BMO Harris Bank

Harris Bank has recently come out with a great new campaign featuring several commercials focusing on the idea of teaching the youth the value of money. I think this is a great direction for a bank to head in. Instead of focusing on the pitfalls or problems people can have with money, focusing more on adults, why not take a different angle and focus on the children? It's a great game changer and will definitely attract families into trusting the banks more.

Here are some of my personal favorites from the campaign:



Aside from these darling commercials, BMO Harris Bank also gives customers numerous videos featured on YouTube about the different ways they can go about doing this for their children. They give them the step by step by explaining why it is good to do so and why it is a good idea to do it now. This is a great advertising tool because it is taking testimonial's to sell a product. I always find that that makes the consumer feel better about the product a company is selling us; to hear it from the buyer directly.

Here is one of those family videos:


This is just a great way to try and gain the trust back from the public. This is the route banks need to take in order for this to happen. BMO Harris Bank helps give people an opportunity for their children and themselves through these informational videos they have posted all over YouTube. I think this is a great way to advertise and I only hope they will come out with more cute kid commercials about their naive ways of spending/using money.

Old Spice

I couldn't help but do one of my blog posts about the great commercials that Old Spice puts out there. Each and everyone has a different spin on the same joke, "you wish your man could smell like me." I think Old Spice made a brilliant choice with this actor/spokesperson as well. He is perfect for the role. He literally, makes the commercials.

Here is one of my favorites by Old Spice:


But the main reason why I find these advertisements and commercials so interesting is because of their new found way of advertising. Old Spice has really begun to catch on to the enormous world of social media and the world of the internet in general. Old Spice now has several videos on YouTube from their new advertising campaign, where they focus on certain celebrities and people and make about 25-45 second shorts talking about why you should smell like Old Spice. And they are all great. They are witty, funny, and relatable. They may be a little far-fetched, but I think the oddity of the jokes is what draws in such a large audience. We are living in a time where advertisements thrive on being this weird funny, and Old Spice does this perfectly.

Some of these videos even reference the other tools or sites they use through social media to advertise for their product. For example, Old Spice is now a big user or participant on Twitter and Facebook. They also are constantly updating these sites and the videos I talked about above. This new campaign directly connects Old Spice to those on these sites by a series of videos on YouTube. They literally will pick out people who have talked to them on these sites and will give them a video response back.

Here are a couple of their new videos for the campaign talking about their different uses of social media:




Hope you all enjoy these commercials! They definitely gave me a good laugh!

Burger King

I found this billboard on a funny blog I follow on Stumbleupon.com and thought it was pretty interesting. As you can see, someone has put some graffiti on it to make fun of what I think is some bad advertising. The billboard shows desserts featured only at Burger King that you could have as a normal meal. The reason why this is so great is because the graffiti on the billboard points out the fact that this is why our country has such a high obesity rate—these types of advertisements.

Burger King has really been lagging behind in the advertising department for the last year. McDonalds, their biggest competition, seems to have a new commercial and new billboard every week. Having a billboard like this, and getting such negative feedback, will hurt the company and brand greatly. I don’t know what they were thinking. Because we do live in a society that is becoming one of the most obese places to live in the world, how could you think advertising desserts as main course meals would be a good idea? It’s not. It’s trying to play on a joke that’s not really funny and only contributes to the bad eating habits we have here in good ol’ America.

Even though Burger King really made a mistake in using this advertising method, plenty of other fast food restaurants play on the same idea. McDonalds used to be famous for selling and advertising fatty foods, but now have they've turned into a more family focused and healthy focused company. I only hope Burger King will catch on to the new healthy eating habits we are trying to have and keep in our country and perhaps they will steer away from eating desserts for every course.

Above the Influence

I'm sure everyone is familiar with the Above The Influence campaign that's been around for what seems like forever. Their campaign is mostly made up of commercials, but I have seen quite a few billboards posted in various spots around the city. I will only be featuring one of these commercials in my post, however. I found this commercial especially interesting because I think it's really going way too far to scare kids into not drinking.



