Post Update: Dove, Only You

An anonymous reader that uses the screen name Snootchyboochiez,
provided me with crediting information for the Dove commercial discussed in the “Dove- Only You” post. Also, I believe the ad agency for this spot is SapientNitro, New York.

Commercial Credits:
Model: Janelle Fishman, an Israeli  model (Update)
Director (from C-Entertainment): Vittorio Sacco
Director (from The Sweet Shop): Kathi Prosser
Group Account Director: Lance Porigow
Chief Creative Officer: Kathy Delaney
Copywriter: Susan Phuvasitkul
Art Director: Rachel Donovan
Senior Agency Producer: Erika Best
Editor (from White House Post): Russell Icke
Head of Production: Andy Wilcox
Business Affairs: Jen Kurtzman
Account Supervisor: Riyhana Bey

Best,
-A.B.

Phil Shifley, Guy Who Faked His Own Death for DirecTV, Pops Up on Facebook Find out where he is, and win 'bragging rights'

Not since they sold Gregor the Russian billionaire's tiny giraffes has DirecTV had a TV spot spin off amusingly into a random and goofy online campaign. This time, Phil Shifley, the alias of the guy who faked his own death and attended his own funeral in the amusing DirecTV campaign from Grey, has popped up on Facebook. That's the extent of his known whereabouts—for now. DirecTV is challenging you to find him, and "win bragging rights." That's not a great prize, but you can also just friend Phil and rap with him. He's quite chatty, and needs all sorts of advice for a "friend" who needs facial work and tips for surviving in the wilderness. Check out some of Phil's recent status updates after the jump.

• Cheap hair dye can really burn your scalp. Or so says that friend of mine who uses hair dye a lot.
• I found out what was causing my headaches. These glasses. That I totally need by the way. Because I need glasses. That's totally true.
• Does anyone know a plastic surgeon that can work really fast for very little money mostly at night? I have a sports injury.
• Remember that movie Face/Off with the face switching? Can that really happen?
• Not sure why so many are copying my look on Facebook? I don't mind blending in.
• I've been considering buying a new boat. That doesn't mean I used to have one. I just mean I'm buying a brand new one.
• My friend, who's been living in the woods for a while, ate some weird looking berries and can't stop sweating. Does anyone have any advice? For him?
• Been eating at a lot of truck stop diners. Well, not at the diners exactly. Behind them. Where they dump the stale bread.
• I've been seeing a lot of the country. Because I'm on a road trip. With my best friend Pete who's not on Facebook so don't bother looking for him. But he's real.
• Hey maybe that Pacquiao judge should start hanging out with me on my road trip?
• How lucky can a guy get in the biggest, little city in the world?
• So many new.....uh, "friends"....thanks? Not used to this much attention.
• I'm looking for an apartment rental. Preferably something with no windows, a safe room, and a secret underground tunnel that leads to the highway. Let me know if you hear of anything.

Read more about this at: http://www.adweek.com/adfreak/phil-shifley-guy-who-faked-his-own-death-directv-pops-facebook-141180

Nightlife Exchange

Smirnoff and Madonna have paired up to launch a campaign where they ask readers to share their nightlife experiences on Smirnoff’s Facebook Fan page. The campaign, known as the Global Nightlife Exchange created by JWT basically share their nightly college life excursions with the world.  This is actually a pretty effective campaign on several fronts because it accomplishes several things at once that are beneficial for both parties. The campaign also involved a includes a contest to find a backup dancer for Madonna.

This campaign will encompass several marketing/advertising disciplines working together for the best interest of the brands involved and yes, Madonna is a brand. The disciplines that will be involved in this campaign include:

·      Social Media- They are asking people to share their nightlife experiences on Facebook. Facebook isn’t the only form of social media they ask people to use. To enter the dance contest to be one of Madonna’s backup dancers you must submit a video showing off their talents.

·      Product Placement- There will be 50 parties going on simultaneously, where the primary sponsor will have their product on full display. I am sure there will be

·      Viral Marketing- The videos that the Madonna contest hopefuls will submit will go viral on places like YouTube.

·      Sponsorship- Smirnoff will be sponsoring the parties (where their name will be everywhere) and of course it’s their Facebook page that people will be sharing their stories on.

·      Celebrity Endorsement- Duh, they are using Madonna.

So do you guys think what I’ve listed above encompasses all the marketing elements involved in this campaign?

Best,

-A.B.

Only you- Dove

So above is another example of marketing and advertising taking the easy way out, a cop out if you will. Why do I say that? Well the above commercial features a beautiful, skinny girl devouring her Dove ice cream bar. That should be considered false advertising. A girl as beautiful, skinny, and confident doesn’t make love to the to the ice cream bar while inhaling it. I’m just saying it doesn’t seem right to me.

Why does watching a commercial about a snack food suddenly feel like watching porn? I mean sure, it’s soft care porn but porn none-the-less. What do you guys think?

I haven’t figured out who the ad agency but will let you know in an update to the post. Here is something I bet you all knew, the ice cream bar has both a Facebook page and a Twitter following.

