Social-media app halts drinking and posting

Do you post things to Facebook and Twitter late at night, when you're hammered, only to regret it the next day? Webroot, the unboring anti-virus software, is here to help. Working with TDA Advertising & Design, the company has created the Social Media Sobriety Test, an app that's intended to save you from yourself before yet another drunken post further alienates you from the few friends you have left in life. You can customize which sites to block and the times of day when you are most likely to be intoxicated. To access the sites during those times, you must pass a randomly selected mental-agility test like dragging a cursor in a straight line or typing the alphabet backward. I couldn't do the latter, and I'd struggle mightily with the former, even while sober. Besides, what fun is posting stuff online without being smashed? I'll conclude this post by taking another sip and simply pointing out that you've got butt-ugly kids, you're so damn hot, you can take this job and shove it, and I slept with your mom.

Filed under Gianatasio, Social media, TDA
Permalink | Comments (2)

Security software knows that it's quite dull

Internet security is mind-numbingly boring, and no one cares how it works — as long as it does. That's the message TDA Advertising & Design conveys in its first campaign for Webroot. Billboards present typically uninteresting stuff like broccoli, noting that it's still more interesting than explaining antivirus protection. Webroot technology chief Mike Kronenberg stars in banners that give users two options for what they'd like to see him do, such as "Explain key-logging prevention or get into a bar fight?" and "Explain cloud-based threat detection or box a goofy alligator mascot." Actually, the tech options sound intriguing. What IS cloud-based threat detection all about? Does it involve riding in balloons? I'll click on that option and find out. Damn, Webroot, you sure know how to hook a guy!

Click to read more ...

Filed under Gianatasio, TDA, Technology
Permalink | Comments (3)

FirstBank shields you from the crazy people

A get-rich-quick expert slaves away as a bellboy. A guy's date is a psycho with a boyfriend. Another guy takes pills from someone impersonating a doctor. Those are the "twist" endings in some new FirstBank spots from TDA Advertising & Design. They warn against get-rich-quick schemes and tout the bank's "mobile alerts" designed to let customers "know about trouble before it happens." FirstBank is, of course, seeking to differentiate itself from larger competitors by stressing its consumer-focused business philosophies and service offerings, etc. Sorry to spoil the surprises, but I'm up for a customer-service job at Bank of America, and being a big jerk and ruining people's days is a requirement. Now, all I have to do is hand over my first born and I'm in!

—Posted by David Gianatasio

Filed under Finance, FirstBank, Gianatasio, TDA
Permalink | Comments (0)

FirstBank bringing its lovely lobby outdoors

"Enjoy the bank lobby, even if you bank online." That's the headline on a bunch of new FirstBank billboards from TDA Advertising & Design that feature actual lobby items—a wood-paneled desk and chair, a potted plant, velvet waiting-line ropes—suspended high above the streets of Denver and Boulder, Colo. Thanks for the effort, FirstBank, but nobody enjoys bank lobbies anywhere—or misses their faux-friendly charms. Having said that, we do have that homeless man sitting atop a billboard in Texas in an effort to get his own home. He should move to these Colorado billboards! They're much more livable. The desk one is basically an entire home office. But seriously, it is an ironic and sobering juxtaposition. And if the economic "recovery" continues without gains in salaries and jobs, a whole lot more of us could wind up ad-sitting soon.

—Posted by David Gianatasio

Filed under Finance, FirstBank, Gianatasio, TDA
Permalink | Comments (5)

Have sushi without the rude Japanese chefs

"If we insult you, it will be in English." That's the unlikely tagline of TDA Advertising & Design's TV and cinema push for Boulder, Colo.-based Hapa Sushi. Three Japanese chefs at a rival raw bar smile and wave at patrons while tossing off subtitled one-liners like "Husband should keep her in shed" and "Did she find those clothes in a ditch? Hello ditch-lady!" A nerdy guy is on the receiving end of zingers like "No girl eat with captain of ugly team" and "Say hello to your computer, virgin." Maybe the work will offend some Japanese American groups and generate free publicity for the chain, but if the Japanese can survive Quentin Tarantino's insane Softbank ads, they'll endure Hapa's mild naughtiness. The agency says the goal is to portray Hapa as an alternative to "traditional, authentic Japanese sushi places." A tongue-in-cheek slogan like "If we kill you, it will be with our non-traditional raw-fish preparation" might be more effective. Kidding, of course. An Americanized sushi place in the Rocky Mountains ... sounds safe to me!

—Posted by David Gianatasio

Filed under Gianatasio, Hapa Sushi, Restaurants, TDA
Permalink | Comments (6)

Ads tout sushi for that Rocky Mountain high

TDA Advertising & Design has served up this map-style ad for Hapa Sushi in Boulder, Colo., noting the proximity of the chain's four restaurants to 60 local medical marijuana dispensaries. Just in case, you know, anyone gets the munchies. According to The New York Times, the number of medical marijuana stores in Colorado has grown to more than 60 in Denver and Boulder alone, from just two dozen a year ago. Hapa likes to latch on to current events like this for its advertising. "By creating ads that people want to talk about, that are creative and maybe controversial, then at least they are talking about our ads and Hapa is top of mind," says the owner. The media buy includes alternative paper Westworld, which recently blew some smoke about interviewing people to write reviews of each of the dispensaries. I wonder if the restaurant serves pot stickers. Ha ha! Oh dude, I am so hungry right now.