The way this video is set up paints a horrible picture about what would happen if you were to possibly experiment with alcohol. There are definitely better ways of passing on the message to teens that drinking is bad, besides this one. This really just scares kids and also makes those who may have already experimented with it, feel like they've really made a huge mistake in their life. I especially don't like the bit about how your life is virtually over if you succumb to peer pressure and drink as a teen. Isn't that a bit drastic? Shouldn't teens be reached in a more careful and healthy way? That way, the message will truly be in their minds as something that may not be something they want to do as a teen.

Many of their other commercials seem to be pushing the box a little too much with the scare tactics. But, like I said above, I think this commercial is the best example of that. These types of campaigns should reach children in a healthy and smart way instead of showing images of girls throwing up pictures and trophies from various points in her life. It's a bit silly and I don't think the message will resonate well with children/teens. Hopefully some new commercials and billboards will be coming out soon with a better message. But as of right now, I'm very disappointed with this campaign.

Verizon NFL, take the action with you

While watching my beloved packers this past Sunday, I realized something very interesting about Verizon Wireless's NFL Mobile commercial; It was all Green Bay Packer footage featuring the amazing, Clay Matthews and his infamous, "bicep flex." After seeing the commercial, I felt like Verizon really made an effort to connect with their fans, where ever they may be.



This commercial does a great job of connecting with a wide range of audiences. It appeals to any kind of man--a chef, a husband, a golfer--as well as women. Also, any fan of the Packers would know this dance. This makes the commercial intimate and special. It's like they knew they were showing this for us Packer's fans!

But, I can't help but think, "Was this really intentional?" Does Verizon really play different clips for different cities? Judging by the reaction I just gave to seeing the Packer's on my phone service's commericial, I'd say they should. It's ingenious! And I'm sure Verizon is hitting all their targets. Guys go nuts for the stuff! I'm definietly giving Verizon an A on this one. It was super intimate, funny, and it sold me on the product. I felt like I could be one of those people, stopping in the middle of the street and crouching down to celebrate a Clay Matthews tackle. Verizon really made a good choice of showing a Green Bay Packer clip. We're just so dedicated that whatever has to do with the Packers, we're there!

Nissan Leaf 2012

I couldn't help but notice the new 2012 Nissan Leaf commercial. It's clever, real, and it really gets the point across; this is a 100% electric car. Not only do I think this commercial is great but it's super smart. After seeing this, I would feel guilty not to purchase one of these cars.




I especially enjoyed this commercial because it showed that Nissan is ready to take down their competition. In the commercial, the new 2012 Chevy Volt is featured. The Chevy Volt is a half-electric half-gas powered car. I think it was really smart idea for Nissan to do this because their car is actually 100% electric powered. This commercial really plays on the idea that everything we use uses gas. So having the Chevy Volt in the commercial, really shows up the competition and shows that Nissan is the better car.




What's interesting as well is I featued the new Chevy Volt commercial in a previous blog as being a great advertisement. Well, now that I've seen the new Nissan Leaf, I'd have to take back my statement. I think this advertisement is taking something that is serious and making it relatable and changeable. By just buying this car, you'll be taking the next step in helping the environment become more indepedent of oil and gas. The whole idea of an electric toothbrush blowing fumes in my partners face doesn't seem like the way I want my future to be. So Nissan is hinting that by taking these little steps, and buying their electric car, we all can make some huge improvements in becoming more eco-friendly as a nation.



Overall, I think this advertisement is a great example of how you can seriously implement some environmental ethics in to the minds of the people. This is a clever commercial that I'm sure you will remember if you see it. It's smart, logical, and you feel good about doing it. Where you can go wrong?

CK One Shock -- Seriously, Calvin?

This new CK One commercial, promoting the new CK One Shock fragrance, is sure to catch your eye, but probably not in the way you had hoped. Calvin Cline's new campaign, targeting men and women mostly likely the age 18 years to 35 years, features several attractive, young, and half-naked men and women, dancing around an empty, laser-filled room, in front of an oddly placed camera. What's the message here? Oh, yeah. To buy Calvin Cline's new fragrance, of course! Not.



