From the K-Swiss website: Kenny Powers: K-SWISS CEO Watch K-Swiss CEO Kenny Powers kick
corporate butt while creating his first marketing campaign with his new
chiefs of staff: All-Pro NFL stars Matt Cassel and Patrick Willis, MMA
Champions Jon "Bones" Jones and Urijah Faber, America's Toughest Trainer
Jillian Michaels, WWE legend Rey Misterio and Olympic hopeful Josh Cox.
See the full campaign Monday 7/11/11.
In 2011, show East Bound and Down was trending amongst Millennials across the nation. As K-Swiss sales were down they used this unconventional campaign to revitalize the brand? Why was this so successful? Or do you find it to be more offensive rather than effective?
According to an infographic and article from Media Bistro, Millennials make up 27.4% of the entire United States population (Bennett). Additionally worth noting in regards to the Millennials, “46 percent count on social media when buying online, 55 percent will go on to share bad experiences and 51 percent say that social opinions influence their purchase decisions, and that they trust ‘strangers’ more than friends,” (Bennett).
Moreover, research unveils that the Millennial Generation is the most culturally diverse generation in existence. The make up consists of 61 percent white, 19 percent Hispanic, 14 percent Black, five percent Asian and one percent other (Bennett). As employees, Millennials make up 25 percent of the United States workforce participation and is projected to increase to 75 percent by 2025 (Bennett). The median salary of the Millennial Generation is $39,700- one in ten Millennials make a salary that is over $100,000 (Bennett). Also according to the Badgeville infographic posted on Media Bistro by Shea Bennett, 15 percent of Millennials hold a manager position in the workforce. Conversely, the infographic depicts data on the Millennials as consumers and one thing is certain- Millennials love spending. Millennials spend $600 billion annually and are expected to spend $1.4 trillion by 2020 (Bennett). According to the data, 58 percent of Millennials love to shop in comparison to the 40 percent adult overall preference to shopping. Millennials spend eight times more than consumers aged from 35-44 years, although the Millennials earn 22 percent less (Bennett).
The infographics posted and information listed above is a small except of the research I collected for the Stage 1 document of our Advertising, Writing and Production course group branding campaign project for Rare Vintage Wear. I found this information about the Millennial demographic both interesting and important not just limited to our campaign but to advertising as whole. It appears Millennials do and will continue to have a lot of power over the market. Therefore, a helpful tactic when considering their cognitive process when establishing message strategies and creative plans targeting effective for this demographic may involve studying the advertisements they were raised on. The link above is a good start.
Each of these images are horrific but for different yet similar reasons. The abominable print advertisements were each intended to have gruesome auras via message strategies involving fears of consumers, however the ethics in using such a strategy is something to be debated. Personally, I believe judgement of the ethics regarding the message strategy of invoking fear can only be placed once considering what is being promoted.
The advertisement on the left is a PSA for child safety at the pool while the advertisement on the right is for funeral services. While the graphic of the PSA is more visually offensive (note the expression of the little boy's face at the drowning figure) than the appearance of the funeral service advertisement copy- it is actually the intentions of the funeral service advertisement that are manipulative, cruel and morbid.
Which advertisement do you find more offensive? Do you think the fear strategy is justified? Are either advertisements ethical in their intentions?
Even in the first frame at 0.00 it
is blatantly conspicuous this advertisement is going to unleash a vast array of
genderstereotypes on its audience. The first image we see is the Lego Friends
logo. The contrast between the appearances of each word of the girl-targeted
brand epitomizes the genderstereotyping that exists within the products. The
word Lego is represented by its standard logo with red, yellow and black
colors. Friends is written in a script purple, light purple and white font with
a butterfly design integrated, The first thing we see are two girl actresses
making a heart out of one of each of their hands.
