Archive for Specific Virtues
Feel Pretty with Nike
Posted by: | CommentsI have always really loved this ad with Maria Sharapova. Personally, when I think of working out I think of pushing myself to my limits and getting sweaty and just plain nasty looking. When I think of getting pretty I think of anything but myself at the gym. Basically, me at the gym is just a nasty sight. Maria Sharapova is not only infamous for her skills at tennis but for her great looks as well. This ad reflects the routine before Sharapova gets out there and plays. As the song “I Feel Pretty” plays in the background Maria keeps a very composed, confident and focused expression as she makes her way to the tournament. The lyrics “such a pretty dress, such a pretty face, such a pretty smile, such a pretty me” contrast greatly with her no b.s. expression. The song is cut off upon her winning the play. Although the song reflects women as having an identity through image, the ad emphasizes the identity as the courage and confidence to get out there and “just do it” and shut everybody up. I thought this was a great example of virtuous advertising from Nike.
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. 
A Virtuous Ad by a Virtuous Institution
Posted by: | CommentsI think that this “Miracles” ad by the United Methodist Church is really moving. Looking at the devastation and destruction in Haiti, hope is a hard thing to come by. While it comes as no surprise that churches are participating in raising funds and making a difference, it doesn’t matter what your religion or denomination is to be moved by this simple and inspiring advertisement. The copy as well as the simple imagery is moving. In addition to simply being impressed by the ad, the website that it directs you to is virtuous social media. It allows you to connect with people using whatever social media platform that you prefer in order to help make a difference for people in Haiti, environmental movements, the homeless, and many other projects.
Sidenote: I couldn’t get the ad to show up in the blog, so please hit the linked tag and it will take you to it.
Liberty Mutual: Responsible Advertising
Posted by: | CommentsInsurance is a bland product that usually competes by showing lower insurance rates and a wide variety of discount packages. Geckos and Cavemen are one thing, but Liberty Mutual takes a better more virtuous stance that really gives insight into what the company is all about. The two ads below are two of the best insurance ads that I have seen. The idea of seeing people doing good things and passing it on is virtuous and responsible. I think they do an excellent job.
It is Random Acts of Kindness™ Week… Commit one now!
Posted by: | CommentsFrom the Good News newsletter of the Foundation for a Better Life…
It is Random Acts of Kindness™ Week
Feb 15-21, 2010
This week is the 15th annual Random Acts of Kindness™ Week! What will you do to spread Kindness?! Need ideas? Perhaps you could bake cookies for a neighbor, pay the toll for the vehicle behind you, send a card “just because,” or hold the door open for someone. To see more ideas or to share your own, check out our sister foundation, The Random Acts of Kindness™ Foundation, or their page on Facebook.
As demonstrated through the seminal Liberty Mutual ad… commit to an act of kindness today and see how long you can keep it up! You may inspire someone else or kindness may just become a lifelong habit 
You can make a difference today!
Starbucks Love Project
Posted by: | CommentsIn 2009 Starbuck’s started the Starbucks Love Project, where you go online and add your voice to the global wall singing “All You Need is Love.” Starbuck’s donated 5 cents for every voice added to the site, which raised over 14 million days of medicine for people living with HIV in Africa. On December 7, at 1:30 GMT, 156 different countries participated in a worldwide singing event to raise awareness for their cause (above is a montage of that event). I had never even heard of this at all until I actually paid attention to what was written on one of my Starbucks cups. I only went to the website because of this class. This is truly a great cause that is refreshingly void of Starbucks product plugs, however I really think Starbucks could do a whole lot of good if they advertised this campaign a bit more. Other than that what congratulations Starbucks you truly are bettering the world, one overpriced latte and Beatles song at a time.
