OMNICOM

BBDO:

BBDO, New York for Smart:

What a cute ad. Just like the car.

I really like that BBDO left it up to the public to extract a message from this print ad. I think that it always make you feel smarter when you see and ad and you can say, "I got it".

DDB:

DDB PHILIPPINES (Taguig City) for McDonald's:

Here is where innovation kicks in. The idea of putting up a clock in a billboard using McDonald's products is brilliant. It is simple, yet very creative. The image above says that sales increased, so it's effective too! I like it when agencies think outside the box and create work that is pleasing for everyone. Good work, BBDO.

TBWA:

TBWA\Chiat\Day New York for Absolut:

I can generalize that TBWA\Chiat\Day's work is always spectacular. This Absolut ad is no exception. If I could define it in one word, it would be: inspirational. Why? Well, we see images of nature during most of the ad, it invites us to believe in the goodness of our acts, and the background music is the type of music that gives you "the chills". It is relaxing and motivational. The perfect combination.

Goodby, Silverstein & Partners:

Goodby, Silverstein & Partners for Häagen-Dazs,

This ad doesn't strike me as unique. It's very simple, but not in a good way. I agree that Häagen-Dazs is located at one of the higher ends of the ice cream category, so the brand should be portrayed as elegant, but I think that this ad lacks creativity. And if you see at the rest of the campaign, you can see the same problem.

On the other hand, thumbs up for the photography! I like the high quality of the image.

180:

180 Amsterdam for Adidas:

I once heard that you must appeal the public using simple truths that they already know. This ad is a very good example of this. When I first saw it, I thought it was a clever, but then I realized that this "reason to run" is one of the most common ones! It's still clever, but not super original. 180 just applied this commonality in the right place.

I am sure that people create an immediate connection with this ad, so I wouldn't doubt its effectiveness. It even makes me want to grab my adidas sneakers + a friend, and go do a fun marathon.

GSD&M Idea City:

For the University of Texas, Austin:

First of all, I don't like this ad because I hate the longhorns. But I'll try to be more objective than that...

The aerial shot is pretty cool and Austin is portrayed as the fun city it is. I just don't see how GSD&M is persuading the public to go study at UT Austin. Well, it says that you should go just because you'll be a longhorn. This argument just works for the hardcore fans. I also don't see how the tagline connects to the commercial. Sorry GSD&M, but I'm not a fan of this spot.

Dieste Harmel & Partners

Dieste Harmel & Partners (Dallas) for Gatorade:

This isn't the most inspirational sports-related ad I've ever seen, but it's pretty good. Like the adidas print ad (from 180 Amsterdam), it tells little facts (truths) that we already know but that we don't realize we do until someone tells them to us.

I like how Dieste (or Gatorade?) found this guy. He has a very unique story---a Mexican football player recruited to the NFL?? But I don't see how this would inspire the Hispanic population in the US. What I got from this ad is that I'm glad I left Mexico. Really.

LatinWorks

LatinWorks (Austin) for Bud Light:

This ad is for a good laugh. It doesn't really make me remember the brand, but it makes me remember the story-line. I don't really know if this reaction is the one that LatinWorks was looking for. But it might be, because most beer ads don't highlight the product. So I can conclude that this is a good and effective commercial.

Martin | Williams

Martin|Williams, Minneapolis for The Partnership for a Drug-Free America:

This ad encourages mothers to keep their children out of the malicious world of drugs. But it seems that it is only speaking to the target audience, which is good but not great.

I like the motivational message, but I don't like the fact that it doesn't go beyond that. I feel like Martin|Williams just wanted to get the work done and, therefore, didn't give its 100% effort.

Thank you. Very much.

Every morning I receive news updates on my email. Google is making money, Twitter is changing our world, Iphone apps are everywhere...bla, bla...it seems like it's always the same "news".
Yesterday a headline caught my attention, "French Lawmakers Want Warnings on Airbrushed Photos." WOW. Finally something good! French politicians want pictures with airbrushed models to include a disclaimer (like: Retouched photograph aimed at changing a person's physical appearance) to fight against the deadly eating disorders. Hopefully this will be passed and the rest of the world will follow...it would be a step on the right direction for our industry!

(To check out the article, go to: http://adage.com/globalnews/article?article_id=139162)

Unacceptable

Three words: Irresponsibility is unacceptable.

1. "Spongebob" for Burger King by Crispin, Porter & Bogusky

CP+B says that this ad is intended for adults. NO WAY. How can someone think that a TV spot is targeted towards adults when it uses cartoon characters and promotes the "BK Kids Meal"???

I'm very disappointed with CP+B because it's an offensive ad, both for children and women, and it's not original...How many times has this Sir Mix-a-Lot song been used?

I think it's sad that the agency took advantage of an innocent cartoon show. And I think it's even sadder that they probably did this controversial campaign just for the free publicity.

Or we have irrational people working in this industry.

2. "Molecules" for Got2B Magnetik by BBDO, West San Francisco

"Pheromone infused hair gel. For better chemistry."

It's clever how they used the molecule figures to literally depict their tagline. But, it's OFFENSIVE. I thought Axe was the only product line doing this type of ads, but I see that I'm wrong. It's really offensive to see this type of work out there. No wonder advertising has such a bad reputation.

