Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Clever ad: Turning the tables on obsessive geek culture

YouTube Preview Image

Using iOS is still less of a pain than using Android. That is, the form is still better.

But that doesn’t change the fact that the attached ad is incredibly effective in speaking to the majority of smartphone users who don’t appreciate, nor do they want to associate with, the millions of off-putting Apple fans parodied above.

In any case, wouldn’t it be great if phones could go back to being useful tools rather than modern day golden calves?

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

This is a great ad for “computer-like objects”

YouTube Preview Image

The video could use a little editing, but it does an effective job in selling Google’s version of cloud computing. So much, in fact, I predict these “computer-like objects” will be a lot more relevant than tablets, but only if they come down in price. The reported $350-500 launch models, available June 15, are too much.

See also: My Chromebook is a fast tablet with a faster keyboard

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Best product placement ever?

YouTube Preview Image

Samsung sponsored this guy Kenton Cool (awesome name) to summit Mount Everest for a ninth time this month. In exchange, the company had him place the first cell phone call ever from the highest point on Earth, to his wife. What a moment.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Think your clients are unreasonable? Imagine dealing with this on a daily basis

YouTube Preview Image

My brother-in-law works in a Manhattan commercial music studio, producing jingles and licensing original music for use in advertising. Apparently, he deals with this regularly. Favorite line: “That is insulting. We would go out of business if we agreed to terms like that.”

More proof that unrealistic buyers are everywhere. (Although I still think there is value in licensing consumer music in advertising, which this video seems to discredit in an effort to sell more commercial music. What’s more, if demand is this high for “rip off” commercial music, I imagine a supplying studio could really clean up.)

See also: I’m sorry we can’t make a deal. Please don’t heckle me.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

This is a really clever commercial. Really.

YouTube Preview Image

That, and it makes excellent use of In the Hall of the Mountain King. Unfortunately, self-discipline is the only way “to save us from our phones,” not another phone. Canceling your data plan helps too. But you gotta mind those texts as well.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Was Abe Lincoln honest?

YouTube Preview Image

I dropped them a couple of years ago for a more competitive local provider, but Geico is still one of the best mass advertisers around.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

“Be interesting, don’t be boring,” says Most Interesting Man in the World

ncf_g_goldsmith01_400ESPN this week interviewed Jonathan Goldstein, the man behind The Most Interesting Man in the World. My favorite quote:

“It’s every guy’s fantasy to be like him — including mine,” he said. “I hope our viewers can get a chuckle, but also get good advice. Be interesting, don’t be boring.”

Awesome advice.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

New Skittles commercial makes me laugh

YouTube Preview Image

Just like the last one. See also: Hilarious Starburst commercial

Monday, July 19, 2010

When your celebrity endorser becomes the town bycicle, it’s always best to dump him

tigerwoodspgatour10_coverAfter Tiger Woods took “extramarital affairs” to new lows this year, numerous sponsors canceled their contracts with the once role model, including Gatorade, AT&T, General Motors, Accenture, Tag Heuer, and Gillette. Out of all his major sponsors, only two “stood by” his sleaziness, including Nike and Electronic Arts.

Today, the latter is wishing it hadn’t. (more…)

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Hey, I used to study at this library

YouTube Preview Image

Pretty competent parody of the Old Spice phenom ads. (Thanks, Mark)