MDC

Crispin Porter + Bogusky

Windows – “Giampaolo” - Boulder
Ok so now I get to say what I really feel. Crispin Porter was my agency for our group project and let me tell you, it was a real treat to have an agency as crazy and fun as Crispin. They recently were given the Windows account and charged with the task of combating Mac’s “I’m a Mac and I’m a PC” ads. In our group project we conveyed what many critics said about Crispin’s rebuttal, that it was a sad attempt. BUT, this is my blog so I get to say what I think now. First of all, yes, I own a Mac, and I’ve certainly sipped the punch. I think Macs are the greatest things ever. But, I really really like these ads from Crispin for Windows. I love how they blatantly and shamelessly complement the Mac and then criticize it and move on back to the PC’s. It’s in your face confrontation and is exactly what Crispin needed to do. I am glad they had the balls to take Apple head on.

VitroRobertson

Audi – R8 – San Diego
Once again, I’m a big car person, and I really appreciate when ad agencies present a car in well deserved manner. This ad takes you through Audi Lineage to where it is today. This commercial can’t be done often, and it’s a good thing it wasn’t because there wouldn’t have been this perfect opportunity to debut it with the new R8, which is certainly a culmination of Audi’s history. I watched this commercial several times just so that I could see what all changes from decade to decade. It’s really cool to see years of advancements in so many areas flash before your eyes in a matter of seconds. Very very nice job Vitro.

Cliff Freeman & Partners

YouthAids – “Kama Sutra” – NY
Ooooo Wow, what a powerful ad. This is a poster that was created by Cliff Freeman & Partners to be distributed to college campuses to spread awareness about YouthAids. I think it will certainly make its point. Everyone knows that Aids kill but sometimes you have to see it in a more visual light to make it “hit home”. I think this will do just that.

Kirshenbaum Bond

PSA Conserve America – Conserve Energy – NY
This is similar to the PETA ad that I showed earlier, this isn’t terribly exciting and I don’t even know really what to say about it, but yet again, a visual way of shedding light on what was previously a tired subject.

HAVAS

Arnold Worldwide

Truth – “Don’t always die” – D.C.
This is one of the commercials in the “truth” campaign that I do like. It’s factual and scary and hopefully will get people to stop smoking by bringing up a new viewpoint. Arnold teamed up with CPB to do the truth campaign and for the most part I think it was very successful. I HATE the ads with all the cartoons and singing and dancing though. I think it is the biggest waste of money and if I smoked I would smoke an extra cig after seeing one of those to calm me down from the rage I would experience from the money wasted on one of the dumbest concepts I’ve seen to date. And I AM the target market.

Euro RSCG

Volvo – Olympics – Australia
Who doesn’t love a well time ad that corresponds with an event we all love so dearly, the Olympics. This is a cool print ad, because its 2 familiar images in unfamiliar ways. And I like the copy at the bottom; it really feels like the company is talking directly through the ad. I think it’s this type of direct communication that can bridge the gap between company and consumer. But Volvo is Swedish right? What’s up with that?

McKinney

Sherwin Williams – “Ask Sherwin Williams” – Durham
PLEASE read the sub head on this ad. It’s so creative and puts a funny spin on the typical “where babies come from” talk. They push the envelope but in a classy and funny way that will probably get a rise out of even the most prude person. This ad gives Sherwin Williams a hip and sarcastic tone that I think will be good for the brand.