Author Archive
Liberty Mutual-Responsibility
Posted by: | CommentsThe first time I saw this commercial, it really stuck with me. Liberty Mutual doesn’t mention their name or brand logo until the very end, so before even knowing the sponsor, I really appreciated the ad. The concept is ‘Pay it Forward;’ each little nice/helpful thing you do for someone will continue a chain of helpful events. I love this concept because it’s a reminder for all of us in this fast paced world that all the little things add up. Picking up a toy a child in a stroller dropped is such a simple thing to do, yet it is so helpful for that parent trying to juggle a million things and may not even realize the child dropped their beloved stuffed animal.
At the end of the commercial I was really surprised to learn that it was for Liberty Mutual, an insurance company. I think they’ve done a great job emphasizing that their company is responsible, and will be there for you when you need that extra bit of help. Furthermore, they managed to create an insurance ad that isn’t dull and dry; something I haven’t seen since the Geico Insurance ads.
Buckets For The Cure
Posted by: | CommentsWith Susan G. Komen ‘Race for the Cure’ events taking place across the nation this April, KFC has found a perfect time to partner with a charity. KFC has now launched their ‘Buckets for the Cure’ campiagn, which gives 50 cents to Susan G. Komen for every bucket of chicken purchased.
However, with buckets of chicken costing around $10 these days, is this really a charitable enough contribution? 50 cents of 10 dollars, thats 5%…I don’t find this number to be impressive honestly. If a major national company wants to partner with a charitable organization, great, but actually make a significant contribution.
KFC hopes to reach their 8.5 million dollar goal of money raised for the cure by May 9, 2010. The campaign, which began April 5th of 2010 has raised a little more than $2 million right now, and KFC is quickly running out of time.
In my opinion, they should have made a bigger contribution to the Cure for each bucket sold, even $1 per bucket would have been reasonable. Is a 5 percent donation per bucket large enough for KFC to reach their 8.5 million dollar goal? Doubtful.
If interested in more information, visit www.bucketsforthecure.com
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!
Jenny Craig
Posted by: | CommentsUnder the new FTC ruleing, testimonials must clearly disclose the resuts which consumers can generally expect to see. This effects advertisements in a tremendous way. No longer can companies boast about exceptional, but rare, results. Now brands are required to clearly tell consumers what they can generally expect to find.
This is clear in Jenny Craig’s latest ad campaign featuring Sara Rue. Consumers have grown wary of constantly hearing ads claiming that their product can make you lose 40 pounds FAST. Now, rather than seeing the extreme cases, we are given more typical cases.
I was caught off gaurd when I first saw Jenny Craig’s ad where Rue exclaimed, “I’ve already lost 5 pounds!” Five pounds? Seriously, big deal. But then I remembered the new FTC ruling and it all clicked. This is the direction all weight loss advertisements are going to head as companies begin to catch on.
However, are these ads even effective? Why waste millions of dollars on a TV campaign ‘bragging’ of 5 pounds of weight loss. Seems like a poor use of ad dollars to me.
To see the advertisment:
http://jennycraig.com/?dfa=1#
And click ‘See Sara’s new commercial’
Excretion Vision
Posted by: | Comments
After seeing the photos Elizabeth posted creating awareness about environmental destruction, I thought I would try and find some good ones too.
However, when I came across this ad, I almost threw up. However it does get its point across. It may be over the top but sometimes that’s what you need to grab peoples attention.
This ad was done by the Greenfamily Youth Association of Environment Protection, who wants to bring attention to the fact that some places are still being polluted. They hope to “make people aware of the environmental protection issue.” And I think they will do very good job of that if enough people are exposed.
Dove Men
Posted by: | CommentsDove has been greatly praised for their advertising featuring average, fuller figured women. Now they have moved on to a men’s campaign, hoping for the same success.
This particular ad is the second in the series, following up the first ever Men’s Care product line by Dove which was advertised during the Superbowl. Although I like both, I particularly like the second ad. Rarely can you find an ad for men’s shower gel that isn’t over the top raunchy (did anyone say Axe?)
However, Dove took a different approach by showing a little girl with her father at both the beginning and end of the ad which I really liked. Rather than showing a women clinging to her man after he uses the ’sexual’ body wash, Dove replaced the stick thing woman with a daughter figure which I thought was a really good move.
In addition to this Dove also is able to get across all of the product attributes that they were trying to convey. All in all, I think a really well done ad.
The first ad aired during the Superbowl
The Second Ad (my favorite)
Joe’s Crab Sh*t
Posted by: | Comments
Since this is a blog about ‘virtuous advertising’, when I saw the latest Joe’s Crab Shack commercial this morning I leaped out of bed to post it for everyone to see. Based on this ad, I’m not sure who Joe’s target audience is. Since the ad features a family dining at the restaurant, one would think that it was aimed at young families, however after each of the each of the two children say “Oh Shit!” following their parents, I’m starting to think otherwise. Is the restaurant trying to target teens and young adults who may find this funny? I’m still not sure what Joe’s Crab Shack was thinking, but the ad has already been banned on FOX, Turner Network, and The Discovery Channel.
