Skittles and Fruit by the Foot are the same?

When I originally saw this, I said "Awesome" out loud. They were really-extra weird. Then I started to wonder exactly who thier audience was. And the style was really familiar. So I hit up gmail messaging.

Me: did you have anything to do with this

Anonymous: hahah, no i did not
that was pretty bad

Me: oh...ok. just asking. it's like the skittles people got a hold of fruit by the foot

Anonymous: yeah, the ECD on the skittles campaign now works at Saatchi, who does Fruit by the Foot. Gerry Graf.

Me: ahhhhh, you are a fountain of advertising knowledge.

The other thing they taught me at portfolio school was the importance of having different styles. Rule #2 (rule #1 about babies and puppies). :::head nod::: So now there are two completely different products with similar styling...in the same catagory. What a shame.

via adfreak

The "S" Stands for "Sucker."

Apple unvieled it's new iphone yesterday. This event is important to this blog because it is my personal goal in life to let the public know that apple is nothing but a glorified thief. GASP! I know. I know. I love apple too, but you need to ask yourself when enough is enough. The new this, that new that. Remember when you stood on line and dropped $500 for that phone a few years ago. Well since then, we came out with 83 new versions of the same product. And not only is it cheaper now, with better features...but your is worth about the average price of a pair of Jordans, on sale. Isn't it pretty?

The iPhone 3GS - the "S" stands for speed. The fastest iPhone ever. It has the improved performance and updated 3D graphics that "In fact, everything you do on iPhone 3G S is up to 2x faster and more responsive than iPhone 3G".

The "S" is for speed? Are you sure its not for "sucker." Don't get me wrong. I plan of getting an i phone once Verizon gets rights to it. But I will buy one. And use it till it break. Here is a spot. Consider this my public announcement. Instead of "Think Different", how about you think like a regular human being.  

Dancing Ads.

It happens just like that. Chris Brown was recently accused of beating up his girlfriend with an Umbrella-ella-ella-a-a-a and Wrigley's pulls his commercial not even 24-hours after the alleged allegations. You know...that commercial where he is dancing with that pack of gum (not as easy as it looks). I jokingly said that this was going to happen, but DAMN that was quick.

And replaced it with Julian Hough(???) dancing with a pack of Juicy Fruit.

Pepsi vs. Coke (an epic battle).

Pepsi sure has been working hard to push their Logo down our throats.  In the meantime, I've have taken to convincing the world, starting with  my roommate on the B train, that it was indeed intended by Pepsi to look like a butt crack (without the crack). As Kelly pointed out...they have decided to ride the Hope Wave, like many other brands. But they also have this evolution thing going on. Check their new spot. 

They seem to be trying to make the consumer forget what the logo use to look like (which I guess is kinda smart). Has the evolution idea been done before? Yes, it's been beaten to death and done better...especially by soft drinks. In comparison...a new Coke spot says a whole lot with no words. 

It's unfortunate that both teens now have ink poisoning....but come on. There is brilliance behind this spot. I don't agree with everything that happens within the minute, but there is some serious consumer connection. 

So to the point of this blog post: Pepsi is loosing ground creatively-in my opinion. In the midst of trying to affirm their new logo and justify it's presence...emotional connections are being lost through their light hearted "we've been drinking Pepsi for years." Pepsi is loosing ground simply because they had the bright idea to redo their logo. So, as I sit on the "B", bombarded by type ads in which the letter "O" has simply been replaced by a new logo, I don't feel bad asking strangers next to me if they a plumber's ass crack. I've got no connection to the brand. But boy oh boy is that one good looking logo. Oh yeah...and your new bottle still looks like a penis. 

via makethelogobigger (where i saw the spots)

Welfare Ads.

I am upset that we, the American people, keep getting duped out of our money (which ends in poor people still suffering and rich people still profiting), but all I could think after watching this is..."damn, media placement makes out like a f*ckin bandit."