The narrator is a woman amongst all
of the glittery chime noises, “Welcome to the beautiful Heart Lake City, I’m
Stephanie,” she says. The next images are more and more of her friends along
the way through the town that simulates the play of all of the characters and
sets available for consumer purchase. However, the activities for the Lego
Friends seem either mundanely errand-like or materialistically setting
unobtainable statuses and body images for role models of young girls- and most
of all, genderstereotypically limiting: going to the café, a party, ‘chill with
the girls’, the vet and the salon. All of the characters’ clothes are decked
out with sparkles, hearts, butterflies and stars.
Pharaoh’s Quest
Lego Pharaoh’s Quest is a Lego
product clearly marketing to a boy demographic. Further, in comparison to the
features and options of the Lego Friends products, Pharaoh’s Quest’s
capabilities make the ones of Lego Friends seem even more offensive. “Evade the
guardians and enter the pyramids,” and “Build your own adventure,” are amongst
some of the phrases boldly articulated by the male narrator of the Lego Pharaoh’s
Quest commercial. However, the commercial feels more like an exciting, dramatic
action film trailer rather than an advertisement for a toy.
Imagine if the gender roles of Lego
Friends were reversed and male friends were going to a party or a cafe and
postulate how that would be viewed by society. I know if I was a child choosing
between these Lego products it would be a no-brainer that I’d rather seek
adventure on ancient landmarks than go to the veterinarian- because that is what
I would rather do in real life. The opinions of a particular female present in
current events are likely to be very similar.
“I know that how I played as a girl
shaped who I am today.” Seattle doctor and co-owner of multiple practices,
Rachel Giordano, modeled for a print Lego advertisement in the 1980’s. The
contrast between that advertisement and the Lego Friends commercial is equally
as alarming as that of the contrast with Pharaoh’s Quest- and Giordano has
noticed. In the 1980’s Lego advertisement, the product was marketed as a
universal building set” with a beautifully inspiring copy compared to the
modern Legos blatantly targeted at either gender exclusively.
The photograph above Giordano is holding a Lego Friends news van product in the 2014 parody of her original photograph. In the commercial for the Lego Friends news van, the female narrator exclaims, “Get Emma ready at the makeup table
so she looks her best for the camera!”
What messages are Lego Friends sending to young girls with their advertisements and are they and the Lego Friends products shaping developments cognitively for them based on genderstereotypes and artificial social constructs which, by logic, would limit their creativity?
Ryman Stationery, a company based in the UK, claims to have come up with a font which could help to save the planet. The font, named Ryman Eco, is a serif font which was designed to use less ink at the printer. By using 1/3 less ink than that of a typical font used by designers, the typeface can help to reduce waste, use less plastic (from ink cartridges), and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 6.5 million tons per year. Ryman has described this as the next printing revolution, and urges its designer audiences to download and share the free font with everyone in order to save the environment.
This development comes at an interesting time, as so many publications are making the shift to digital and phasing out print media in the process. Some designers have criticized the idea, saying it is pointless, and merely another typeface for designers to choose from. Other designers say there are better options out there, ones which are less bulky-looking and use far less ink than Ryman Eco. A few have noted that they feel inspired by the company's initiative, and are excited about the potential benefits of using the font.
Do you think Ryman Eco could be beneficial to the printing world, or is it nothing more than another typeface for designers to choose from?
Do you consider advertising a form of art? If so, are all advertisements? And where do you draw the line when differentiating between the two? If such a line exists, advertising agency Grey London has blurred it significantly. With their team of three specialists (Chris Cairns, MJ Cole, and Paul Mann), the agency managed to create a breathtaking ad entitled "The Sound of Taste," which features explosions of various spices set to music.
The advertising agency described this installation as a "Sonic Flavorscape," and aimed to create a multi-sensory experience for the target audience. By challenging audiences to think about what flavor may look and sound like, they deliver a message depicting the innovative nature of the new product they are advertising, Schwartz Flavour Shots.
