Archive for October, 2008
On the first day of Christmas, my agency plagiarised for me…
The Argos Christmas Ad is here. Scamp loved it – and then the rest of the world pointed out that it was pretty much a direct rip off of the Rowan Atkinson scene from Love Actually.
Now I like a good RomCom as much as the next girl but this ad seems to be taking the old adage that ‘imitation is the sincerest form of flattery’ a bit far when its pretty much a facsimile shot by shot.
For comparison purposes, the Argos ad can be viewed here,
and here is Love Actually (the crucial bit starts about a minute into this clip):
I can’t help but have a sneaking suspicion that it won’t have occurred to the Argos client or the team at CHI that Love Actually has been watched so many times by the target audience (mostly of Mums, I’m guessing) that they’re practically word perfect and fiercely loyal to anything penned by Richard Curtis. So they might actually be a bit hacked off rather than appreciative that someone has nicked from their favourite chickflick.
Some of the comments on Scamp’s blog have also pointed out that Argos’ version makes the all-singing, all-dancing wrapathon look like quite a nice way to do your Christmas shopping…
The name’s HD, Sony HD
I do like this Sony HD Quantum of Solace ad – its just that something has been niggling me since I first saw it. When they’ve finished trying to blow up the lovely Daniel Craig, the screen shows this:
And then this:
And finally this:
In theatres October 31st. Not on a Sony HD TV yet then.
Economic Indicators
Sorry to keep banging on about this (now apparently official) recession. But a few things cropped up over the weekend that I thought were worth sharing.
On the downside, over the last couple of days I’ve had reports of a restaurant where the takings are down 20% year on year, the hairdresser whose customers have added an extra week between haircuts and the beautician where you can now get a much coveted after-work appointment on two days notice.
On a more positive note, both freelance and agency mates are reporting unexpected work landing in their laps – from out-of-the-blue new clients to projects that had previously been written off as in Development Hell suddenly springing to life. I can only hypothesise that clients are so scared of having their marketing budgets slashed that they’re spending it while they’ve still got it?
When the going gets tough, its time to buy lipstick
I’m sure you’ve all read the ‘upsurge in sales for shoe repairers’ stories in the news suggesting that some sectors of the economy actually benefit from a downturn, in this case as people get their shoes repaired rather than splashing out on a new pair.
There was also an interesting piece in the New York Times as long ago as May of this year hypothesising that lipstick sales are a way to gauge the state of the economy, with the chairman of Estee Lauder commenting ‘When it’s shaky, sales increase as women boost their mood with inexpensive lipstick purchases instead of $500 slingbacks’.
I think you could add rising sales of other consumer goods as economic indicators too. Like ties – men might not be able to afford a new suit, but can still stretch to a new tie. Or an rise in cushion and throw sales set against falling sofa purchases.
So I suppose you’d better tell your New Business team to go after cosmetics, soft furnishings and erm, tie brands then.
Big Thinking, Big Price Tag
I got an email today reminding me about the forthcoming APG Battle of Big Thinking. It boasts an amazing line up of speakers and everyone I know who has been to a Big Thinking event before has raved about it.
There’s just one problem – the cost. Its not a good time to be asking your boss to sign off a purchase order for £689 for a one day conference. Even the early bird rate of £559 for APG members looks steep in the current climate – especially when you cost in peak time return train tickets for us Outside London.
Don’t get me wrong, my agency is doing OK at the moment, we’re just being sensible about splashing money about. If we’re going to be ruthlessly practical, what is of greater value to the agency – one day of Big Thinking for me or 125 sets of layout pads and marker pens?
When it absolutely, positively has to be there overnight
Thanks to Lunar BBDO’s blog for pointing me towards New York Magazine’s most memorable advertisements Madison Avenue ever sold, which includes this 1980s gem from Federal Express:
I love the end line, but I think you’d get away with somewhat smaller terms & conditions these days!
Those important dates can be tricky to remember
An informative booklet as spotted on a restaurant table today – just in case you weren’t sure which month Christmas fell in…
Are Putin’s PR people taking the p*ss?
This weekend’s photos of former Russian president Vladimir Putin stroking his new tiger cub followed hot on the heels on the release of his ‘Let’s Learn Judo with Vladimir Putin’ DVD. Add in the recent ‘macho man shirtless while fishing/hunting’ photocalls and I can only assume that his PR advisors have been partaking a little too enthusiastically of Russia’s famous vodka.
I can imagine the scene, lots of suited men and bouffant haired women sitting around a board room table, all the wrong side of tipsy going “I’ve got it! We’ll give him a tiger cub!” and everyone else drunkenly agreeing what a fantastic idea it is…
