Thursday, May 6, 2010

StrawberryFrog

StrawberryFrog is an independent advertising agency, with offices in New York City, London, and Sao Paulo. Their ultimate goal is to build a cultural movement for the products of each of their clients. Below is an advertisement that StrawberryFrog did for Heineken.



I think that this spot is clever. Although it was supposed to be sort of "James Bond-esque", it also reminded me of the game and movie "Clue." I thought that this spot was very intriguing. It definitely kept me watching to see what would happen next. I think that the advertisement makes the viewer think about what's going on and that is why it is fun to watch. I like that in the end we find out what it really going on with the situation (that the husband has ordered his wife a Heineken and room service was trying to get there in time to deliver it to her). Overall, I thought that this spot was effective in linking the mystery concept and the product, Heineken beer, and I definitely thought that it did a good job of engaging the consumer.

Venables, Bell & Partners

Venables, Bell & Partners is an independent advertising agency headquartered in San Francisco, California.

Some clients of Venables, Bell & Partners include Audi, HBO, Intel, Nestea, and Orville Redenbacher's. The spot below was done by Venables, Bell & Partners for Audi.



This spot is humorous, because lots of people feel as if they need to live up to a certain expectation in their life, say of being a doctor or lawyer to make their family proud. Although the situation was kind of taking to an extreme in this spot, I thought that it did an excellent job of getting their message of "Break the cycle" across to the viewer. In actuality by purchasing a Audi instead of a BMW, Lexus, or Mercedes-Benz, one isn't really "breaking the cycle." Audi is definitely a luxurious brand as well as these other brands. I think that this commercial was geared towards adults with relatively high income (to be able to purchase this vehicle), and I think that did a good job of addressing them. The New Audi A5 is very luxurious as well as sporty, which most people in the market for a BMW, Lexus, or Mercedes-Benz are also looking for. Overall, I thought that this spot was effective.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Droga5

Droga5 is an awesome independent advertising agency that is headquartered in New York City. Droga5 initiated the "Tap Project" for UNICEF, which I discussed in detail in a previous post. Some other clients of Droga5 include the following: Net 10, Unilever, NYC Department of Education, and Activision. Below is a viral video that Droga5 released on the internet for Activision


I think that making this viral video was a really cool way to promote Activision's product Guitar Hero/Rock Bank. When I began to watch this video, I was kind of confused as to what was going on, but when I finally put it all together I really enjoyed the spot. I think that that is one thing that makes it great, because the viewer is rewarded by their realization of what is really going on. I think that Droga5 did a great job of thinking of something so unique and making it effective, especially for making a viral video. Having a great viral video is actually a great feat, because it is not forced in anyone's face. Individuals have to go out to find it on their own. I would say with almost 2.5 million views on YouTube, Droga5 did a great job with this one!

Secret Weapon Marketing

Secret Weapon Marketing is a very unique independent advertising agency that is headquartered in Santa Monica, California. One thing that indefinitely makes Secret Weapon Marketing stand out is the fact that they will never take on more than three clients during the same period of time. However, Secret Weapon Marketing is like most traditional advertising agencies in that they are a full-service advertising agency and have some pretty hefty awards under their belt. Right now, the two clients that Secret Weapon Marketing is dealing with are Jack in the Box and Southern California (SoCal) Honda Dealers. Below is a spot that was done by Secret Weapon Marketing for Jack in the Box.




Although this spot was quite humorous, I think that it could possibly offend some people. I mean even if it was aired only in areas outside of Philadelphia, you never know who may have just moved here from Philly. I may be looking into this too much by saying these things, but one always needs to keep in mind the problems that can often arise from stereotyping a group of individuals. One thing that I liked about this spot was how "Jack" went about sending someone to Philly for an extended period of time in order to really make an authentic Philly Cheesesteak. This spot was goofy, but I believe effective to the audience that it was intended to target. I mean some people from Philly may even think that this is funny, because of how untrue some stereotypes can be. One never knows.

