more money and lose more loyal customers.

Dmitriy

It's Time to Fly <3

I thought posting this was appropriate for all the holiday travels going on:



I am not partial to any airline, but I LOVED this ad for United when I saw it! Television ads that rely mainly on music and imagery are so effective! You could watch this somewhere else in the world, not understand English, and still get the gist of the ad. Safe travels to all!

Peace,
Shannon

Protectionism...

Let's take a look at some promotion of protectionism...

They get away with a whole lot more in Europe...



This piece would definately not fly in America either...


The great thing about these ads is, you don't even need to speak the language. Here's an Argentinian piece that's just as effective...



What did you think I was taking about? Maybe the slow transition of TV to the internet will bring these clever Spanish clips into your "laptop" room.

Stay safe until then,

Dmitriy

Veggie Friends or Foes?

As a vegetarian myself, I must comment on the "Go Vegetarian" type of campaigns:

This is enticing:


This is scary:


Though the second may be what they want you to think about, that's no way to turn someone veggie! They'll just shut down and put up defense shields!

Peace,
Shannon