Now what?

So what now?  My project for class is finished...no more required blogging.  However, I have developed a new interest in this searching and perusing of blogs.  Hopefully it will continue and I will keep making posts, actually, I know I will.  Until then, if you like what I have to say check out my idea blog.  Until then, adieu and good advertising (cheesy, I know...but hey...I need the training!)

Come together

"Come together, right now...over me." Awesome song, awesome lyrics, and it makes awesome ads.  More and more creative teams are now taking this dynamic of combining things, here are a few television examples:

Arnold Worldwide
Boston Office

This ad, though not entirely unique is still entertaining and the style is very popular.  Someone sees a product they like, so they run after it, and others tag along until it is a mob.  I remember seeing this style mostly in clothing commercials, but not as much in car commercials, especially for VW, usually they are a bit more original.  Still the multiplication ad is a classic.

Wieden + Kennedy

Portland Office

This entire campaign is very unique and interactive.  It involves bringing people together through a quest for some prize...when really it is all about Levi's jeans.  This idea that not exactly a ton of people are in the ad but it brings a ton of people into the commercial and campaign goes with the aspect of "a lot of stuff."  And it is a quest, how much fun could that be?

McCann Erickson

New York

This ad brings people of the world together on one place, which is a really good thing.  It also brings them together with coke, which is good branding and true.  Anywhere you travel in the world, it seems you can get a coke.  The part that does bother me, though, is that they are all speaking English.  I would have liked it if everyone was speaking different languages.

Modernista!

Boston Office

The gap cheer factory commercial is on ALL THE TIME and is incredibly annoying, but it brings a big group together.  What is nice is that it doesn't have skimpy uniforms, it has girls that talk about how they want to be covered, which is good.  This commercial presents a universal and has a lot going on (...so...many...colors...).

72 and Sunny

LA office

If you want to make a global effort for something, why not use the globe?  This Discovery Channel commercial is brilliant and incredibly entertaining.  It promotes unity and uses all the Discovery Channel shows to do so.  It is so entertaining and really brings people together with well...a lot of people and different ideas.  What makes it so great is that it is for the Discovery Channel, something that is universal, with a universal idea.

Tiny Tim

A Christmas Story would not be near as memorable without Tiny Tim, the same goes with the small, independent agencies that Morrison would dub "radicals."  Without these little guys we wouldn't have some of the most memorable advertising that lately we have come to love.  Here is a small example of these little boys that aren't so cripple.

Rethink

Maybe there is something in the maple leaves up there in Vancouver or maybe it is just Canadian genius but this is an awesome and interesting way of sharing alternative media.  In a lot of US commercials people venture outside on exercise equipment but eh, the Canadians actually did it.  This campaign really just make me smile at the ingenuity presented by our neighbors to the North.

Droga5

This company knows how to make an ad pop.  Who else would be brave enough to "tag" Airforce 1?  Or fake it even?  Droga5 knows where its at and how to sell adventure.  I think this agency is very well matched with the Tony Hawk video game line, they have the character of a skateboarder and live on the edge, and they are incredibly successful.  This talent goes to their office in the USA in Los Angeles.

La Comunidad

This company works on ads that are for companies that are "popular" like Rolling Stone Magazine and MTV.  This ad from the Buenos Aires office features a man who can either be an office dork or a partier and though it is intriguing, I don't particularly like the message.  I would rather use the concept for masks in another light rather than to promote insanity, but then again I am a 30 year old in a college body.

Ground Zero

fg

To me, this ad is a hilarious stab at the advertising industry...draw graffiti or be a creative director.  I love it, it is humorous...and it is a beer ad that is not too tasteless, genius and different.  This ad shows what makes the "radicals" so entertaining, they can do whatever they want creatively, they are limitless!  This ad is from the LA office.

Strawberryfrog

I have seen this ad time and time again and every time the creativity blows my mind.  Granted, there was a whole movie (and another after the original airdate) based on this concept, but the mental and computer power to create this is astounding.  This ad comes from the Amsterdam office for Chevrolet, so if the movie didn't sell enough cars maybe this will make us all embrace our inner bumblebee.

