Archive for March, 2010
A Collection of Responsible Advertising
Posted by: | CommentsWhile browsing the web today, I came across an amazing site that archieves hundreds of socially responsible ads. Some of them are shocking, some sad, some funny, but most get the point across in my opinion.
http://www.act-responsible.org/public/
I would have posted some of my favorites here, however the website does not allow you to copy and paste the photos elsewhere.
In particular my favorite is on the home page; it is an ad for the International Foundation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Socities. It depends a white and a black hand interwoven with “discrimination the end is in your hands” written across the fingers. I personally think this is an incredibally powerful message. The black skin against white skin is striking in itself. And furthermore, the messaeg is powerful as well since discrimination is still a problem plauging our nation.
Check out their creative gallery, it has tons of great ads!
Human Trafficking
Posted by: | CommentsI think this ad done by Saatchi and Saathci is extremely effective in getting its message across. I was intrigued to find out who the people were when they were initially shown at the beginning of the commercial; at first I thought maybe they were the bad guys. However, S&S did a great job of tying in their message in the last few seconds by showing the people encaged by an upside down shopping cart and asking us “What’s behind the things we buy”?
While I’m usually not one for dramatic and solemn ads, I think this one is important because it gets people thinking. With spring break just around the corner this ad also is a nice little reminder to be careful, (especially if you’re going to Mexico!) human trafficking could happen to anyone.
You think your dog enjoyed car rides before?
Posted by: | CommentsSince this is a social media course, I found this very neat. While playing on facebook, I went to the dogbook I created for my dogs. Then, I noticed at the top of the page a perfectly positioned ad for the Honda Element…. which they have made DOG FRIENDLY!? Of course, being a dog owner, I clicked on the ad which took me to Honda’s website for the Element. What a great concept. They have dog proofed the car with ruber floor mats, and have added a kennel in the back, along with a ramp, a fan to keep your pooch cool, and a water bowl that fits into the car and won’t spill.
This is a great example of how social media can be such a great tool for marketers. I also think Honda did a great job with this concept. In a world that shouts at consumers to demand luxury vehicles… Honda appeals to the consumer’s love for their pets, and their reasonable side. Well done Honda. 
Responsible Advertising for Blogs?
Posted by: | CommentsSince this is a blog dedicated to the pursuit of responsible advertising, I found this article very interesting. While very opinionated, it gives bloggers good guidelines for adding advertising to their blogs, while limiting the intrusiveness of the ads. It also helps bloggers to decide where to post ads, offering ideas such as not advertising on new content to reward frequent readers, and perhaps delaying advertising on content until it has aged a bit.
The Foundation for a Better Life
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The Foundation for a Better Life has tons of billboards and print ads like this and I think its very cool. As someone who drives a lot, I always find myself staring at these billboards longer than I should whilst driving. I think that when it comes to virtuous advertising, the FFBL has a great mission in inspiring people to be proactive in their own lives. There are many other examples of this stuff on their website values.com. There is a link to connect with them on facebook and on twitter and they have a lot of cool information and examples of their ads.
Beck’s Give’s Us All a Lesson: Life is What You Choose
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When I initially found this ad what first got me was the fact that there was a beer ad targeted solely to women, which is rarely ever the case. The second thing that got me was the surrealism of the ad: the colors, the doors leading off onto a sort of wonky pathway, and the stark contrast between the black abyss of a background and the club lights shining onto the girl waiting at the table. And the third, most important thing that drew me into this ad was what was written on the doors” “Never Go Home Alone” and “Always Have Standards”. I love how the girl is placed in between those two doors, and with her drink empty and holding her purse, she looks ready to make a decision–and judging by her teased hair and tight, short, aqua blue dress–it looks like she doesn’t always make the right one. Then, down in the right hand corner, it says “Life is What You Choose”.
Now I am pretty sure Beck’s is telling us to choose the door on the right. I love how the ad has drawn a similarity between having standards with men and having standards with the beer you drink. I assume since Beck’s is a fairly light and low-calorie beer it is one of the few beers that targets to women. I really like the way they have executed this ad. It is aesthetically interesting, simple, responsible, and still maintains some sense of humor that makes beer ads so fun. And of course, it is always nice to see a brand in a product category go against the norm!
