There are some companies which thrive on scandal and there are others which ... well, don't.
For example Nando's latest ad is designed around the shock factor, does it need such extensive help to sell its chicken?
The concept of the ad is pretty normal, and true it has been done before making it so much harder to come up with something original, and while this certainly fits the bill it is a tad necessary.
There are other brands out there of which we expect them to be controversial, but Nando's is a family restaurant and while it may sell some chicken (?) you got to wonder what it does to its image.
I think this is one of the boldest ads I have seen in awhile and that's also by Samsung.
Their phone designs have been eerily similar to the iPhone and the constant comparison to a certain extent have lacked originality.
But in this ad Samsung takes advantages of these similarities to display a direct comparison with its biggest competitor and depict exactly why their phone is better.
Definitely a bold move by them and certainly illegal in some countries but it does make a point.
Sure it may look better, and have a larger screen etc...but what about its functionality and that's why most people love the iPhone.
A special edition Barbie doll has raised the ire of parents and not because of her un-realistic proportions but because she has pink hair, wears leopard print stockings and has is tattooed. This Tokidoki doll is iconic, funky and pays homage to Tokidoki an Italian based, Japanese - inspired brand.Parents are not too pleased with the deception of the doll as it is a far-cry from her normal appearance, although I find this to be more realistic than her normal plastic self. Is it just or are parents these days more (over) protective? Just because tattoos appear on a doll doesn't mean children don't know they exist or what they are. Barbie normally in itself should be of concern with her un-realistic depiction of the female figure. In that case isn't it much simpler just to stop the production of Barbie dolls??
Speaking of appearances Motorola is very excited to be re-introducing an all brand new Razr, an ultra-thin smartphone with head - turning innovation. Now while this sounds great, and the phone must look fantastic as well, this is not the early 2000's where the Razr initially made a mark. Motorola has to compete with the iPhone and Android phones where its combination of functionality with style and not too mention the intense brand loyalty these phones have...it's more than just about appearances..So can they do it?
I just came across this promotion being run by Coca Cola in Australia. For the first time Coca Cola has changed its packaging and instead of the brand name has a selection of 150 names representing the diverse cross-section of Australia's population, and by the off-chance your name is not mentioned you can have it printed on the can (what an amazing memento to have!). This promotion was supported by an online campaign of sending a virtual customized can to your friends via a Facebook app. The beauty of this promotion is that it merges Coca-Cola's spreading happiness campaign with its core branding principles while simultaneously engaging and rewarding its fan-base. It is very difficult to find a promotion that supports branding principles while engaging with fans/customers on such a core level. The fact that they have never changed their design except to have your name on it, would really resonate with the people. It's no wonder that Coca-Cola are the #1 brand.
I have blogged a lot about the Old Spice guy and my total adoration for the concept and the ads, just to be clear the ones featuring Isiah Mustafa. So when Puss in Boots spoofed the idea to promote the movie, how could I not just love it??
Puss and Old Spice guy have so much in common, the cockiness, the attitude and the fact that most women just adore them. The idea is simple promote the character without actually promoting the movie, the spoof 'trailer' sells itself.
It's one of the few copies of the concept that have actually been successful, it's simple and sticks to the main selling point isn't that what branding is all about?
Ok so when I saw these ads i was literally like what were people thinking?!
The first one was for LG's new oven which is to be 6 times hotter... so the ad depicts a cow being slaughtered by lil demons I think possibly in hell...and I get what they are trying to go with here about the efficiency of the oven, with 'hell' being a metaphor for the oven etc. but all I can think about is poor cow...i mean honestly what the cow do right? Even though it may be an artistic representation the cow definitely does not look happy, so it kind of detracts from the ad's effectiveness.
The second one is a Nissan ad in Brazil and it has ponies....yes that's right ponies, which look like right out of 'My Little Pony & Friends', and while for most of the ad I was like aww I could see where they were coming from and what they wanted to accomplish. The reason why this ad gets the WTF?! is because of the ending... it leaves you a bit dazed. People who are familiar with YouTube virals would find a striking similarity to the 'Nyan Cat'viral which got an insane number of hits, and I'm not quite why...so were Nissan planning to re-creating the success? I'm not sure but I don't think it hit the mark.
And finally I have to give a special mention to Old Spice. Their latest efforts involved a sailor who smelt surprisingly very good. Maybe it's just me but their ads are beginning to look a little cliche. A word of advice stop trying to copy yourselves and come up with something original, the "Man your man could smell like" was great, but it's time to move on to newer and possibly better things.
I came across this new App the other day called Lawry's Digital Dinner Bell. The app functions as a virtual bell which notifies the entire family (who also have the app) that dinner is ready and come to the table.
It is scary to think that in this age the only way to get the entire family together is a via an app on the phone, and that we actually need apps such as these. Is this where our future is heading? Makes you think.
