Colour coordination

I'm intrigued to know why Orange chose to use rainbows in their 'Good Things Should Never End' ad.

As anyone who's been to Brighton recently will know, the homosexual community use rainbow stripes for their flag. Like the word 'gay', this now creates a whole load of new mental associations.

I'm not sure if that was the effect that Orange was hoping for.

P.S. The website is great though!

Builder's Bum

In the new Nimble ad, the builder's trousers keep falling down (snigger, snigger).

How things have changed since Nimble's iconic hot air balloon ad (voted one of viewers' greatest 100 ads in a Channel 4 poll). All together now: "She Flies Like a Bird in the Skyyyyy..."

Wonder if the new ad will last as long in the memory? For some reason, methinks not. It's just not kitsch enough.

Pathetically grateful

That's how I feel when anybody comments on my blog! So here, at blog number 100, is an appeal for more contributions.

If my thoughts on ads have prompted any response in you – positive, negative or indifferent – then please click on 'Comments' below the relevant post(s)*, and add your remarks.

It's easy, and you can be anonymous if you like. Youu probably won't need them, but just in case you do, here are full instructions.

I can't wait to hear from you. Your comments could make my new year a whole lot happier!

* Unless you write in Spanish and are trying to sell T-shirts. Yes, it has happened. I have no idea why.

The real test of great advertising ...

... is whether it prompts me to go out and buy something.

Despite the industry's best efforts so far this season, I have yet to see an ad that has encouraged me to hit the January sales.

I like owning new things. And I do love a bargain. But shopping in sale-time?

I hate it!

Quit It (one from the archives)

It's the time of year when lots of people are trying to give up smoking*, as evidenced by the number of ads for nicotine patches et al.

It reminds me of one of the most famous cigarette ads of all time: "You're never alone with a Strand" – an ad so unsuccessful that the brand was taken off the shelves soon afterwards. It featured a smoker on his own on a dark street, but people assumed Strand cigarettes made you lonely so were put off buying them.

With the UK smoking ban forcing smokers outdoors, perhaps it's becoming true for all brands!



* Good luck to you all. Filthy, nasty habit that it is...

Words that should be used more often (part 2)

"Niffs"

Usually preceded by the word 'Nasty', as in the TV ad for Oust.

"Facebook me"

That's what I heard a young person say to another young person at a New Year's Eve party I attended. In the 'old days' they would have said; "phone me" or "give me a call" or even "send me a text."

Social networking seems to be a whole new communication channel spreading by word of mouth (or word of pixel, I suppose). And it's not just associated with young people. You can 'Facebook me' too if you like.