Monday, December 05, 2005

Adidas Intelligent Shoe

This isnt a specific ad here, but just a mention that the online PR folks for Adidas felt that my little blog was worth emailing with details of their new intelligent shoe after I praised the ad a while back.

Whether my blog is big enough to make any impact at all I doubt, but it shows that Adidas' online agency (www.elementalcomms.co.uk) is definitely doing a good job on knowing where the action and influence is online. Blogs. Its the future, deal with it!!

And for making me feel all happy about the impact my 20 odd regulars have, here is the link to the nifty 80s style video for the new shoe.

Monday, November 07, 2005

Bravo Bravia!

Sony Bravia LCD - TV

If you haven't heard about this advert,let me explain briefly.

It involves thousands of bouncy balls being fired down an empty street, with some nice music and a good tagline.

It could just be me, but I think its fantastic; go watch and find out.

http://www.fallon.co.uk/

(go to work, then sony bravia)

Tuesday, October 25, 2005

Match.com - Radio

At last, an advert for a matchmaker/lonely hearts company that works as a piece of good advertising; not just by coaxing lonely people into thinking that there are lots of available people on their boards.

There are a few of these ads, my favourite is the name one, where the woman forgets her name because she is so used to being called soppynames by her new boyfriend.

"Forgetting your name, another side effect of match.com"

Funny, clever, true to the product, and I hope, effective.
If anyone is aware what agency did it, id love to know.

Tuesday, October 04, 2005

Off Topic: Spam

I mean seriously. These people are low.
Spamming peoples blogs? Yeah it might make money, but do these people have absolutely no sense of honesty or moral judgement?

I mean jeez. People criticize the ad industry and large corporations; but bloody hell, at least they PAY for 'invading' peoples privacy. They (mostly!) pay taxes that go towards healthcare and so on, as well as allowing tv stations (and radio/magazines etc) the money to produce content in the first place.

Smirnoff - TV Interactive ad

Wow.
Its very very rarely that an ad inspires me to click the red button. But this one was just intriging enough.

An ad that looks like a short film scene plays on the normal ad slot, and invites you to distill it (Ie: press the red button)...
(and again to distill further)
To reference their "Triple distiled" slogan.

Its odd, but it works perfectly; and gets the message spot on. I almost dont want to spoil the result!

Even the in-interactive branding is good. The loading bar is a smirnoff shape, and the end of the interactive ad looks just like the end of a standard tv ad.

If interactive tv ads are going to take off, they will be like this. Excellent.

Wednesday, August 03, 2005

VW - Polo (polystyrene-print)

Yet another variation on the "small but tough theme", but just as good as ever.
Features a street with objects all wrapped in polystyrene... subtle but gets the message across well.

Peugeot 1007 - Tv

What an unusual ad.

Obstacles fall by his wayside as life goes into a cartoon... only much better than that sounds.
Great idea, the car in the tree is genius, and the soundtrack (Gomez- Here it Comes) fits perfectly.

Yet again, another good car ad. Seems like creative pride is at stake!

View here!

Monday, July 11, 2005

McDonalds - Fries (TV)

This interesting ad is supposed to show all the different ways in which people take fries off their mates and partners. A great idea, and some of the examples used are exactly true; especially the girlfriend who says she doesnt want any then proceeds to eat all of yours...

Sadly its a good idea done badly. It seems to flick between the ideas too quickly, ending up as a fairly clumsy mishmash. Perhaps if it wasnt doing the McDonalds thing of trying to be "cool" then it could end up a good ad.

A good idea wasted.

Thursday, June 16, 2005

DFS £250 - Radio

The new DFS advert uses an interesting idea; having an advert, then cutting into the 'next advert' and berating the offer in it.

"Thats rubbish, its not £250 off is it?!" kinda thing.

The idea is pretty good, and could make an interest spot.

The thing that gets me is that the ONLY reason they can give you so much money off is because they make like 800% profit on ALL their sofas. To mimick other companies and slag off their offers is fine and good, but it just seems arrogant with that in mind... and I cant think of any time when coming across as arrogant is good in an advert.

Friday, June 03, 2005

Head and Shoulders - ice

Oh dear god no. Not another terrible, badly written, poorly produced, cheesy, downright rubbish ad from head and shoulders.

Take the same principle as the year old Colgate ice white advert (an icy looking place), a flat, weak, and just plain crap version of the same song (Cold as Ice), and mix with non-descript dull message.

Surely someone, somewhere along the line could have said "hang about people, this is awful."

It somehow manages to be almost as bad as the "my girlfriend doesnt touch my head and shoulder" ad; which was a new low in "men vs women" style advertising.

Rubbish.

Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Classic CDP work

I suggest anyone with a good interest in print advertising checks out the CDP picture gallery at the Historical Advertising Trust site:

http://www.hatads.org.uk/library8.htm

Though looking a little dated now, there are a small number (of their many) excellent pieces of work.