Update: I've been asked who the actress in the spot above is? Her name is Janelle Fishman, an Israeli  model.

Best,
-A.B.

KFC Has A Job For You

Image via Adfreak

If you are pretty, female, outgoing, need a job, and don’t mind the phrase “Double Down” written across your derriere, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) has a job opportunity for you. The campaign’s objective is to tempt college guys into trying the company’s new bun-less sandwich. The job does require a uniform; really it’s just sweatpats sporting the phrase “Double Down” and the KFC logo.

Ladies, the gig pays $500, which may help you forget about your feminist sensibilities for a little while
anyway. You can apply for the position to become a human billboard or what the company calls “Brand Ambassadors” by leaving them a message on their Facebook Fan page. If the campaign reaches your campus you’ll know that your application was accepted.

I believe the campaign idea was developed within the KFC Marketing Department. I only say that because in their press release, KFC pats themselves on the back for not going the traditional route of park benches, skywriting or on-blimp advertising. I guess KFC has done the whole skywriting thing one too many times.

Anyway, what do you guys and ladies think? Should college women “Double Down” or not? By the way, in my opinion, KFC should charge for the sandwiches the ambassadors are handing out. Why charge for the sandwiches? Guys will buy one just for the opportunity to talk to a hot girl. Hey, for some of the guys that actually eat those types of sandwiches it's the only chance they'll get.

Best,
-A.B.

Social Links on Bench Ads

Apparently social networking buttons have become quite trendy, more trendy then I ever expected. In the bench ad above, there was advertising for a realtor. Notice that the company has all the social networking quick links proudly displayed on the bench. Why would these be important for a realtor to display on a bench? Well, I looked at the advertiser's YouTube channel and all it does is show clips of properties that it is responsible for.

Is YouTube the first place you would go look if you are looking for a new home? I ask the same question in regards to the other social networks, are Facebook and Twitter the best way to look for new customers looking for a new home? The actual bench ad I can justify but not the social networking buttons displayed on the bench. Why, because you can't click the social links on the bench.

I understand the tactic if you have loyal customers that are only looking to use you as their realtor? But are new potential homeowners really that brand loyal? They are simply looking for someone to help them buy a home. You must leave quite an impression for them to remember you all the way home and then visit your sites on their home computers.

Anyway, what do you guys think? Let me know in the comment section below. Also, I blocked out most of the bench ad because I got the impression it gives an individual free advertising as oppose to an actual brand or company.

Best,
-A.B.

Oh, Facebook

I believe I saw the ad above on Facbook's sidebar ads a few weeks ago. It's one of the funniest things I ever saw. Does anyone have that much "Man Hood" to earn up to $9,000 for your donations? Maybe I should change professions. What do you guys think?

These ads, is how Facebbok makes its money I guess. What I think bothered me the most about the ad is that it was tailored to a location close to where I am which seems a little big brother-ish but it makes the ad more relevant to the audience. None-the-less, I thought the ad was hilarious.

Best,
A.B.

E*Trade Baby Continued

E*Trade will be bringing back the talking baby for this year's Superbowl. The baby will have a new spot that the company is keeping on the DL. This year the talking baby has even more of of a following and is marketing the E*Trade brand via several media outlets including print, online, and TV. The baby now has his own YouTube Channel, Facebook Fan Page, and Twitter account. All of these only help to reaffirm why I think the E*Trade "Talking Baby" campaign is one of the best currently out there and it is my current favorite. A link to the Adweek Media article can be found here.

I read one comment on the baby's Facebook Fan Page where a particular fan states something to the effect of "I am a loyal E*Trade customer because of the baby." My only response to this was wow! But this is why I strongly believe that companies should show more respect towards their ad agencies and marketing departments. A memorable and humerous creative execution will help bring and retain loyal customers.

E*Trade's lead ad agency is still Grey in New York.

Best,
A.B.

Voltage Everywher

Mountain Dew has recently introduced a new berry-flavored drink that they hope will saturate the web. The campaign known as “Voltage Everywhere” is primarily a viral marketing effort on the part of PepsiCo. The “Voltage Everywhere” campaign is asking people to go to Dewmocracyvoltage.com where dew fans are rewarded points for spreading the word about the new soft drink.

By spreading the word I mean talking it up on social networks like Facebook and MySpace just to name a few. They can place notes on message boards and start fan pages. Fans can then collect points towards things like an Xbox or iPod. This type of promotion is the year 2009 version of school promotions such as “look under the cap to win.”

On Dewmocracyvoltage.com fans can also play games with other site members, download wallpaper, and do many other things. The site intends to keep the target audience engaged with the product. This is a great idea in my opinion, but it is already being executed on many other websites like the ones mentioned above, why would a consumer want to add another site that they have to visit?

The creators of the site, DDB Tribal claim it is so that the consumer can become deeply involved with the product. Would someone really want to be that engaged with his or her favorite soft drink? DDB Tribal seems to think this is a great idea.

By the way DDB Tribal is an interactive creative shop.

Best,
A.B.