3 ads that "come together"

I absolutely love this commercial for Kindle. It is my favorite commercial on TV at this time. I love all of the different motions and textures that are created. I think it's very innovative that a lot of the background is made out of fabrics and clothing that all come together to form great scenery.



This ad is a little similar to the Kindle commercial. I think they are both stop-motion produced. My favorite part about this one is when she's in the ocean and little kids clothing items float around her like fish. There are a lot of actions which keep this ad exciting. I admired all the vivacious colors that created a happy vibe. It's almost whimsical because she starts off sleeping, her furniture fades away and she dives in to this different world, and then comes back to her bedroom and the furniture reappears. I love this interpretation of a dream and feel like it captures the dream aspect very well.

This ad was done by BBDO Argentina. I love the imagery created by the neon runners sprinting around building and trying to beat eachother. This ad was done in order to get people to run a 10k in Argentina sponsored by Nike. I found out that the people were actually made of neon sticky/post-it type notes, which is really amazing.

3 ads that are socially responsible and 3 that are not

In today's world, the average person views hundreds of ads daily, whether we want to or not. Some ads are for the greater good of society, while others are controversial and are believed to deteriorate the morality of our culture.

3 ads that I think are socially responsible include:

#1:

I believe this ad to be socially responsible because it announces the issue of beauty in our society and how the ideal beauty is superficial in our culture. It delivers a great message for mothers to recognize this issue and talk to their daughters. This is one of my favorite campaigns.

#2:

I think this commercial by truth is socially responsible because it puts the massive number of deaths due to cigarettes in to perspective. Cigarette smoking is one of the leading causes of cancer and death globally, and big tobacco companies know this and still gain new customers every day. Truth was responsible to confront the tobacco company and ask them if this is what they're proud of.

#3

Thousands of children are physically and sexually abused every day. This ad conveys the fear and anxiety that children who are abused get, and it is saddening. This is a great campaign designed to reflect the reality of child abuse and try to stop it.

Many ads are socially irresponsible because they are either vulgar, tasteless, inappropriate for children to see, racist, prejudice to women, or just demeaning to society as a whole. 3 examples of these types of ads include:

#1

This racy Calvin Klein ad was placed in the middle of SoHo, which reachs millions of ages groups. This is socially irresponsible because lots of children see this ad outdoors. It may be one thing if this were featured in Maxim, GQ, Cosmo, or a more adult segment media. This is horrible to be in public because younger teens and children think this is "hip" or "cool".

#2

The message of this ad is not horrible, but the symbolism is. This ad appears racist because there is a white corporate manager and 6 black athletes surrounding him, almost as if bowing down subserviently. The white male stands tall and confident, while the black mans bow down to him. This is also suggestive that the white man is cable of having this corporate position, while the black males are important for there physical attributes. Why couldn't the corporate man also be white like the athletes? Why couldn't the athletes be white? It almost seems a little too stereotypical, and I think this was a very poor layout choice for Intel.

#3

This ad is disgusting because it objectifies women. The older model of the camera is represented by a flat-chested, less curvy woman. While the newer, more enhanced version is represented as a busty woman who has more sex appeal. This ad is suggesting that a better version of a woman is also a more enhanced woman. This is bad for young girls to see because then they too think this is how you are supposed to look and it makes them self conscious.

3 Artful Advertisements

I think some advertising is artful. Not all advertising is artful, but it would be ideal if society could have all advertising as art. To me, advertising is art when it is tasteful, aesthetically pleasing, boasts elements of design, and provokes an emotion or thought. Also, am advertisement is artful when it is original and stands out. Granted, advertising does not have to be all of these things to be art, but usually it is a combination. 3 ads that I think are very artful are

#1:

I think this ad can be considered art because it is original and unlike anything ever done. I also think it is art because it possesses intertextuality between the new technology that Apple created and the novel 1984 by George Orwell. It is thought provoking because it makes people wonder what they are releasing, and it also provokes people to think if society could ever turn in to this. It was very unique to the time because it came out in 1984.

#2

I love this commercial, along with the entire Sony Bravia campaign done by Fallon. It is so creative and captures the essence of color. The music captures the movement of the balls and gives up a sense of calmness while these balls are falling all over the city.

#3

I wanted to show an outdoor ad that can be artful and I chose this Nike soccer ad done by Wieden + Kennedy. It is amazing how much it appears like the soccer ball is crashing in to the building. This is art because it is unique and although it may not demonstrate beauty, it captures force and motion.

22squared Tampa: "Moving" Pods Commercial

I really liked this PODs commercial a lot because it was very artistic and also funny. I feel like the term "reinventing" is really represented in this commercial because things are altering, shifting, and changing very rapidly throughout the advertisement. This also shows how PODs is great with people who move a lot, or reinvent their lives with different jobs in different places or whatever provokes them to move. Visually, this ad reminded me of paper dolls, or more 2-dimensional. I'm not sure if the creative process was done through picture frames or not, but that is sort of what it seems like. This ad also demonstrates how PODs is easier than doing it yourself. This is especially proved in the part where the man tries to move the fridge up the ramp and fails, but with PODs one can just move things quickly on the ground. I thought it was funny how he created an ice sculpture with a chain small for his wife while they were waiting on the PODs truck to come pick up their POD, but I guess this just retouches on how you will have more time on your hands when you choose PODs.

Venables, Bell & Partners, SF: "Horse head" Audi Commercial

I found this ad some what humorous because it had intertextuality that related to the Godfather (not the movie, the novel). I really like how this ad has more of a popular culture story line and is extremely different from any other car commercial. I think it's funny that instead of an actual horse head with blood in his bed, there is an chopped old luxurious car with motor oil every where. I think Venables, Bell & Partners also was trying to deliver the message with this classic movie/novel that there is a new kind of luxury in town. When the scene switches from the man's bedroom to outside, you see this beautifully bad Audi out front that switches its lights on. VB&P almost personifies the car as being the culprit, or the bad guy, which definitely gives it a sleek and dangerous vibe.