22 Squared WestWayne

This ad represents one that is advertising and art in one; especially if you look really close and see the face in the...ahem...liquid.  Again, the benefit to being a smaller independent is that you can experiment and come up with more creative material and this ad does just that, from the office in Atlanta, which is considered to be lacking in creativity and ad business attraction...well this sure goes against that assumption.

Modernista!

I remember when this campaign became popular.  It was in high school and everyone had to go to Gap to but (RED).  Now the trend has passed and TOMS shoes are in (which I am currently wearing, FYI) but the commercial greatness lives on.  This dual campaign is from the Boston office.

Wongdoody

Although every time I see this company's name I can't help but snicker, I really like some of their ads.  This one, for a particular poker game from the Seattle office is really interesting due to its irony.  I like how it looks incredibly somber and dramatic, though it is a gambling ad.  It really drew me in when I saw it and I wanted to read it, which is what an ad is supposed to do.

UPS commercial spoof

Andy Izzula and his UPS commercials "Whiteboard" from the Martin Agency are clearly very entertaining, especially since he is the one actually in the ads.  Last night, SNL decided to do a spoof of this, which I find HILARIOUS and will now share with even more of the mass public via Hulu, since youtube seems to be falling behind.

And I did it...MYYYYYY WAAAAYYYYYYY

Independence says a lot about an advertising company's character, especially in this economy.  One torpedo and you are sunk...sorry Titanic...there is no Carpathia to pick up your survivors, they just have to freeze in the North Atlantic.  These companies take their confidence to a new level and some of them generate some of the most original and creative ads to date that can deem them "unsinkable."

Dentsu

If you had to choose one company to be the Titan of Asian advertising it would have to be Dentsu...this Japanese company controls the country's market not to mention has a 20% stake in Publicis, the holding company!  Talk about advertising mafia!  Still, they present great, timeless ads.  This one from the Tokyo headquarters has actually become a tourist attraction that plays a tune if you drive the proper speed.  Now I don't want to say that this backs the stereotype of Eastern genius but....

Wieden+Kennedy

This company is crazy awesome.  It still blows my mind that they started with one campaign and now have built an empire around this one company: Nike.  This is really interesting too because it seems that traditional Nike commercials are their base, still the company has great ads.  I am a big fan of the GO FORTH campaign from the Portland headquarters.  I like how it incorporates the user and uses TV and digital media as a quest...all for Jeans.  They seem totally unrelated but I can really appreciate the campaign.

Bartle Bogle Hegarty

BBH is famous for tasteless AXE ads, known fact.  However, despite this negative image they seem to have created of women I do like this campaign for their London headquarters for Audi.  Still male-dominate with the creative aspect (the fact that it is a toy truck) I really like how the ads fits numerous groups of people and inspires people to purchase the car.  Also, it transcends the age gap, which I think is very important.

Richards Group

Oh Richards Group, I stare at your colossal building everyday wishing I was working there instead of at the mall across the street, sigh.  My favorite ads from this company are easily those that are part of the Chic-fil-a campaign that is driven by cows, so odd, so obvious, yet so unique.  This fast food company is altogether amazing in the idea that they close their offices on Sunday, have no value meal, and are still constantly the top seller of a quick bite.  I love the cows, I wish they would stay around forever...but maybe get some grammar lessons...

Doner

How did I remember this company for my exam? Doner=Detroit=Doner party.  Sad but true that Detroit is dying with the outsourcing of automobile jobs.  Still, although they may be "UPS-ing" the city's business elsewhere, Doner has this great campaign focusing on cardboard.  This ad is from the Detroit office and is for the UPS store, mind you...not like the Martin Agency and UPS itself.

Cramer-Krasselt

This company is known for their creative work with Target.  This ad is for Edward Jones and I like it because it is a lot like the time magazine ads.  It shows that an insurance ad can also be interesting, however I do not think that this is too original of an idea, it looks a bit like Allstate to me, still it is intriguing and makes me think more about the company.  This ad is from the Chicago office.

Just a Charity Case

Pro bono advertising is on the rise.  And, to be honest, is necessary for growth in the industry of both service and advertising.  In my opinion some of the best advertising has come from charity work.  Take Droga5's campaign with UNICEF encouraging people to drink tap water...this literally changed people and an entire continent.  This entire program was spread through advertising.  A movement that I am personally closely affiliated with is I Am Second.  This organization is responsible for getting people to talk about their faith, not necessarily in an evangelistic manner, but merely for communication.  In order to spread the word they created the webpage and advertise in all forms of outdoor media from billboards to bus stops, because of this advertising it is now a nationwide movement after only 10 months of operation.  Advertising truly affects the mass population of the world.

