Have you seen the T-Mobile ad with all the people dancing on Liverpool Street station?
As psychologists will tell you, anything that moves along with you, feels as though it is somehow part of you e.g. your clothing, your car. There is a feeling of great one-ness when other people do the same thing at the same time as you do e.g. having sex, marching armies.
Anyone want to join me dancing in the street?
Watch the dance on YouTube.
Saturday 31 January 2009
Thursday 29 January 2009
Ads I wish I'd written (part 6)
"I in 5 people have dandruff. 1 in 4 people have mental health problems. I've had both."
So says Ruby Wax in a Government 'Time for Change' print ad to end mental health discrimination.
Read about the campaign.
The text seems simple, doesn't it. Short and sweet. And poignant.
But it couldn't have been written without a considerable amount of inspiration and research.
Another reason why copywriters don't charge by the word!
So says Ruby Wax in a Government 'Time for Change' print ad to end mental health discrimination.
Read about the campaign.
The text seems simple, doesn't it. Short and sweet. And poignant.
But it couldn't have been written without a considerable amount of inspiration and research.
Another reason why copywriters don't charge by the word!
Sunday 25 January 2009
There's no such thing as bad publicity
I'm often telling my clients that 'bottom-up' testimonials sell you far better than 'top down' marketing-speak*. And that customer reviews are becoming increasingly important as sales tools e.g. Amazon and Tripadvisor.
But what do you do if you get a bad review?
Pub owner challenges mystery reviewer to a duel.
With a great sense of humour like that, I bet the pub gets more custom now!
* That's why testimonial writing is one of the services I provide.
But what do you do if you get a bad review?
Pub owner challenges mystery reviewer to a duel.
With a great sense of humour like that, I bet the pub gets more custom now!
* That's why testimonial writing is one of the services I provide.
Saturday 24 January 2009
Is this topical or what?
From the Australian Daily Telegraph 22/1/09 (with thanks to Wilbur).
So what can small business-owners learn from this? It's always wise to keep an eye on what's happening in the media, and see how you can turn the news to your advantage.
Friday 23 January 2009
Wednesday 21 January 2009
Longer lasting sex is BANNED
Quite right too!
Read all about it on www.guardian.co.uk.
Top tip Media placement is key. This ad might be fine in Viz, but not on the High Street. Sanpro ads are OK in Woman magazine, but not on CeeBeebies. And, if you provide training for ex-service personnel, like my newest client, advertising in the army resettlement magazine makes perfect sense. As they say in marketing and in the military, it's all about targeting.
Read all about it on www.guardian.co.uk.
Top tip Media placement is key. This ad might be fine in Viz, but not on the High Street. Sanpro ads are OK in Woman magazine, but not on CeeBeebies. And, if you provide training for ex-service personnel, like my newest client, advertising in the army resettlement magazine makes perfect sense. As they say in marketing and in the military, it's all about targeting.
Tuesday 20 January 2009
Monday 19 January 2009
Sunday 18 January 2009
Saturday 17 January 2009
Wednesday 14 January 2009
Where's Wally?
Car ads have gone interactive:
Count the 80 Kas. (It's easier if you watch in high definition.)
Spot the faces in the buildings in the ad for Nissan Qashqai.
Just like when you're driving, you have to concentrate!
Count the 80 Kas. (It's easier if you watch in high definition.)
Spot the faces in the buildings in the ad for Nissan Qashqai.
Just like when you're driving, you have to concentrate!
Those were the days, my friend
Davy Jones is profiled on the Biography Channel tonight at 9pm, in which we learn that the casting advert for The Monkees read:
'Running parts for four insane boys, age 17-21."
Hmm, how many modern-day political correctness laws does that wording break, do you think?
'Running parts for four insane boys, age 17-21."
Hmm, how many modern-day political correctness laws does that wording break, do you think?
"It's crunchy. And it's chewy."
That's what the Willie Rushton used to claim in olde worlde ads for the Double Decker chocolate bar.
Now there's a breakfast cereal making the same claim.
Crunchy Nut Bites are "new bite-size pieces of crisp golden cereal baked with crunchy chopped nuts and chewy caramel".
Caramel?
I haven't read the side of the box to check the ingredients, but isn't that a bit rich at a time when people are worried about obese children eating too much sugary cereal?
Now there's a breakfast cereal making the same claim.
Crunchy Nut Bites are "new bite-size pieces of crisp golden cereal baked with crunchy chopped nuts and chewy caramel".
Caramel?
I haven't read the side of the box to check the ingredients, but isn't that a bit rich at a time when people are worried about obese children eating too much sugary cereal?
Tuesday 13 January 2009
Men I fancy in ads
I was going to post about the dishy Disaronno man.
And the delicious Aero chocolate bubbles man.
And, of course, the Jolly Green Giant.
But then I decided to keep those thoughts to myself.
And the delicious Aero chocolate bubbles man.
And, of course, the Jolly Green Giant.
But then I decided to keep those thoughts to myself.
Monday 12 January 2009
Now, that's magic!
A few years ago, maybe even many years ago, Magic Radio ran a competition. They drove around London looking for cars with their 'Magic' window sticker in the back, and awarded them a prize if they were driving safely.
I distinctly remember one person who won because they waited until pedestrians had completely crossed the zebra crossing before driving on.
