Sarah Palin footage both sides might enjoy

Following the surprise announcement of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as John McCain's VP pick, you can bet the Democrats are feverishly at work on a response ad. I'll personally be surprised if they pass up this footage of Palin firing an assault rifle. Then again, I'd be just as surprised if the GOP didn't use it. (In fact, I first found the scene at the 25-second mark of this "Palin for VP" video on YouTube.) Obama's camp might use the shots to offset the maternal image that could lure Hillary supporters. McCain's people might see it as a great symbol of Palin's lifelong support for the NRA. Guns and military regalia always make for an interesting divide in political races. Conservative Margaret Thatcher got a popular boost from riding around in a tank, but liberal Michael Dukakis was hammered for similar footage—proving that an anti-military legislative record trumps actual service in the U.S. Army. Then, of course, there was Bush's iconic flight-suit moment, which became a divisive image largely because of its role as a prelude to "Mission accomplished." So what do you think? Will the Democracts go the boring route and talk about things like ethics investigations, or will they come out guns a-blazin'?

—Posted by David Griner

Published on August 29, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (16)
Filed under Campaign '08, Griner, Political ads

Classic stars come out to play in Emmy ads

WongDoody has created the ad campaign for the 60th annual Emmy Awards, airing Sept. 21 on ABC. The tagline, "Where TV comes together," is unfortunate, but less so than the name of the agency that created it. The campaign's visuals, however, are lots of fun, focusing on the small-screen characters we've come to know and love over the past 60 years. A wrap shows them riding the bus! Ha-ha! Hardly a new idea ... but look, there's the Incredible Hulk and Eric Cartman! I bet neither paid the fare. Hey, Fonzie, "sit on it!" No really, take my seat, you shouldn't have to stand. But … why would Superman need to take the bus? A collage of more than 400 characters and personalities will run as a poster or two-page spread in magazines and newspapers. But seriously, why would Superman be taking the bus? Is Lex Luthor on the bus?!

—Posted by David Gianatasio

Published on August 29, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (1)
Filed under Emmys, Gianatasio, Outdoor, Print, WongDoody

It's either McDonald's fries or certain death

The characters in DDB Stockholm's McDonald's commercials tend to find themselves in rough spots. When they're not suffering from wrenching nightmares, they're having to choose between McDonald's french fries and Wile E. Coyote-style death plunges while hanging precariously off the sides of cliffs. For the guy shown here, it's a difficult but ultimately obvious decision.

—Posted by Tim Nudd

Published on August 29, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (4)
Filed under DDB, Freaky, McDonald's, Nudd, TV

McCann tries to make baseball look exciting

It's no secret that baseball's a slow-moving sport. I'm a fan, and even I can't sit through an entire game. They tend to run three-hours-plus and contain about 15 seconds of excitement. So, it's appropriate that McCann Erickson crams about 15 seconds of action footage into each of its new spots promoting Major League Baseball's postseason. They toss in oddities like insects attacking players and black cats running around the field—that stuff's actually more lively than the game action itself! There's also a guy blogging, I guess, but even he seems more interested in the bugs on some pitcher's neck than the score. I'm skipping the postseason this year. And for those who'd accuse me of sour grapes as the playoff hopes of my beloved Yankees dim with each double play Derek Jeter bounces into, I offer the standard, time-tested reply: Wait until next year!

—Posted by David Gianatasio

Published on August 29, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (1)
Filed under Gianatasio, McCann Erickson, MLB, TV

Don't even think about looking at her jeans

Here's another Levi's ad from Cutwater, which did the model-in-reverse spot from earlier this week. This second one's cute, but it's a little long, as in Gone with the Wind long. Did they really need a full minute and a half to get the concept across? By the time the girl gets knocked out, I'd stopped caring, opting instead to wonder who's responsible for the music—it sounds like Max Raabe. Also, speaking as a man here, how are jeans that punish me for looking at hot chicks (and vice versa) a worthwhile investment? Maybe the creative were drinking too much of this when they came up with the idea.

