So pretty much every retailer has shown their hand now in The Great Christmas TV Ad Showdown. Judging by online views and my friends with kids, Sainsbury's Mog is by far the most popular. And the grocery gurus I follow on twitter say that cuddly Mogs are flying out of stores. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuRn2S7iPNU But it's actually not … Continue reading Sainsbury’s might win The Great Christmas Ad Showdown on views, but Lidl and Asda nailed it
I've seen a quite enormous number of bad ads over the festive break, mostly from furniture retailers. But one ad stood out, possibly because it was practically the only one that wasn't urging me to head down to my nearest retail park and spend, spend, spend. Sky's ad is beautifully shot and uses Harrison Ford … Continue reading Sky provides relief from bad post-Christmas ads
I was wondering round Leeds the other week when I saw the new baby Range Rover Evoque on display in the middle of an upmarket shopping arcade. Of course I had a nosey – I’m always on the lookout for my motoring holy grail, an automatic that’s good on the motorway, is small enough to … Continue reading is the Range Rover Evoque a designer handbag?
I can’t say I’m mad keen on the new ad I saw for Matalan last night (by BBH I think). I love the idea of Feel Good Fashion, I’m just not as keen on a 60sec ad that leaves me feeling a bit queasy and is devoid of branding until 50secs in. If you’re going … Continue reading Matalan’s Spring TV ad – looks lovely, but who was it for again?
Awesome Super Bowl Chrysler ad from W&K Portland that will send every hard man down to his local Chrysler dealership. I bet the folks in charge of regenerating Detroit are thrilled. I'm not sure about the choir at 01.32 though. It feels a bit Glee / some kind of Oscars musical medley moment... Update 08/02/11 - I had … Continue reading lose yourself in a Chrysler, imported from Detroit
I was rather looking forward to seeing the new PCWorld-meets-Star Wars ad. Since I don’t do X-Factor (where it first aired on Saturday night), I tracked down the director’s cut on youtube: I think I was expecting something with a little more upfront warmth and humour and less shots of endless rows of product. The … Continue reading PCWorld and Currys meets Star Wars – I want to love it, but I don’t, quite
I’ve noticed a new trend in TV art direction recently – the Touchscreen Finger Effect. Watch how we slide seamlessly from one product benefit to another! That’s how cool and relevant to your tech-savvy life our brand and product is! Recent offenders include: Land Rover Recover Energy with .. Watch the ad... Toyota Auris Thousands … Continue reading Putting my finger on an art direction trend
I’ve been enjoying Sherlock on BBC1 (first episode AMAZING, second one merely gripping) and it struck me as Sherlock gazed intently at a load of data stuck on the wall and tried to make sense of it that he'd make a great Planner. Well, obviously not great in the being-nice-to-clients and empathising-with-Asda-Mums sense, but in … Continue reading Sherlock and three patch problems
Travelodge’s new campaign featuring ‘Mr Sleep and the Zzz Squad’ breaks tonight. It comes courtesy of Mother (I think) and apparently marks Travelodge’s return to TV after 10 years. According to this piece in Marketing Week the new campaign is focused on positioning the company as a ‘retailer of sleep’ In the ad, a crack … Continue reading Say hello to a good night with Mr Sleep and the Zzz Squad
It’s been a good week for M&S. Their new telly ad seems to have gone down well, with loads of positive online buzz and the track featured (Got to Be Real by Cheryl Lynn) is inching its way up the itunes chart: The casting of the latest batch of M&S Girls seems pretty spot on … Continue reading Good week for M&S as they keep it real
