Change in style for Super Bowl Ads

Just when I was getting use to the creative ads from Bud Light, I read that they are changing their approach for this years Super Bowl. No more "Drinkability" or Clydesdale horses to entertain us. This year they are changing the focus back to the idea of having a good time while you enjoy your Bud Light. I am really intrigued by this new campaign. I am sure that the ads will be funny, but I will miss the horses.
What is more amazing is that a new agency was in charge of creating these ads. No longer is DDB the mainstay for Bud Light.

All the more reason to watch the Super Bowl and NOT mute the commercials!

Click on my title to read the article.

Award winning agency

Visiting Richmond this weekend was a great way to learn about the history of the US and also get caught up with the AD world. As I was reading Ad Age on Monday at the airport I came across the article that listed the top 10 agencies in the US for 2009. To my surprise, the Martin Agency was #4. The more research I do, the more I find that the Martin Agency is becoming a big player in the world of creative advertising. They have produced three of my favorite spots.

Although the songs are annoying, the freecreditreport.com commercials grab my attention. There couldn't be a more unique way to show the importance of credit checks than having a garage band make up songs about how their life has been ruined due to their poor credit.

I am sure everyone is aware of the Geico spots but I would bet that most people don't know who produced those ads. Again the Martin Agency, using their unique creative talent, gave us a character that we all recognize.

Finally, the UPS whiteboard ads. Those are my favorite because the spots are so clean and sterile but yet have a distinct way of catching my eye and keeping my attention. One interesting fact that I just found out is that the "white board guy" is actually an employee of the Martin Agency. Not only is he just another employee, he is the creative director on the account. What an awesome job that would be!

A different way of watching TV

I was reflecting back today on the last five months of my life and one major thing came to light. Although I still watch TV, I watch it in a completely different way. I use to hate commercials, I would mute the TV until my show came back on. Anymore I am waiting for the commercials while watching my shows. Most of the ads that are broadcasted really intrigue me. Not by the message they convey but the way they do it and the design of the ad. I have to say, there are more bad than good commercials that run today but I have come to appreciate the good ones. by the type of ads that are broadcasted. As I watch these ads I try and understand what angle the agency is using to convey a certain product to their target audience.

Some of these commercials are so bad that it seems as though the ad agency executives had a blindfold on when they were presented with the pitch. I mean, I have no experience in advertising but I think I could do a better job of creating an identity and arousing the will for consumers to buy the product.

TV watching will not be the same for me anymore. And surprisingly, that is not a bad thing. I am really looking forward to watching the Super Bowl and critiquing all the ads.

Arrival

Well today has finally arrived. This is the day that I have been anxiously awaiting for the past two months. Ever since that night in the early fall when I first logged onto the VCU Brandcenter site I have wanted to visit. After an early flight and a three hour nap, we made our way around town and drove by the campus.

My first impression of Richmond was a little disappointing at first. Rainy days always make cities seem a bit dirty and less desirable. After driving around town for a while we finally saw the vintage style that has made Richmond such a wonderful city to call home. Seeing rows of houses made from red brick with the southern style columns brought me back to my days at Ole Miss. I can't wait for tomorrow, checking out the Museum of the Confederacy, touring the State Capital and then driving to Virginia Beach for dinner sounds like an AMAZING day. Best of all, I get to spend it with my beautiful wife.

Watching Casino Royal on TV brings me back to my time in Vegas. I really need to learn how to be a better poker player.

Well I better get some rest, this time zone switch has me staying up later. Kinkos awaits early tomorrow!!!

Apple Experience

Today I spent twenty minutes in the Apple Store on Michigan Ave. I know you are probably thinking that I just browsed the products and left with nothing but I actually bought a new laptop, printer and software. I love the Apple Store because they make purchasing a computer so easy. Their staff is so knowledgeable and so accessible. It is so much better than going to Best Buy and trying to get help from their staff.

I love the MacBook Pro's operating system. It is so user friendly and fast. Downloading software was a breeze and it connected to my wireless network in no time. Much better than my PC did a few years back. That was a nightmare.

Overall, I am so impressed with this product I don't see myself switching to a PC anytime in the future.
My favorite part of being at the Apple Store today was watching a few elderly men take in a computer tutorial class. I love the fact that they are trying to keep up with technology instead of getting behind and having a bitter attitude.

Props to Steve Jobs and company for an AMAZING product.

2010, the year of social media

These are a few of my new favorite words that I will be using quite often in 2010.

MOBILENECKING: The alarming tendency to have our necks titled down or shifted sideways -- ever glued to our mobile device.

JACK RIPPER: The device warriors who hog outlets anywhere they can find them -- in the airport

BUCK SUCKED: The condition that typically slaps you in the face when reading your credit card bill and you see dozens of "dollar" charges for music and "what the heck" iPhone or mobile apps.

My Favorite is:
RUNWAY REBEL: That guy (or gal) who keeps the "electronic device" going well past the airline warnings and prohibitions.

Google Search

So I was doing some research for my VCU application. I was typing a lot into the Google search toolbar above.
I started to type "is" and these were the top three questions I could choose from.

1) Is Lady Gaga a man?
2) Is Lady Gaga a hermaphrodite?
3) Is the world going to end in 2012?