I'm pretty sure my 3 year old godson could've made that print ad.

That Clumsy King.

BK (Burger King not Brooklyn) has a new reverse pick pocketing spot that's actually pretty humorous. I have always found "the King" spots produced by Crispin Porter + Bogusky to be just... just too silly, for no good reason. But the King seriously just stepped up his game a bit with a new marketing ploy.

So, BK hires these undercover agents that roam around dropping thier wallets in high traffic areas. When an unsuspecting good Samaritan picks it up to return it, the agent tells them to       "keep it, it's on the King." Inside the wallet there are a few object: a note from The King to keep the wallet, cash ranging from a $1 bill to $100 bill, a gift card to Burger King, a “driver’s license” featuring The King, and a map of Burger King restaurants in the area in which the wallet was dropped. 

The best part is the details on the license. And the free wallet isn't a bad plus either. I need a new wallet. For now, the marketing ploy lives in Orlando and Chicago only. Chicagoans (ites) would go out of their way to return a wallet. If it was here in NY...say, if it were me, I'd probably gut the thing and take the wallet and cash (and clever license). Don't Judge me. 

I applaud this idea. This is true guerrilla marketing. 

VIA thedenveregotist

F*ck Those Golden Arches.

One McDonalds in Tokyo has decided to ditch the ancient (traditional) branding technique completely. "...the first complete brand retooling by McDonald’s in decades, in the heart of Tokyo. Featuring a black and red facade, smooth design and NO golden arches..."

Ballsy? Smart? or Stupid? I kinda don't know what I'm looking at in the first pics...

Check the website. 

Pepsi....you got some splaining to do.

with their new product design, I was wondering when Pepsi would lay on the heavy reasoning for their consumer base. It seems as if they are trying the "product evolution" angle.



Well...if I cared. I guess this is a good angle. Just say...it's natural.

Ahem....here's the thing Pepsi, I believe that you forgot to consult your fans. And consequently, your bottle design still looks like a penis.

VIA packagingworld

i'm a Photoshop Geek.

this gave me the chills. Photoshop in real life = real awesome. 

see it nice and big here.

UPDATE: ok, it's an ad for CS4. 

Agency : Bates141, Jakarta, Indonesia

VIA likecool

pepsi has an idea.

"...Its (Pepsi's) strategy involves three years; $1.2 billion; a complete packaging, merchandising and marketing overhaul of its soft drinks -- and a reduced reliance on BBDO, the shop that put it on the map nearly 50 years ago."

Damn, if I was a pepsi fan, I would be heated. They are changing the look of all thier brands, and judging by some of the comments at the bottom of that linked page-"The pepsi bottles sure do resemble wrinkly penis,'"- I don't think they asked their loyal drinking base first. 

And to the $1.2 billion...I thought we were in a recession?

banned ads for no reason.

the people of the UK have spoken. another one bites the dust. With 32 official complaints (that's whopping),"Viewers complained the adverts condoned teenage pregnancy and under-age sex." I however, thought it was funny. The spot is trying to promote an alternative to water with this rebellious Cactus Kid character and his white trash girlfriend  (no worries, I'm in the clear for usage of the term white trash - as a native Texan gave me the authority). 

But the Brits seem to be missing the blatant flaw in logic. Besides this being a fake movie trailer, with a make believe character made from a cactus....the simple fact that cacti cannot have sex...should put an end to this debate. Unless there is cactus protection. And specialized cactus KY gel. Or was the cactus sperm artificially inseminated? 

Exactly. 32 people across the pond didn't have enough tea and crumpets for the day and just wanted to cause a ruckus. Because lord forbid you spend less time quipping up letters of complaint, and more time talking to your kids about...hmmm, I don't know, maybe sex. 

BTW, this is still a bad ad. I get the hyperbole, but Who doesn't like water?