Taxi: Mini Cooper Outdoor Ad

I think this outdoor ad done by Taxi for Mini is very attention grabbing. I like how the outdoor ad creates an action and provides a nice visual image. It appears the Mini is about to be sling shot across the highway. The white text of black background keeps the message neutralized, and allows for the red Mini to stand out. The red border along the billboard also allows for emphasis on the Mini. Since this is a Canadian agency, the message is in French, obviously. I tried to translate "agrippez-vous" and what I got was "grip", so I wasn't quite sure what it means. Maybe it means that the Mini has good grip on the road? I'm not positive. Anyways, I thought this ad was a great outdoor ad and provides for something more though-provocking than just a picture of a car winding down a road

Jung Von Matt: "Mercedes SLS AMG" German Commercial

I found this advertisement on Jung Von Matt's website. The entire site was in German, so it was a little hard to make out if this was a mini film clip or commercial that ran in Europe. I also was not sure if the SLS AMG really made it upside down in the tunnel or if it was edited, but a lot of websites such as youtube.com had posts saying that it really did happen. Whether it did or didn't happen, I though the film approach was really impressive. There was this intense vibe about it that builds adrenal in anticipation for what is about to happen. Everything seems to be in slow motion at first, but speeds up the minute the driver gets in the car. This builds up to the climax when he races upside and loops through the tunnel. I'm really amazed how a film crew captured this, because the viewer is able to feel as if they are in the moment.

David & Goliath Santa Monica: "Kia Pins" Commercial

This ad appealed to me because it emphasizes the outdoors, road trips, and creating your own path. The analogy of your car being your pin to the map is interesting because a car is a vehicle in which you travel and get from city to city. I loved the imagery of the red pin on top of every car and places that the cars travel through. This commercial captured the vast western United States, which symbolizes freedom and open spaces. This also retouches on the creating your own path message because this part of the country is great for traveling and road tripping. I also think a lot of young families just starting out would be in the target market for this car, and I feel as if it is also saying this is a car you can build memories with, which is important for a young family.

AMV/BBDO: "Footprints- Act on CO2" UK Gov Ad

This advertisement was very moving and had a great public message. Everyone knows that we need to lower our carbon footprints, and instead of trying to provoke fear, AMV/BBDO captured this issue in a way that was thought provoking, at least for me. This ad made me think, "oh, do I really do that a lot?" or "yeah, I could probably do that less". The repetition of the little black footprints made me realize that one person really can have a lot of issues they need to fix, and when you multiple that times a couple billion it is scary to think about. Again, it is a scary thought, but I think it was more effective that AMV/BBDO didn't show a clip of the apocalypse or a bunch of natural disasters. Also, the black gooeyness of the footprints reminded me of pollution or uncleanliness, which reiterates the fact that we are polluting and taking advantage of our Earth.

72 and Sunny: "Chelsea Lately" Website

Chelsea Lately is one of the only nightly shows I watch on television. I see a lot of Chelsea, so I feel like I am a good person to say if this website is up to par with the show. I definitely liked it and I feel like it flows very nicely with her style and branded show. The color scheme on the website is very similar to that of the show, and I like how 72 and Sunny incorporated a lot of key elements from her show, such as the character Chewy, into the website as well. Chewy ads a lot of comic relief to the show and people LOVE when the run little mini films with him on the program, so I think it is cool that a Chewy podcast was incorporated into the site. I noticed there was a ringtones portion, and I feel like this is very important for the target audience that would visit this site. I imagine the target audience are young women age 18-24 who are hip in to fashion, music, and celebrity gossip, and I think 72 and Sunny made this website very appealing to that segment.

La Comunidad: "Give Me an M" MTV short film/commercial

This commercial really fits the brand image of MTV because they are always doing something way different that people don't always understand. This commercial done by La Comunidad is very memorable to me because of its quirkiness and the fact that it is almost like a mini movie. Since the 1980s, MTV has been personified as young and rebellious, and this is exactly what this boy is doing because he does not want to conform his "M" to Chemico. I liked the consistency of the green color hue throughout the film as well. I feel like it was easier to follow what was going on because no other colors really stood out or took my attention off of the boy. M stands for MTV, obviously, but I also think they are subliminally giving a message of don't give up your own beliefs or who you are because of someone or something else. Maybe I am over reading it, but that was also my take on the commercial.

Mother New York: Gaga Monsterball print ads

I LOVE LADY GAGA and I thought this campaign done for Virgin Mobile's launch of the Lady Gaga Monster ball Tour was awesome. Part of this campaign was to promote Monster ball in print, online, and have fun activities and prizes at the concerts. Mother NYC's website stated some of the things they thought up was to have: "Virgin Angels in Gaga-esque attire lead fans into a Virgin Mobile area where they pose for professional photos that are posted each night at ladyvirgin.com". I think this particular print ad that I picked was for ladyvirgin.com. These are the people that are at the events and grab people to come take professional photos that are posted later that night. I love these pictures, especially the girl with the bubbles because Gaga has been known to pull some costumes like that to award shows and the like. I also like the contrast in stance and facial expression of the 3 people. They are apparently all mimicking Gaga style, but it's all very playful and fun. I also admired how the picture of each individual resembles a retro photo booth cut out, which fits the personae of Gaga very well. This ad made me want to go to Monsterball.

Droga5: "Lift" Puma Commercial

I was captivated by all elements of this ad from color to movement and rhythm and also to the music. I loved getting the impression that the people were caught up in all these moving scenarios, when really they were in a still room and the projector was moving. The commercial reminded me of an exhibit I saw at the MoMa a few years back. The neon colors were neat and resonated the image of Puma. I think of Puma as very hip/urban and colorful. My favorite part was when they go to the bedroom and act like the they're on the mattress with the twisted perspective, and also when the fireworks appear. It was very innovative of Droga5 to be able to create such a vivid storyline with no words in only 1 minute.

