Oil dinosaurs perish in Consol Energy's ads

Here's what I've learned about Pittsburgh from the ad campaigns sent to me by Steel City agency Brunner through the years. Almost everyone works in coal mines, so personal safety isn't highly prized. Drive-ins are the leading leisure-time activity, though patrons miss most of the movies because those kooky windshield sunscreens are all the rage. And now, judging by the new Brunner ad above for Consol Energy, a bunch of dying oil-derrick dinosaurs are roaming the Pennsylvania lowlands, spewing grit, grime and metal shards in all directions. (Either that or they're AT-AT refugees from the Snow Battle on Hoth.) At this rate, Pittsburgh will soon be a desolate wasteland (I mean, more than it already is) ... not unlike the burned and blasted landscapes in Brunner's apocalyptic Zippo lighter campaign! Stay out of Pittsburgh, people. For my next vacation, I'm going to Cleveland. Or maybe Copenhagen.

—Posted by David Gianatasio

Published on May 6, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0)
Filed under Brunner, Consol Energy, Energy, Gianatasio

Smart Grid technology is music to our ears

According to this ad from BBDO, GE has a bold new idea that could change how we use energy. And that bold idea is: banjo music. Just kidding, it's actually Smart Grid technology, an electricity delivery system that's hailed as an answer to energy independence concerns. Which sounds awesome, until you realize that playing power lines like banjo strings will probably cause massive power outages.

—Posted by David Kiefaber

Published on March 9, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (2)
Filed under BBDO, Energy, GE, Kiefaber

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