MDC...most definitely creative

This holding company is smaller than some agencies, yet some of the most creative agencies belong to this company, interesting?  I think so.

Crispin Porter + Bogusky

This company is the place to be, if you aren't here you seem to be hated by all the rest.  The work here that Alex Bogusky is producing is crazy, which seems to reflect his personality.  I like this ad because it is a little different from their usual off-the-wall tactics.  From the Miami office, this reflects more of a Bernbach-esque old style type of ad, or even as traditional as Ogilvy.  This ad shows how dynamic the company can be with their campaigns.

VirtoRobertson

This company, based in San Diego, revolutionized Taylor Guitars.  Their focus and ideas on this campaign is astounding and different.  They decided to sell the wood of the guitars, the wood for heaven's sake!  Still this campaign is one of my favorites in the originality category.

Cliff Freeman & Partners

Although this company recently closed its doors, it is a success story.  They made pizza famous by its name...so simple yet so creative.  Lately, I haven't really seen Little Ceasar's Pizza anywhere, except at Kmart, but I really like this commercial, it is captivating and entertaining, so even though we can't expect more from the New York headquarters like this ad, it is still a company that will be sorely missed.

Kirshenbaum Bond

This ad is just...different.  From the New York office the creatives take a completely different approach to the Frosty.  But I like it, it really shows how dynamic one brand can be.  Wendy's will always be tasty and my one of my personal favorites but this ad shows that the company is more than just the old-school hamburgers, it is creative.

Put your face on

Sometimes innovation does not seem so original.  Take make-up commercials, for example.  They all seem to possess the same elements: celebrity, flash a smile, buy my product.  Not so original.  This really bothers me a lot.  For heaven's sake you are selling something that could change someone's life, so why do all your ideas have to be the same?   A make-up commercial has endless potential, just like creativity, so let's use it, shall we?

Number 2

How does it feel to always come in second place?  Not good, so the mighty Publicis must win again in competition with the other Parisian holding company.  Still, HAVAS is a valuable company that has some of the most technologically advanced agencies in its arsenal.

Arnold Worldwide

Lately I have been working on a creative brief for my Intro to Creativity Advertising class.  My product is Amtrak, so of course this campaign speaks to me.  I like how the campaign as a whole reflects Arnold Worldwide.  They are the relaxed company and this ad concentrates on relaxation.  This also shows the variety of work the Boston office can put out, from claymation bunny rabbits to relaxing on a train, Arnold Worldwide just makes you say "ahhhhhhh."

Euro RSCG

This company is wholly known for their digital work at their Chicago headquarters.  I particularly like this campaign.  The idea with this is a lot like W+K's "Go Forth" for Levi's jeans.  It takes the idea that a Volvo is a treasure and pairs it with the Pirates craze of 2007 into a treasure trove of a campaigns and marketing.  Here, people can participate in the overall strategy without merely just taking in an ad.  And, in the long run, this probably has a pretty low production cost in the grand scheme of things, digital and a free car, how awesome could you get?

McKinney

Raleigh, NC is not the particular location for an agency, but McKinney makes it work.  After taking Nationwide from TM in Dallas this company has shown that it is ready to compete.  After shaking up the travel industry with the Travelocity gnome this agency is creative and innovative, yet surprisingly simple.  Brillant, simply brillaint.

Random

I feel like while studying these ads that creativity is something random...it is something unexpected and different, and also difficult.  It seems like whenever I think of an idea someone has done it before, and now I want it to be my job: originality.  This poses a problem, but also a challenge to succeed.

PUBLICIS

This french agency has crossed the waters to become the currently-ranked #3 holding company in the world, but constantly switches places with Interpublic for the bronze in Advertising.  The companies in this holding company are known for being worldwide and unconventional.

Publicis

The central agency of the holding company, this business has become a worldwide phenomenon and is not afraid to cross any lines.  After running this campaign for pizza using the unconventional media approach of using smoking paper to print the ads, the Italy office of Publicis had to endure all kinds of storm from anti-smoking groups, yet this campaign did sell the product, though through questionable means.

