Weeee…. I want a Wii!

This simplistic print ad for the Nintendo Wii is an excellent demonstration of a marketing communication done right. Since it’s inception, Nintendo has long since been known for innovation. This ad successfully conforms to the brand image in an inviting way. “Playing = Believing”, and when consumers see this awkward looking gaming machine they have no idea what so expect; Nintendo knows this and they also know that consumers are quite curious.

Rebel, Rebel

The Sobe Corporation has established itself as a trendy and healthy beverage company. Their product line ranges from fruit juices (Sobe Elixir) to flavored water (Life Water). The company has since expanded into the energy drink market. Consumers of energy drinks are ultimately more concerned with a quick “pick me up” as opposed to a product’s perceived health benefits. Sobe demonstrates it understands this with the new “No Fear ” Gold brand. This ad is directed to a teenage-young adult male population (the primary consumers of energy drinks); and thus this ad demonstrates Sobe’s competence in marketing to a very different demographic than their core products.

It’s That Simple.

Chipotle advertisements are great because they tend to be very simplistic; consisting of only a wrapped burrito, a white background, and some amusing text. In this specific ad, Chipotle does a great job of addressing their target market (young adults) with a humorous and edgy message. By golly, I’m getting nostalgic just thinking about my past eating habits.

Arm Yourselves, Kids!

The Nerf corporation understands that young boys are wild, irresponsible, violent, energetic, and plastic gun savvy. It is no wonder that this exact commercial made me (as a child of course) want the biggest and baddest Nerf gun(s) on the market. This communication is so excellent because this company genuinely knows it’s audience. The last thing an eight year old boy wants is to have his friends show up at the playground and blast him in the eye with a brand spanking new N-STRIKE LONGSHOT CS-6, while he holds out his helpless pop gun. Kids, it’s time to fight back and arm yourselves cause it’s Nerf or nothing (and nothing really sucks).

In All the Right Places

 

This World Wildlife Federation communication is utterly brilliant. Instead of utilizing the typical billboard or print ad, this organization has actually installed these paper towel dispensers in public bathrooms. It doesn’t take a conservationist to realize the message the WWF is trying to convey. Creative ideas like this, put in places in which people ACTUALLY contribute to the problem are great ways to point out otherwise simplistic messages that the target audience could ultimately forget in a time of haste.

Cha-ching

 
Before Seth Green hit the silver screen he got his start in commercials. However, not just any commerical mind you, but THE Rally’s commercial. Yes, this commericial has become somewhat of a timeless classic amongst my generation. I feel this ad actually reaches the pinnacle of dumb humor that many advertisers attempt to achieve, but very few actually do. While remaining funny Rally’s still communicates their message: We offer great food at a price that anyone can afford.

Gosh, I wish food was still that cheap.

A Change of Pace

 

I normally loath PETA advertisements despite being a vegetarian myself. The typical advertisements for this organization rely on shock tactics which generally include:

A) mostly nude men or women proclaiming they’d rather be naked than wear fur (OR)
B) disgusting pictures of slaughter houses/factory farm living conditions

Thankfully, this advertisement offers something different that I feel is more effective. Instead we have a celebrity from hit TV show “CSI” communicating a rather thought provoking message “investigate vegetarianism”. This is effective because becoming a vegetarian is part of a paradigm shift that can only really result if the individual takes the time to investigate such a process on their own. It’s far too easy for someone to block out or avoid mentally disturbing imagery when it’s being shoved in their face. This offers a cool and relaxed “hey, go check it out” approach, without all that unnecessary “shock treatment”.

Life’s a Dream

A movie trailer (much like any other form of marcom) must effectively catch the audience’s attention to be effective. The trailer for Waking Life, one of my all-time favorite films, does just that. Perhaps I’ve become desensitized to big explosions and other mind-numbing forms of special-FX, as the Waking Life trailer offered none of the latter. In it’s place are tidbits of intelligent dialog and some absolutely stunning animation. The trailer captures the unique aspects of the film, thus successfully differentiating it from other movies in the cinema.

A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words

This is one my favorite Crayola print advertisement. Essentially what we have being communicated are two things:

1) quality
2) reputation/brand equity

This visually stimulating Picasoesque piece of art (carefully created with none other than Crayola crayons) is an effective means of demonstrating what a decent artist and a pack of Crayola’s can accomplish (hence the quality aspect). In terms of brand equity and reputation, Crayola reminds consumers that they’ve been around since 1885 (hey that’s a long time).

