'Modern Warfare 2' getting mixed bag of ads

Speaking of immersive video-game experiences, this co-branded promo by The Martin Agency for Walmart and Modern Warfare 2 relies on great performances and a well-scripted war of words to carry the day—until the end, when things get a bit too immersive for one of the gamers. Though a bit clichéd, these characters seem real, and their exchange of put-downs captures their passion for the game more convincingly than an arsenal of CGI explosions would. It's a lot better—or at least, less homophobic—than another Modern Warfare 2 spot, which has just been pulled from YouTube. That one was a faux PSA for a group called Fight Against Grenade Spam, urging players not to indiscriminately lob missiles in online multiplayer games. The acronym F.A.G.S. didn't sit well with the Internet. Oh, it also starred Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels. Embarrassing all around.

—Posted by David Gianatasio

Published on November 2, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (1)
Filed under Gianatasio, Martin Agency, Video games, Wal-Mart

The year's most-liked retail holiday TV spots

AdFreak's parent The Nielsen Company (I asked for a tricycle and an iPhone, just in case they forgot) has gauged the "likeability" of this year's holiday retail TV commercials and come up with a top 10 list. Narratives, nostalgia and family-focused story lines are hot. Sales and price-driven messages, as well as shorter commercials, are faring poorly. Wal-Mart rules overall (doesn't it always?) with the ad above, showing employees turning register lights on and off to the tune of a Christmas song. (Wal-Mart employees are actually robots, and those lights indicate that customer credit cards have been declined. At least, that's been my Wal-Mart Christmas experience.) Placing 10th is a Victoria's Secret spot showing, according to Nielsen, "models wandering through a mansion in brass and ruffled skirts." Um, is it too late to change my list?

—Posted by David Gianatasio

Published on December 24, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (2)
Filed under Gianatasio, Nielsen, Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart and Coke throw giant holiday party

Here's that co-branded Wal-Mart/Coca-Cola ad from The Martin Agency starring John Magaro as the host of a holiday party that everyone (and his mother, and his "surprisingly cool" stepmother) has crashed. He strolls around handing out Cokes from a Wal-Mart bag—no eggnog here, not even rum to mix with the Coke. The guest list also includes "my judo coach, my allergist, my MySpace friends and Twitter list." No room for the Facebook crowd, evidently. You can download the MP3 of the song, and even the sheet music, at this Web site. "When you stock up on joy, there's enough to go round," Magaro sings at the end, in a very Coke-y refrain. I saw this spot last night in an actual Wal-Mart, on a dozen-plus TVs, and it almost managed to cut through the atmosphere of loathing and desperation. What more could you ask of a Christmas commercial?

—Posted by Tim Nudd

Published on December 24, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (2)
Filed under Coca-Cola, Holidays, Martin Agency, Nudd, Wal-Mart