This commercial is so raunchy, sexual, and plain out inappropriate, that I don't think it should even be aired on TV. One of the biggest problems I have with this type of advertising, is the way they degrade people's self image. They portray the wearers of this scent to look and act in a certain way. And supposedly, that's the cool way. The women are super skinny and the men are perfectly chiseled. But why? That's probably not who's really buying this perfume. Why go down that road? Companies should really be trying to stay away from this type of advertising. They shouldn't be telling me what the perfect woman and man should look like.

Not only does it degrade the normal person's self image, but it's also way too inappropriate for everyday TV. It's wrong for this commercial to be shown. The whole commercial looks like it's about a bunch of kids, messed up on drugs, making out without clothes on, in front of a camera, and saying CK One, Shock. Why would I want to wear this scent? What in this ad has made me say to myself, oh yeah, I'd love that? Nothing! I wouldn't even buy this for a friend. This advertisement is just another sex ad but the kind that just doesn't work at all. Calvin tried to fool us with the techno music and rave lights, but he's not fooling anyone. All this advertisement is doing is making Calvin Cline looked like a dirt, sex oriented brand. This commercial will definitely change the minds of his loyal customers. I won't buy anything made by his brand ever again.

Here are two videos showing the new CK One campaign. The first is for the entire CK One campaign and the second is only the CK One Shock ad.





And it doesn't stop there. Check out what else Calvin has to throw at us on his website, www.ckone.com.

Trick-or-Treat!

In celebration of Halloween, I have decided to choose which candy advertisement, in my opinion, stood out the most this year. And my year's winner is this strange yet funny commercial made by Snickers. It definitely stays true to the always weird, witty, and fun advertising that the Snickers company has always had. But I thought this one was better than all the other Halloween advertisements because it appeals to a very large audience. It's cooky and funny and you are sure to have a laugh.



I think this commercial is great. It is a joke the young and the old can understand. And most likely, every kid wishes they could do this exact same thing. I mean, how perfect would it be if you could just fill your neighbors shopping carts with your personal favorites for trick-or-treating? It'd be awesome! You'd get the most delicious candy and at every house! This commercial wins the hearts of the trick-or-treat-ers and the treat-ees in a very clever way.

Snickers seems to be the one to beat for silly and funny advertisements. They constantly are pulling new jokes out of the hat and surprising us all with out funny they can be by being so weird. Weird and funny advertising definitely seems to be the way every candy company is going in nowadays. But I can't complain, I think they are hilarious! Keep em' coming!

Value Billboards

I am a frequent passenger on Milwaukee’s bus system and at almost every stop I see these kind of billboards. They always have something uplifting or inspirational to say like this one shown above. While checking out the website, which is featured at the bottom of the billboard (www.values.com) , I found out that these advertisements aren’t really advertising for anything at all. What they are really trying to do is, “promote positive values,” because people are basically good and all they need is a little reminder.

The Foundation for a Better Life is the organization behind values.com and this brilliant advertising. In my opinion, these billboards are interesting because they aren’t trying to sell me some kind of meaningless product that I probably don’t even need, but they are trying to sell me something far more personal with actual meaning to my life, values. They are reminding and inspiring people to remember the good things in the world. Sometimes our days aren’t going so well and seeing these types of billboards around town may put a smile on your face.

I especially like that this organization features a lot of these billboards on college campuses. I think it’s a really good idea to focus on that target because sometimes our lives aren’t always fun and games and a simple reminder like this is a great way to keep moral up at a school. It’s also fun and not like the same old advertising you see everywhere. Try to spot one of these billboards out yourself on campus. It’s not hard to do and sometimes they really do inspire you. Here are some others I haven't found around Milwaukee but saw on their website:

Axe Advertising--Premature Perspiration

I think everyone is quite familiar with the advertisements put out by one of the biggest teenage boy body spray's called AXE . Axe has always been famous for using the shock value when putting together a commercial. Their commercials and magazine advertisements are always full of sexual innuendos that reference their irresistible smell. In my own opinion, I think AXE is really starting to take advantage of "edgy" commercials.

