DF via Chi-town: (the voices inside my head)

Funny stunt… but nothing more than a stunt. When will...

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 17:15:32 -0400

Funny stunt… but nothing more than a stunt.
When will Pepsi get their shit together and really show us a great platform, with a bold strategy and some amazing executions.
Lately Pepsi seems to have lost their way. Every effort seems to be different and with no rhyme or reason. As much as this is a fun little piece of video its far from a decent piece of communication. In my opinion a wonderful, fun failure for Pepsi.

Another damn dance show… or are you being bamboozled I really...

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 18:07:28 -0400

Another damn dance show… or are you being bamboozled

I really hope its translating into sales for the retailer. It’s a fun and unique way to present retail advertising that is not Target or a bad imitation of it.
The concept felt fresh from the first executions but I have to take my hat of for this one. This spot is so well done, it captures the essence and substance of trash TV in a way that it really makes it feel authentic… shit it fooled me the first time as I blasted to my wife: FUCK another bad dancing show for fucks sake only to laugh 10 seconds later when I realized it was an ad. Well played Sears & mcgarrybowen.

The Superbowl Oreo ad sucked if you ask me. It was a huge over...

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 17:54:30 -0400

The Superbowl Oreo ad sucked if you ask me. It was a huge over produced bad idea… as if dumping a huge budget would make a turd into gold.
But lets forget what happened in February and look at the new spot that popped today. I have to admit I was not in love with the casting at first glance but kudos to the Director for really pulling a great performance of what looked like 2 safe comedic types.
This is a great example on how to create a great relatable quirky and silly commercial to show the passion of Oreo followers as they defend their favorite part of the cookie. They get an “I wish I did it”

FUCK! what a great spot, wow. I cant even begin to praise this...

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 13:05:53 -0500

FUCK! what a great spot, wow. I cant even begin to praise this spot. Smart and bold strategically, perfectly casted, produced and directed and well magnificently finished. All elements come together to bring a strong emotional message from a brand that does not feel contrived but natural and real.
For this spot to work there was a true partnership between the agency Alma DDB and their client McDonald’s to really go after an emotion and not a product benefit. Now I tend not to be a great fan of just an emotional benefit but this one really connect it all together.
Another huge factor in making this spot a success was the choice of the director. Another great example of partnership between Director, agency and client. This is by far one of my favorite spots in a while and one of the best “Hispanic Market” efforts I have seen.
They get my highest compliment: I wish I did it. Congratulations to Alma DDB, McDonald’s and of course Tarsem. Enjoy!

The making…

Print is back… or at least a great execution, idea and...

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 17:32:38 -0500

Print is back… or at least a great execution, idea and placement. Kudos to the agency, creatives, media and client. Nice to see an old and almost forgotten medium in advertising used in a clever and fun way that is true to its brand essence.

I LOVE THIS… the combination of social media, consumers /...

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 17:20:17 -0500

I LOVE THIS… the combination of social media, consumers / users, music, brands, advertising, product placement and technology all coming together.
No they dont really move the bottom line but they will create a relationship with you consumer that will last and grow… and that my friends will translate eventually in the bottom line. Now if they can only stay away from translating any more songs to spanish and we will be golden.

Target teaches everyone a lesson…again. The more I see...

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 13:24:26 -0500

Target teaches everyone a lesson…again.

The more I see work from Target the more I think their business model relating to agencies and creative work is right on target no pun intended. They have chosen to work with different agencies, boutiques, directors, production companies and the result has been impeccable. Great, innovative ways to show products and create stories even where there were none. I really wish they would talk more about their process and vision… so many companies and marketeers would benefit, and yes we would too.
Congratulations to Target and all its agency partners. But really, most important KUDOS to a client with vision, passion and fearless drive.
This spot was produced by Laird + Partners in NY and I give them a “I wish I did it” Fun, engaging and with amazing production values.

So obvious it is brilliant. WOW! This is really is a fucking...

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 14:14:54 -0500

So obvious it is brilliant. WOW! This is really is a fucking cool, inexpensive idea. Yes it could’ve been bigger, it could’ve had deeper experience or have some kind of bigger and broader backdrop of interactivity. Or as my friend @javosorio suggests it might just be a fake / trucho ad.
Either way, I don’t want to focus on the shortcomings but focus on the incredible simple idea of association.
Kudos to the agency and client…. they get a “I wish I did it”

Thanks to @javosorio for sharing.

…and this is the second of the campaign. Damn nice work on...

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 15:05:04 -0500

…and this is the second of the campaign. Damn nice work on the story again, SFX, music and the whole thing. I love the line “Quaker Up” and how the VO is delivered.
They could’ve cheesed it out and totally fucked it up by going down some girly path but they chose to focus more on a normal activity lots of girls could relate to. But they kept the integrity, coolness and memorability factor. I would love to know how was the collaboration with the Director and how much of it he brought to the table. It’s always an amazing thing to be exposed or being part of a process like that, where an idea flourishes and grows from the collaboration and untied vision of talented people all with the same passion.

Fuck me… these are great spots. Cool bold & simple...

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 14:57:21 -0500

Fuck me… these are great spots.

Cool bold & simple strategy creatively executed to perfection if you ask me. I worked on this account for the Hispanic market and we produced shit. My excuse is that it was my first real agency job and my first TV client and campaign. I was just an AD with no experience… so fuck off. I will post the other one after this entry.

These guys nailed it if you ask me. The music, the style of the spot, the production values and special FXs are cool as shit. The whole thing is well done… all I can critique would be that the casting could’ve been pushed a little to be more unique, memorable and engaging but I understand the PC world in which a brand lives.

