Michael Phelps Proves Power of .01 Seconds in BBDO Brazil Olympic Spot

There are two primary reasons to love the Olympics: the games inspire a swell of national pride and a deluge of epic hero’s-journey ads. With their superhuman efforts, both athletes and their sponsors encourage Olympic watchers to live more fully, conquering their daily obstacles.  Lift the groceries higher! Cross the street faster!

The latest spot from Visa’s Go World campaign, which we’ve been told has yet to air, contributes to the uplifting nature of our favorite worldwide competition. Created by BBDO Brazil, the ad invites viewers to “just think of the cheers if lightning strikes twice.” Consider the roar if, in the time it takes lightning to strike, Michael Phelps wins another gold medal. Victory in 100^th of a second.

Narrated once again by Morgan Freeman (who, of course, has also shown his VO chops in March of the Penguins and Science Channel’s Through the Wormhole), this is the latest ad in a series that celebrates supportive fans and their loud noises. For those who can’t be at the games in person, Visa invites them to share their encouragement via Facebook and a “Cheer application.” The best cheers go on TV. 

Read more at: http://www.mediabistro.com/agencyspy/michael-phelps-proves-power-of-01-seconds-in-bbdo-brazil-olympic-spot_b35949.

AT&T Ski Lift

It has been a while since my last blog posting due to a lack of motivation to write posts that I don’t think get read at all. But I don’t think it’s just that, I’ve also given some serious thought to changing the format of this blog. I wanted to change the format to video instead of text. I thought that maybe I can discuss more on camera than via typing. I just couldn’t figure out how to show a commercial and provide commentary on top of it. Any and all suggestions are welcomed.

Now on to the AT&T ski ad by BBDO, New York. The spot, to put it simply is pure comedy. Two men are going up a ski lift and one friend asks the other if he can ask date his former girlfriend Shiela out on a date. The friend with the ex agrees but tries to quickly explain that she would never go for him. The friend quickly text Shiela on his AT&T phone and to his surprise receives an immediate response while on the Ski lift. Further emphasizing that the AT&T network can be reached.

The response was so immediate and the frequent exchange of messages that it is once again pure comedy. But, does it secure more 2-year contracts for AT&T or simply induce more brand appreciation from loyal customers?

Plus, doesn’t the friend with the glasses look like Zach Galifianakis from the Hang Over?

Best,
-A.B.

Very Angry Moms

We know that sometimes moms can get frustrated at the grocery store. Kids crying, wanting nothing but junk food, not having enough cash, but nothing like the commercial above for Mountain Dew Level Up or Die for the brand's Game Fuel. They take it to a whole new level when they turn into characters from the game “World of War Craft.”

The work was created by BBDO New York with visual effects from Zoic Studios.

Best,
A.B.

RIP Goes Out to the King of POP

I am sure you all know by now that Michael Jackson, the king of pop died today at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles. The news of the tragedy caused some site to temporarily crash due to so many people logging on to read about the tragedy. A lot of famous people have been dying off recently and I don’t know what its all about.

The ad above is a commercial Jackson did for Pepsi. Where a freak accident occurred and his hair caught on fire. I think that may have been his most famous advertising moment. It’s a bit mean spirited to say about a person who just died today but it’s the first thing that came to my mind.

The agency behind the commercial is BBDO. I wonder what the agency did to convince Michael to keep doing the commercial even after being burned. Do you guys think they made as much money back in the eighties for a TV spot as they do today? I’d love to read your comments.

Jackson was certainly controversial throughout most of his career but he is by far one of the greatest entertainers ever to live. He did his last moonwalk. The king of pop is now gone forever, 1967 to 2009.

Best,
A.B.

Best Buy

Best Buy must have some truly sarcastic people in their marketing department. I saw this image being discussed on Adfreak. I thought it was one last swing at Best Buy's fallen competitor Circuit City. Then I thought about it for a bit and realized that they weren't trying to take one last shot at all. They were simply stating the facts.

Circuit City won't be around for Best Buy to match or beat its prices. But from looking at the sign on the right, you get the feeling that Best Buy wasn't to broken up about a competitor exiting the marketplace.

I can't seem to confirm who made this sign but it might have been simply their in-house marketing team.

From a few articles I read online which stated BBDO, New York as its agency. But that really doesn't mean anything with respect to this sign. This sign may have been created in-house or by individual stores, I can't really confirm.

Best,
A.B.

Where is the Connection?

Here us another ad for Virgin Atlantic Airlines but this time it’s a print ad. I found it on a very good creative advertising site adsoftheworld.com. You guys can see the print ad, can you find the connection between a hooker and the Kenyan Rugby team? I know that it’s a play on words and all but I can’t make the connection so that it makes sense to me.

It is a very funny print ad and I realize that they are only sponsoring the rugby team. I can make a connection between hooker and virgin but why would this be on a print ad sponsoring the rugby team? Are they implying that rugby players sleep around?

I believe the art director who produced the ad uploaded this advertisement to the site but I’m not sure. He may have worked for BBDO Worldwide.

Best,
A.B.

Just a Little TMI: Sleeper

Can you believe this ad actually targeted the mainstream audience? I thought it was very tasteless TV Spot.

Since this blog tries to let you know who created all the ads mentioned in the posts and this is no exception. BBDO Worldwide made the spot for Virgin Atlantic Airlines. The commercial aired in 2004.



Your thoughts, anyone? Also, it is important to note that the spot was for South Africa.

Best,
A.B.