—Posted by David Gianatasio

Previously on AdFreak:
'Weeds' promo looks at history of marijuana
Marijuana: not just good, but good for you

Filed under Food and drink, Gianatasio, Hapa Sushi, Restaurants, TDA
Permalink | Comments (4)

Shop at Cloudveil, don't bother saying sorry

Shopping at Cloudveil is perfect for jerks who don't like to apologize. The gifts deliver that message for them. TDA Advertising & Design concocted this tongue-in-cheek campaign for the sports-apparel company. There's the "Fresh-Powder-Made-Me-Miss-Lunch-With-Your-Parents" bouquet for one's girlfriend; the "Sorry-I-Went-Climbing-Again-Instead-Of-Taking-You-For-A-Walk" dog treats; and the "Sorry-I-Missed-The-Meeting-Because-Of-The-Stonefly-Hatch" mug for the boss. The ads target hard-core mountain-sports enthusiasts, who, according to the agency, "are notorious for neglecting all other responsibilities" to pursue their chosen pastimes. Let's consider the possible consequences of such behavior. The worst that can happen with the girlfriend and the boss is a broken heart or a pink slip, respectively (or together, if you work in a really groovy office). As for Fido, I'd forget the $5.99 biscuits and just take him with you on the next trip. If you sprain your ankle and get stranded during the climb, he's more likely to come to your aid than one of those useless yeti.

—Posted by David Gianatasio

Filed under Apparel, Cloudveil, Gianatasio, TDA
Permalink | Comments (7)

Spot the Komodo dragon, win free checking

I'd begun to worry about FirstBank and TDA Advertising & Design. Client and agency change creative direction approximately every eight hours, yet I hadn't heard from them in a while. Whew. They're back now with some cute "Where's Waldo?" parodies. According to the new ads, consumers can "win" free checking accounts at FirstBank by spotting giant, colorful, impossible-to-miss bacon cheeseburgers, Komodo dragons and Seawolf-class attack submarines in various unexpected locales. It's probably wise to make the puzzles easy. This way, if anyone anywhere has any money left at all, FirstBank's got a shot.

—Posted by David Gianatasio

See also:
FirstBank gives giant ads to tiny businesses
FirstBank not quite as evil as the other guys

Filed under Finance, FirstBank, Gianatasio, TDA
Permalink | Comments (4)

FirstBank gives giant ads to tiny businesses

The indefatigable Colorado team of FirstBank and TDA Advertising & Design change marketing tactics as often as Microsoft and Crispin Porter + Bogusky. The latter make headlines worldwide. FirstBank and TDA, well, they'll always have a home here on AdFreak! No ski masks or light planes this time—instead, the bank has launched an outdoor and online pitch that includes promotions for various local small businesses. "We care about small business," the ads explain. Now, wags might ask why FirstBank would start making ads for other people when its own ads haven't been so hot. Still, Abbey the babysitter, Rod the wedding singer, Joan the math tutor and Mrs. Bennett the piano teacher will appreciate it (and they've probably never heard of Cannes or the Clios anyway). FirstBank swears they're real customers. Who knows, the way the economy's going, GM, Chrysler or Bank of America could be requesting some of this free-ad action.

—Posted by David Gianatasio

Filed under Finance, FirstBank, Gianatasio, TDA
Permalink | Comments (10)

FirstBank not quite as evil as the other guys

Colorado's FirstBank, with help from Denver agency TDA Advertising & Design, will make a bold contemporary statement of sorts on Friday above Coors Field during the Phillies-Rockies game with a small plane towing a huge sign that reads: "This is the closest thing we have to a private jet." No cushy executive perks or bailout bucks for these toque-topped, frostbitten local bankers. In your face, Bank of America! Actually, FirstBank's earlier effort inviting customers to bank in ski masks probably came closer to capturing the tenor of these tense times. If it really wants to generate some buzz (ha!) with its plane, it should shower Coors Field with money.

—Posted by David Gianatasio

Filed under Finance, FirstBank, Gianatasio, TDA
Permalink | Comments (0)

Giant Joey Lawrence photos help the planet

TDA Advertising & Design paints a bizarre picture of nature in three print ads aimed at driving traffic to 1% for the Planet's online store. (The client is a non-profit that gets companies to donate 1 percent of sales to the environment, and now it has its own "1% FTP" branded stuff to sell.) Unless I'm mistaken, the first two ads warn you that manatees devour children and keep their dolls as trophies, and that butterflies wield medieval weapons of doom. The third is even more frightening, showing an estuary that keeps a giant photo of Joey Lawrence on hand to ward off intruders. OK, the rather convoluted actual message of the ads is that nature would like to shop online (for novelty items, mostly), but can't, so you should instead. Whatever that means. Sadly, 1%'s online shop doesn't even have the complete series of either Gimme a Break or Blossom for sale.

