Wait, Wait......?

Stepping off the plane from Dallas to Amarillo, I saw this gem in the jetway.

So, I get the point; they've got it all. Planes, lodging and car rental. A hotel in her right hand, a plane in her left. And then a car just awkwardly there. I think I'd at least rearrange the items so the plane was free-floating. I joke. Also, anyone notice she's about to dive into the atmosphere without a parachute pack? Clearly she lives on the wild side.

Just when I thought my advertising laughter had been satisfied for the day, we came across this...

Read it. Read it again. I KNEW tanning was beneficial. Wait, wait...?

Ultimate Clean

Actual Situation.
You have traveled 20 hours over 2 days driving to the South. Scratch that- to the back country of Tennessee. After sitting in hours of traffic, you exit your nice air-conditioned car and have to pitch your tent before dark. Even though it's 4 o'clock, the 100 degree sun still gets to you, really quickly. But you know the faster your tents are set up, the faster you can enjoy some shade. So you do it. Fast. And now, you're dripping sweat, exhausted and in serious need of a cold beverage.

You stop to rest and realize it's only Thursday night of Bonnaroo.

As you trudge on through the heat, your hours become days, and you start going crazy. You start doing... dun, dun, dun... math equations

Exhaustion x 4
Heat x 2
Delirium x 15
= Saturday afternoon

What could you use more than anything? A nice, cold booth and something fresh: like a new hair-do.

Solution.
That's exactly what Garnier provided over the 4-day festival. A (literally) cool place you could go and chill, "sing in the shower", and get a new cut to complement that fresh, clean head of hair.

Mmm... Tasty

This is exactly how I want to envision my fish in a can.


I don't even need the ad to be in English to understand.

They don't even know...

This advertisement literally gave me a laughing attack. I got off my bus to transfer to the sky train and looked back at my bus, as I often do, to see all of the window sitters... sitting on toilets. I started laughing so hard I cried. Some locals saw me laughing and looked utterly confused, so I pointed to the bus and they started laughing too. The best part about the people in the bus? They didn't even know...

Double Size THIS.

I was eating at BK the other day (how totally American of me), and I saw an ad for the Chic'n Crisp, BBQ Bacon, and Pork BBQ burgers.


The best part of this ad is not the shields depicting the types of meat: chicken, beef and pork.

The best part, without a doubt, is wondering whether or not these burgers come "with fries and a coke at regular size" or actually "with fries and a coke at regular size + fries and a coke." As seen below...

Thai Delights

Talk about some ads that really make you want chocolate. I'm not much of a chocolate fan, but with the strawberry cream and chocolate basically oozing out, I couldn't help it. I had to go to 7-11 and try one as soon as I got off the sky train. I still miss my Milkyways and Snickers from home, but these Thai delights will do for now.

Building Blocks of Life

Emporium, one of the premiere shopping malls in Bangkok, opened a Lego display last week that is absolutely unbelievable. The display includes work stations for children, Bangkok building and landmark replicas made from Legos, a stage where kids can show their own creativity through dancing, singing and acting, and (of course) lego products. Every time I've been by the mall, the Lego area is completely packed with tourists and locals alike, snapping photos and encouraging their children to play. It's a wonderful world when busy adults can be taken back to youth, remembering it's always an adventure to create.

Fast Just Got a Little Lazier

Why do we love fast food so much? It can't be pure quality or dining experience. It's not because it's cheap (there's no dollar menu here). It's not because it's fast (most items are made to order). We like fast food, not because we want it fast, but because we like things to be easy.

The fast food in Bangkok allows for an easier time: Fast food delivery. It might be the greatest thing since, well, fast food.

Heineken

Talk about a new stance about global warming. All political and personal views aside, I like that this buzz word has taken on a new meaning in Heineken ads. People are all about living "green," buying grocery bags from recycled materials, and wearing clothes reminding people to recycle, etc. But would anyone actually sacrifice a cold beer for the sake of the environment? Probably not. Thank you Heineken for helping us survive global warming!

Branding in a 3rd World Country

What is a Lexus? Go to Cambodia and you'll see.

Crossing over from the Thai border into Cambodia is a major moment. You think, "I've really just entered a 3rd world country." People are pulling large carts filled with items to sell, something you'd expect during the 1890's in any major city. Naked toddlers are running through the streets and playing in mud. Elephants are, unlike the States, used for transporting goods.