—Posted by David Kiefaber

Published on August 29, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (12)
Filed under Cutwater, Fashion, Kiefaber, Levi's, TV

Automotive brands go where they shouldn't

Jalopnik's list of the 10 Worst Non-Automotive Tie-ins With Automotive Brands actually has a couple of good ideas on it, like the Jeep stroller and the Ducati flash drive (which is the best Sandisk flash drive on the market). Nascar meats are a real downer, though, as we've mentioned before; the Ferrari Segway scooter (seen here) is just weird; and wearing Bugatti cologne sends an unmistakable chemical signal that you're an asshole. But I still say the crystal goblets my dad got with his Lincoln were the worst, because they have no tangible connection to cars, and nothing assumes the buyer wears a top hat and monocle every day like freaking goblets.

—Posted by David Kiefaber

Published on August 29, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0)
Filed under Automotive, Kiefaber, Segway

Take cover from Jet Angel's branding ideas

If the company's for real (and I'm praying it isn't), Jet Angel's business model consists in large part of slapping client ad messages on decommissioned military equipment and parking these once-fearsome war machines in front of children's hospitals. Yeah, that'll boost a brand's image. To hype itself in the political season, Jet Angel apparently drove McCain and Obama missiles around Manhattan and Washington, D.C., aimed them at local landmarks and sent the resulting pictures to the press. (See more pics here.) If the whole thing is a joke—i.e., an attempt at ironic humor or satire—it fails to meet the demands of the post-South Park era. (I know the show's still on, but who watches anymore?) In the illustration on the company's site, the hospital should be in ruins and the nurses' hair on fire as they run screaming past the corporate-logo-emblazoned weaponry. The street-campaign should be Photoshopped to show the buildings ablaze—and why not toss in a Flogo Godzilla? My point: Real or not, Jet Angel, you bombed either way.

—Posted by David Gianatasio

Published on August 29, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (1)
Filed under Campaign '08, Gianatasio, Non-traditional

Pickens puts his mouth where his money is

The problem with T. Boone Pickens' campaign to make America less dependent on foreign oil (a campaign that's riled up NBC's networks) is its reliance on T. Boone Pickens. I keep accidentally typing Slim Pickens while writing this—it's driving me nuts! If T.B.P. wants to run for president, just run! Run like that other drawling rich guy Perot, and lose in the election like he did. Look, I'm not a billionaire, so I can't afford to buy ads on TV just to see my own face on the screen. But if I were a billionaire, I'd drive my yacht into my mansion and keep my big yap shut. Yes, the yacht would be inside the mansion—deal with it! You're a billionaire, Pickens, so just uncap your oil well and buy us some gas. C'mon, Slim, gimme some money! (Wow, Frosted Flakes really do give you long-lasting energy! They sure fueled this rant. Hey, maybe we can get a more efficient fuel from corn. See, Pickens, we're on the same page!)

—Posted by David Gianatasio

Published on August 28, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (4)
Filed under Energy, Environment, Gianatasio, Political ads, TV

Old Spice takes LL Cool J from zero to hero

This spot for Old Spice's Swagger, by Wieden + Kennedy, has opened a window into LL Cool J's adolescence. Even as a dorky teenager with a high voice and a higher forehead, hot girls still talked to him. Thanks, that gives the rest of us so much hope. I'd be more impressed if Swagger had helped LL overcome an even more embarrassing stage of his development. Also check out a second spot with Brian Urlacher.

—Posted by David Kiefaber

Published on August 28, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (3)
Filed under Kiefaber, Old Spice, Personal care, TV, Wieden + Kennedy

Your rooster wants to play in the nighttime

Cryptic ads urging me to "silence my rooster" have been receiving heavy play during the convention coverage. In the 15-second spots from Saatchi & Saatchi, people are woken up by noises only to discover ... um, a big fat cock. View the short spots "Drum Kit," "Basketball," "Car Alarm," "Hair Dryer," "Pay Phone" and "Vacuum." At first, I thought they were selling a pill that prevents nocturnal emissions. Then I saw a woman in one of the ads and figured I had misinterpreted. Eventually, I was curious enough to check out their slow-loading Web site, SilenceYourRooster.com. I was greeted by the heading "Tired of morning coming in the middle of the night?" Once again, I should point out that the product has nothing to do with nocturnal emissions. Apparently, it's for the sleep aid Ambien CR. I'm not the only one who's confused. DeadRooster.com has seen its traffic jump since the campaign started. By not telling us anything, the campaign is indeed driving traffic—just not necessarily to the right place.