Positive Reinforcement (B.F. Skinner would be proud)

In the age of credit/debit cards I think we can all agree that carrying cash can often times be burdensome and time consuming. What this commercial attempts to do is to reinforce a somewhat recent and growing opinion among the American populous. A subtle reminder can go a long way, and I really feel this commercial is effective at proving its point. On a side note I do wish U.S consumers would stop spending money they don’t have, this recession has gotten deep enough.

Bullied

It’s the 21st century and video games are looking more and more like reality. The new commercial for the hit game “Bully” successfully proves just that. Overall the commercial does a good job at demonstrating the games stunning graphics and realistic game situations. I rarely play games nowadays but there is a certain charm and innocence about this game that appeals to the kid in me. On an even brighter note it is now possible for socially awkward children and adults to switch places with that god forsaken bully!

Exploring the Un-explored

While this Lowa advertisement may be fairly typical among other outdoor boot companies, it is still a very effective communication. First and foremost the boot itself takes center stage, giving potential consumers the ability to look over this aesthetically pleasing and ruggedly built piece of footwear. Secondly the beautiful outdoor scene (hikers included) presents consumers with a place in which they could use these boots. “Take the long way home” offers endless possibilities and adventures that only a great piece of footwear (like these Lowa boots) can take you on.

A Super Idea

 

The Budweiser brand has long since been known as having some of the funniest beer commercials in the world. Perhaps the most well known of these commercials is that of the Budweiser frogs. This commercial even inspired a pop-culture phenomenon. Back when this commercial aired; even a trip to the store couldn’t go without seeing Budweiser frogs t-shirts hung up on store shelves. So what caused such a thing to happen? Simple really, a brilliant/creative idea and a Super Bowl time slot.

Yummy and Discrete (effective alternative)

The act of chewing tobacco grosses me out but perhaps I’ve become a bit tainted. I did once accidentally drink out of my roommates Gatoraid bottle which conveniently had the leftover remnants of tobacco juice inside of it.

I really think this ad is effective at demonstrating an alternative for the cigarette smoking addicts out there. Now they can discretely get their nicotine fix anywhere they desire. Sigh, if only the ad told us where to spit the “juice”.

Flash Back 2004

Marketing isn’t always concerned with products or services. In fact, some of the world’s most infamous decisions are based on the ideas of marketers who have gone to the dark side! Hence, the Swift Boat veterans attack ad that ran prior to the 2004 election. This ad devastated John Kerry’s campaign and was a significant reason for his failure to become elected. The ad(s) played VERY heavily on the emotions of television viewers. Those viewers who failed to research the truth behind such claims could have became easily duped at the ballot boxes. Of course I’m not condoning false or controversial claims, but any ad that plays upon the emotions of the audience as well as this commercial deserves to be recognized.

The Best Day of My Life…

 

 

 

 This Power Bar Harvest ad struck me as being witty yet information so I decided to include it in my ever expanding list of great marketing communications. The eye-catching ad promises to fire us up with enough energy to start the day. Heck, I’m not a morning person (or eleven o’clock person for that matter) and the idea of an energy boost is quite appealing. Perhaps it’ll even be the best day of my life. Gee, thanks Power Bar!

Apply Directly to the Head

I’ve always been fascinated by the “Head On” commercials. They are short, sweet, and to the point. The brand’s commercials are also always strikingly similar (which definitely gets them marketing communication bonus points). They depict a person standing in front of a brightly colored background rubbing a gluestick-like container across their forehead. A man (or woman in this case) with an obnoxious voice calls out “Head on, apply directly to the head!”.

This is pure genius!

Repositioning with Sir Tiger Woods

 

The best current repositioning effort among ANY brand goes to Buick. Long thought of as a “grandpa” car, Buick has spent mega bucks using professional golfer Tiger Woods to change consumer perceptions. Buick doesn’t beat around the bush either, in this commercial Mr.Woods is quoted as saying;

” Growing up, you know, I never would have seen Buick going this way. I thought it was for my mom and my dad, you know that generation; but that’s changed.”

You heard it from Tiger, the Buick is now a cool thing to drive! Good thing too, maybe my rusty green Buick Lesabre will be the thing to have….

Juicy Goodness

 

The following Starburst commercial is an excellent example of a “good” marketing communication. The advertisement relies on humor and depicts two H.S/College students interacting with a an odd looking lad. The commercial successfully appeals to this target market (teenage/young adult males) and finishes with the brand slogan “juicy goodness” being flashed across the screen. This slogan is amusing and it conforms to the Starburt target market all while communicating the benefits of the candy.