In my opinion, this advertisement is absolutely beautiful and completely mesmerizing. But while it is aesthetically and audibly pleasing, can it be considered artwork? Many people define art in different ways -- by the medium, by the craftsmanship, by the message. What do you think? Is this a work of fine art, or just another commercial?
Japanese car company Honda recently released advertisements revolving around a message which has been getting increasingly more attention: don't text and drive. Usually, when we see these advertisements, they contain graphic images, shocking true-life accounts, or some sort of statistic. While those messages can be effective, Honda decided to focus their ads around something which younger audiences can identify with -- emojis.
Everything about this ad is spot-on for the audience which Honda is targeting -- from the music choice, to the simple design, to the use of text messaging lingo. The result of these combined elements is an extremely engaging, minimalistic ad that the target audience relates to.
Do you think a simple ad design such as this one is more effective than the graphic public service announcements we usually see? Is this kind of approach appropriate, or is it too "fluffy" to be used to address such a serious subject matter?
Everyone has seen disturbing or unpleasant television spots
before. Whether it is an extended time of showing abused animals set to sad
music, to anti-smoking ads showing people with holes in their necks -
commercials are not always made for our entertainment. This is a new PSA put
out by The U.S. Department of Transportation:
When is it okay to draw the line on such shocking and violent images? This scene is scarier, incredibly violent, and likely to have shown the death of all those in the vehicle. I won't say these ads are not effective, but at what cost? Why should such violent images like this be shown without viewer discretion warnings? Free market companies who produce PSAs on the same issue still have to take their brand name in mind. Message aside, the negative reactions from the public towards the spot its creator is what keeps messages responsible in how they operate. I would argue this spot is just as effective without the jump scare tactics or visualized death:
How do you feel about the top ad? Did it go too far to spread a message of safety? Or do you subscribe to "the end justify the means?"
Tradition and Ford go hand-in-hand, which is why to celebrate the company's 50th anniversary, they are taking it back up to the top of the Empire State Building. In 1966, Ford chopped the iconic American beauty, the Ford Mustang into three pieces to fit inside the elevator. Over the past 50 years not only did the company grow, but so did the size of the Mustang. The Company will be presenting the all-new, 2015 Ford Mustang, only this time it will have to be cut into six separate pieces. Once the pieces reach the top, the reassembly process starts and is finished within five hours. Like it did in the 1960's the Mustang will ride around the observation deck on the 86th floor.
Bringing back a tradition such as this further solidifies Ford's brand character, an all-american motor company. The oohs and ahhs will excite the crowd just as it did in 1966. The trickiest part of this plan however, will be welding each piece back together to create a natural look without the cuts showing. Really incredible idea and I'm no transport expert, but I can't help but think…. wouldn't a helicopter be easier?
It starts from the very beginning of the commercial. From the eerie "Circus Jiffy" empty gas station parking lot, to the creep behind the counter, the mood is set, and it's not friendly. The FDA's latest campaign is more intense than ever before, and have invested $115 million into the new ads that target teenagers and young adults. This demographic has been targeted because of the idea that there is still hope to stop these poor behaviors either before they start or before it's too late. After watching this commercial for the first time, I couldn't believe my ears. The sound and visual of the kid pulling out his own tooth with a pair of pliers for a pack of cigarettes clearly got the point across. Seeing this once was enough for me to never want to put a cigarette anywhere close to my mouth. The noise was so sickening to me that by the second time it was shown, I had to look away and cover my ears. Bold, repulsive, depressing; now, that's what you call effective advertising.
The xbox one is the new and updated version of the Microsoft gaming consoles. It is one of the most popular gaming consoles along with the playstation 4 and the nintendo wii.