—Posted by Rebecca Cullers

Published on August 28, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (3)
Filed under Ambien, Cullers, Pharma, Saatchi & Saatchi, TV

Advertising in Toronto spans earth and sky

Thanks to agencies Zig and Bos (who should team up for an Adult Swim show), you can't look up or down in Toronto without seeing an ad. For radio station CFRB 1010, Zig poses controversial questions that the broadcaster might cover—such as "Should panhandling be illegal?" or "Is crime getting out of control?"—and brings them to life on the streets. Panhandlers cradle signs posing the first question, while police chalk outlines on the pavement illustrate the latter. There's something touching about that panhandler's expression and body language. And the somber juxtaposition of the street people's plight and the chalk outlines gives the campaign extra emotional resonance. (See more photos of the work after the jump.) In fluffy contrast, Bos is sending Pillsbury Doughboy-style balloons and Flogos (which we've written about before) into the Toronto air for wireless provider Fido. Do Canadians appreciate their skies cluttered with marketing messages? Maybe that could be the topic of CFRB's next show.

—Posted by David Gianatasio

Click to read more ...

Published on August 28, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (3)
Filed under Bos, CFRB, Gianatasio, Non-traditional, Outdoor, Zig

One look, and the ads know what you need

Dear YCD Multimedia: I have some issues with your Facial Recognition Technology, and I'm not referring to the unfortunate acronym. Sure, it's intended to recognize customers by scanning their faces—and then serve in-store ads based on their past purchases. But it must be malfunctioning. Last week at Walgreens, the checkout screens began flashing ads for Metamucil, Rogaine and Viagra as soon as I reached the counter. I'm not sure why my features prompted such a humiliating display, but I could hear the people snickering all the way over in cosmetics. Now, it's gone too far. This morning, the sensors at Dunkin' Donuts mistook me for Rachael Ray. Granted, I was wearing a wig and lipstick at the time, but it's been a difficult few months, and I think I deserve a few free combos for my trouble. It makes you wonder if this hasn't happened before. How else can you explain some schmo being mistaken for the president of the United States these past eight years?

—Posted by David Gianatasio

Published on August 28, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (1)
Filed under Future, Gianatasio, In-store, Non-traditional

The stately hood ornament's quiet demise

That ultimate symbol of brand and luxury, the automotive hood ornament, seems to be nearing the end of the road. Newsweek reports that Jaguar has quietly stopped offering its signature cat figurine as a standard feature, and Mercedes is using a raised ornament on less than one-third of its new models. Hood ornaments have been on the decline for decades, especially since Ralph Nader ruined the fun by pointing out that these often spear-like flourishes had a habit of, well, spearing pedestrians. But you have to admire the impressively long run of a design technique that started out simply as a way to gussy up radiator caps in the 1920s. If you just can't say goodbye to yesterday, fear not. Hood ornaments still come standard on Lincoln Town Cars and Mack trucks. And they must still be popular with at least one crowd: thieves. Rolls-Royce has had to program its ornaments to retract into the hood when the doors are locked. For more photos like the one above, check out this beautiful Flickr set from the Blackhawk Museum.

—Posted by David Griner

Published on August 27, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (2)
Filed under Automotive, Design, Griner

Twin Cities urged to be nice to Republicans

While all political eyes are now on the Democrats in Denver, the Twin Cities are getting ready for the Republican conclave next week in St. Paul. And Minneapolis agency Campbell Mithun is getting into the act with a campaign developed with Hungry Man Productions, and launched via the UnConvention Web site, that urges the locals in this traditionally Democratic state (or, more precisely, Democratic-Farmer-Labor state) to be gracious hosts. Republican delegates who check out the Web site's video and the posters may wonder how sincere the welcome is. But after the treatment their party is getting in Denver, anything short of open hostility may seem like a warm embrace.

—Posted by Mark Dolliver

Published on August 27, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (5)
Filed under Campaign '08, Campbell Mithun, Dolliver, Political ads, Print

Levi's steps back to reveal the average girl

Let me get this straight. Levi's "Onion Peel" spot by Cutwater, breaking this coming Monday during Gossip Girl, shows the reverse transformation of a corset- and fishnet-wearing supermodel into an average gal in Capital E jeans? I sat through the 90-second Fellini-esque monochrome clip thinking: She dolls it up again at the end ... right? No way. She's beautiful just being herself. Her Levi's-branded self, but it's advertising, after all, and it's about as deep a message as we're likely to get in an apparel spot this year. Um, Levi's ... there is a sequel where she dresses all sexy again, or undresses, which would be even better? ... Right?! ... Here's a spot that Fellini did direct. It's not for jeans, but it should appeal to guys because it's simplistic, colorful and silly. Mmm, yes, that's the stuff. My brain just stopped working. The man was a genius. Bravissimo!

