advertising design and the culture that surrounds us

Advertising/Marketing

But What’s In Your Shampoo?


Here is a fun video from the makers of “The Story of Stuff,” that should be seen by everyone too. If you like Food Inc., this will just open your eyes to what is going on in the products we eat/use and how they can affect you AND those you love. The message is important, but the way it’s delivered is entertaining! C’mon, cute/fun drawings are the only way to really watch things like this as the topic is sensitive so this is a good way to break it down and understand it.

After watching this, visit safecosmetics.org and help get the word to your local representative. (It’s really easy and took me literally 2 min.) Legislation entitled, “Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010,” has been introduced in congress, but needs to be backed to get through. It includes ideas like having safety restrictions on what is used in cosmetics and more labeling on products you buy. (What? You don’t want to know that there are cancer-causing chemicals in the shampoo or make up you use all the time? Really? Then you might not want to watch this and continue to live your life in the dark.)

You Can’t Ignore What You Eat - Anymore.


I finally saw the film Food Inc. last night and I realized just how important this film truly is. It had been on my radar for months and months and although I have been changing my eating habits for tbe better for quite some time, I wasn’t sure I wanted to see it. I admit I was a little scared and standoffish about the idea, but why should I hide from the truth? So I put it on and it confirmed my suspicions, and also gave me hope.

Knowledge is power.

This is a movie EVERYONE should see, bar none. It should be shown to families, passed around and talked about. It is not something to be fearful of (as that breeds ignorance,) but something that should be embraced. Don’t sit in the dark any longer, you can’t afford to.

How to Make a Music Video When You have No $$


Ready for something different? Here is a clever and fun video that was ultra low budget. When you have a great song, you can do pretty much anything around it. Like the fakest spaceships you’ve ever seen and papermache alien costumes worn by your friends. The band is Jaill from Milwaukee and they throw the best beach party ever.

Smell Like a Man Man


Man I love these Old Spice ads. There creative, funny and super clever. This is one of the boldest yet.

Beer Ads and Short Skirts


Apparently men are the target for beer commercials. (Really?) Of course I’m susceptible to their marketing schemes because I’m a man who likes both beer AND women. (crazy I know.) So this puts me directly in the crosshairs of every beer commercial out there. Even though like most beer ads, it’s chest-thumping-bravado and old-school-boys-club themes scream sexist, it does have it’s charms and is likable. (At least to beer-drinking-women-loving-men like me.)

Is The Kindle Ad Too Much?

I like this Kindle Ad from Amazon.com, (And I just found out that “Kindle” means group of kittens weirdly enough), don’t get me wrong, but I feel this could have been a little stronger. Of course criticism is EASY when you aren’t part of the project, I guess I wished they would have taken the Chemistry scene OR the police scene and elaborated on one of those for the whole commercial. I think it would have had MORE relavance in working with the song, (either segment), and been easier to digest as a consumer.

Really I guess I’m thinking this could have been split into two commercials here with the same beginning for each. Does this make sense? Does anyone else feel there might be too much going on in this (scene wise)? I’m a big proponent of “less is more” and simplicity and felt they just tried to cram too much in, but then again they are beautiful and creative. What are your thoughts?

How To Be Alone


I saw this and love the emotional impact and cool graphical nature of this piece. It’s self help + poetry + warm and fuzzy.

The Lighter Side of Dark


Love Newcastle, and love this new comercial. Not only is the subject funny, but I think the subtle, delivery of the actors really helps pull this together.

The Future of Shopping?


Is this the future of shopping? Do they already have this in Japan? Could people conceivably buy clothes like this based on how things only “look” on them? This could happen, but there are other factors, feel, texture, breathability that people buy clothes for too. With a desktop camera you wouldn’t even have to GO to a store. It could be a glimpse into the future, it could be Xanadu the “House of the future” that no one ever built. You decide.

Swagger Wagon


Here is a video from Toyota staring their product, the Sienna mini van, and a couple who’ve been tethered to it in the latest Sienna campaign. What’s interesting to me is that this is a straight up video from Toyota, not a commercial in the traditional sense. It pushes the product, but in a different and more passive way, and is really vying to be fun and creative enough to get noticed and passed around on youtube, the internet and blogs like mine. Mission accomplished.