This commercial demonstrates how real the xbox one console will make one feel when playing a game on it. It displays an individual in the bathroom receiving odd cuts on different parts of his body and when he goes back to the living room he is playing a violent xbox one video game. This is effective because every gamer wants the game to be as real as possible. They want to believe they are actually in the scenarios presented instead of sitting on a couch playing a fictional game. By having the host receive these violent cuts as if he were really in the game gives the audience a vision of how real the system makes the game itself.
eHarmony is a popular online dating website that incorporates several different successful couples into their advertisements. They portray lives of several different couples that started their relationship on eHarmony where they met and fell in love. It targets the right side of the brain by using emotions of love and friendship to drive the audience to go and try eHarmony. During the commercial they state three different facts about how it is the number one dating website in certain categories. These strategies are effective for the target audience because it is attempting to show that online relationships can happen and marriage can result out of them, which their target audience is looking for. Someone who is on these dating websites is looking for somebody they can have a relationship with, so by stating specific stats about marriages that evolve out of eHarmony and demonstrating successful relationships in the advertisement they are able to effectively target their intended audience.
Sonic is a very recognized brand for its delicious food and classic feel. One is able to stop in sonic as if it were a drive thru but unlike a drive thru one is able to order from there car and the waitress will bring it to you on roller blades. It is a popular place for tons of people to eat because it is fast and delicious.
In this commercial sonic uses the appeal of humor to drive customers to go and visit sonic. The humor appeal is widely used in several different advertisements because it captures the customers attention and gives the audience a good feeling when watching it. This campaign has become very popular using these specific two gentleman who argue with one another in a humorous way. It is effective because it demonstrates how two friends might act and feel when visiting Sonic. Its delicious fast food that both can talk about while sitting at the drive in of sonic.
The Subway Fritos Chicken Enchilada commercial builds upon an already recognized brand. It demonstrates to consumers that Subway is constantly coming out with new and innovative subs that keep the consumers wanting more and more of Subway. This is the reason why it is one of the most recognized franchises in the entire world.
In this commercial Subway introduces its new Chicken Enchilada sub that incorporates fritos into the sub. Its effective, especially for the people in Pittsburgh, because everyone loves that extra crunchy feeling when youre eating a sub. It is also effective because it not only advertises subway but also advertises the brand fritos. The message was straight forward and appealing to the audiences because it demonstrated people eating the sub and loving it so obviously everyone will. It also utilizes several different endorsers to advertise the product.
Print ads can be a difficult medium to display true originality. Compared to a video or an online interactive ad, print can be less engaging because we have become so accustomed to it. Nowadays, it takes something truly unique to catch your attention, particularly in newspapers due to their muted colors.
However, the latest ad that caught my attention was not only a print ad, but also from a classifieds section of a newspaper. A kitchen company in Colombia called HiperCentro Corona placed an ad in the classifieds section that makes the viewer do a double take. Expecting to see plain blocks of text, the viewer gets a 3D optical illusion of a kitchen formed out of the classified ads.
It's nice to see real creativity in advertising and using a medium like a newspaper in ways that haven't been done before, and it makes you realize that even simple print images still have ways to surprise us.
With Facebook's recent acquisition of the Oculus Rift technology, the possibilities are almost endless. The virtual reality headset, still in prototype, combined with Facebook's net worth (around $70 billion according to Forbes) has potential to go in nearly every and any direction, from entertainment to education.
Although many people, mainly gamers, are upset with Facebook's acquisition of the technology, it was a good move for the company. There's no telling how long the lifespan of Facebook as a social network will be, and due to the fact that this will most likely be the next big technology, Facebook has pretty much guaranteed to stay relevant in the tech world.
While it is unclear what the intended use will be for this tech, one thing is pretty much guaranteed: advertising will be huge on the Oculus Rift. The potential for users to experience ads in a new medium is exciting for marketers. You could essentially try a product or experience a new location without leaving the couch.
Knowing how important a tool social media is for advertising, particularly Facebook, the Oculus Rift presents a new opportunity to engage with brands far beyond reading a status and looking at pictures.
Have you ever wondered how vulnerable any information you have put online is? What exactly could someone find out about you just by having an internet connection? Well now UBISOFT is offering that information to you for free - to promote the video game, Watch Dogs.