Cramer-Krasselt: "Feel the Love" Crocs print ad

This ad campaign reminds me, although very goofy looking, Crocs are extremely comfortable. I like this campaign and the imagery of little Crocs personified as rubbing peoples feet. Even though this is a little strange, it makes me want to put a pair on because it looks so nice to have a foot rub. In this ad, the Crocs are pink and stand out. There are minimal colors but a nice balance between the pink Crocs that massage and the logo of the Crocs, as well as the green natural background with the green yoga mat. The women provides a nice break in the page and is wearing a black outfit with her head down, so she does not take away from the attention on the shoes. Her long legs and stretching arms point to the Crocs, which is another aspect that makes them the focal point.

Doner US: "Traidor" Serta Commercial

I laugh out loud every time I watch this commercial. The sheep are just too funny. I like the concept of portraying sheep as mad for the new Serta mattress, because now people don't even have to count to get to sleep. This is my favorite commercial of this campaign because I love how one of the sheeps is a "traidor" and wants to try the mattress out. The voices of the sheep are also funny because they're gruff and sort of angry, which is not the way I would picture sheep if they could talk. I guess they're just bitter about the mattresses. I also think the way they are animated is very cool. They look like the Chicken Run characters, but I'm not sure if they were also modeled of clay like Chicken Run. Their clay-like appearance also makes them very cute, but it's funny that they don't sound cute. #1 is very bossy and the leader of the revolt against Serta, so I bet he kicked #86 out of the pack.

The Richards Group: "Water tower" Chick-fil-a Outdoor

Being from Georgia, Chick-fil-a has always been my fast food restaurant of choice. I adore their cow campaign and think it is so clever. Everything the cows do or say is always so funny. The idea of a cow for a spokesperson is hilarious, because they don't want to get killed. I loved this outdoor water tower ad that depicts 2 cows trying to paint "Eat more chickin" on the side of the tower, however, one fell off and the other one is holding on for life. This provides another layer of comedy to their usual campaign and gives by passers something to laugh about, and maybe even want to stop at the nearest Chick-fil-a

BBH New York: "Lego House" Commercial

The visuals of this commercial really stand out to me and I thought it was really cool how the film is fast forwarded. It almost makes it seem like the house has come to life. It's interesting that the foundations of the house are filmed 2-dimenstional, or flat, and as the house builds upwards, then the perspective changes. The vibrant colors of the legos stand out, keeping the focus on the product rather than the people. The red shirt of the little boy and the darker blue shirt of the Dad allow them to blend in as well. The message "build together" is very heart warming and sweet because it encourages parents to help their kids and be apart of there playtime. Also the building of the house is a good analogy for this message because a house represent a family, so in a sense they are strengthening their bond.

Wieden + Kennedy Portland: "Coca-Cola Avatar" Commercial

I love all of the Wieden + Kennedy coke ads. They make me wonder how much thought and effort actually goes in to making them because they have creatures and crawlers that I have never seen or thought about seeing before. Not only for this ad, but also the ad where there is a land of creatures living in the vending machine, the characters of the bus, as well as the bugs in the commercial where they try to steal the bottle of coke. I think it's interesting how people are portrayed as video game characters. I also think it's funny that the girl in the cafe was portrayed as a big oger, but once he meets her he realizes that things or people aren't always as they seem.

Dentsu" "Sumo Wrestler with Brad Pitt" Softbank Commercial

This ad was very funny and reminded me of how different the Japanese versus American cultures are. We have such differences in what is socially acceptable, normal, or funny. There was no doubt this ad was funny, but I feel like this ad was a little juvenile, which obviously appeals to an older crowd in Japan. I know they loved the fact that Brad Pitt was the assistant to the Sumo Wrestler, because I have heard that many Japanese people go crazy over famous American actors or singers. Our entertainment industry is the premiere in all of the world, so obviously various cultures are able to identify who Brad Pitt is. It's funny to me that Brad Pitt played the assistant to the Sumo Wrestler, because in reality he is much more famous. I'm not sure if this is poking fun at American culture or not, but I know Sumo Wrestlers are like celebrities in their culture, so it's almost like we are being made subservient to their culture. I like the message that Softbank will do ANYTHING for their client, even carry them if they break their shoe, and even if they do weigh 500 pounds.

Kirshenbaum Bond: "Accesories" Tab print ad

This Tab energy drink campaign is targeted to young women who need "fuel to be fabulous". I really like the way that Tab resonated female flare to their print ads. This particular print ad is set on Rodeo Drive and portrays a young female shopping for designer pieces. This women owns that she is beautiful, wealthy, and fabulous, but needs her Tab energy to get all her daily tasks done. I think this ad is done in a very tasteful way. The color of hot pink is a major theme in these ads because it represents femininity and also the product because it is hot pink as well. The hot pink colors of her scarf and the shopping bags that the man is holding create movement throughout the ad and lead the viewers eyes through the main actions. Also, the woman's body language signifies that she is in fact fabulous because she is staying tall with her shoulders back and appears confident. Also, the fact that she is African-American makes her standout in the foreground even more than the white male in the background. I also like the fact that the Tab drink is advertised as not part of the scene, but more implied that she drank it. I think it would be a little obnoxious if she were holding one in her hand.

Cliff Freeman & Partners: "Ice Cream & Cake" Baskin Robbins Ad

I've liked this ad a lot ever since it came out. For some reason, it always makes me want to go to Baskin Robbins, even though that song can get stuck in your head for hours. I feel like this is a very different twist on an ice cream shop commercial. The song is repetitive, which restates the importance of ice cream & cake to the store. Also, I think it's funny how all the little figures on top of the cake dance around. The colors are very 1980s neon, which is how the Baskin Robbins interiors are decorated, so it represents the brand well. I think this commercial would probably make a lot of little kids ask their parents to go to Baskin Robbins that day, because the desserts look so delicious, and also the vibe of the commercial is exciting, which is what little kids love.