3. "Pimples" for Tulipan Condoms by Y&R Argentina

Tagline: "You need a little bit of spring time". Explanation: "In Argentina, zits indicate that you haven't had sex for too long. So in Spring time, season of love, you need to have some, with Tulipan Condoms"

The concept behind this ad was unnecessary. It seems that the agency was just interested in increasing sales without being responsible at the same time.

Also, the ad is clearly targeted towards teenagers which, to me, is wrong.

In my opinion, using sex to sell is always wrong.

"My life belongs to the whole community...it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can"

These next ads promote some type of social cause in a good way. I applaud the agencies that created them, and also those who keep creating campaigns for the betterment of our world. There's nothing better than doing good.

1. "Your body is your home. Don't smoke" for ADESF (Associação de Defesa da Saúde do Fumante) by Neogama BBH, Sao Paulo, Brazil

This is a shocking image: the dust, the falling furniture, and the general chaos immediately strike you because you would never have your house looking like this. Ever. Then you realize that this is being related to the effects of smoking. Then it becomes really scary; if you would hate to have your house like this, why would you ever smoke?

I really like this ad because of its visual interpretation of the harm done by smoking. Without many words, it puts into perspective the physical damage that can't be seen.

2. "Adaptation" for Tck Tck Tck by Y&R, Brazil

I liked this ad because it uses cartoon characters to explain science stuff. Children enjoy cartoons and the majority of adults don't like dealing with complicated terms, so the ad makes it easy for people of all ages to understand what the problem is. Plus, the characters are cute.

Like in the previous ad, the visual communication is enough to make a point.

3. "Verbal abuse is still abuse" by EuroRSCG, Chicago

I liked this one too because no words are necessary. When I saw this kid suffering, it made me want to help him. The tears coming out from his eyes provoke an immediate response. It's powerful.

The Exemplary Child

There's always some sort of conception of what an exemplary child should be (responsible, honest, able to follow instructions...) and what it should not (mischievous, dirty, trouble-maker...). If ad agencies were parents, these next few ads would be considered their "exemplary children":

1. "Promises" for FedEx by BBH, Shanghai

Simply enough, this ad highlights the efficiency of FedEx's new service in China. It brings everyday situations to the small screen to appeal to potential customers; no hassle necessary. For the advertising world, it proves that the shock factor isn't a "must" in ads, and that there are still some good, responsible agencies out there.

2. "All-Bran" for Kellogg's by Leo Burnett, Mexico City

Again, a simple and effective ad. The agency is just promoting the All-Bran cereal by mentioning its super advantage: the power to activate digestion. Not even words are necessary: you know the product and you get the message. Straight to the point.

3. "Stairs" for Hospital Aleman by Saatchi & Saatchi, Buenos Aires:

Another good ad. It has a big image and little copywrite. This one also appeals to relatable situations, and rewards the audience (with a sense of accomplishment, perhaps) because the message not fully expressed, but implied. It's not controversial, just nice and simple.

These ads made me feel relief and sadness. Relief that we (those in the advertising world) aren't as bad as the rest of the world thinks we are. Sadness because the controversial campaigns keep taking all the attention away from these exemplary ones.

ARTful ADvertising

I consider that all ads are forms of art...of course, some better than others. Today I want to show you some of the forms of advertising that I consider to be top examples of "artsy" works:

1. Target's "Billboards to Bags" from Mother, New York.

I love Target and their campaigns. This huge billboard was just installed in NYC, in the famous Times Square. How more artistic can advertising get? I mean, Mother and 4 local artists designed this chic billboard, which will then be transformed into designer bags. I think this innovative way of advertising will positively impact our creative world...by using art, Target will make us "expect more" from the creatives in the industry.

In short,

Bright colors + Funky shapes + Eco-friendliness = Creative Genius

Thanks, Mother and Target.

2. Hyundai's "Life Shapes" from The Richards Group, Dallas.

This TV spot is an older one (and local!), but its age doesn't take away its artistic originality. The interpretative dance demonstrates us that agencies can use different forms of art to sell. We're used to seeing only the visual arts represented in ads, but this one makes us change our ideas.The composition is simple (no colors are needed) and the art is complex. The dancers tell us that the new Hyundai Pilobolus is more than just a car, it's a work of art.
3. Sprint's "Light films" by Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, San Francisco.

This ad amazes me. I used to play with sparklers during the holidays, so this spot brings back childhood memories every time I watch it. The combination of lights, colors, darkness and reality makes the world seem so much better by bringing visual delight to the eyes of the beholder. It brings out the surreal and mixes it into our reality, while invoking our past to make a point about the present.I love this one in particular because it transmits positive feelings.
4. Ariel's "Hotdog" for the "Be prepared for Ariel" campaign by Saatchi & Saatchi, Guangzhou.

Cool. Explosive mustard coming out of a hotdog...minus the consequences. It's like everyone's nightmare becoming a reality, but through art. I'm impressed by the way this agency brought to the table something so ordinary and transformed it into an original, creative piece.

5. Honda Civic's "Choir" by Wieden + Kennedy, London.

Another oldie (2005), but I couldn't not include music into my ARTful ADvertising post. I can say that all, or almost all, ads have some background music in them, but none of them even get close to this ad's musical quality. As soon as it starts playing, the sounds created by the choir become the main focus of the spot, making this one, one of the most inventive ads I've ever seen. We tend to ignore everyday sounds, but this ads reminds us that there's art everywhere around us.