People commented below this ad saying that it was the “coolest, more original great ad from T-mobile.” But wait I feel like I’ve seen people do this before like 4 separate times….. oh that’s because I have! But props to them for adding their name to the end of this video when people happen to be using their cell phones that are probably Verizon or an iPhone.  I guess I’ll stop being critical. So I like this ad because it was the perfect example for something that has been bugging me lately. I’ve recently been posting on my other blog about visually stimulating ads from various agencies. I find it interesting that an advertiser can simply create a ‘beautiful’ ad and promote their product just as well (if not better) as an informational advertisement. What is it about visually arresting ads which have nothing to do with the product that drives consumers to the point of purchase? I’m going to make an ad. I’m going to shoot a gorgeous sunrise setting over a body of water while Clare de Lune plays from a piano; then follow it with the copy, “Get your free Wolverine cup when you show your ticket at McDonalds!” Some great ads have followed this formula, but if you really think about it, what in the world does it have to do with the product. I know you’ve seen hundreds of examples. What is it psychologically that really drives people to buy from ads such as these? Maybe I’m just looking at it in a different light because I study advertising, but I don’t think I’ll be fooled by a painting from Monet with Spam putting its name on it. Here’s another great example (its pretty cool looking, even I have to admit)

The New York Times recently did an article discussing Apple’s current marketing campaign and what their doing with advertising. It focuses in on its’ ongoing battle with Microsoft as it tries to claim dominion over the computer industry. Apple’s advertising agency TBWA/Chait/Day confronted IBM back in ‘84 and The New York Times is saying their current competition with Microsoft is similar to that. Apple increased marketing and advertising expenditures the last three months of 2008 and it has put them as “the second-most prolific technology advertiser, behind only Microsoft.”

It really bugs me when companies compare themselves to a specific brand in their advertisements. I think it shows poor character and insecurity. Saying this, I have never been a fan of the ‘I’m a Mac’ commercials because I think there are far more creative ways to distinguish yourself then degrading another brand. But the competition is thick between the two companies. The president of the Creative Strategies branch of Apple discusses in the article that their trying to take advantage of the time Mac has before Windows 7 (the upcoming Microsoft OS) is released. Microsoft got terrible rep for releasing Vista and is expected to make a comeback so Apple is undergoing full-fledged marketing at this point.

I really hope that in a year the competition between Apple and Microsoft has matured and Apple can distinguish itself confidently and without degradation (Although, I will agree that the commercials are pretty humorous at times). TBWA/Chait/Day’s famous Apple advertising has always been an attack against their competitor, but it has worked and I suppose that is the point. But personally, I appreciate brands who can come up with something other than “Well we have this feature and you don’t” advertising.

Walmart? When I first saw this I was expecting an agency or some significant commercial, but what the presenters of the award (Hallmark and Parent’s Television Council) were looking for was a little more than just one commercial or even one campaign. Walmart was given the award because they have “committed to a policy of only sponsoring family-friendly programming through their advertising” (parentstv.org). I liked this because they were given an award for sponsoring responsible television. This means that it wasn’t just a narrow election, Walmart was chosen because they encouraged several programs and the commercials inbetween which has much more reach than a campaign. I didn’t know what the Parent’s Television Council was at first, but I found out (according to their website) that they are “the nation’s most influential advocacy organization protecting children against sex, violence and profanity in entertainment.” Hallmark teamed up with PTC and created this award. Walmart recieved the second anual award late last year. Pretty cool that their is a responsible advertising award out there that holds some weight.

It’s good to hear a mammoth like Walmart invests money in promoting socially-conscious programs like scholarships, this family-oriented television, voter registration, affordable perscription drugs, and energy conservation.