Bastard Creativity

No Comment

The Writer — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 14:41:27 +0000

Who Signed Off On This?

The Writer — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 03:10:09 +0000

I have to say, I’m so disappointed in Sealy.

The people who brought us the “Sealy Posturepedic Morning,” that memorable fantasy about feeling great upon awakening, have some ’splainin’ to do.

Take a look at this recent commercial:

And this one:

What gives, Sealy? Explain to me how the denigration of women helps to sell mattresses. How does labelling them “gold diggers” and “Daddy’s little girls” advance your cause? Really. I’m interested. Show me the numbers. I’m here and I’m waiting.

Somebody does it bettER

The Writer — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:55:01 +0000

We might as well start with Bell Canada, since I discussed the retirement of Frank and Gordon, its two spokesbeavers, in a different blog.

Take a look at this 59-second ad, made for the Beijing 2008 Olympics. Pay close attention to seconds 51 to 55:

Now, take a look at one of the first ads that Apple put out for its iPhone. Pay close attention to seconds 26, 27, and 28 of this 30-second commercial:

Yes, of course, it would have been better had Bell been able to get to Orba Squara’s music first. Because Perfect Timing (This Morning or any morning) is everything. But, aside from that, why do you suppose the Bell ad’s creators copied the last few seconds of Apple’s ad? Could it be because it works?

Perhaps, though, they didn’t actually copy it; might this be a case for the cryptomnesia-detective?

“Yeah, right,” I hear you saying. As if the people in the ad business are more like Paul McCartney than George Harrison.

Coming up in the next post: Never mind all that. Why does it work?

Bastard Creativity

The Writer — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 20:48:38 +0000

It’s not just the name of this blog. It’s what I used to call advertising, when I was young and naïve and happy to be both.

But, I was also happy to attend the annual ad show at the Groaning Board in Toronto (and, later, at the Bloor Cinema). Watching commercials from all over the world was really fun…and frothy man! That is a reference to the drink, Cresta.

But, I digress. My point (should you wish to accept it) is that I’ve been around long enough to see some very good and some very bad advertising and to have developed some notions about the “genre.” So, I’m going to take this opportunity to express my opinion on what I’m seeing, now.

I hope you enjoy it.