—Posted by David Gianatasio

Filed under 1% for the Planet, Environment, Gianatasio, TDA
Permalink | Comments (1)

Crime humor is doing quite well in bank ads

FirstBank in Colorado invites consumers to "Bank in your ski mask without getting arrested" in a multi-channel push from TDA Advertising & Design touting the financial institution's suite of mobile services. It's a one-note joke that gets the point across fairly well. Let's hope the public doesn't misconstrue the message, or else the bank will have a run on its personal loan products as patrons attempt to make bail.

—Posted by David Gianatasio

Filed under Finance, FirstBank, Gianatasio, TDA
Permalink | Comments (0)

Special Olympics are not really that special

TDA Advertising & Design takes a different approach than might be expected in its first work for the Special Olympics. See two more ads here. All three are designed to suggest the Special Olympics are really no different than any other serious sporting event. Thus, the tagline, "Support great athletes," stresses the universality of competition. The visuals compare slalom courses, ice rinks and finish lines, and the images are identical. Whether the Olympics in question are Special or otherwise, true competitors play to win. The Special Olympics Winter Games are set for Feb. 7-13 in Boise, Idaho.

—Posted by David Gianatasio

Filed under Gianatasio, Olympics, Sports, TDA
Permalink | Comments (0)

How will you be paying for your Titus bike?

Is it worth getting a second job to pay for a high-end bicycle? It is if it's a Titus, according to a fairly amusing new print campaign by TDA Advertising & Design. See the three ads here. The moonlighting is all mildly risqué, and includes phone-sex operating and nude modeling. I've tried both of those gigs, but probably shouldn't have done so during my 9-to-5 gig. The third means of earning extra cash kinda puzzles me. Girl Scout? Do they draw a salary or get to keep some of the profits from their cookie sales? Hmm. Maybe she's not a scout at all. Is there a profession where women make money by dressing up in sexy outfits and going to other people's homes?

—Posted by David Gianatasio

Filed under Cycling, Gianatasio, TDA, Titus
Permalink | Comments (0)

No wonder the bankers are getting irritable

Given the recent performance of banks, consumers wouldn't be in the mood for a commercial that depicts warm-and-friendly bankers. So, a new spot for Colorado-based FirstBank (via TDA Advertising & Design in Boulder) is probably smart to show us a FirstBanker who's a bit mean—but mean on his customers' behalf. Show up wearing the same shirt as a FirstBank customer, and he'll rip it right off you. Order the same elaborate coffee concoction, and he'll knock it to the floor. It's all a build-up to an onscreen super that explains what he's been up to: "We're here to protect your identity." And if your identity consists in part of wearing a dorky shirt and ordering a pretentious drink, so be it.

—Posted by Mark Dolliver

Filed under Dolliver, Finance, FirstBank, TDA
Permalink | Comments (2)

Agency copywriter risks life for pizza chain

With the media and advertising business more volatile than ever, it's prudent to keep one's career options open. Judging from this commercial, TDA Advertising & Design copywriter Joe Nafziger has two backup plans: pizza delivery and dirt-bike stunt jumping. That's Joe himself on the bike, starring as JoJo the Pizza Inn mascot, doing an Evel (or maybe more like a Robbie) Knievel-inspired jump of 50 pizzas in a Denton, Texas, parking lot, to celebrate a recent store opening. Why a motorcycle jump in a bobblehead costume? "Because it just seemed ridiculous," Nafziger says. The man's got a way with words. He really should write some of this stuff down. And given the news-media frenzy over the stunt (well, NBC-5 in Dallas did a brief segment), Joe should at least be able to get a job in PR someday. As for me, well, I've got my post-apocalypse job strategy thoroughly planned. You want fries with that?

—Posted by David Gianatasio

Filed under Food and Drink, Gianatasio, PR stunts, TDA
Permalink | Comments (1)

That other bread is tasty, but it will kill you

High-fructose corn syrup, which we're somewhat obsessed with, just can't get any love from Rudi's Organic Bakery, which all but portrays the sweetener as poison in its first work from TDA Advertising & Design. The industrial drums in the spot lack only the skull and crossbones. What we've got here is the old ad-within-an-ad routine. The Prarie Morning Bread Company ("Baked with love. And other things") doesn't exist. It's supposed to symbolize healthy-looking and healthy-sounding supermarket breads which, unlike Rudi's, are filled with stuff that'll kill you. Slowly. Over time. Maybe. I dunno, those Prarie loaves look pretty darn tasty. And the can-do bakery crew is so up, I might just try a teaspoon of azodicarbonamide to help get me through another dreary morning at work.

—Posted by David Gianatasio

Filed under Food and Drink, Gianatasio, TDA
Permalink | Comments (0)