Vitro Robertson: Taylor Guitar "Jars" print ad

I find the imagery of this print ad very appealing and I like the tag line "pure sound captured". This saying of "pure sound captured" is more meaningful when next to bugs in jars. Bugs make some of the purest sounds and make up what you hear out in the wild or outdoors, so it gives this ad a very earthy tone. The color tones in this picture also have a greenish hue to them, which again symbolizes nature. I know Taylor really prides their wood and how natural it is, so I feel like their message is definitely reiterated through this ad. Since the guitar is the only non-bug, the largest object, and the most solid, it is the focal point of the ad. The angle of the guitar and sticks inside the jars also create movement and lines which the viewers eye can follow.

Crispin Porter + Bogusky "Playmates Guitar Hero" Commercial

I watched the making of this video on E!, so it was interesting to see it as a final product. I love the song and how it mimicks "Risky Business" with Tom Cruise. I also thought it was cool how girls filed in one-by-one with the music and wore socks and white button downs like Cruise. The filing in with the music created repetition and obviously movement. I thought they looked like they were sliding in so perfectly, which was probably editing. Once the music really started going, the girls just had fun with rocking out, which is not surprising since they are Play Mates. I thought it was also very funny that they were all swinging their heads to Guitar Hero. I thought it was a well executed ad and I'm sure it was very appealing to the target market of young males.

McKinney Durham: "Slugs" Above the Influence print ad

I think this ad was one of the more creative ads that Above the Influence has produced. I liked how the color scheme was a darker grey tone, which symbolizes that doing drugs is bad and dark. There are a few analogies present in this print ad. One I thought was that drugs make you sluggish, or like you have no brain, much like a slug. Secondly, the slugs are most likely about to snort salt, which is most likely a symbol of cocaine, which kills them instantly because it sucks the moisture out of them. Most kids don't know or think it, but cocaine can kill you almost instantly as well. So I think the question is - why would someone want to partake in this if the risk of death is there? This ad is promoting kids to be above the influence, or pressure of drugs. It is a simple print ad but I think what I stated shows that it has a little more meaning underneath.

Euro RSCG Chicago: "Powershares" Commercial

This commercial was a different way to display an investing company. The upbeat music and thunder provoked curiosity in me about what was going to occur. It was interesting to see that his "mind" looked like the House of Parliament or something along those lines. I thought it was comical that one of his smallest "ideas" was riding a tricycle along the floor. Most of his ideas were small, which created repetition. However, when he asked why a lot of them were small, the old man introduced the giant idea and said "we think you should let him out". This moment seemed almost magical or like the "light-bulb" had just switched on. Again, I thought this ad was very different for an investing company - because usually a company gives stats about their firm or tells why someone should use them. I think the approach that Euro RSCG took of getting in the mind of the investor shows that their investors can be creative and have really good ideas.

Arnold Worldwide Boston: Espn "Sports Heaven" Commercial

This ad seemed like it took a lot of work to produce because their are so many people involved in the film. I loved how all these athletes are performing around the city streets, while this man is wondering around aimlessly on his cell phone. I thought it was a innovative way to show that now people can view anything about sports on their mobile device. I liked how Arnold didn't just film a man demonstrating the application on his cell phone, but rather showed what was probably going on in the man's head when he was clicking on different sporting events. I also thought the background music was fitting because it was very whimsical, like he was walking around in la-la land, which he was. I'm sure now more men are going to be walking in la-la land just like him now that they can get ESPN anywhere, and there will be a lot of angry girls out there. The tag line "Sports Heaven" is also extremely fitting because men now probably think it is like heaven to check the update of a game from anywhere that they have cell phone service, now they don't have to just find a computer or call a friend.

Team One Advertising: "Love What You See" -Lenscrafters Commercial

This ad was very simple - but I really liked the "feel good" vibes and the message "See What You Love". The music was nice and the song flowed with the scenes of different people showing what they loved. I also liked how what everyone saw was different, from family to significant other to even animals. This further goes to show that everyone is different and loves different things. There was a lot of color which was visually pleasing, and the different hands in the form of hearts created repetition. This commercial also fit well with the motto of Lenscrafter's which is the symbols of an eye and a heart and then the initials "LC".

Kaplan Thaler Group- "Seamless - Continental Airlines"

I really appreciated the creative techniques of this advertisement and how the scenes change. They don't just change all at once, but it is if different things change at different times. It's like parts of the scene fall away as another pops up, which is very visually appealing. I also liked how the currency from around the globe changes in the palm of the mans hands. This commercial also possesses rhythm and movement due to the rapid changes of scenery. The changes of scenery and different venues around the globe really reiterate the "seamless" travel that continental provides internationally. Also, the changes flow very nicely with the beat of the music, which also demonstrates rhythm and unity of the piece as a whole. I think this was definitely a more unique airline commercial that I've seen visually.

Fallon London: "Sony Play-doh Bunnies" Commercial

This is in my top favorite commercials that I have ever watched. The bunny concept is a bit odd, but it is so beautiful and I am utterly amazed at how Fallon's creative team put this one together. I love how there is a huge presence of color, which is what the ad is about. As well as shapes, repetition, movement, and harmony. I love how the play-doh bunnies start as little balls coming out of gutters and trash cans, and then they exponentially grow to take over the dull streets of NYC. The song "She's a Rainbow" by the Rolling Stones couldn't be more appropriate for this commercial. The bunnies and film speed up with the music, which creates a sense of rhythm and harmony because the shapes are also repeated. Movement is also a big part of this ad, and it climaxes when all the bunnies come together to form one big purple wave. Which then crashes, morphs into a whale, which then changes into one big red rabbit. The morphing of the shapes was very impressive to me and a very key element to this commercial.