Saatchi & Saatchi

This ad from the New York office shows the true talent of this agency.  This ad is a clear example of the idea that "it's not about what it's about."  This idea of destroying a playground for a crest toothpaste commercial?  Somebody had a weird train of thought, but hey...it sells the product.  No wonder this won a Clio and many other awards.

Leo Burnett

Leo Burnett not only has its claim to fame through apples on the reception desk and time and time again breaking the perception that this agency would just run itself into the ground.  Leo Burnett created some of the most timeless ad icons of the world, most famously are Tony the Tiger and the Jolly Green Giant.  From their Chicago office, this ad from 1970 demonstrates the early brilliance of this agency.

Fallon Worldwide

Fallon tends to pump out ads that are, well, different.  This company based in Minneapolis (and the source of the commercial) is famous for their interesting type of campaigns, from throwing bouncy balls down the streets of San Francisco to convincing you that a hotel is better via rodeo clowns (per the example above).  This ad campaign boosted the business of Holiday Inn not because of the superior quality of the hotels (though I concur that the showers are out of this world) but because they approached the ad in an unconventional manner.


 Kaplan Thaler Group

It seems that some products have that image that just sticks with you.  Just like the Geico Gecko, the Aflac Duck has become an icon in advertising.  Though annoying, it does share a message that sticks.  The motto of Kaplan is "we make unknown brands famous," and like the swiffer wetjet, they have made insurance, memorable. This ad is from the New York office and headquarters.

Three's a Crowd, the Main Countries of Advertising

"I always say that there are three kinds of advertising.  Then English make advertising that comes from the head but touches the heart: it's always rather intellectual.  The French make advertising that comes from the heart and touches the head: it often relies on imagery that is romantic, emotional and sensual.  The Americans make advertising that comes from the head and touches the wallet." (From Seguela, Adland pg 127)

This statement made me think, does advertising follow this format?  I have selected 3 ADs, all from DDB, to demonstrate this assumed phenomenon.  Granted, this is not always correct, but very interesting to observe all the same.

London

What does this look like?  An ad for food, right?  Seems to automatically appeal to the brain, doesn't it?  Yes, but what gives it away is not the image but the copy, "You'll love them or you'll hate them."  By telling the audience the emotion they will feel it automatically evokes thought, not feeling which shows an example of stereotyped advertising.

Paris

This ad screams relationship appeal.  And it really does touch the heart at first, and then goes to the brain.  What is really funny is even though this is an ad for a men's magazine, it seems to appeal more to women.  It appeals to the fantasy and then creates the mental picture that tugs at the heart, a classic example of French advertising.

New York

This campaign is what made Bill Bernbach famous.  And although the quote critique is harsh, it is correct.  Take a look at the copy, although this ad was revolutionary in sharing the idea of anti-advertising, it is all facts and figures, which also goes with the assumption in Adland.

Interpublic=Incest

Interpublic is one of those companies, the one where the holding company is actually based in an agency so they can get more people in their bed, figuratively speaking, of course.  This holding company, which constantly switches with Publicis in the rankings is based in McCann Erickson who wanted more clients...so they made a holding company.  Okay...well here are some examples of their work.

McCann Erickson

I freaking love this ad!  It is so interesting and intriguing, and like most of the work form McCann Erickson, it is something that breaks the language barrier.  This ad is from the Columbia office, yet it speaks to everyone, "to have a good day fix the inside first." Bravo McCann, you deserve to be the big player in this holding group.

The Martin Agency



After a lot of drama around Walmart I really like the work that the Martin Agency is presenting out of Richmond, VA.  The ads are really creative and don't actually talk about the store or have than annoying bouncing smiley face.  This agency is currently one of my favorites because what it generates is totally original, and endearing, without having that annowing commercial aspect...except those creepy GEICO eyes on the money...I could do without those.

TM Advertising

Now I gotta give "Uncle Temerlin" some props.  Without this company I may not be an advertising major at SMU.  Aside from that, their ads are really creative and interesting, as well as not so traditional. This campaign for Nationwide Insurance, which they recently lost to McKinney, is brilliant.  It not only works for the insurance agency, it also advertises for Coops paint, so in a way it is killing two birds with one stone.  Not only that, it is advertising both companies in a non-traditional way.
Draftfcb

This company is known for their "out there" ads, and no wonder, they are creative!  Who else would make a hoax of tagging Air Force 1?  This ad from Hong Kong keeps with the idea that the people at Draftfcb are well...different, but in a good and creative way.

