Snow joke

On a day when the first snowfall of the season is gently settling outside my window, I bring you the 'Bad morning' ad:

From the sublime to the ridiculous

Love this :-)



Hate this :-(

The power of slogans

When Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic played at the O2 this week, there was a pause while Novak had a contact lens attended to on court. Some wag in the crowd shouted: "Should've gone to Specsavers"! Five words that have worked very well for them.

Eight words that should work very well for Terry's Chocolate Orange: "Smash it to pieces. Love it to bits."

And three little words that work very well for me: "Writing Without Waffle".

More on the power of slogans in my guest blog post earlier this month.

You and whose army?

I met my army last night. Oh yes, I have my own army you know (so late-paying clients had better watch out)!

As evidence, here's the start of an email I received recently:

"Please find attached an invitation to an evening reception at Napier House TA Centre, with Major General W G Cubitt CBE, who commands the Army in London...As an influential figure within your community and a key opinion-former, we would welcome the opportunity to meet you and to update you on your Army."

I thought it was a spoof when I saw they consider me an 'influential figure' and 'key opinion-former'! But it turns out that, yes indeed, there is an Army Presentation Team that tours the country to promote awareness and understanding of the British Army with 'the good and the great' British public.

It seems they feel their successes are somewhat ignored in the media, who prefer to focus on bad news. So they aim to cascade more positive messages throughout the civilian community, particularly those with no connection to the armed forces (that counts me in, then).

I'm not sure why their PR machine is not doing a better job with the media, but I certainly know a bit more about the Army than I did before. For instance, they give up a lot of their freedoms so that we can enjoy ours.

British Army, I salute you!

I'm not a fan of long copy

(as you know, my strapline is 'writing without waffle') but there's an exception to every rule, such as these fabulous entries to the CBS Outdoor 48-sheet long-copy competition.

Click to enlarge each image. Then you can enjoy each and every word.

More here

Return of the Star Wars

I love the bit in Curry's latest ad when the camera flashes and R2D2 falls over, and then later when C3PO says: "Of course it was your fault."



It is also a great excuse to show the plot as narrated by a clueless girl:



And the Eddie Izzard Death Star canteen (warning – contains F words):

Alas, poor Croydon

I know it well, and it doesn't deserve this:

The scrolling LED sign inside the train read: "The next station is East Croydon. Safety information is provided on posters in every carriage."

Bring back British Rail!

I arrived early at East Croydon station. Standing on the platform, I experienced the unique frustration of watching train after train arrive, then depart for my desired destination (Brighton).

The reason I couldn't get on board any of them?

Not because I was on the wrong platform. Oh no, I was within inches of the open doors.

Not because they were too crowded. Oh no, there were plenty of available seats.

Not because I didn't have a ticket. Oh no, I'd bought it online the night before and collected it from the so-called 'quick' ticket machine at the station.

The reason was that they were all Southern trains, and my ticket only allowed me to travel on trains run by First Capital Connect.

Yes, there are two different train services that run between East Croydon and Brighton, and you have to buy a different ticket depending on which train you use.

When you order the ticket, the small print advises you can only travel on FCC trains. There is no obvious signage when you pick up the ticket, not on the platform, nor on the train.

I wonder how many non-English speakers and visitors to our fair land get caught out by this ridiculous situation?

How to do a 'how to'

Top marks to Polycell for their 'we'll show you how' campaign using YouTube for product demonstrations e.g.



Video is the newest way to market yourself. Even I'm doing it!

Grrr!

Remember the delicious Skoda 'cake' ad? The new Fabia ad has a leaner, greener, meaner twist. And the soundtrack is my new favourite thing!

Talking of Marmite...

I just noticed the jar says: "I like a good squeeze" (don't we all, dear!).

Of course, Innocent Drinks' packaging is famously entertaining e.g. 'Open other end' embossed underneath the bottles.

It made me think that perhaps Ketchup is missing a trick. The label should read: "Bash my bottom" (ooer, missus).