Sweet Acceptance Via Target

Here is a heart-warming montage put together by Target and Deutsch LA where they string together clips of college applicants' reactions to the news they’ve been accepted into various colleges they applied to.  It’s a simple concept, illustrated on the faces of these kids. As the copy states, “Every kid deserves this moment.” I can honestly say there isn’t anything quite like the feeling you get when you learn that you have been accepted into the school of your choice.

Target has been known for its donations to k-12 educational causes so the colligate angle works well for the “Big Red Machine.” As a side note, Target has already committed to doubling its 500 million donation to educational endeavors.

In conclusion, I’ve applied to a PhD program several times with no success therefore the spot really grabbed my attention.

The credit for this ad goes to:

Client: Target
Agency: Deutsch LA

Best,

-Abdallah

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.

Inside That Ad Now on YouTube

Introducing this blog on my YouTube channel. You can visit my YouTube channel at BocciaMan25

Best,
A.B.

Sprint's Present to Twitter

The spot above created by Goodby, Silverstein & Partners must have been Sprint’s gift to Twitter. What other reason could they have for giving them free product placement in their television spot that I believe is airing nationally. The spot gives a shout out to several Web 2.0 product and services such as YouTube and Google. The question is why are they doing this in a nationally aired spot? Are these other Internet companies helping pay for the spot?

I read a few blogs that claim the mobile phone network provider wanted to show that their network and can be used for more then just making phone calls on the go. Almost everybody now has a device that that makes calls, browses the net, sends email, and connects to social networks. But the question still remains, why give those other companies free advertising? The title of this post is “Sprint's Present to Twitter” and that’s because they get a name mention and their stupid birds flying all over the screen. No offense to Twitter, of course.

Usually when products and services other then the one being promoted are mentioned, they are a direct competitor and they aren’t usually mentioned in a positive light. Also, the other social networks mentioned in the spot are mentioned quickly unlike Twitter and its blue birds.

Anyway, if anyone can find solid reasoning for all these product placements in this ad please comment and I’ll thank you and link to your site on my blog if you have a site.

Best,
A.B.

And The Winner Is

The Doritos spot above was the big winner during this years Superbowl according to two articles I've read. USA Today assembled a panel and YouTube gave stats on what commercials were watched and voted on the most. Both of these sources declared "Free Doritos" as the winning commercial debuting during the Superbowl this year. You can get to the article mentioning the USA today panel (here).

I am a little disappointed in myself because I didn't include the commercial above in my poll on the far right side of this blog. But I guess I didn't watch the ads closely enough the first time around to realize that the ad is pretty good. The "Free Doritos" spot was created by Joe Herbert, Batesville, IN according to Adrants. You can find out more about Joe at his site to encourage voting for the commercial at doritosvote.com.

Speaking of user-generated content, I don't think that Doritos has had any commercials done by professional ad agencies for quite sometime. And I have to say from the response the commercial got, if they never use an agency again I wouldn't blame them. People love user generated content. The Free Doritos spot was funny, memorable, and creative all of which are elements you want in a Superbowl commercial.

Finally, I think people enjoy these types spots more because it gives them a feeling that someone just like them can create an ad featured in the big game.

Best,
A.B.

PC vs MAC: Transformer Style

I found this video, initially on creativebits.org an Apple oriented design community but it is a YouTube video. This piece of creative was created by Nick Greenlee, a digital media designer. The piece is an absolute mastery of digital computer-generated imagery.

The reason I feel the need to talk about it here is because it combines the Mac vs PC ads with the 2007 Transformers movie very well. I actually thought it was a brand new commercial created by TBWA Chiat/Day. This short movie not only combines the Mac commercials with the Transformers movie— it also has a little Terminator thrown in there. It gives you a literal demonstration of how Macs kick PCs' asses.

What do you all think?

Nick, you are an absolute master and I salute you.

Best,
A.B.