This is another one of those that get a “I wish I did it” Cheers to Quaker and BBDO.

For all of us to learn. This is how you make a fucking anthem...

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 14:46:09 -0500

For all of us to learn. This is how you make a fucking anthem spot that kicks ass. Simple fun & engaging story, amazing production values, great music selection… simply I would give it a “I wish I did it”. Congratulations to the agency, client and everyone involved.

WOW… holy shit. Interesting activation. Too far? I am sure...

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 13:34:06 -0500

WOW… holy shit. Interesting activation. Too far? I am sure a debate is coming, but in the end remember that for us to be seeing this piece means that the characters as scared as they were in the end had to sign a release form agreeing and allowing Nivea to use this. But no matter what side of the opinion you take you cant help to admit it’s a pretty intense experiment.

PS: I bet in the U.S. they would have been sued.

Inventing or re-inventing… discovering, sharing,...

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 16:10:24 -0500

Inventing or re-inventing… discovering, sharing, opportunism… all the same boring debate; personally I like the spot and don’t think it plagiarizes or steals since at no point do they hide that origin of the words.
I don’t understand the criticism this spot has generated around being stolen, not original or borrowed interest. I think you may like it or hate it based on the concept and execution of the commercial but to deem it anything else is stupid.
I will say that for me, the spot introduced me to Phil Harvey who I had never hear of in my life. I guarantee you there were many people like me, so being able to expose something “virtually” unknown to the majority is in my opinion part of the creative process. And on the plus side there is a cool story of the group of photographers that were hired to bring their interpretation and rendition to the farmer.

As for being new and original, different. Lets not forget we are the ones to push for new music, new technology, new ways, new, new, new and yet we are the firsts to deem something old, used, viewed or just “too yesterday” and fail to recognize that the average individual does not care or take so seriously to know, see and experiment with all the little toys, gadgets, apps, games and technology that we are used to… after all its our job.

One of the worst campaigns running… but this one really...

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 14:08:12 -0500

One of the worst campaigns running… but this one really annoys the shit out of me. Who and why they hell did they think this scenario was funny?
The casting… holy shit. Could they not find a more annoying group of people and then top it off with some god awful direction.
Sorry… I had this one boiling for a couple of weeks now.

Herbal tea…? What herb may I inquire? Still would’ve...

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 13:38:36 -0500

Herbal tea…? What herb may I inquire? Still would’ve loved to produce it and shoot it. Nice work on copying the clown from Stephen King’s “IT” and to be honest the rest of the characters fall short of achieving that same feeling. Anyhow, I leave you with probably the weirdest Tea commercial you have ever see.

WOW… nice fucking job. Conceptually & strategically...

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 13:02:01 -0500

WOW… nice fucking job. Conceptually & strategically sharp, produced impeccably and the link between the idea/execution and the product are natural and interwoven to perfection not feeling contrived at all. I say this because I had to work on a “trans-adaptation” for the ONDCP and The Partnership for a Drug Free America that the whole idea/concept was little dramatic stories that were meant to look like movie trailers. They were “OK” at the time, nothing great but at least nothing horrible or too embarrassing. Enough that they are not in my portfolio now.
Anyone know who is doing this for Target?

Eye candy… nothing but eye candy. But you know what, great...

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 12:46:09 -0500

Eye candy… nothing but eye candy. But you know what, great amazing eye candy with product placement / partnership / advertisement.
No there is no hard sell, there was the brilliance of an iconic athlete, worshiped by millions or his team of advisers who chose to partner with a “somewhat hip underground” bargain european brand and put out a line of underwear. That combination was not quite enough, then they went and got a famous cool director famous for his chase and fight scenes to Direct this short film / tv spot. The credits include Marc Atlan Design, Guy Ritchie and client… who wrote it? does MAD have the H&M account? was this a collaboration?

And the verdict is…. NOT RACIST. Thank you Red Stripe for...

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 12:32:12 -0500

And the verdict is…. NOT RACIST.
Thank you Red Stripe for validating my previous post… I did not catch this spot yesterday. Maybe I was in a mandatory bathroom brake or putting money in the Meter but either way BRILLIANT Red Stripe. When people talk about responding to the media I think this guys did an amazing job now we just need to see if it catches on. I know people are talking about Oreo’s respond to the outage which at first glance does not impress me much but I am still reading more about it so I can make a informed opinion so keep posted.

No boobs, no shock but still some funny over the top...

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 17:16:27 -0500

No boobs, no shock but still some funny over the top stereotypes… And here is Go Daddy’s effort with help of Deutsch NY. No matter what you think of the spot, it is way better than anything Go-Daddy ever did before… Mmmmmm OK maybe for the exception of the first spot they ever tried to air that got censored. You have to give them credit for the innovation and introduction of shock value as a method of promotion and building anticipation. Nice cameo to Danika Patrick in this spot.

And to follow up to my last post. Here is a great attempt at a...

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 13:34:00 -0500

And to follow up to my last post. Here is a great attempt at a lifestyle / feeling spot for a car. Great production values, endearing and memorable characters and a great use of music to tease us and create interest. And if It is like my friend @Javosorio pointed: a idea in Argentina or a remake of one, I still think they deserve some merit for making it cooler and bigger at least.
I am sure this is a good example to reignite the debate of originality, copy, there is no black thread or just like minded minds are bound to come to the same conclusions.

Here is the teaser:
http://youtu.be/DVhwEH5kxmk

Here is the original spot for Renault
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RFZE5GypBU