—Posted by David Gianatasio

Published on August 27, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (3)
Filed under Cutwater, Fashion, Gianatasio, Levi's, TV

If you met your ideas, they might scare you

This visually arresting spot by Euro RSCG Chicago for Invesco PowerShares shows a man going inside his own brain and seeing his ideas personified—as a bunch of little people and one giant. I'm not ready to face my ideas in the flesh. For one thing, I doubt my ideas would wear suits like this. I don't even own a clean pair of pants. The ad was directed by MJZ's Dante Ariola, whose last name is almost naughty. He did a nice job, but I hope the giant stays inside the guy's brain. If he gets out, he's liable to crush us all, or at least brag like a jerk over his "ideas about investing." What's the plan—buy low, sell high and sink the profits into time shares in Myrtle Beach? Good luck, you giant freak—you won't even fit through the door!

—Posted by David Gianatasio

Published on August 27, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (4)
Filed under Euro RSCG, Finance, Gianatasio, Invesco, TV

What is Zeus Jones doing with its new site?

Modernista! took the cake for reinventing the agency Web site, normally a drab and frustrating affair, by creating a meta-site. It was even cited as evidence of the shop's awesomeness in a recent fawning profile. Some, however, claimed Modernista! ripped the idea off from Minneapolis shop Zeus Jones. (Lance Jensen, avid AdFreak commenter, said that isn't true.) Well, Zeus Jones is back with a new site of its own. It takes a feed approach, aggregating employee feeds from Twitter, FriendFeed, del.icio.us, Vimeo, SlideShare and other social services. The site is comprised nearly entirely of widgets, in keeping with the Zeus Jones take of "marketing as a service." Users can even copy the widgets to their own sites, and use them to pull in the Web activities of their friends. The side panel features a scrolling feed from the shop's blog, From the Head of Zeus Jones. Check it out and let us know what you think.

—Posted by Brian Morrissey

Published on August 27, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (3)
Filed under Agency web sites, Modernista!, Morrissey, Zeus Jones

Sears not an expert on video-game systems

Judging by this back-to-school ad (click to enlarge), Sears doesn't fully grasp the concept of "playing hard," a phrase reserved for things more physically taxing than sitting on one's ass playing video games. But there are greater inaccuracies here: The kid is playing Metal Gear Solid 4, a PlayStation 3 game, with an Xbox 360 controller. Sears is clueless about video games? Color me shocked and appalled! Seriously, I'm finding it hard to get too upset about this. And I'm not alone—even the commenter nerds at Kotaku aren't getting that worked up. Maybe they're like me and accept that Sears has enough trouble organizing its stores, let alone keeping gaming systems straight.

—Posted by David Kiefaber

Published on August 27, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (7)
Filed under Kiefaber, Print, Sears, Video games

Put this agency's Web site out of its misery

Those gun nuts at The Republik just sent an e-mail blast to 2,500 contacts inviting them to destroy the agency's old Web site using a .44 Magnum, shotgun or sniper rifle. Well, the shop's in North Carolina, so what could we really expect? Guns, chewing tobacco, moonshine ... I was going to say it sounds unhealthy, but it actually sounds fun, and it's no worse than much of the new fall lineup on Fox. The shop is building buzz for a new user-customizable state-of-the-art Web site that will be revealed once the old one is blown away. With an unusual Web site and unexpected creative approach, The Republik is cool—kind of like Modernista! with guns. If I were a Republik client, I'd make damn sure to pay my bills on time. And would it kill you to tip the traffic manager? Actually, yes, it could.

—Posted by David Gianatasio

Published on August 26, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (2)
Filed under Agency web sites, Gianatasio, Republik

Denis Leary's idea of a drunk-driving PSA

This great public-service announcement from a few years back, which aired on British television, features Denis Leary singing a modified version of his popular old song "I'm an Asshole." In terms of classic drunk-driving commercials, it's right up there with the PSA set in the Star Wars cantina. Also worth a viewing: the video for Leary's original song.

