The Internet is abuzz about how the much-anticipated and very expensive Ad Bowl fared in Sunday's big game. Good thing: the game itself was such a blowout it was not one for the ages, so at least we had Bruno Mars and the ads to look forward to. Otherwise, that's a lot of bean dip and chips that would have gone to waste. I was underwhelmed by most of the ads this year. They were either retreads … [Read more...]
Shared purpose and animated pigs that make you cry
Can an animated ad touch your heart and make you weep? It happened to me during the Grammy Awards last week. Everyone's been talking about the Chipotle 2- minute long commercial that aired. My husband and I were literally turning the TV off and going to bed when it came on and stopped dead in our tracks in silence to watch the whole thing. The killer choice of the mournful Willie Nelson song … [Read more...]
Microsoft grabs the right position
Are you a Mac or a PC? The epic battle between Apple and Microsoft rages onward, although these days Apple appears to be kicking butt - at least on the consumer front. It's hard to believe that the iPhone has only been around a few years, not to mention the even younger iPad. The Apple brand is a storied case study in what it means to capture imagination and emotion - and create a defined … [Read more...]
Best and Worst of Super Bowl XLV: Do you agree?
I don’t. First off, GO PACKERS! I was excited to see them win if I couldn’t have the Jets in the game. Secondly, was anyone else a bit disappointed in the ad fare this year? Given how much companies are spending these days for a :30 spot ($3.1 million, and that’s just for the airtime, never mind the production cost of the ad itself), you’d have thought you’d get….I don’t know, MORE. … [Read more...]
Mobile, Mea Culpa and the Brat Pack: 2011 Advertising Trends
Loved this WSJ article by Suzanne Vranica on Monday about the 2011 trends in advertising. Not surprisingly, interactivity, personalization and new technologies lead the pack in what’s hot for 2011. But just as with fashion, there are a few interesting themes emerging (or re-emerging, as the case may be) that might look good on the catwalk this year, but frighten us the next. The trend that … [Read more...]