In their newest campaign, with a slogan of "premature perspiration," AXE really takes it to the next level. Of course, with a slogan like that your mind already begins to wander. But, I think this is taking it a little too far. In their campaign, the main idea is focused on a guy seeing a hot woman and "prematurely perspiring," because he simply can't help himself. By using AXE Deodorant, however, you can avoid the whole embarrassing "premature perspiration" thing, and keep on sweating without your woman knowing. How great!



Not. I think it's a little strange to think about a guy, starring at you from across the room, basically ejaculating sweat from his armpits. I don't understand how anyone could think that that joke is a clever usage of the vulgar and sexual term. I think AXE is overstepping some major boundaries. As someone apart of their target audience, mostly likely buying the product so my man will stop prematurely perspiring, I would never buy the product. And I don't even see nor get the connection teenage boys will make with the idea of picking up deodorant to stop their "premature perspiration." Isn't that a super embarrassing thing? I mean the commercials already embarrassing me, and I'm just the one being looked at! Take a look for yourself. And if I were showing this commercial on my network, I'd definitely put a "warning, mature content," before the commercial.

Allstate Mayhem!

Allstate, whose advertisements are usually serious and to-the-point, has done an excellent job on this chain of hilarious commercials you see on almost every channel. Yes, I’m talking about the “Mayhem Man.” Their latest commercial, featuring Mayhem as a blind spot to a driver, made me realize that they truly nailed these commercials.



Not only does Allstate totally appeal to their target audience, which is most likely 18 year olds and up, but they also took this joke and created a goldmine. They can take this joke in whichever way they want. They can be silly, they can be a little more serious, but it always comes down to mayhem seriously messing up your stuff. I really enjoyed all of these commercials, but here are some of my personal favorites:




Allstate is a great insurance company. Its commercials are usually geared towards families and people who need a reliable and stable insurance company, that’s why I love these commercials. They tried something different and it definitely ended up being a good risk. I think they’ve really got something going on here. They are appealing to every target in these commercials. They are witty, funny, yet still accurate to what could actually happen in real life. Because there really is real-life mayhem!

I also love the catch phrase they have created from these commercials; “so get Allstate. You could save money and be better protected from mayhem, like me.” In my opinion, the whole campaign of the "Mayhem Man," was a great success. I can't wait to see what new, crazy, and obnoxious mayhem they'll come up with next.

Sheets Energy Strips

Have you ever needed one of those pick-me-ups but didn't want an energy drink because of the extra calories? Then sheets, a new energy strip, is just the product for you. It has 0 calories, 0 carbs, and 0 sugar. But what's even better, is their advertising.

I guarantee you have seen one of these weird yet funny advertisements on billboards and commericials as well as in magazines. I think they have even set a new standard for corky advertising. But, is it just really strange, or is it really smart?

In my opinion, I think they are taking a silly joke, way too far. It's a little annoying and the whole gist of the advertising campaign really does not make me want to eat an energy strip. Take a look at these advertisements:

New Volt Commercial

In June of last year, GM came out with their new and improved 2012 Volt. If you are not familiar, the Volt is a plug-in electric hybrid vehicle that was rated by the EPA in 2010 as being the most fuel-efficient compact car in the United States. The Volt can acquire an amazing 93 miles to the gallon using only its lithium powered battery and 35 miles using gasoline. Chevy claims you can “commute gas-free on electricity for an average of $1.50 a day.” Besides its awesome fuel efficiency and lessened carbon foot-print, Chevy really nailed it when it came to their 2012 commercials. Take a look for yourself. I found them quite funny.

This is the first commercial out of two:



And this is the second commercial:




I think Chevy did a great job in these commercials. I love the fact that they are taking their new green vehicle and advertising it with a joke. I believe green products need to be relatable to a wide range of audiences in order to succeed and I think Chevy hit the nail on the head. They used a joke that will be relevant to all ages hence the young boy, 30 year old man, and father that appeared in the commercial. Chevy also targets audiences who are looking to be more eco-conscious by poking fun at the gas stations.