Leo Burnett USA: "Samsung LED Wonder-full TV" Commercial

I really admired this ad and how vivid the film was. Also, the song "Hey Soul Sister" by Train is really popular right now and always on the radio, so I feel like it would grab people's attention and fit in to popular culture. This commercial really captures how advanced technology with TV's have come. I have watched TV on an LED screen and can say that it is much like being in the presence of whatever is happening. So, the analogy of cutting out a cube from the aquarium and putting in your TV is true and probably much like what it would look like in person. I was impressed by the creative technology of how the Dad cut out the cube of the aquarium and it looked so vibrant and real. I feel like an aquarium is a perfect scene to represent the excellence of an LED TV because there is such a range of colors and shades. I think Leo Burnett did an excellent job of exemplifying how great LED TVs really are. Also, the tag line "Wonder-full" is great because LED TVs really are full of wonder, especially for such a thin screen.

Saatchi & Saatchi Buenos Aires: "Topline Kiss - Unbreakable Kisses" Commercial

While most gum brands stereotypically use kissing as a way to promote their product, this was a unique commercial advertisement in this product market because it was executed more creatively than just saying "Practice Fresh Breath" or some tag line that has to do with wanting to make out. This commercial has a very romantic and passionate song playing the entire time, and not even family, strong men, semi trucks, or storms can tear these people apart. What I also got from the beginning was that a bride ran away from her wedding into the arms of another man. No force of nature can tear them apart, and I was very impressed with how vivid and real Saatchi & Saatchi made the trucks trying to pull them apart. I also liked that the viewer was just able to watch and absorb the strength of their connection with the movement, and then the tagline appeared at the end. There wasn't a seductive woman's voice or a man saying you need this to have the best kiss ever, it was just there to watch and take in, which I think is more tasteful than other gum ads.

Publicis London: Hula Hoops DJ

I thought this commercial was a very unique way to present a snack. It did not really talk about the snack besides the very end, but it was still really funny and the little hand really did look like a DJ. This is the epitome of playing with your food, and it was really comical that the guy got so in to the situation. I've been to numerous DJ performances, and I loved how he used one pinky to spin and put another on his head phones, and then switched hands and threw one pinky up in the air, because this really is what DJs do.

T.A.G. SF "Viva Pinata" Commercial

This commercial was bizarre, yet funny at the same time. It's funny, and it has to be bizarre because a video game that is about a Pinata is a little weird anything. I just thought it was funny that the Pinata talks the kids in to letting him down because he will "grant them all their wishes", but just scurries away once he hits the ground. I don't if the kids were more dumbfounded that he could talk, promise wishes, or gallop away. The Pinata's voice was also very amusing because it's not what most people expect a cartoon animal to sound like - I feel like most people would imagine it as either soft or playful. I liked the bright colors in the birthday party scene because it really demonstrated a childhood backyard birthday party well, and also represented the vibrant game well. I think people would be more inclined to watch this commercial from start to finish because it provokes an element of curiosity when the Pinata begins to talk, which I think is what T.A.G. SF meant to do.

Campbell Mithun NYC: "H&R Block Cupid" Commercial

This commercial stuck out to me because most people despise taxes and doing them. Along with doing them, tax auditors are described as mean and "heartless". This metaphor of being "heartless" is actually demonstrated in this commercial, when not even Cupid himself can swoon over the tax auditor with his bow & arrow. I liked how the harp music speed up right before he struck the tax auditor in the chest, creating a climax. However, he failed multiples times. The grey tones and cubicles also exemplify how depressing a tax auditor's office can be. I thought this was a creative way for H&R Block to appeal to people in need with tax help because tax auditors are portrayed as actually being heartless and not understanding in this commercial.

Mullen Boston: 2010 Zappos Puppet TV Campaign

While these puppet ads are a little corny, they really demonstrate how Zappos.com has very good customer service and is prepared for any situation. The girl puppet was shocked that she got her order in less than a day,which signifies that Zappos.com is capable of such unusual occurrences from other companies. Her bizarre excuse for wanting to return her dress is because she's not "emotionally ready" for it. I found it so funny that the customer service attendant had a box to check that said "not emotionally ready" - and imagined the calls and bizarre things that people really do say. Besides the fact, this commercial really reiterated that Zappos will get your delivery to you quickly and has free return shipping, which is always a plus.

Deutsch LA: VW PunchDub Commercial

I really liked this advertisement because it reminded me of my younger carpool days when all the kids would play the "punch bug" game. One other reason I like this ad is because I love the song "Two Weeks" by Grizzly Bear, and I think it sets a nice vibe for this ad. In this commercial, all walks of life and ages are playing the "punch dub" game. There are a lot of elements of comedy, especially when the little boy punches the old man and he whimpers. I think another element is surprise, because a lot of the people being punched are surprised as to why they are getting hit, probably because the cars passing by are not all punch "bugs", but rather any VW in general. It is also comical that Stevie Wonder punches that black comedian, and it is also surprising because Stevie Wonder is blind and he says "red one". At the end, the VW announcement is "13 New Models and A Whole New Game", which signifies a new beginning for VW.

HILL HOLLIDAY: "SAND CASTLE" commercial for DUNKIN' DONUTS

Hill Holiday has done a lot for Dunkin' Donuts and has really rebranded them as a whole with the phrase "America Runs on Dunkin'". They were able to create this phrase after Dunkin' beat Starbucks on a lot of taste test surveys and is obviously a lot less expensive. Coffee is a necessity in today's society for students and workers alike. It gives that extra energy boost and source of caffeine most people need in the morning. The little boy in this commercial is very cute and while he probably looks up to his Dad a lot, it is clear that he has some high expectation for his Dad's sandcastle building skills due to their competition on the beach. I am curious as to whether those sandcastles were real or animated. Either way, it was a nice creative execution done by Hill Holiday. Although the Dad seems intimidated at first, he should fear not because he has his DD coffee to get him going! I think this is a cute message, although very exaggerated, because most parents in society need energy to meet the expectations to play and create with their young children. I like the tag line "You Kin' Do It!". It reminds me of the phrase from the pop culture movies of Adam Sandler which coins the phrase "You Can Do It!". However, I think this is a nicely done and presented in a very funny way.