VIA adfreak

agency attack ads.

eewwWEEEEE, ad agency Karsh/Hagan is taking of the gloves with this new ad campaign targeted directly at Crispin Porter + Bogusky.

In particular...this campaign below was mocked and attacked. 

With headlines like "Crispin is a sprinter. Sprinters are runners who haven't done any endurance training," and ripping off the artwork, the few ads below are an unadulterated stab to the jugular. 

Ok....the first thing that popped into my head was..."This isn't School Daze....this is suppose to be a professional agency, trying to win clients over with these FRAT-astic antics." Then after a few minutes I thought to myself, "this is some ballsy sh*t." And now...I'm in limbo. What do you guys think?

Lame or Just ballsy enough to be considered cool? Low Brow or "a blow to the man?" I'm on the fence really. I think my interest in this piece of ad news may stem from the simple fact, that these faux ads seem like they could be the beginning of an agency ad war. And lets face it, with the economy in the pooper...what else do creative types have to do for fun... with budgets being slashed left and right (besides looking for new jobs...ewwww, too soon?). *knock on A LOT of wood*

lets get ready to ruummmmmble!

VIA denveregoist

"Breast Is Best"

In the wake of some Swiss restaurant proclaiming they will use human breast milk to make a majority of their meals, PETA got a bright ideas. They made a personal request that Vermont based Ben & Jerry's hop on the same band wagon and start making their ice cream from human tit milk, instead of cow.

:::blank stare into the distance:::

While I think we should file this bright idea right next to the genius of dictatorship and turkey burgers, PETA probably thought that the hippies in Vermont would completely cave in as they sat there in their baked out office at the end of some magical rainbow. I all actuality...Ben was ok with the idea....but Jerry had worked in a real life office before and could recall the "milking" room in the office. It's stale sour smell brought make some not too good old memories. 

I kid, but B&J did respond.... "We applaud PETA's novel approach to bringing attention to an issue, but we believe a mother's milk is best used for her child."

Sounds like someone is debating a new flavor. I, on the other hand will be sticking to Strawberry Cheesecake (formally Primary Berry...4 years ago at this time). Anyway...I had some free time on my hands....so I've redesigned their packaging for them. I'm no designer....so don't judge...look at the concept. 

Previous

New And Improved.

Line: A whole new type of natural. 

The line needs work, I know.

VIA WPTZ

UPDATE: I have some design competition. 

perfume ads (porn) on the internet.

a new calvin klein spot has hit the airwaves. And by airwaves I mean the internet, because the US banned it. Why? Because its basically just Eva Mendes rolling around in bed all nakey. 

The creative director of the spot pulled politics into it.

"You must be kidding me. This country really needs a new president — this country is so messed up,” said Fabien Baron. “It’s such a joke and it’s quite upsetting, frankly, how hypocritical this country has become. It’s OK for children to see people killed by guns? Spreading a little love right now would be a good idea."

I personally have no complaints about the spot. There is nothing better than some skinimax in the morning. But I do think that politicians have better things to worry about (theoretically) than a perfume ad. If Fabian really wanted to spread a little love...he couldve picked a better cameo. 

No?

Anyway...you judge the spot for yourself. Im taking my macbook to a dark corner. Give me 10 minutes and the repeat button. 

ASB?

Have you seen one too many hitler ads? Well, now is your chance to do something about it. Say hello to ads from the Ads Standards Bureau.

Execution 2. Execution 3.

And while I do thinks the art direction is fun and funky...these ads are as lame as the concept of the ASB.

The ASB is here to make sure all advertising, wherever it appears, meets the high standards laid down in the advertising codes. Our website will tell you more about the rules for advertising, let you complain online, and explain how the ASB is working to keep Australian advertising standards as high as possible.

In one ear and out the other. The same line three times in a row. For some reason,  I cant help but to think MADD and PETA are behind this. Or atleast, some graphic designer trying to be an art director (joke...but not really).