Tuesday, May 17, 2005

Telewest Broadband - 3for30 - Radio

Oddly, ive noticed a massive increase in the number of good Radio ads recently. My absolute favourite being these wonderful ads from Telewest.

Funny, well written and captivating; they do everything a good radio ad should do.

Example:

"How much would you pay for broadband, a telephone line and cable television?"
'Id expect to pay about £50'
"What about £30?"
'No, id expect to pay about £50'
"Would you like to pay £30?"
'Thats a different question'
"Does it have a different answer?"
'Yes'
"Which is..?"
'Yes...'



Another that should be mentioned is the anti-smoking adverts using the after effects of coal mining dust on peoples fathers as a comparison; it works but its quite rare to see an advert so deliberately aimed at the memories of such a local area.

Monday, April 04, 2005

BT - Swing and Twix - Bike (tv)

Its the sound effects I tell you! Nothing beats the sound of someone getting smacked comically.

BT:

After some disappointingly dull BT ads its good to see something both relevant and funny. Although the question of whether they actually do offer more is debatable, the advert is great.
A guy decides to pick the camera with no zoom despite it being the same money as one with zoom. He then takes a picture of his child on a swing but get so close he gets hit twice in great comic fashion.

Twix:

A nice bow out for Grey with their last Twix ad. A classic scene from a french style romance movie. Two lovers riding on a tandem bike. As they come to a branch the guy ducks and it smacks the woman off.. he then eats the twix. Very well done, it sets the scene of a romantic film and then mocks it fantastically.

This is good stuff after the disappointment of the new Walls sausages ad, the dog is funny but the latest advert is just weak.

Wednesday, March 30, 2005

Carling - New tv ad

So Coors have decided to try and sell Carling as a refreshing tasty beer in the regions of Stella or Budweiser... the ad is the usual flowing beer shots and closeups of malty coloured stuff.

But this all begs the question, who the hell buys Carling because of how it tastes?!

Even the most ardent Carling drinker must concede that it tastes like out of date sewage water with a bit of fizz. People buy Carling because it is cheap, but most importantly because it is EVERYWHERE. Like McDonalds, you dont think its that good, but you know what you are getting.

I can understand the desire to make more profit on it by going upmarket, but please... Coors have so many beers to choose from to do that, and this isnt one of them.

Sunday, March 27, 2005

Tresemme Hair - Tv

I dont understand what it is with haircare ads and rubbish voiceovers. Its not like its been dubbed from another language, they just have a guy who cant read without sounding like a slightly stiff robot.

I had a discussion the other day with an account planner about how cigarrette and alcohol advertising becomes better because clients are forced to go wth better ideas over safe dull ones... and he said about how haircare products have no restrictions, and are all rubbish.

This is case and point, with unconvincing dialogue spoken so poorly as to be cringeworthy. The whole ad sounds contrived and disjointed, yet the underlying principle (the "dont tell anyone about this, its our secret!" message) has the potential for some outstanding creative work.

That said, my parents just bought some Tresemme products... and im pretty sure they had never heard of them before...

So bad it works. The founding principle of Haircare ads.

Monday, March 21, 2005

Apology

Sorry for the lack of updates

Was away at the weekend, normal service will resume shortly!

Monday, March 14, 2005

Pot Noodle - Horn (tv)

Ad in brief: Guy comes into club with huge horn in trousers... friends at table ask if he has the "pot noodle horn". He exclaims yes! blows the horn then goes out causing havoc and returns having eaten the pot and apologises.

Ive loved the way pot noodle ads make a huge fuss over them being 'immoral' or 'dirty', making a big deal over how you almost shouldnt like them.

The sad thing is that this advert just isnt up to the quality of the others, although thats not to say it doesnt work; it just isnt as good as the 'slag of all snacks' ads.

The ad still has the pot noodle dirty theme, it still has the blatant references to pot noodle and sex... but it just feels like they are trying to hard with this one.

Saturday, March 12, 2005

Sunday, March 06, 2005

RIP Tommy Vance

Sadly, it seems rock legend Tommy Vance has died.
He will be sadly missed.
That Birds Eye advert seems slightly more poigniant now.

Pepsi Max - Sticky Windows (TV)

Normally Pepsi adverts are overblown generally poor affairs; but this one is excellent!
Featuring a guy acting out as those little plastic people with sticky bals on their limbs that climb down windows!

An unusual and interesting idea, and good ad entertainment.

Saturday, March 05, 2005

Adidas Intelligent Shoe - TV

This ad features a guy who gets out of bed and runs!

The movement of this ad is amazing, the ground appears from under his feet; he turns and flips round in really well made manouvers...maneourve...maneuo...movements. He sort of defys gravity to turn around, or flip from one direction to another; an extremely good ad I think.

Its colourful, intriguing and very creative; just the sort of ad I love to see.

Friday, March 04, 2005

Super Monkey Ball Deluxe (Tv/web)

Im not sure if these are being shown on US tv or not, but the whole collection is absolute genius.