Carmichael Lynch "Hell's Bells" - Harley Davidson Commercial

I like this ad and how it targets the "Hell's Angels" crowd. I think all of the elements flow to create a very "Harley" christmas image. I think the rattling of the chains on the Harleys and the whip that Santa uses when he pulls up sets the tone as "rough-and-tough", which is exactly what Harley is all about. I think it was nice how the Harleys resembled Santa's reindeer with their handle bars as the antlers. I also liked how they played on the holiday season for and the people who get Harleys are on the "naughty list". The tag line "Shop Harley - For Badness Sake" is also clever and probably very appealing to the target market that wears leather, black, metal studs and chains. When they drive away, flames appear and "how bad have you been this year?" comes up - this is another form of repetition and the "badness" - which is probably necessary because Harley has a very specific market. I think Carmichael Lynch executed this theme very well for Harley. I thought it flowed very nicely and the message was definitely clear.

Lowe Bull Johannesburg: Axe "Get A Girlfriend - Legos" Print Ad

I found this advertising campaign hilarious. I think this strikes out to the target audience of AXE as well because most boys starting to wear axe are still in that awkward late middle school to early high school years. There were multiple ads in this campaign, such as the Boy Scout holding his diploma, and many others that were also very funny but this one stuck out to me. I thought it was so funny to say "Get a Girlfriend" because this teen really has A LOT of time on his hands if he could build a life-size pharoah out of legos. I also liked how the lego structure, boxes with legos, and the boy all consisted of bright colors. This made them stick out, as they were the main elements to the story line. The legos used, minus the blacks and whites, were the 3 primary colors - which helped to keep the legos solid and not too distracting from the boy. All of the walls and background scenery is khaki or beige, which also keeps the viewers focus between the boy and the legos. I also liked that it looks like someone took the picture, because it makes it seem that more real, adding to the comedy of the scene. I think this was a great campaign, and one of the more tasteful ones done by AXE, because some of their ads tend to be way too racy for my liking.

DraftFCB- Sharpie Bleed Commercial

I had a hard time finding a "favorite" DraftFCB ad. I thought this one was simple and delivered a good image about Sharpie and what they are promising for their retractable pen. I really liked how the red ink came to life and was animated. It created movement and demonstrated the possibilities that one can create using their pen. I also really liked the tag line: "the heart may bleed, but not the ink". The "uncap what's instead" also reiterates the possibilities you can create using this nifty Sharpie marker/pen. It also demonstrates that you are the eye of the beholder, or that the holder of the pen is subject to infinite ideas and creations - that is, until the ink runs out. I also enjoyed the sounds used during this 15 second spot. I liked that you could hear the pen drawing and scratching away. I also liked that when the narrator said "with just one click" their was a bolt of thunder sound, which also stressed the possibilities that can occur as well.

TM Advertising: "Producer"/We Know Why You Fly Commercial

I actually met with an American Airlines Account Supervisor at TM and he recalled this commercial as one of his most favorite that the agency has ever produced for American. I really liked it as well and it was definitely my most favorite out of all the TM ads that I watched. Even though the role of the director is over exaggerated and a little cheesey, it is very comical and gets the point across that some people in a work environment can be difficult and contradicting. I also think the fast pace of the commercial and switching scenes adds to and signifies the hectic time the producer is going through. However, American Airlines is promising to be there and make you most comfortable when traveling or on business trips. This is why the producer decides to choose American - and this is a very good message, because while most people don't have to deal with Persian Squirrels or crazy Directors, they get the picture that business trips can be stressful and American promises to make you comfortable.

The Martin Agency: The American Cancer Society "Official Sponsor of Birthdays" Commercial

I really liked the violin or string instrument played in this ad because it is soothing and calm. The film clips do a great job of capturing the essence of a "birthday". They added elements of excitement and surprise. The smiling faces create repetition and a happy tone for the ad. Even though cancer is a sore topic, the American Cancer Society wants to show what society could be like if there was less illness and cancer. I think there message was clear and also a creative concept thought up by The Martin Agency. People get awkward or tune out when something is about dying or sickness is a negative way, and I think it was very clever of them to approach it in a positive way and say look what we COULD be like.

McCann Worldgroup Hong Kong - Nike "Paper Battlefield"

I know McCann Worldgroup has had a lot more famous ads, but this print ad really stuck out to me. I find the neon colors add intensity to the work which makes it very attractive and vibrant. I think this is one example of how a print ad can be art. There are elements of color, movement, contrast, harmony, rhythm, and proportion. The shapes of the basketball players are all vary a little in proportion to each other, but are contrasted with various colors so that they stand out. The different colors offer an element of variety so that is easier to differentiate the shapes. The chinese symbols add rhythm because they are repeated numerous times, and also make the piece unique to the area in which it is advertised. Also, harmony is achieved because their are similar shapes and symbols through the work. I really enjoyed this piece and wish there were more ads like this - this type of ad clutter would be okay to me because it's pleasing to look at.

Grey E-trade Singing Baby

I know we saw this ad in class, but it makes me laugh every time and is my favorite campaign that Grey does. I think it is really cool how they create the commercials and make it look like the baby is actually speaking in an adult manner. This particular commercial is my favorite, along with the "milk-aholic" one. I love this one because the little black baby is so cute and the way his hair sticks up is so hilarious. Besides the fact that it is so funny that the little black baby is singing, I think the choice of the song is very significant. He sings "Take these broken wings" by Mr. Mister, which symbolizes the hardships people have had with the economy and are trying to get over and resurrect from the ashes. The white baby encourages people to use E*trade while this other baby ads an element of comic relief to the situation.