But then we arrived in Siem Reap, which is possibly the richest place (relatively) in all of Cambodia. Although tuk-tuks, motorbikes and taxis cover the road, there are sporadic sightings of Lexus SUVs. But it's not the sight of a Lexus that is the spectacle; it's the branding decals.





Entering this country, I never would have thought an 8-year old child would know what a Lexus was. I was wrong.

Uniformity

Isn't the whole point of an advertising campaign uniformity?

Take Coors for example. Great branding campaign: the blue mountains.

The biggest let-down? A luke-warm beer... when all you want is a cold, refreshing beer to, literally, chill out. That's why the blue mountains are a clever way to let the consumer know they are getting what they want.



I've seen Coors implement this campaign on their packaging (bottles and cans) for awhile now, but the other day I saw a great addition: Coors glasses. There is a new bar/eatery in downtown Waco that opened recently: Square Bar. I went with my boyfriend to watch a Celtics playoff game, and two friends joined us after half-time. They ordered Coors, and the beer arrived in beautifully branded Coors cups with blue mountains, signifying its cold, crisp taste.

I've been amazed by this ever since.

Until today. When all of my excitement went down the tube after seeing a Coors truck outside Viteks. It lacked the blue mountains and left me utterly disappointed.

"The Hint"

Setting: You're about to graduate, and your long-time sweetheart hasn't proposed to you.

Actions
a. Grow up for awhile and then consider marriage.
b. Propose to him
c...


Really?! Do people actually do things like that?!

Greatest Nike Commercial (circa 2006)

I forgot how much this commercial made me laugh. I hope it brings lots of laughter to your day.

HERE I COME!!!!!!!!!
CANNONBALL!!!!!!!!!!

Get your booty to the gym

This is one way to say it...



(Fitness First, Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

The Bachelor

I have never watched either of these shows (Bachelor/ Bachelorette), yet somehow facebook has made me want to watch 'The Bachelor' by providing viral marketing for this show.

For three hours after the show, my friends were updating their statuses like crazy.

Tough Times

I'm excited to see how advertising will change in the next year or so, specifically due to the economic downturn. Ad agencies and marketing firms will be forced to stretch their dollars... and hopefully engage in interesting guerilla tactics.

To the streets!!!

A few months ago Burger King dropped wallets on Chicago streets.
Contents:
-Map containing Burger King locations
-GIft card to Burger King
-A Burger King ID
-A Burger King sticker
-Cash ($1-$100)
-A pack of gum (Not really, but it would have been a nice touch!)

Get it, King...

Talking about my generation

When Dad used to work for Pepsi, every time we said "Coke" we had to say "Pepsi, Pepsi, Pepsi" as if to redeem ourselves. I grew up on Pepsi, and honestly never knew anything other than Mountain Dew, Mug Root Beer, Orange Slice...

Drastic change in college. I started drinking only Coca-Cola. I would even ask at restaurants if they served Coke or Pepsi products.

Server: We sell Pepsi.
Me: I'll have a water.

Just before the Super Bowl, Pepsi launched a whole new campaign. They redesigned the Pepsi logo, packaging, and most importantly (to me, at least) the commercials. I DVRed the Super Bowl so I could re-watch the Pepsi ads. And my favorite...

What a terrific re-branding job since TBWA's acquisition of Pepsi's American account. May I have a Pepsi?

Snuggie... Sales of 4 million units?!

I heard it on the news. I didn't believe it, so I did further research. And there it was: the first link on google. To Ad Age. It's legit. Hard to believe, but so serious.

The Snuggie commercials have become a favorite between my friends and me. People around in a circle... roasting marshmallows. Looks like some freaky cult. Oh, and my favorite- at a sporting event. Will the day ever come where I'll see the Snuggie in action in a public place? Of course I sent out a mass text "Just in: the snuggie has sold 4 million units!!!!!!!!!!!"

Expected responses: "hahaha" "no way" "that thing actually sold?!"

Actual response: Good to know! My mom bought 5...

The Snuggie is infiltrating my life.

http://adage.com/article?article_id=134080 (If you, also, need proof)

New Blog

Things I love: music, advertising, creativity, company.

I already blog about music, why not advertising?

Last summer Pantene created a campaign where they would insert 4 or 5 sequential ads in magazines. I thought that was genius, but I knew it had to be very expensive (although P&G can afford a lot). I picked up an InStyle at the grocery store today. I read magazines backwards, starting at the end and ending at the beginning. The last 14 pages (so the first) were all gap ads. That blew Pantene away. Hopefully this campaign works out for Gap, which has recently been passed by Zara as the world's largest fashion retailer.