Say hello to the age when demographics become just a little p*ssy and advertising becomes lame...at least in australia. 

Wrrrutt Wroooh.

Agency: George Patterson Y&R, Melbourne Australia

gay nike ads.

Some more ads pulled for being too homo-erotic.

Nike Hyper Dunks.

Wieden + Kennedy tried to fight the good fight and argue about the insight and the tone of the lines...which are pretty awesome. Im am positive that I have used the phrase "That aint right" back in my ballin days (really, really, really long time ago).

Why is the public so hypersensitive? Apparently the crotch in the face had some negative reactions. And while Ive never been dunked on per se(my D is tight..."D" is slang for defense...tight is slang for very good) I personaly would not like the feeling of peepee in/on my face. But thats what happens. And if your really lucky, the dunker "might" be wearing some underwear. Might.

Anyway...its blows that a good campaign got nixxed over a chosen art direction execution. Especially a good one. 

More executions here.

Sad.

VIA adfreak

Mad Men.

alright, i am going to bed. But I wanted to hint you guys in on my new addiction. Mad Men. I'll tell you all about the last 5 hours of my life and how I may or may not have been sitting in the same place building a crush on a new tv series on advertising in the....60s i guess. Check the sweet opening credits.

large coffee, black. light on the terrorism please.

I would like to start off this blog entry by first saying that I always knew this fact. I believed it in my heart of hearts. Rachel Ray is a terrorist. She supports Al Queda, and dunkin donuts will have none of it. They pulled the new ad with her saying something about something involving donuts and stuff. The scarf, i guess, has the same design patterns as those worn by muslim extremeist. She and Dunkin donuts have been accused of "casually promoting the symbol of Palestinian terrorism and the intifada, the keffiyeh." Which means I should probably burn my underwear and curtains when I get home. But ummm....yea, thats not even the good part. The good part is the the reaction the story is getting from local and national coverage.

Anchor 1: "I f*cking hate Rachelle Ray and everything she stands for."

Anchor 2: "Shut up you asshole, dunkin donuts is one of our sponsors."

Anchor 1: "Errrr....I love donuts.....errrrrr....."

poor Golden baby.

so, its true. Element 79 lost its big client Gatorade. And that sucks because I really wanted to work there. Damn. I had that guy...I had him.

Well, here's to good work. And my future career in Chicago.

slutbucks.

Mark Dice is a renowned author. And by renowned, I mean leader of a cult called "the Resistance." He recently put out a press release...presumably by carrier pigeon, denouncing the Starbucks mermaid...you know, the logo, on the cup.

Calling for a boycott, he refers to the logo as , "a naked woman on it with her legs spread like a prostitute."

I too, did not know about the actual origin of the logo. Nor did I notice it. Here's the thing, if you think that Starbucks coffee drinkers give a f*ck about the slutty mermaid on their cups, you...Mr Dice, sure don't understand the effect that coffee has on people. Im pretty sure there could be vagina lips in a checker patterns all over the cup and no one would care. If drinkers had to wear a penis racing strip for the holidays to get a cup of coffee, it still wouldn't influence sales in the bigger cities.

There is however a little something else special going on here....the emergence of a new group of crazies. They believe that mock human sacrifices are done every year in the Bohemian Grove in California by our political and corporate elite. Anthrax was being sent around the US after 9/11 by our own government to enforce the Patriot Act. The United States military has built enormous Underground cities for the political elite. Mechanical hybrid Terminators are being manufactured by the Department of Defense.

Emhmmm. Sometimes I wish that reality TV would jump on this bandwagon. Say...an ABC special where the "Resistance" had a MTV Gaunlet challenge against "Scientlogists". My money would always be on the scientologists....but I would def root for the underdog.

Anyway...yeah, mermaid logos......who cares.

P.S. Kudos to me for not working a Disney Little mermaid reference in. I tried really hard. And suceeded. Atleast until I added this P.S.