JWT New York: "Bed" print ad for VISINE in USA

When I first saw this ad it reminded me of the visuals I had while reading Gulliver's travels in high school. Hundreds of little tiny citizens of Lilliput were constantly on and around Captain Gulliver, just like this image. I don't know if the creative team of JWT NYC was inspired by this novel from the 1700s or not, but it seems like it. This ad has a lot going on, so it allows the audience to look closer and see something new. I like the tag line - "Natural Tears Formula. Don't Ask How". If you look closely, the woman is crying and the little people are taking her tears with feathers. The tears stream down her face, on to the feathers, in to buckets, over the bed to the desk, and into the bottle. Visually, the way the tears travel across the ad creates a nice sense of movement. Also, the movement leads to the Visine bottle, which gives it emphasis. The Visine bottle is very small, but JWT was apply to make it really stand up for its size. The blue from the sheets and the blue on the Visine bottle are the most bright colors which help to move the viewer's eye from the tear scene to the bottle as well. Also, the green chalkboard in the background help to balance the color ratio in the scene, I thought. All in all, I really liked this ad and how it created movement and had a storyline. I thought it was also nice how the Visine bottle wasn't the biggest or main focal point of the ad, but you still understood what was going on.

Chile Prolam Y&R: "extra strong" print ad for JANO HOT SAUCE

This print ad reminds me of a scene from a 1980s Italian Mafia film. I really like the black and white background with red contrast, it obviously makes the Jano hot sauce the focal point. The mans facial expression look as though he's been shot, which signifies the strength of Jano. The mans brow and eyes are also squinting in reaction to the sauce, which further exemplifies its strength. You can almost picture this happening in slow motion, much like a gun shot scene. The message that I get from this is that you won't know what hit you, because it's so hot!

Ogilvy & Mather - DVF American Express

I absolutely adore Diane Von Furstenberg and her fashion label. She has been around since the 70s, creating thousands of beautiful, rich patterns for all 4 seasons. I love how this ad captures how she gets her inspiration for patterns. In one part she is looking up at the shapes of the bare trees and taking pictures of them. Also, many of her beautiful patterns are displayed briefly when she speaks of her journey in the fashion world and discovering herself. These patterns are shot beautifully, all the fabrics are very flowy and vibrant, which embodies Dvf's label in my mind. I also really enjoyed how Ogilvy ties why DVF designs clothes for women in to why she has an American Express, "to feel comfortable". This juxtaposition allows the audience to see that American Express is also very important to DVF. Although this is a celebrity endorsed commercial, I think it is done in a very tasteful way and captures DVF as a designer very well.

Martin Williams: MN Timberwolves

I like this print ad, even though it's not a complex concept. In it's simplicity, it is still aesthetic and looks 3 dimensional, like his body is coming out of the wall. A brick wall is a great metaphor for a defensive planner, which means no one is getting around him. His body looks like a mix between a real picture and also like his body was spray painted on to the brick, which gives the ad a very urban feel. His facial expression is very touch and stern, which is expected, and his arms are crossed, which means he is either angry or ready to kick some butt. All of his expressions and looks further exemplify that he is a bad-ass that no one wants to mess with, and I think Martin Williams did a good job of portraying this.

Latin Works: U.S. Cellular "Green"

First of all, this ad really stuck out to me because I love the song "We're Gonna Be Friends" by The White Stripes. I love when agencies pick good, edgy music to play in their commercial, and I feel like it also demonstrates that the agency is more "hip". Now that I think about it, the song really pertains to the story line of the commercial and is a perfect fit. I thought the paint the man was caring was just him tracing his day; however, the upbeat music and his obvious reason to be on a mission made me curious as to what was going to happen next. The commercial is far from boring, the camera angles that follow the blue paint are even shot in an abstract way with many different perspectives. The boy gets on to find a girl with yellow paint. Their colors mix on the ground to form green. I think this is a really innovative way to advertise building relationships. It was nothing sexual or permiscuous, just two people who found each other on a bus, but it was done in a very different way. Again, watching the commercial a few more times I see how the song "I can tell that we are gonna be friends" lyrics really perfects this commercial.

Dieste Harmel & Partners San Francisco: Clorox "Turtle"

This is a very clever and unique way to advertise bleach, especially when small children have to have their clothes bleached all the time. When I first watched this commercial, I was a little confused as to what was happening, but then I realized the audience is being brought in to the imagination of the little boy. Visually, I think the portrayal of his imagination was executed very well. There were lots of vibrant colors and curved lines, which represent a child's perspective. I loved how the little boy said in Spanish, "and that's how I got the stain, Mommy". It didn't really make me laugh, but made me smile because I know little boys especially at that age have imaginations that run wild. You even see this in the portrayal of his imagination because everything is very fast pace and reeking havoc. I think the tone and pace of the beginning of the ad symbolize how a child's mind is sort of scattered yet very creative, and I think Dieste captured this very well.

GSD&M Idea City: Marshalls "Faux Pas"

I think the concept of "shamelessly shopportunistic" and even the new "faux pas" that GSD&M idea city has thought up really delivers a good message for Marshall's. I for one love Marshall's, and have found great pieces for fractions of the price. I think this campaign demonstrates how such good pieces get into stores for such a good price, I also always wondered this. By demonstrating these situations, I believe Marshall's delivers a more clear message on how their business works. I love the "faux pas" because the lady mis-orders her blouse order by tenfold, which results in Marshall's buying the tops (probably at cost). I like how it is obviously set in Paris, the fashion capital of the world, and I also like how there is a balance of neutral background and bright color clothing items, which helps to move your eye flow nicely. Really, the blouse model and the buyer are the only ones who really wear bright clothing, which also helps to keep the story focused between them. The voiceover kind of sounds like the lady who narrates Desperate Housewives, which was interesting to me and grabbed my attention more. There is also some comical elements with the lady's broken French skills - for example, how she says she likes the "bathtub" instead of dress and of course her numerical confusion. All in all, I think this is a great campaign that is clear, to the point, and delivers the message.