They call it a "digital shadow." Through fear and the viral nature of the site hope to create buzz around the game. It's truly interesting to see the kind of information the site can show you about yourself. All this personal information gathering is a theme within the game and helps deepen the knowledge of the theme. As far as anyone who is new to hearing about the site and knows nothing of the game, I wonder how well a fear based promotion encourages further exploration. The connection between the site and game is not exactly substantial as well. Check it out. Do you feel compelled to learn more about the video game? Or just use the site as a creeping social media toy?
AMC’s hit television series Mad Men is now going into its
seventh and final season. Being as the is set in the 60’s within a well-respected
advertising agency, the types of advertising that we saw each episode were a
little out of place based on modern day advertising. In hopes to reach their a
broader audience than just their current viewers, AMC chose to spice things up
a little by making an ad for their final season interactive; something that back
in the 60’s they would not even think of. This ad is supposed to gain awareness
of the new season by making that connection between a 10-foot-tall, 200 gallon
glass of “scotch” with Don Draper, the main character. The concept is that the “scotch”
is draining out or being drunk so to say which is therefore representing the
countdown to the final series premiere of the hit series on AMC.
Whether you are just an "associate" or have the job yourself, American Greetings really hit home with this ad. The hashtag, #worldstoughestjob may sound similar to talking points you were hearing during the last presidential campaign. The importance of parents in everyone's lives is supreme. Just as politicians had realized this, advertising is doing the same. The surprise factor at the resolution of the ad may have been diminished by anyone who may have been able to connect the saying and clues with its prevalence in pop culture. Even so, this connection only reinforces the message. The timely release for Mothers Day will undoubtedly have more than a few extra people sending a card to their moms on May 11th. Did you think of your mom at the end of the ad like the interviewees did? I know I did - and made me double check the date for Mothers Day too (I included it here to save you the time).
Game of Thrones was originally a series of books written by author George R. R. Martin. Due to great success, HBO took the series from a novel to a hit television series. To help promote season 4, HBO decided to utilize interactive advertising by playing
up a simple everyday items and relating them to the story line. In this ad, HBO
placed a much larger hook meant for those with pet dragons rather than dogs. Although
this ad would first seem to be targeted at the viewers of this hit series, I
also feel as though it does a great job of targeting potential viewers. As
someone who does not watch the show, seeing this ad makes me now want to look into
it or even watch the series from the beginning.
Emporio Soares & Souza is a brand of beer that have created an interesting advertisement. They have released a series of posters that involve simple diagrams of people drinking different types of drinks, other than beer, and the downfall of drinking those drinks. Using sarcasm, these posters convey a very unique idea that makes beer attractive, while making every other style of drink seem over-the-top and "uncool".
The style used for these posters are very simple and delicate, only having three or four graphics placed in the center of the ad. These different objects serve almost as an info graphic, by conveying information in a simple, eye-catching, layout that also contains copy that is easy to read and to follow. Most of all, the flow of the ads allow the viewer to easily follow the elements in the poster, retain the information and understand the joke without a second glance.
In a recent TV spot for Omega watches titled "Co-Axial World", there are captivating designs and relaxing music, with the help of a song that should be instantly recognizable for movie fans. The song seems heavily influenced by Howard Shore's score from "Lord of the Rings", so heavily influenced in fact that I believe its at the point of copying. Listen for yourself here:
The commercial is impressive visually, but the fact that the main melody sounds identical to the song from Lord of the Rings is kind of bothering. Those unfamiliar with the song can listen here:
I guess enough changes were made to where it is not a copyright issue, but I have a feeling it must be close to infringing it. I would really enjoy the commercial, but the fact that the music is not original makes it hard to consider it unique.
