Sir Roger hypes his Majesty's postal service

Sir Roger Moore, who at 82 is not yet a Halloween costume, stars in this new ad by Mother for the British post office. Moore, who played James Bond in the 1970s and early '80s, was chosen for the job because he embodies the "sophisticated and respected" image the post office wants to project. The spot is amusing enough, though one writer at the Guardian calls it "desperately, heartwrenchingly sad" that Sir Roger is giving Sean Connery fans another reason to feel that Connery is superior.

—Posted by Tim Nudd

Previously on AdFreak:
James Bond advertising at its very best

Published on October 28, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (1)
Filed under Celebrity endorsements, Europe, James Bond, Nudd

Diddy tries multitasking with new rap video

Killing so many birds with one stone, P. Diddy uses the above clip to advertise his new fragrance (called I Am King), try out for the part of James Bond and take a rap-video vacation: big boats, helicopters, casinos, the works. He also may have killed anyone who's vulnerable to terrible YouTube videos. Never have such onerous burdens—hawking perfume during one of the toughest retail holiday seasons ever, attempting to depose an extremely popular Bond in Daniel Craig—been put on such an unworthy piece of media. At best, the "movie," as Diddy calls it, is a parody of itself and of its genre. If only it made me laugh. Also, the music is terrible. I are king? No, Diddy, you are jester.

—Posted by Jeremy Greenfield

Published on December 2, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (3)
Filed under Diddy, Greenfield, James Bond, Web video

Jack White, Alicia Keys try out James Bond

The new James Bond flick has been sparking heated debate since the day its name was announced. That's probably because the title Quantum of Solace was thought up at the last second by producer Michael Wilson, presumably while he was browsing an 11th-grade vocabulary quiz. But the name stuck, and now it's time for the annual ritual of debating the new Bond song. This time out, it's a Jack White-Alicia Keys number, a duet that rivals the 1995 pairing of Tina Turner and U2 in its awkward attempt at crossover marketing. The new song, "Another Way to Die," has some catchy guitar hooks that almost make you forget that Keys is wandering around in there somewhere. Bloggers have spent the past few days shredding and defending the track with equal vigor. (Much to White's chagrin, Coca-Cola seems to have liked it, anyway.) My only real beef is that when White and Keys sing the chorus together, their voices don't so much harmonize as poke your brain with a rusty screwdriver. Which, admittedly, is downright pleasant compared to Chris Cornell.

—Posted by David Griner

Published on October 6, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0)
Filed under Griner, James Bond

James Bond has changed his profile picture

A social network for secret agents? Sounds like a contradiction in terms. But A-Space, a forum for U.S. personnel working for agencies like the CIA, FBI and NSA, goes live Sept. 22. "It's every bit Facebook and YouTube for spies," Michael Wertheimer, assistant deputy director of national intelligence for analysis, told CNN. We can assume that's not his real name. In fact, everyone's photos and IDs on A-Space are probably fake. Which really makes it no different than MySpace. Does A-Space allow "friending" and "pokes," or are users under strict orders to disavow any knowledge of such actions? Given the sensitive nature of the site, advertising—even for Walther PPKs, jetpacks and Aston Martins with ejection seats—is presumably out of the question. Still, monetization won't be a problem, as highly classified information is always for sale to the highest bidder. By the way, if you've read this far, you've become a security risk, and I'm afraid I have to kill you—or banish you to Friendster, where you're even less likely to be heard from again.

—Posted by David Gianatasio

Published on September 8, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0)
Filed under Gianatasio, James Bond, Social networks

James Bond advertising at its very best

Recently, some friends and I took up that age-old debate: What’s the best James Bond movie? For me, it’s a no-brainer. You Only Live Twice has it all: rampant sexism, cultural insensitivity, ninja training camps, a secret volcano base, Donald Pleasence, a gyrocopter battle, even a screenplay by Willie Wonka creator Roald Dahl. Anyway, it inspired me to pull up the original ads, and they are equally overflowing with awesomeness. First off, there’s the bathhouse orgy poster shown here. (Click image to enlarge.) Another poster features the mind-blowing excitement of the aforementioned gyrocopter battle. (Compare to today’s fare. Yaaawn.) Then there’s the 1967 trailer, stuffed with a bounty of gems, such as an airplane that explodes—TWICE! Your votes for best Bond advertising are welcome in the comments section.

—Posted by David Griner

Published on July 11, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)
Filed under Griner, James Bond

Are we ready for a gay James Bond scene?

The revolution will not be televised. It will be in cinemas. And if Daniel Craig has anything to say about it, it will be gay. The new James Bond is lobbying to refresh the decades-old franchise by including a love scene involving Bond and another dude in the follow-up to Casino Royale. Craig is even willing to go full frontal, if need be. “Why not?” he says. “I think in this day and age, fans would have accepted it.” Whether the companies whose product placements litter the screen would enjoy it might be another matter. Hell, I think it’s a good idea regardless. Bond movies have gotten so formulaic and corny that anything that breaks the monotony is welcome. However, I shudder to think of what future Bond boys will be named, considering the gems they came up with for the women.

—Posted by David Kiefaber

Published on December 4, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (19) | TrackBack (1)
Filed under James Bond, Kiefaber

James Bond shows some good brand loyalty

It’s winter 2007, and cash registers are going ka-ching wherever Champagne Bollinger is sold. At least, that’s what 27 years of product placement in 10 James Bond movies has taught Paterno Wines International to expect. Company rep Mary Anne Sullivan tells AdFreak, “We typically wait two to three months after a movie release [to see a sales bump].” So, you do the math: Catch Casino Royale this opening weekend, and you should be feeling pretty thirsty by Valentine’s Day. You know, all tingly and in the mood to uncork some Bollinger bubbly with your baby. And you thought romance might have something to do with it.

—Posted by Laura Blum

Published on November 13, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Filed under James Bond

Blond, James Blond

Several media outlets are tentatively naming relatively unknown Brit actor Daniel Craig as the next person to take on the role of the ageless, martini-swilling international spy James Bond in the franchise's next film, Casino Royale. Sean Connery originated the role in Dr. No in 1962. The actors who followed Connery—George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan—had mixed results. More famous in England than the U.S., Craig has appeared in the movies Layer Cake, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and Sylvia, among others. Craig's potential choice as the sixth spy and the only blond one, is causing some controversy. In fact, Craig might be forced to go brunette before he takes over the role. "I think they'll undoubtedly have to dye his hair," commented Graham Rye, the editor and publisher of the 007 magazine.

—Posted by Lisa van der Pool

Credit: Tama Herrick/Zuma/Newscom

Published on October 12, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0)
Filed under James Bond