Lowe

This company is one of the many creative outlets for axe body spray.  Between BBH and the other companies that work with unilever, this is personally one of my favorite ads.  I like how it is tasteful and it makes you think, like most of Lowe's work.  However, there still exist the obvious axe undertones, still as a whole it is simple, creative, and to the point.

Carmichael Lynch

According to Richard Florida, Minneapolis is a creativity brain drain, however these print ads for Harley-Davidson are simply beautiful.  I do find this ironic, though, because it is only warm enough to even ride a harley in Minneapolis about 4 months out of the year.  Still, they hit the nail on the head on this one.  And now, these ads for a motorcycle company seem even a bit...endearing?  I do wish that this campaign had more of a market for women, though, that would be interesting to see...

Hill Holliday

This ad makes me wish that they didn't close the Dunkin Donuts in Snider Plaza so I could go snag this caramel drink.  From Boston, this ad carries a very universal and interesting message about the contents of the coffee drinks at Dunkin Donuts...it looks like candy!  And candy is soooo much better than coffee...I just gotta have some!!

Deutsch


This ad is from the LA office.  I like it because, finding it today, it is timely for the preview of the holiday season.  I think it is incredibly creative, though not necessarily that original.  Deutsch does, however, know how to make a diet drink seem interesting, put in Santa...the creation of Coca-cola...brilliant?

Mullen

This ad from the Boston office is just hilarious...the company is advertising for themselves, a bit cocky, but hey, it is brilliantly entertaining.  Part of me wishes that there was really a giant turkey threatening impending doom on Boston, it look so menacing after all!  Though incredibly literal, this ad is still highly entertaining.

Campbell Mithun

People seem to always be ragging on Campbell Mithun.  Here they are, in Minneapolis, with a lot of power companies around and they can't seem to get any amount of local business and recognition.  Still, I really like the "partnership" series that they have put out; both the TV commercials and print ads are really entertaining and interesting.  Still,  I don't really know how effective they are.  It seems that like with anti-smoking commercials people are going to keep doing what they like to do, no matter how good the advertising is.

TAG SF



Any company that gets to advertise for Halo is lucky.  After living in the dorms last year on a male-dominated floor, I can safely say that people OBSESS over the game, so they will buy it.  Still, for theSan Francisco headquarters of TAG they managed to make the ad great and interesting, not to mention transcending of age barriers.  Kids that play with army men grow up to play Halo...a slippery slope but still the makings of a great ad campaign.

 R/GA

After a recent merger with Interpublic it is interesting to see how this effects the creative experience of R/GA in the transfer from self-ownership.  Their work with Nikeid is really interesting.  I love shoes, so any website that allows me to design my own is going to be great to me.

apples

"An apple a day keeps the doctor away."  This philosophy may be true, but we do know that apples can keep you in business.  Adman Leo Burnett founded one of the most famous advertising companies for his namesake in some of the most peculiar settings.  He started this during the Great Depression and in Chicago.  People called him crazy, they said he should be out there selling apples on the street and that would make more money.  Something about this must have stirred Leo Burnett because now, sitting on the reception desk of the company is an Apple, free for the taking for all the patrons of the company that brought the world the Jolly Green Giant, Tony the Tiger and the Marlboro Man.

WPP Group...the Omega of Advertising

If OMINICOM is considered the "Alpha" of advertising then WPP Group is definitely it's compliment.  Currently surpassing OMNICOM as the number 1 company, with less than a billion dollars separating the two, WPP Group is a giant in the advertising world, with only 4 companies, mind you.

Ogilvy & Mather




This company is responsible for companies such as Dove, IBM, Nestle and Motorola, however the also do amazing work for others.  This Coca-cola ad is an example of that.  By using their charismatic creativity and throwing in the twist, this ad is incredibly creative and is good quality.  Also, despite that the not usual W+K or Crispin producing this ad, it follows the format.  Kudos to the Buenos Aires office for this ad!