—Posted by Tim Nudd

Published on August 26, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0)
Filed under Automotive, Nudd, PSAs, Vintage

Jack Daniel's also feeling the political spirit

I may have been a tad hasty in my earlier post on Captain Morgan's options for a running mate. Perhaps Jack Daniel's would be his best bet, though no candidate with an apostrophe-S on the end of his name has ever been elected to high office in the history of our great nation. Boston agency Arnold, always eager to join a party of any persuasion, has crafted a series of posters that mix the Jack Daniel's brand imagery with Mad Men-era political design. The tagline is, "Socialize liberally. Drink conservatively." One poster reads: "Drinking champagne is a perfectly acceptable way to celebrate being elected president. Of France." (Of course, Sarkozy also got to make love to Carla Bruni, but imagine how much hotter it would've been with some Jack on hand. On second thought, don't.) Another poster proclaims: "Jack supports all parties." Somewhere, JFK has a big smile on his face, and a full glass in each hand. See eight more posters after the jump.

—Posted by David Gianatasio

Click to read more ...

Published on August 26, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (3)
Filed under Alcohol, Arnold, Campaign '08, Gianatasio, Jack Daniel's, Political ads

Debbie Phelps has become an ad star, too

Behind almost every great Olympic athlete is a dedicated mom. But only one has her own endorsement deals. Debbie Phelps, mother of the greatest Olympian ever, is proving to be a powerful brand in her own right. Johnson & Johnson, a family company, chose Debbie Phelps as the official "Mom of the Olympic Games." The distinction comes with a donation in her name to J&J's global charity program and of course, a sugary-sweet ad, "Thank You from Mom," which played during the Olympic closing ceremonies (and which, I admit, made me tear up like a total sap). Excellent pick, J&J. Debbie received more on-air time than most athletes, including those rowers you sponsored. All that exposure has also had another unexpected side effect: a boom for Chico's, a Florida-based clothing retailer, which has seen a spike in sales since Ms. Phelps wore their line almost exclusively at the Olympics. They're currently in talks to get her as an official partner. Despite the complete lack of a contract or the official right to use her name, Chico's has already added "The Debbie Phelps Collection" to its Web site (along with a horrible low-res picture of Ms. Phelps). Debbie, sweetie, you gotta remember: In this business, don't ever give it away for free.

—Posted by Rebecca Cullers

Published on August 26, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (2)
Filed under Cullers, J&J, Michael Phelps, Olympics, TV

PTC can't wait for the '90210' threesomes

With the political season in full swing and the fall TV season near at hand, can the squawking of the Parents Television Council be far behind? That was a rhetorical question, and we all know the answer. The PTC's latest target is the remake of 90210, which hasn't even been screened for advertisers. The group fears the show might "glamorize drug and alcohol use along with casual teen sex, including threesomes." On a CW show featuring randy young hardbodies in Beverly Hills? I should hope so! The PTC is, of course, urging advertisers to take a pass. Threesomes, huh? Back in high school, I'd have settled for a decent onesome and a B in chemistry. Maybe they'll get lucky and the premiere will deliver a foursome. Then they'll really have something to TiVo. Er ... I mean boycott.

—Posted by David Gianatasio

Published on August 26, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (4)
Filed under 90210, Controversy, Gianatasio, Threesomes

Be careful not to step on the tiny billboards

Deutsch/LA deserves a steak dinner. In marketing the new PlayStation game LittleBigPlanet, they've come up with the best kind of billboard: the kind I can't see. These little boards are apparently springing up around San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York, and they're easy on the eyes. And a shin-high promotional campaign won't hurt the game much, even if LittleBigPlanet is basically Second Life without all the sex and gambling. In that spirit, they should change the headline here to "Good graphics shall overcome."

—Posted by David Kiefaber

Published on August 26, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (3)
Filed under Deutsch, Kiefaber, Outdoor, Sony, Video games

Miscommunication still plagues candy world

Fallon London has whipped up some off-kilter spots for Natural Confectionery Co.'s candies, all of which contain no artificial colors or flavors. In each spot, two different types of candy attempt to interact, with generally awkward results. They have their naturalness in common but cannot otherwise bridge the divide. See two more spots after the jump.

—Posted by Tim Nudd

Click to read more ...

Published on August 25, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (2)
Filed under Fallon, Nudd, TV