Although I would consider myself something of a “feminist”, I will always hold a soft spot in my heart for beer commercials. And while, yes, they may sometimes objectify women and include insensitive humor, I (and I think most of this country) will always look forward to seeing the latest funny beer advertisement during a commercial break of a sports game.However, when I found this Amstel print advertisement last night, I was pleasantly surprised. Upon first glance it looks like a typical, misogynistic ad of what looks like a wife serving her husband a beer while he watches a football game, but when you read the small print it says, “A bit old-fashioned, isn’t it?”. Since the ad is for the new twist open caps, Amstel took the approach of showing an image that is typically associated with beer and made fun of it (and really, their past ads). This is the first socially responsible beer advertisement that I have seen that does not have to do with just “drinking responsibly”. And, as a woman, Amstel now stands out to me over other beer companies because of this one ad. What a great idea of Amstel!

I “stumbled-upon” this ad campaign earlier this afternoon and I couldn’t stop looking at them. I have chosen three of about thirty images, all of which you can find at http://www.presidiacreative.com/31-clever-and-meaningful-ads-from-the-world-wildlife-fund-for-nature/.

The World Wildlife Fund for Nature is the world’s largest conservation organization and has been known for strong, emotionally-charged advertisements. And although the foundation and its ads may be controversial to some, it is unarguable that this particular campaign is, simply put, really good print advertising.

The three images I have chosen above show a housing development portrayed on a leaf, a bucket spill of pollutions onto a valley, and the evolution of a tiger to a fur coat. My favorite thing about these prints is that they speak volumes without really having to say too much. By using beautiful photography, even more amazing Photoshopping, and strong, carefully chosen juxtapositions the WWF was able to create honest, artistic, creative advertising that is noteworthy, yet still able to avoid being too “preachy”. I am always excited to see campaigns that approach advertising as more of an art, rather than just a necessary means to an end, and the fact that these ads are equally relevant and provocative as they are aesthetically pleasing is the reason I feel this ad campaign is truly worthwhile. Because, in the end, if the ad makes you look and then makes you think, it’s done all the work it needs to.

Disney has been inspiring people for more than 75 years, in 2010 though they are inspiring people to give back to their community with they Give a Day campaign. Throughout 2010, Disney is teaming up with the Hands On service network to give participants a free one day, one park pass to any Disney theme park. Their goal is to get one million people to volunteer at their chosen charities. This is an amazing campaign that not only gets people to volunteer in their communities, but also is a great way to get families to participate in service together.

Disney has done a great job advertising this effort. They kicked off with the Give a Day, Get a Disney day tour, that has traveled to major cities such as Los Angeles, Seattle, and Chicago. So far there has been a few TV spots with Desperate Housewives stars, James Denton and Teri Hatcher, as well with Taye Diggs, and Sara Rameriz.

Over all I think this will be a great campaign to watch, and is a wonderful effort by Disney to work for the greater good by getting people to become involved with their community.

\”To Their Moms, They\’ll Always Be Kids\”

I was watching the Opening Ceremonies for the Vancouver Olympics tonight and this commercial really stuck out to me as a special, heart-warming ad. These types of ads make me proud of good advertising. The ad featues young children performing in all the games of the Winter Olympics. At first it clearly seems like an advertisement promoting the Olympics, but Proctor & Gamble cleverly turns the message around and makes it an advertisement about Moms. It honors all Moms and P&G calls themselves the “Proud Sponsors of all Moms”. This brand now seems to me like a brand that really cares about their customers. While clearly the main goal is to support the Olympics (especially since it aired during the opening ceremony), P&G reached out to a special target audience of Moms. Even though I am not a mom, I loved the sentimentality seen in this commercial. This is virtuous advertising due to its non-violent, vicious, or vulgar context. P&G just moved up on my favorites list!

I was recently disturbed by Dolce and Gabana’s new TIME advertisement.  It is supposed to promote D&G’s line of men and women’s watches but instead promotes a threesome.  The first time I saw this commercial I remember being really taken back and thinking it had to be for a condom company or some type of liquor?  But a watch!!?!  I literally scoffed out loud when D&G TIME came across the screen.  It’s raunchiness completely overshadows the product.

Not only that, the female model is give or take 90 pounds.  I thought we were over the 1990s high-fashion, heroin chic look?  Now I understand that D&G brand persona is supposed to be sexy, european burlesque-ish, but I think they really overdid it here.  Not to mention they ran this ad during the CW’s Gossip Girl, which already gets a bad rap for their underage raunchiness already.  Running this ad during a popular show for adolescents is irresponsible.

Dolce & Gabana should stick to their racy print ads in glossy magazines.  It is much more suited in the pages of Vogue than Monday night prime time television.