Visa Worm

So far I haven't liked the "Life Takes Visa" campaign but this next one really caught my attention. I think I was annoyed by the oversaturation of Visa ads during the Olympics. One night I couldn't get the theme song out of my head. However TBWA/Chiat Day came up with this spot that combined several things that relate to me. First, breakdancing. I love anything with breakdancing esspecially a worm that does "the worm". Second, flip-book animations. At times in my childhood I made flip books on anything I could find, even library books. Third, the classic record scratch'n, synthesizing song. I used to here this song at all the breakdancing functions in high school. It may not be the most clever concept but I loved the execution.

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Interactive-Guitar-Shredding Genius

I saw this one from Room 116 and had to blog about it. It is a great example of the advances in interactive communication. It mixes animation and interactivity to allow the user to be part of the actual storyline. I'm amazed with the technology and pleased with the art. This type of thing is going to be more and more a part of advertising.

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VW Madness

Once again, CP+B has produced some very intriguing work. This time it is for one of advertising's greatest brands, Volkswagen. They are running two campaigns, "Fast" and "Un-pimp My Ride", both leave you with a reaction that Crispin Porter loves to create; the "What the...Chuckle, chuckle, No way did they just do that!" reaction. I'm occasionally skeptical about the CP+B work, especially when it involves musicals. However I have to admit I like the core message of these campaigns. The core message of the Fast campaign is that the GTI makes you want to drive fast. For the Un-pimp campaign it is that the GTI is already a pimped with stylish German engineering. Simple, True, and Memorable. My only concern is that it seems to clash with the VW advertising of the past. VW has such a longstanding reputation for intelligent and clean advertising. It's no question that the famous "Think Small" work of Bernbach is classic. Does this Fast really match the intelligence of Bernbach's work?

View the "Un-pimp" Campaign

View the "Fast" Campaign

Talking bad about Chuck

Charles Schwab advertising has taken a huge risk with its new "Talk to Chuck" campaign. To the creatives that managed to get this crazy execution successfully by the client, I give you credit. However, I don't like the approach. Yes, the animation gets your attention. Yes, the style gives the finacial institute contemporary feel. Yes, it's original. BUT it's just too obvious. The tagline "Talk to Chuck" is too forced. The animation style has no relevance to the message. The attempt to be new and hip is just too straight forward for the skepticism of today's media savvy consumer. Everyone knows what they are trying to do and half of them are just creeped out by the art. What do you think?

View the "Chuck" Campaign

Super Bowl XL

I know I'm a little behind, been busy recently, but the Super Bowl can't go without mentioning.
Let me just compare my personal top ten with U.S. Today's top ten and some comments

U.S. Today Top Ten:
Bud Light A secret fridge stocks Bud Light.
Budweiser Young Clydesdale dreams big.
FedEx Cave man uses prehistoric overnight delivery.
Sierra Mist Sierra Mist can't clear airport security.
Bud Light Men pretend to work on rooftops, but relax instead.
Budweiser Sheep streaks at big game.
Ameriquest Patient's family walks in on medical misunderstanding.
Bud Light Office manager motivates employees with hidden bottles.
Ameriquest Plane turbulence creates awkward situation.
Budweiser Stadium crowd turns a wave into a Bud promotion.

My Top Ten:
FedEx Cave man uses prehistoric overnight delivery.
Ameriquest Patient's family walks in on medical misunderstanding.
Ameriquest Plane turbulence creates awkward situation.
Bud Light A secret fridge stocks Bud Light.
Sierra Mist Sierra Mist can't clear airport security.
Bud Light Camper sprints faster than a bear.
Dove Girls hate their looks
CareerBuilder Lady works with jack asses
Sharpie Pirate uses clickable sharpie
DIet Pepsi Kung Fu can stunt double

I think the Fedex spot gave the most laughs and the Ameriquest spots are clever genius.
The Bud Light campaign was great as ussual. Sierra Mist was a plesant chuckle. Dove made every girl I know feel good, effective. Sharpie was an under-rated laugh. Diet Pepsi gets respect from me only because I worked on it with DDB NY.

Some other comments: Michelob, I can't handle another tackle joke. Totally over done with the Office Linebacker and several other spots. United Airlines, great art direction but maybe a little too artsy for the general public. Disney NFL, great feel good spot, however it can't be played after the Super Bowl, not too smart. ESPN Mobile, cool and often overlooked, probably too weak for the Super Bowl. Slim Fast, Stephen I respect you so much that I understand this isn't representative of your best work. Hummer, this gets a negative reaction for some reason, probably because the coolness of the Hummer is fading fast. Emerald Nuts, way too far guys, like drawing words from a hat, dumb. I have strong opinions about several others but this will do.

View Super Bowl XL Spots

What's Inside Kevin Garnett?

A very fun, artistic spot released by Adidas for Kevin Garnett's new basketball shoe. The first time I saw it was on TV and the war scene caught my eye immediately. I kept thinking, "is that KG?" and then got the payoff when I saw the last scene. I like it, especially the juxtaposition of the quiet piano music. The name of the spot is "What's Inside." I like the title, even though it is similar to "Intel Inside." It hints to the character of the athelete and the thought that it's the athelete inside the shoe that matters.
Overall a pretty good combative move against the old LeBron James

Unfortunately I can't find a free viewing version on the web.
If you have an Ad Age login you can see it on the spots of the week.

View Ad Age Version
Or go to the

Adidas Website

Mac Attack

I will submit my own opinion on this one.
The new spot launched during the MacWorld conference about the Intel chip. The spot is an obvious cut at the PC world; I quote, "Starting today the Intel chip will be set free and get to live life inside a Mac". Once again an ingenious spot for Apple. Why? well it's true that there is no real chance of Apple taking over the computer market, but in the eyes of the savvy consumer (the target audience) Apple just took the upper hand. Who cares if PC users get mad, who cares if Intel is upset. This ad is made to get Mac users to buy more Macs and be proud of it. Once Intel finds out how many of these chips their selling in Macs, because of Apple's marketing, their complaints will gradually become silent.

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Wanna Hear a Honda?

This spot was submitted by my friend Stephen, a copywriter at Ogilvy NY. He suggested that the best format for the spot would be in a movie theater with surround sound. I couldn't agree more.
Honda is a company built on innovation. Does this spot hit fit the brand?

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Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen, those ARE real bouncy balls!

Let's start with a big one. You've probably seen it before, from friends that thought they were the first to discover it. It's the "Colour Like No Other" spot for the Sony Bravia Television. The spot shows just how powerful it is to do something in reality verses creating it digitally. But just how powerful is it? Will this commercial be a hit to more than just advertisers or has it only put José Gonzáles in your iTunes?

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Introducing Concept Hunter

Come one, come all! This blog is a forum for advertisers and designers to display and discuss creative concepts. Please DO: Post pictures of ads and designwork, Post opinions about work, Submit interesting web addresses. Please DO NOT: Post content not related to advertising or design. Post racy or offensive material of any kind. Thank You and remember "the idea is king."