I must find out what agency did them!!

http://www.mybigball.com

Thursday, March 03, 2005

Jamster

I must be in the majority when I say how much Jamster deserve to wiped off the face of the earth!

Those damn frogs and chicks and rubbish ringtones. They are all so cheesy and poor, and they tie you in to pay for more content when you order them.

I hope no respectable agency is involved with them...

Wednesday, March 02, 2005

Halifax - Yet Anther Song (TV)

Arg! More Howard Brown; as much as I like the idea of a leading personality being a non-stereotypical black person... these are just too much to bear.

Its a novel idea yes, sing a classic song with changed words.; but the joke has worn thin and the adverts are now simply annoying, nothing more.

Honestly, its no wonder it takes so long to get served when all the till staff are out on ad shoots. I hope there are no more, or they at least give Mr Brown an ad with some dignity left.

And to top it off, (seriously) Howard Brown was unveiled as a new exhibit at Madame Tussauds!!!

Strange world...

Tuesday, March 01, 2005

State of TV ads.

How come the majority of good adverts on tv at the moment are all for Cars?!

Honda - Grr + Circles/Shapes (all of the "power of dreams" ads really!)
Toyota - Yaris, Celica and the other one with the larger car
BMW
Renault - "Dog" series
Smart - Kalidascope
Citroen - Transformer
VW - Singin in the rain - (and pretty much anything of the last 10 years!)
Even Daihatsu and Kia have interesting adverts!!

Is there something about car ads that brings out the best in creatives? Or are they just happier to go with good ideas?

Monday, February 28, 2005

Ford Fiesta - Loves Corners (print - bilboard)

Ive not been a big fan of the Fiesta adverts, they all seem to be a little too overdone, and following the lines of VW's Polo adverts (i.e.: a tough little car in dangerous situations).

I do however love the new poster ad. Which features the sport edition of the car in the top left of the picture, with the tagline "Loves corners". Its got the subtlety the other ads lack, and I think it works really well.

Friday, February 25, 2005

Smart - Prisms (tv)

This funky looking ad is as bright and colourful as the Smart brand. With lots of kalaidescope type effects proving very appealing to watch.

Spoilt slightly by my brother telling me that all you need to do to get that effect is drag it on in Avid (video editing software)... ah well, wonder how much the agency got charged for that effect!

Tuesday, February 22, 2005

Birds Eye (Rock ads) - (TV)

These bizarre ads are based on heavy metal rock types singing (screeching) about shepards pie and the like. Normally such blantant steretyping annoys me, but they have the perfect Spinal Tap quality to them...which keeps it funny and only mildly irritating.

Besides which, the use of Tommy Vance (A legend in his own lunchtime) is a joyous touch, and a big seal of approval!

PG tips (75 years) - (tv)

Well, its still those slightly irritating plasticine birds. But the "snapshots of time" idea, whilst old and overused works pretty well here. Whilst the Henman gag (Hen...man...classic ;) ) is great.

Something sadly isnt quite right, and I think its the same thing thats wrong with whole bird campaign. Whilst it is pretty effective at capturing moments of real life, they still lack any of the charm of the old chimps. What good is a well written situation when its so hard to find the charm or empathy in the characters within.

Maybe this is something that will improve of a number of ads, but currently only the dad character seems to exude anywhere near the likeability of those lovable old primates.

Nike (Stand Up Speak Up) (tv)

This ad features a number of well known black footballers promoting a message against racism.
Surprisingly, it is nicely done. Its subtle and well put together, and gets the message across cleanly and effectively... which is unusual for a Nike advert of recent times!

McCain Oven Chips (print)

This ad has the page in half, with "...heaven" on one side and "chip heaven" on the other.
Seems like a reasonable idea, but the execution I saw was dire!

It had a bucket full of safety pins and "Punk heaven" on the left side. Im not sure where this idea of punks sits in the modern day, probably about in line with calling people with mobiles "yuppies". What a horribly poor stereotype, and one that means the ad doesnt work at all in my view.

Tuesday, February 15, 2005

Volkswagon Golf - Singin In The Rain (TV)

Now this was unexpected.
Taking a classic of classics, and completely warping it in front of our eyes!

Brilliantly produced and animated, the soundtrack works perfectly; giving the feel of the original song but the style of the updated sound.

Ending with a great tagline that rounds it all off neatly. Great stuff.

http://www.milkandcookies.com/links/25187/

Welcome to the Ad Pit.

The ad pit is the blog hole for my personal creative opinion on UK (and world) adverts...be that tv or printed.

Advertising is something that is very much a part of me, alongside design and music. It makes me sick the rubbishness of some adverts, but then again the joy of delights like "Grr" (Honda - Hate Something Change Something) by Weiden and Kennedy and the John Smiths ads with Peter Kay by TBWA\London is something to relish.

If anyone ever reads this id love to hear your views too :)