Y&R


This ad from the New York office shows the relaxed atmosphere that this company tries to create with their commercials.  Even on their website, they want a sense of universal understanding, which is attributed to dividing each side into right and left brain, with certain topics enclosed in those areas.  This ad also does this by combining creative and analytical into one great commercial for Bacardi.

JWT

This company, considered the oldest in advertising is a marvel.  They invented just about everything and are now a worldwide empire that continues to chug out great ads.  Here they take the universal hero of martial arts, Bruce Lee, and have him play ping-pong with nunchucks.  How cool is that?  Granted it is a cell phone ad, and made in Beijing, therefore I cannot understand it, however this is excellent.  It conveys the message that the product is extreme, and though it seems ordinary (Nokia has that stereotype) it has superpowers, much like Lee seems to possess.

Grey

The hair care ad...not so original, right?  Well, considering that Grey created this idea Pantene is "for hair so healthy, it shines" for Procter and Gamble I would consider it brilliance.  It takes true talent to create the norms of the advertising business and still have great work.  With their advanced graphics and endless celebrity contacts, this seems to be a reality for this client.   Though this campaign ran worldwide, this commercial is from the London office.

A fond farewell

Advertising legend Bill Bernbach was a genius before he created his own company.  In his farewell letter to NW Ayer he expressed these concerns before germinating a new method of creative advertising.  The raw talent of this man and his philosophy is clear through this letter and dictates how he changed the industry for the world of tomorrow.

May 15, 1947

Our agency is getting big. That’s something to be happy about. But it’s something to worry about, too, and I don’t mind telling you I’m damned worried. I’m worried that we’re going to fall into the trap of bigness, that we’re going to worship techniques instead of substance, that we’re going to follow history instead of making it, that we’re going to be drowned by superficialities instead of buoyed up by solid fundamentals. I’m worried lest hardening of the creative arteries begin to set in.

There are a lot of great technicians in advertising. And unfortunately they talk the best game. They know all the rules. They can tell you that people in an ad will get you greater readership. They can tell you that a sentence should be this sort or that long. They can tell you that body copy should be broken up for easier reading. They can give you fact after fact after fact. They are the scientists of advertising. But there’s one little rub. Advertising is fundamentally persuasion and persuasion happens to be not a science, but an art.

It’s that creative spark that I’m so jealous of for our agency and that I am so desperately fearful of losing. I don’t want academicians. I don’t want scientists. I don’t want people who do the right things. I want people who do inspiring things.

In the past year I must have interviewed about 80 people – writers and artists. Many of them were from the so-called giants of the agency field. It was appalling to see how few of these people were genuinely creative. Sure, they had advertising know-how. Yes, they were up on advertising technique.

But look beneath the technique and what did you find? A sameness, a mental weariness, a mediocrity of ideas. But they could defend every ad on the basis that it obeyed the rules of advertising. It was like worshiping a ritual instead of the God.

All this is not to say that technique is unimportant. Superior technical skill will man a good man better. But the danger is a preoccupation with technical skill or the mistaking of technical skill for creative ability.

The danger lies in the temptation to buy routinized men who have a formula for advertising.  The danger lies In the natural tendency to go after tried-and-true talent that will not make us stand out in competition but rather make us look like all the others.

If we are to advance we must emerge as a distinctive personality. We must develop our own philosophy and not have the advertising philosophy of others imposed on us.

Let us blaze new trails. Let us prove to the world that good taste, good art, and good writing can be good selling.

Respectfully,
Bill Bernbach

Excerpted from “Bill Bernbach’s Book: A History of Advertising That Changed the History Advertising” © by Evelyn Bernbach and Bob Levenson.

OMNICOM...the name spells power.

OMNICOM, one of the largest holding companies in the world that literally is half responsible for basically controlling the advertising market (next to WPP group).  These companies have fused together some of the most well-known and well-received ads in the world with countless awards to their names.  Here are some examples from this mega company.

BBDO

     BBDO is famous for their Pepsi ads...though they always seem to follow the same criteria, but take it up a notch each time.  It is always a deserted area, there is always a celebrity, and mostly a "diss" to Coke.  However, with this ad they seem to have finally caught on to the Coke idea that it is important to talk about the positives...alas, Britney Spears still appears close to naked.