I am glad we have our priorities straight about what are the most important questions.

Starting to get that cooped up feeling. I have been inside and on the computer since 9AM.

Don't want to get your hands dirty?

Also, click on the title above to check out the lazy man's ass wiper. I wish I were in the conference room when the marketing folks were trying to figure out the best way to advertise this new product. Would have been priceless.

This would be a great gift to give anyone on their birthday or anniversary.

2010 will wipe your ass for you!

Looking for toned triceps?

As I was relaxing on the couch today watching TV, I came across this infomercial. I couldn't believe what I was watching. Never had I seen a product be so suggestive yet try to be so real. This product is called the "Shake Weight". What a provacative yet hillarious commercial. I looked at my wife in disbelief as the infomercial played. The Shake Weight is a dumbell that you shake back and forth and is supposed to tone your bi's and tri's. You check it out and let me know what you think

check it

Sat Morning Brew

So, its early Saturday morning. It sure feels like Sunday. I thought I would touch on a few brief issues before I have to head off to brunch with some friends.

First, I read on Ad Age that Angelina Jolie is being replaced in the AD campaign for St. John because she is too famous and would take away from the ad. That is the first time I have ever heard of such an out there idea. I don't really see why she is so famous, I don't find her that attractive. Maybe people love her because she just keeps adopting african babies. If you look at the add she is in, I don't think she overshadows the brand. I think they hit a home-run with the add, not because of her but due to the two awesome weimaraners that accompany her.

Second, for any of you sports fans out there that enjoy reading humorous articles about fake sports then check out thebrushback.com. Today there was a great article about Jake Locker and how he is returning for his senior season in college football in hopes of having a career ending injury that prevents him from being drafted in the NFL. I always get a kick out of these stories.

On a final note, as I was driving home from the unemployment office yesterday morning I saw a car get pulled over by a police man who was on a 4-wheeler. How embarrassing must that have been. And this wasn't out on some country road, it was in the middle of downtown Chicago. I give that a 2-STAR BUMMER.

SNOW DAY

Today I felt like a little kid again. I have been looking for snow boots since early November. Its odd, but I have never owned a pair of snow boots in my life. As a kid I always wore sneakers. I hated the way snow boots looked, they were so bulky and the fur just threw me off. But ever since I moved to Chicago I have understood how important a nice pair of boots are. Today they finally arrived. I found a great pair of TIMBERLANDS on EBAY. I had to buy them. They are black and grey with a black fur lining. Totally ME! They arrived just in the nick of time, as Chicago was being pounded with 7 inches of snow.

On a less serious note, I am really looking forward to watching the National Championship game tonight. I am rooting for ALABAMA since I am anti everything TEXAS.
Also, today is day 3 of hitting the gym for my new years resolution. I am working on chest and triceps today.

GOTTA FEEL THE BURN!

Branded

I thought I would mention just a quick few thoughts I had this morning. I am an avid reader of ADAGE, what a great way to stay in the know of advertising and marketing. On today's CMO site there was an article about the AUDI brand and how it is making headlines in the auto industry while everyone else is struggling. Their CMO "Scott Keogh" spoke about their marketing efforts. I was impressed by his 3 marketing goals.
1) The oil parade campaign pushing the use of diesel fuel. Such a great advertisement
2) Using the inauguration of President Obama to deliver the speech and news show commercial free
3) The Le-Mans racing documentary done by NFL films which ran on ESPN/ESPN2 and ITUNEs.

I am so impressed by their efforts, its great to see that a car company understands how us consumers are sick of the same old commercials - car on road - tell us about new technology - low price - go to dealership.

Basically, when I go to buy my next car, the AUDI dealership will be the first place I look.

staying positive

Since many of you may not know, I have been unemployed since the 4th of December. This past week and a half I have been working on my applications for MBA school. I have written 10 essays and my mind is about to explode. Today, I took a break from the essays and did a little job searching online. The one thing I hate about applying to positions online is that the companies make you attach a cover letter and resume but then end up asking you to fill in all your work experience on their own site. What a waste of time.
Mark my word, if I ever own my own company I will never make people fill out mindless information in order to apply for a job.
On a more positive note, I watched the HANGOVER for a 3rd time last night. What a great movie. I am going to watch it a few more times so I can quote all the great lines. Zach G. is the best character by far.

I think I am going to start reading one of my marketing books that I was given for Christmas, hopefully I will gain some new insight into my new and exciting field.

I'm not getting a sig on my beeper

Hello Friends,

Let me just start off by saying how I hope you enjoy my stories, and maybe even learn something new along the way. Last night Em and I went to watch AVITAR. I must preface this by saying that I was not the least bit interested in seeing this movie. It looked like one of those SCI-FI movies that I would HATE. After watching it, in 3-D I might add, I was very impressed. Not only was the story line good but the visual affects were amazing. James Cameron should definitely win an oscar for best director. What a great way to enhance our viewing pleasure. I just have a few questions:
1) Was the main character really paralyzed or did they super-impose those legs on him?
2) Why is Sigourney Weaver always in movies about saving the planets?
3) Do you think in the year 2150 we will have those kind of technological capabilities?

I just want to finish this post by saying that I wish i were an AVITAR. Nothing could beat being blue and 10 feet tall.