Southwest “It’s On” Campaign brings fresh air to airline commercials
Posted by: | CommentsIn the world of aviation travel, commercials are all about the cheapest prices and the most benefits for its frequent flyers. However, Southwest Airlines have concentrated on the most important thing over the past couple of years: customer service. This concentration has made them one of the most successful airlines in recent history. As someone who rarely flys Southwest (they don’t fly to Atlanta), this ad really makes the potential customer feel empowered. I think its very unique in that it says very little about the airline, no mention of prices or benefits, only the sheer excitement of traveling. It emphasizes one of the most negative parts of flying (the anxiety before deplaning) and turns that negativity into excitement and joy. I think it is an innovative ad that continues to set itself apart from the competition with honesty and a clear concentration on the customers experience.
SMU’s Heart Beats for Haiti Initiative takes flight through social media
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After the destructive earthquakes in Haiti in January, SMU’s Student Senate began a program called SMU’s Heart Beats for Haiti. The idea is that donors pay money and get their name put on a heart, which is posted in Hughes Trigg. Your name is also posted on the SMU Website. For organizations the price is $1,000 for a heart. The money all goes to the Clinton-Bush Relief Fund. As far as advertising goes, I think that SMU students have really come together and put in a lot of time and effort to see this succeed. SMU’s Heart Beats for Haiti can be found on Facebook and many people have made comments about it on their twitter pages. Students volunteer to sell hearts everyday outside of Hughes Trigg. The campaign is unique, involved, and persuasive. It is a fine example of some local advertising here on campus.
Recipe for Joy
Posted by: | Commentshttp://www.americangreetings.com/channel/kraft/
Kraft Foods and American Greetings have teamed up to help provide meals for the hungry by donating 10 meals for every free e-card that is sent by users. Donations benefit Feeding America, the largest hunger relief charity in the US.The company had originally committed to donating at least one million meals, but the program has been so successful they are increasing their commitment by offering 3 million meals.
The e-cards include recipes, and entertaining tips for the holiday season. Users can create online recipe boxes, and share their favorites with other users or friends. Users who had shown interest in giving back to their communities inspired the program.Kraft has been a longtime supporter of Feeding America, donating $770 million over the past 25 years.Promotion for this program has been on online social networking sites twitter and facebook, as well as the kraftfoods.com site. The company has also sponsored a holiday movie on the hallmark channel.
I think the fact that Kraft and American Greetings have kept a relatively low profile on this promotion is great. Kraft is trying the help their site users feel like they are making an impact and giving food to the hungry this holiday season!
Go ahead, blame advertising. You know you want to!
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The photos above were taken by a Korean named JeongMee Yoon for her Pink & Blue Project.
JeongMee Yoon’s current work, “The Pink and Blue Projects” explores the trends in cultural preferences and the differences in the tastes of children (and their parents) from diverse cultures, ethnic groups as well as gender socialization and identity. The work also raises other issues, such as the relationship between gender and consumerism, urbanization, the globalization of consumerism and the new capitalism. The topic seems to be well treading territory already but it’s still crazy to visualize. Some of the poses that these kids strike are interesting too.
I found those pretty photos just by accident. I actually love them from the visual point. But to be honest when putting on my “advertiser” hat, I do feel a little bit guilty when facing those colorfully photos though I know if I saw those photos just from a normal public viewpoint, I wouldn’t feel any weird. Apparently, Children & Consumerism issue is portrayed vividly in those photos. So I wonder, as advertisers, should we blame ourselves for worsening the children consumerism problem?
Also, the photos seem to me that things have changed a lot since I was a kid. There is just more fancy stuff for kids than their used to be. While starting to “envy” those lucky kids who born in such a plenty commodity market nowadays, I “admire” the overwhelming advertising power on leading the public especially our kids into an over-consumption era.
I know some may still argue that there is not anything wrong with marketers and advertisers trying to make sales and profit. However, the effects of things like mass consumption, the intense advertising, and targeting to children and its impacts over so many aspects of daily lives is of concern. Children are not only customers, but also consumers, influencers and users in the family Decision-Making Unit. From my personally opinions, I do think children’s identities shouldn’t be defined by their consumer habits; yet that is the main way they see themselves reflected in the media—as consumers, and advertisers are targeting younger and younger children with this message.