Health is quickly becoming a way of life in the United State.Posted on social mediums are work out
routines, yoga poses, and smoothie recipes.Therefore it is not difficult to imagine new healthier snack foods to be
up and coming as well.Lays potato chips
may need to step aside to make way for a new a product, Popchips.These potato chips are meant to be a healthy alternative
to potato chips.The campaign launched
on September 1, 2013 with the celebrity endorsement of Katy Perry.One print ad that has been released shows
Perry doing curls with 2 bags of Popchips with the headline reading, “love. without
the handles.”The clever headline pokes
fun at other potato chip contributors for their larger calorie count. Despite the vast amount of competition Popchips must face it is coming in with an ad campaign that may pose a threat to other junk food on the market.
Recently, I have written a paper focusing upon the industry of Health Care Insurance.One part of
the project was to study a campaign and its branding strategy.After looking at several campaigns, one Blue Cross Blue Shield campaign really stuck with me.These ads could be considered simplistic and authentic in the nature which is difficult to find in a comical.One ad for the campaign features 2 children speaking of the importance of eating one’s vegetables; eventually the children
get mixed up with word “Spinach” and “Spanish.” However, it is commercials such as these that are
refreshing and innovative.
Overall this campaign is something which is fresh and new, and brands Blue Cross Blue Shield with a positive image.The authentic nature of the ad shows that the company cares not only for adults but children, adding a family aspect and image to the brand.The simplicity of the campaign is what draws attention with a simple scene and background music.The campaign stays consistent with children explaining different aspects of keeping healthy or funny injuries, providing each commercial with the same music and similar set up.Overall I believe that this ad campaign was well executed and creative for a health care insurance company.
It's fair to say that America is recognized as having a serious problem with obesity. America is also known for some of its world famous fast food destinations, which have been contributing to the growing obesity problem in the country for over 50 years. McDonald's has become a brand recognizable around the world for its cheap food that you can get at almost the drop of a hat. This type of meal is appealing, especially to the American family on the go. In an attempt to introduce their new item menu, the Bacon Clubhouse Sandwich, McDonald's called upon some of the most recognizable sports figures in American culture:
Lebron James, Alex Morgan and Johnny Manziel are all part of the 'secret club' depicted in McDonald's. It is no secret that these athletes didn't get to where they are today by eating McDonald's every day, but does this type of celebrity endorsement send the wrong message? It could be argued that most people know that these athletes aren't eating harmful food on a regular basis, but what about children? For young aspiring athletes who look up to these stars are being led to believe that their hero's are big fans of McDonald's. The Child Obesity in America website suggests that nearly one third of the nations children are overweight. If this is truly the case, then why are these athletes backing unhealthy food choices? It is easy, perhaps, for them to claim innocence arguing that it is common sense that this food will make you gain weight, but it is important for them
Got Milk? Has been an iconic campaign that has run for multiple years (from 1995 to be exact).I personally can remember the posters of celebrities with their milk mustaches as of elementary school.However, now the recognizable campaign has gone through a revolutionary change.Now the “Milk Life” will be the tagline in the new milk campaign.Despite the how much it is easy to love the Got Milk? Campaign the question became apparent to how productive the actual campaign had become.Julia Kadison, interim CEO of MilkPEP stated the fact that the audience has forgotten the nutritional value of milk."The milk industry has had a tough bill over the last few years. Consumers seem to be forgetting about milk," Kadison said. "They needed to be educated or reminded of the nutritional value of milk."
Therefore, Got Milk? Possibly has been left in the dust because of the familiarity of the campaign to the audience.This shift to the “Milk Life” campaign may be much needed surprise for this milk drinking audience. The new campaign plans to focus its efforts upon TV and digital ads as well as print.Another surprise to the campaign is the lack of celebrity endorsement compared to the “Got Milk?” campaign.Instead it will focus upon real people in real situations, producing a surprising change to the advertisement of milk.