DDB
     
     DDB is responsible for bringing the VW to the point that it exists today with the "think small" campaign.  This ad brings the idea to the 21st century and has a fight scene and reminds me oddly of the Matrix...even the fighting yourself part.  This ad demonstrates how this company can keep a client satisfied with projects.  This ad was created by the London office, DDB London.  CLIO 2009 Bronze winner.

TBWA
     
     Thankfully, this company did recover from the boom (1984) and bust (Lemmings) and later boom (Hi I'm a Mac) of the Apple campaign and now makes clever and, in my opinion, bizarre ads.  This company seems to breathe weird, though not the freaky-weird but more of the clever-weird.  The idea of "reflect the rainbow" seems almost as a racial slur after observing the 5 different nationalities in the commercial, still it deserves some props, it did win a 2009 CLIO.  Working with the TBWA/Chiat/Day office in New York  clever skittles campaign was born...now only if I can get that singing rabbit out of my head...

Goodby Silverstein & Partners
    
    This agency is known for it's creative and "out there" ads.  This one in particular, by the San Francisco office clearly presents that notion.  While watching it, all I can think of is a mind-map, and the endless possibilities that it has, much like the creative minds of Goodby.  This ad takes something that every company seems to advertise for, and makes it something new and innovative, purely inspirational. CLIO 2009 winner.

180 Amsterdam/180 LA

     The background story of this company is the reason why the ads are so unique.  After working at W+K some creatives were accused of working with Adidas, while they were also with Nike.  These were lies, but after being fired 180 was born and decided to make these a reality, in Amsterdam.  In one of the most-hastily made campaigns ever, this Adidas spot is amazingly creative, along with the rest of 180's work.  All of it seems to have that little something, and the will to fight for success, with fish.

GSD&M Idea City

     This company may be falling on hard times, but they are truly hall-of-fame, change-the-world kind of people after this anti-litter campaign.  After running the first spot with Matthew McConaughey this has become a phenomenon in Texas.  Sure, I heard about it before I moved to Dallas, but now...it is impossible to go anywhere without seeing this bumper sticker.  Heck, I am pretty sure people even have tattoos of this slogan.  The creativity of these Texans is courtesy of Austin, from the college the personifies Texas, UT.

Dieste Harmel & Partners

     Dieste is a company that knows the Latin market, not only that but they are creative.  This ad, from the Dallas office, illustrates how a message can be shared over a language barrier.  The chips are a tough flavor to get, but they are good.  By working in this way, Dieste can advertise to an even larger target market with less work, all together making things great for them.




LatinWorks


     This ad has character.  Though, yes it does help that I personally am fluent in Spanish, once again the message transcends language barriers.  The nostalgia in this ad is what makes it so special.  LatinWorks tends to create ads that give you feeling, like the skittles llama and they do not even need to be in your own native language.  We all grieve a lost friend, especially of the porcine variety, right?

Martin/Williams
     
     This ad from the Minneapolis is beautiful.  It showcases the artistic ability of this company without making outlandish claims or seeming redone.  The people at Martin often pick clearly dynamic ads, which can be shown by shadows and in black and white.  Not only does this ad show creativity, but it shows human potential in the way that it represents the creativity of individuals, with their hands. CLIO 2009 winner.

Responsible products

In Advertising, a company needs to portray a good message, a solid beginning, middle, and end with the product in mind, along with a strong dose of creativity to make a good ad.  Here are some examples of some good ads.  Basically, if these were my boyfriend, I wouldn't be afraid to take them home.


Example #1:
Tide Stain (Superbowl 2008)
Richards Group, Dallas

This ad is clear and to the point. Not only that but it is funny. How many times do people find it hard to understand thing because other people are in the way? Make them speak a different language and it is nearly impossible. This ad is not only considered "responsible" but it is about being responsible. Who would go to a job interview with a huge stain on their shirt and then expect to get that job? Not many people. This teaches a lesson and is good advertising.


Example #2
Nike
Wieden + Kennedy , Portland

This is a great ad. period. It adds emphasis to the normal person and empowers them for being the way they are instead of forcing some kind of change. This is what I really like about Nike, they don't sell the product, they sell the lifestyle. Plus, the ad has visual appeal with the falling words and the pretty colors. It overall just makes me feel good, and confident about myself...as I sit here writing while wearing my Nike running shorts...