R/GA

R/GA is an independent advertising agency that specializes in digital media work. R/GA is headquartered in New York City, with other offices in both San Francisco and London. A notable project that R/GA has previously done is for Nike+, which links one's iPod to their Nike athletic shoe, so that one can track and record their workouts online. With this product, one can also program their iPod to change to a faster or slower song depending on the speed that they are moving at. This interactive technology has evolved and continues to do so. On R/GA's website, one can see that they were named the "Digital Agency of the Decade" and that their campaign for Nike+ was named "Digital Campaign of the Decade." Now those are some pretty big accomplishments! Some other clients of R/GA include Verizon Wireless, Ad Council, Bank of America, Purina, and Rhode Island School of Design (RISD).


RG/A also has a big hand in Nike's ID products. R/GA worked with Adobe to developed advanced imaging techniques so that the products can be viewed in very close detail as well as from many angles. This has been a hit for Nike, because the customers can act as their own designers are customize their product to get exactly what they want. Teams can now even customizer gear and order it online through the Nike ID website. Check out these links for more information!

*R/GA's Nike ID Page
http://www.rga.com/work/nikeid
*Nike's Nike ID Page

I believe that this campaign was wildly successful because of how unique and interactive it is. Also, I believe that these personalized products attract a very broad range of consumers, which is a great thing, because everyone can personalize their sneakers in their own way!

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Taxi

Taxi is an independent advertising agency that is headquartered in Toronto. They are most known for their work for Viagra, but other clients of theirs include Koodo Mobile, Mini Cooper, Aviva, WestJet, and Dairy Farmers of Canada. Below are two television spots that Taxi did for Viagra. I like Taxi's work for Viagra, because the message of the product gets across, but without offending anyone that could potentially be in the room when the commercial airs on television.

The first spot, "The International Language of Viagra," is very clever. We as viewers have no idea what the two men talking are actually saying, other than when they use the word "Viagra." However, people that are aware of the product definitely get the message.



In this spot, the words are bleeped out and a Viagra pill covers up the guy's mouth that is talking. I thought that this was clever, because people get the message, but nothing is actually said. The viewer can tell what is up, because the lady standing next to the two men looks very uncomfortable being there.



I think that both of these spots did a great job of reminding consumers about the product in a humorous, memorable manner. Viagra has been around for a while, so most consumers are already aware of the product. These spots also were great, because they were not offensive, which is great because this product has the risk of offending some parties or making people feel uncomfortable. Overall, I would say that both of these spots were effective.

Monday, May 3, 2010

Rethink

Rethink is an independent advertising agency headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. They are most known for the work that they have done for Playland, but some of their other clients include Science World, Future Shop, BC Lions, Victoria Bug Zoo, and Coast Capital Savings. I really like the work that Rethink has done for Playland, because it is kind of opposite of what one would expect to see in an advertisement for a theme park. Below are two print ads done by Rethink for Playland. I find the first one very comical, because the seats of the ride are inside of beaters. Most people know that beaters are used to whip things, and that is most likely would will happen to you if you take the adventure into Playland... be "whipped" around. I think that Rethink took a very creative, unique approach to displaying what they wanted to get across to their audience. I would assume that their target audience is thirll-seeking individuals.
The spot below is humorous, because the stuffed animal is throwing up it's stuffing. often at theme parks, guests can play various games in order to win large stuffed animals. If this stuffed guy was not attending the park on his own, he must have just been forced along for an intense ride with his proud owner. Either way, it does not look like this blue guy is enjoying his time in playland. This is funny to those that are thrill-seeking, however, for those that are not, it may discourage them from trying out the Playland amusement park. I think that this campaign is successful if Playland only wants to target thrill-seeking individuals. However, they may loose business by having these ads for people that may be interested in coming just to tag along and maybe go on a couple of milder rides.