TBWA/Chiat Day Los Angeles: Visa "Go"

I love this TBWA/Chiat Day ad. It has a very outgoing tone and encourages people to do what they want, or "go" where they haven't gone before. This embodies what a credit/debit card company should represent. It is also easier to "go" anywhere when you have the means or ability. I really admired how people, objects, smoke, sand, water, etc., are all used to spell "go". I also really liked the voice of the man who did the voice over. I feel that choosing a foreign accent (british or australian?) helps to make the commercial more exciting. I believe that I always listen a little bit more or am more curious when someone's voice is different than what you're used to hearing everyday. This commercial gives me the urge to travel and immerse myself in all parts of the world, and I feel this is exactly the message that TBWA/Chiat Day wanted to deliver for VISA.

3 Best/3 Worst Superbowl Commercials

The 3 Best Superbowl Ads I thought were:

1) Little Boy Dorito Ad - Consumers (?)

This was my favorite ad for this year's superbowl. It wasn't the most creative; however, it was created with tasteful humor in a really cute way. The little boy not only stands up for his "mama", but also for his Doritos, which further exemplifies the importance of his tasty snack. One part I liked about this ad was the exaggerated facial expressions of the courter and the little son. These faces made the commercial more funny. I loved the part when the man turns around to look at the mom's butt and the little boy looks at him with a squinted brow and drops his xbox controller. I think what also made the commercial so funny was that, unexpectedly, the little boy slaps the man across the face when he reaches for the Doritos.

2) Google Paris - In-house

I really liked this ad for Google because it was very unique and unlike anything throughout the Super Bowl. What I liked so much about this ad was that as the viewer, you get to see in to the mind of this person and what they're doing. A story is told from these google searches, and you almost get too see exactly who this person is and what they are like. You know they are searching to study abroad, then they go to Paris and google all of these encounters, and even find love & marriage. I think was is most interesting about this commercial is that Google for millions of people could tell a storyline about their life, if you think about it like that. I myself Google EVERYTHING - and if someone could see all those searches, I think it would tell about my life. I really like that Google demonstrated this in their commercial. What I got out of this commercial is that your life is an ongoing storyline, and you can help create it with technologies like Google.

Coke Sleepwalker - Wieden + Kennedy

W+K never fails to have creative Coke advertisements. I liked this one because it looked very real and vivid, not like it was fake. This obviously displays their skilled creative team. I also admired the cool color scheme that captured the essence of sleepwalk. It was very whimsical, almost like a dream. The music added to this dream-like nature, as well. I thought it was comical how the sleepwalker waves at a lion, walks through a herd of elephants, balances along a canyon, and opens a fridge with a snake - all to get to a coke. I know he was asleep, but I feel like this is a metaphor that some people go to extremes to have the deliciousness of Coca-cola. The metaphor is that Coke is worth walking on water, climbing mountains, and going to great lengths to attain.

The 3 Worst Superbowl ads I thought were:

1) Godaddy.com - In-house

I disliked this ad very much because a) it doesn't make sense and b) I really despise when ads try to have a tacky sex appeal. I hate how the girl says "I'll show you enhanced" and tries to rip off her clothes. I honestly don't even understand how that is allowed to be aired on TV in front of children.

2) Dockers Ad - Draft FCB

I know this ad was supposed to be funny - but I thought it was just stupid and the message did not deliver well for me. I know it is hard to advertise pants and points of difference, but I feel like DraftFCB could have been more innovative with this brand.

3) Emerald Nuts & Pop Secret - Goodby Silverstein

This ad was by far the weirdest, I thought. I don't find human women impersonating dolphins/Flipper to be very entertaining. This ad made me feel very annoyed. This commercial screamed bathroom / food break for me when I was at my Super Bowl Party. It just did not make any sense whatsoever.

DDB San Francisco Clorox Mermaid Commercial

This Clorox commercial is so beautifully done and a work of art. It captures the essence of imagination and curiosity perfectly. The way the little girl moves through the water is featured beautifully. I really like how the color scale in the commercial are cool colors because it demonstrates the nature of the underwater world and cleanliness. The bathroom they are in also has waves as the wallpaper tile, which creates great repetition of the theme. I think it is also clever to have the music speed up once she finds the bottle she is looking for and is rising to the top, it really builds up the anticipation of the action. Before this, the music is going slowly as she is looking around, so it really creates a nice climax of the scene. Once she rises to the top, she still sees her fins from her perspective, but they are not shown when her mom sees her from her perspective. This further exemplifies the notion of imagination. I think this is a great commercial because it combines imagination with real life - a bathroom is an iconic playground for children to create their own storyline, but at the same time you want it to be the cleaniest and germ free for this to happen.

Energy BBDO (Chicago) Life Savers' Muffin Top Commercial

I consider this commercial to be a great one because it is done tastefully and literally made me laugh out loud. I think a commercial is well done when it provokes you to laugh. It is so funny the way the man goes "Hmmmmmm muffin top - I believe a muffin top is..." because he is trying to act quickly to save his girlfriend from having a total meltdown. He says, ... "it means you're the best" and then she goes, "wow, even my supervisor called me that". After this, the funniest part is when he goes: "hey, lay off my girl!". It's hilarious because he is making her feel like she is the best, when really her coworkers were calling her fat all day. The lifesaver halo that pops up has a double meaning. It reiterates that lifesavers are sweet and also: "it's good to be sweet", or good to be a sweet person.