Example #3
T-Mobile "Dance"
Saatchi & Saatchi London
Clio winner 2009

This ad is wonderful. It successful jumps onto the bandwagon of street dancing that seems to be going on. Then, it takes on all kinds of music, making it appealing to everyone. It also promotes a tone of unity in one of the most individualist mind places in the world, a train station. People are only thinking about their destination, usually, but here they work together. This also is not solely focused on the product but rather how it makes people feel and brings them togerther, also therefore earning the title of a "Responsible ad."

Ethically Sound?

Sometimes ads are inappropriate.  Though perception is what dictates what is inappropriate.  For me, many ads cross the line whether they are killing, overly sexual (c'mon, kids see this stuff!), or just downright lies, they are not right. period.

Example #1
Daisy
BBDO, New York

This is possibly one of the most unethical ads of all time.  Let's scare you into voting for Johnson by blowing up a child.  Wonderful.  He won.
Example #2
Jenny Craig Kirstie Alley
JWT, New York

This ad is really just grossly inappropriate (though it seems tame at first), along with all other ads dealing with fitness and weight loss. Telling people they are fat and then giving them the "miracle cure" never works, it just makes them fatter and wanting your product again to "make it work" (think Mean Girls and the Swedish nutrition bars "It makes you gain weight...but its just water, then you lose 10 pounds like that!" yeah right, Lindsay Lohan.) What makes these ads so aweful is that the companies make it look like it is normal people saying this...and that they had similar problems, they even show you a before picture! In the commercial, they do tell you that results are not typical, but you buy the product anyway! It is all brainwashing. Lose all the weight you want for $49, yeah right...that and the gym membership...oh, and the cost of food.

Example #3:
Axe Day and Night
Lowe, Montevideo

This ad is just plain disgusting and tasteless.  Granted, Axe has gone through their share of clever campaigns, "Bowchickawowow" was odd but still sold the product.  Here, this crosses the line.  All the ad does is show the sex, it barely even mentions the product.  Yes, it does have a cool effect but all in all it is tasteless, vulgar, and demeaning to women as a whole.  Honestly, just put up sex, it is basically the same thing.

Social Justice in the Advertising World

Many times advertising agencies will do some work for non-profit organizations to promote social justice, maybe it is to get more recognition, but these ads do seem to say 1000 words for the good of the world.

Example 1:

Publicis New England for Amnesty International

This ad is incredibly effective.  By using two billboards it already catches twice the attention that is needed.  Also, the caption reads "Make some noise for those who can't be heard" on the bottom and the woman is screaming on the top.  This ad creatively shows the mission of Amnesty International, to get the global message to spread about problems in other countries.  Also, the fact that the ad is generic on the bottom (black and white, and no racial distinction though presumably African) shows the global issue at hand while connecting it to an image of a normal, everyday girl.

Example #2

Dove Self Esteem Campaign

Ogilvy & Mather, Toronto

This commercial demonstrates the idea of "true beauty" and how the media changes that perception.  All in all, I think it respectfully lets women around the world know that even supermodels can go into the studio looking like average, everyday American women and technology changes them into the perfect dolls that we see everyday.  This entire campaign by Dove is about confidence and empowerment and overall works for social justice in an unjust world.

Example #3:

"Play Your Part" American Red Cross

sponsored by the Ad council

This ad takes one of the most debated parts of advertising, celebrity endorsements, and makes it into a good thing.  Not only that, but it plays upon a disaster, so therefore it will get people's attention.  Often times, a celebrity will make or break an ad, but here these show the humanity of these people and how they are just willing to help.  The PSA also takes another level of depth by creating the idea of a band...an American Dream, you and your friends, making a band and helping people to love your sound.  This allows for even more success in this ad, it makes the celebrities normal, and does good.

Example #4:

"Make your Mark" National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Wieden + Kennedy, New York

This campaign is about spreading awareness to a common problem in the world: multiple sclerosis.  This ad is especially effective because it makes an immediate call to action, hang the ad in your window with the letters crossed out.  This helps involve a secondary readership in a whole new way, with this campaign, Wieden + Kennedy successful spreads responsibility, without hurting or scaring others, and creates widespread participation and the sharing of a message.