Can't remember what the prize was, but it must have been something I wanted, because I now wait until pedestrians have completely crossed in front of my car.
And I always remember it was Magic Radio that makes me do this.
I haven't got their sticker in the back though, so they've never sent me a prize :-(
I distinctly remember one person who won because they waited until pedestrians had completely crossed the zebra crossing before driving on.
Can't remember what the prize was, but it must have been something I wanted, because I now wait until pedestrians have completely crossed in front of my car.
And I always remember it was Magic Radio that makes me do this.
I haven't got their sticker in the back though, so they've never sent me a prize :-(
Saturday 10 January 2009
Like a virgin
Virgin Airlines is celebrating its 25th birthday with an ad that takes you back in time.
Watch it on YouTube.
The attention to detail is fantastic! To the tune of 'Relax'*, I recognised the big hair, Wimpy bar, miners' strike, mobile phone like a house brick, Our Price records and more. Much more.
Something else I recognised...
The pilot and stewardesses walking through the airport are distinctly similar to scenes in the film 'Catch Me if You Can', starring Leonardo di Caprio.
*Perfect choice. As you may remember, this aptly named Frankie Goes to Hollywood single was banned by the BBC.
Watch it on YouTube.
The attention to detail is fantastic! To the tune of 'Relax'*, I recognised the big hair, Wimpy bar, miners' strike, mobile phone like a house brick, Our Price records and more. Much more.
Something else I recognised...
The pilot and stewardesses walking through the airport are distinctly similar to scenes in the film 'Catch Me if You Can', starring Leonardo di Caprio.
*Perfect choice. As you may remember, this aptly named Frankie Goes to Hollywood single was banned by the BBC.
Friday 9 January 2009
When I did Art A level
...the teacher asked us to draw a wooden chair by drawing the spaces around the chair, not the chair itself.
Occasionally, I drive past the Churchill Insurance building in Bromley.
On the side of the building is an image of the familiar nodding dog made out of metal – not the whole dog, just its ears, eyes, nose, mouth and the markings on its face.
It looks like a random series of shapes.
Despite my chair experience, it took me ages to work out what it was supposed to be.
Der.
Occasionally, I drive past the Churchill Insurance building in Bromley.
On the side of the building is an image of the familiar nodding dog made out of metal – not the whole dog, just its ears, eyes, nose, mouth and the markings on its face.
It looks like a random series of shapes.
Despite my chair experience, it took me ages to work out what it was supposed to be.
Der.
Thursday 8 January 2009
There's something wrong in a world...
...that places so much importance on the thickness of your eyelashes.
You can:
- stick false lashes to your eyelids
- glue false lashes to your real lashes
- dye your lashes darker than they really are
- coat your real lashes with coloured oils, fats and waxes
Watch out for the small print in the ads for lash thickening/lengthening mascaras, that states 'filmed with lash extensions' (blink and you'll miss it).
And tell me if you agree that the results look as though there are two spiders crawling on your face.
You can:
- stick false lashes to your eyelids
- glue false lashes to your real lashes
- dye your lashes darker than they really are
- coat your real lashes with coloured oils, fats and waxes
Watch out for the small print in the ads for lash thickening/lengthening mascaras, that states 'filmed with lash extensions' (blink and you'll miss it).
And tell me if you agree that the results look as though there are two spiders crawling on your face.
Wednesday 7 January 2009
I wonder what it costs...
• to get the likes of Alice Cooper, Ringo Starr, Bruce Willis, Elle MacPherson and Dame Edna Everage starring in your ad
• to match up all those film shoots
• to splice new footage seamlessly in with old footage
• to buy all those primetime ad spots
• to change the logo on all printed stationery, online communications, vehicle livery and signage
...just to change a name from Norwich Union to Aviva.
The new name sounds, to me, like those crazy words used by Vic and Bob in Shooting Stars.
And the line: 'Sometimes a change of name is not just a change of name. It's a chance to show the world who you've always wanted to be' just doesn't ring true.
More about the name change (and a sample ad) on the Guardian website.
Hey ho, they are the largest insurance group in the UK, so I'm sure they can afford it.
• to match up all those film shoots
• to splice new footage seamlessly in with old footage
• to buy all those primetime ad spots
• to change the logo on all printed stationery, online communications, vehicle livery and signage
...just to change a name from Norwich Union to Aviva.
The new name sounds, to me, like those crazy words used by Vic and Bob in Shooting Stars.
And the line: 'Sometimes a change of name is not just a change of name. It's a chance to show the world who you've always wanted to be' just doesn't ring true.
More about the name change (and a sample ad) on the Guardian website.
Hey ho, they are the largest insurance group in the UK, so I'm sure they can afford it.
Saturday 3 January 2009
Un-PC
Various people (and celebs) around the world claim: "I'm a PC."
What they're really saying is: "I'm not a Mac."
Which means, PCs (approx. 90% of all personal computer users) are acknowledging the power of the Mac (almost 100% of professional creative users).
But then, I would see it that way – I'm a Mac.
What they're really saying is: "I'm not a Mac."
Which means, PCs (approx. 90% of all personal computer users) are acknowledging the power of the Mac (almost 100% of professional creative users).
But then, I would see it that way – I'm a Mac.
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