Self-Acceptance seems to be a new theme in advertising now days.Dove’s beauty campaign has become a solid foundation for others to launch from.Now CoverGirl is taking a chance in promoting strong women through their“Girls Can” campaign.The campaign utilizes many celebrities to get the point across of the strength and capabilities of women in and out of the work place.The commercial is surprisingly inspiring by beginning with Ellen DeGeneresannouncing “Girls Cant?” and then continuing with celebrity personal stories of how they overcame the odds.
The campaign though inspiring is endorsed by many celebrity figures in comparison to Dove’s
beauty campaign.A question that does occur for this campaign is that should CoverGirl have used celebrities to endorse its product?CoverGirl is known for the multiple celebrity endorsements, as well as awarding contracts to on the television program America’s Next Top Model.Questioning the notion of choosing celebrities over real world women with struggles does open the campaign to a new perspective.
However, celebrity endorsement can be justified due to the target audience for the campaign.CoverGirl’s products seem to target a younger demographic, especially in this campaign. It is understandable how teenage girls would look up to these celebrity women.Dove’s “Real Beauty” campaign seems to target an older demographic of women.Therefore, both of these campaigns seem to be effective in different ways.It is understandable how a teenage girl may feel more of a connection to a celebrity,while a grown woman would like to look at the screen and see a woman in which she can relate to.
In an ingenius play of social media advertising, Netflix agreed to go third-wheel at the prom of one of their customers.
This of course raises the question of how a streaming service goes to prom.
Netflix gave the lucky high schooler Muthana Sweis a tuxedo, a car, and a driver. His options to choose from were all inspired by films and tv shows available on netflix. He chose to sport James Bond's tuxedo from Skyfall, the car from the movie grease, and of course Danny Zuco as his driver. Sweis was undoubtedly the talk of the junior prom, and Netflix looked like the true star. With this advertising stunt Netflix engaged directly with a fan (who is most likely apart of a key demographic for the company) and showed other companies just how important social media is becoming in the current marketplace.
Here's the video Netflix made to help promote the event.
This tax season, instead of introducing a fancy new app or offering an incentive, H&R Block decided to target a younger demographic by making fun of hipsters. The campaign ads "bad at taxes" to the list of traits belonging to the hipster stereotype and takes small jabs at anyone with thickrimmed glasses, a beanie, and a scarf.
Some of the ads are actually pretty funny, but does H&R Block really think that insulting the easiest pop culture target of the last five years is going to convince younger people to do their taxes with them? The ads don't offer any benefit, service, or incentive. The only call to action is a hashtag and an invitation to share the videos online. You can almost picture the H&R Block executive meeting with the ad firm asking them to "go viral" with the ad.
The result is a confusing mixed bag of advertising that features sports broadcaster Kenny Mayne as the "pants wearer"in opposition of the hipsters. One ad brings to mind the uber popular AT&T commercials featuring adorable and hilarious children, except they replaced the adorable and hilarious children with hipsters and the comedian with a sports broadcaster.
Also, just in case making fun of hipsters didn't speak to the youth demographic they wrote a rap song. Nothing says tax season, like a hipster rap.
A series of fake election campaign
posters have appeared around Toronto that are promising unorthodox things to
voters. The joke campaign is the product of NoFordNation.com, a Toronto group
trying to highlight its issues with Mayor Rob Ford and stop his re-election. The
signs for nonexistent political candidates poke fun at the Toronto mayor and
his recent antics. The signs show three fake candidates: Jeff NcElroy, who promises
to only smoke marijuana, not crack; Ray Faranzi, who says he will just get
publicly drunk instead of doing so while threatening to kill people; and Jim
Tomkins, who says he doesn’t get caught publicly urinating on camera. The
signs were created by communications company Rethink Media.
When I first saw these campaign signs, I actually thought they were real until I read the accompanying information about them. The signs were removed, but I think they left a lasting impression on people from Toronto, as well as the world. Rethink Media incorporated usual campaign sign features, but obviously added a humorous twist. The signs remind you of Mayor Rob Ford's controversial behavior and why it would be in everyone's best interest to not reelect him.