Overall, I think Chevy truly succeeded. They took a green product and really created a great advertisement to go with it. I believe that this will not only help Chevy in their sales but also elevate their reputation for GM. People will feel better about buying their products because they know by doing so they are participating in helping the environment. Great job Chevy!

funny advertising

I just came upon this picture while on stumbleupon. Thought it was a great advertisement. Pretty funny. Here it is:

Samsung Flexible Phone

Samsung Flexible Phone

You’re right! You have read correctly! Sometime next year, Samsung will be releasing a flexible screened phone using a new and innovative technology called AMOLDED. This new phone, perhaps being called the Galaxy, is one high-tech and futuristic idea that is finally coming to life.

The AMOLDED technology mentioned earlier is pretty remarkable. The screen of the phone is made with a polyimide plastic substrate, unlike the glass screens were all used to, which make it possible for the phone to bend and curl into a 2cm cylinder. Samsung has even gone as far as to say this phone is virtually “unbreakable”. The AMOLED technology is also very power efficient. Because there is no backlight, the power consumption is greatly lowered, great news for all those power eating cell phone users out there.




What’s even cooler is that Samsung is using this technology not only on their phones. They envision this technology will be used for various products like watches, smaller and larger phone devices, tablets, and MID’s. Samsung even mentioned there could be a collapsible or foldable tablet that turns into a phone. However, production time for the collapsible tablet was not specified.

I am very interested in seeing and hearing all the advertisements and reviews for this new product. Samsung has already state they believe this phone is “unbreakable”, which could easily come back to haunt them. Hopefully, there will be success in this product because it is such a new and high tech idea. It is one great step in the right direction technologically speaking. I’m excited to see the phone in 2012!

Chicago Bears vs Greenbay Packers

Last weekend, I ventured to Chicago for the labor day holiday. While on my short yet long drive, I began to notice all the different advertisements and billboards lining the highways and streets. One advertisement, one that's surely close to any Milwaukian's heart, caught my eye. It was a Miller advertisement. You know, the Miller Brewing Company famous in Milwaukee right down the street from campus? The surprising thing about this Miller advertisement was not only where it was located but the audience it was attracting.

Now, of course I know that Miller has to do advertising elsewhere and in every state, but what really got me was who this advertisement was for. We all have seen the Milwaukee advertisements for Miller Lite and the Packers, but what I bet you haven't seen are the advertisements in Chicago for Miller Lite and the Bears. That's right, Miller Lite has advertisements and billboards representing the Bears! And as you all know, the rivalry between the Bears and the Packers has been going on for about 90 years now and definitely isn't going away.

So what gives? How can a Milwaukee brewing company be supporting one of the NFL's longest lasting rivals? It's outrageous! Seeing how this is a fitting topic since today is the first game of the season, featuring our Greenbay Packers, give me your thoughts!

What Brand Am I?

What Brand Am I?


If I were to represent any brand in the world, I would represent Patagonia. Patagonia is an outdoor clothing company based in Ventura, California. Their main objective for their company is to produce and sell clothing and products that cause the least harm to the environment. For this very reason, I would consider this brand to be very similar to the person I am and want to become.

In my day to day life, I do simple things like not buying water bottles, taking short showers, and changing my light bulbs to incandescent bulbs to cause the least amount of harm on the environment. Like Patagonia, they follow certain rules and regulations to make sure they really are doing their part to save the environment. Patagonia, “evaluate(s) raw materials, invest(s) in innovative technologies, and rigorously police(s) their waste.” Patagonia is also involved in many environmental groups and alliances as well as gives a portion of their sales to support grassroots groups. For example, the Conservation Alliance, Common Threads Initiative, 1% for the Planet, and Earth Tax are just some groups and alliances Patagonia is a part of.



Patagonia’s mission statement also helped me realize that this company or brand really signifies me as a person; “Build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis.” As a woman who hopes to become a public relations manager for a company or brand who idolizes and wants to do good for the environment, I don’t think there could be a better brand out there for me.

For years, Patagonia has been known to put countless effort into campaigns, products, and businesses all for the benefit of the environment. Their most recent campaign, Our Common Waters, focuses on the issue of human water consumption. These types of campaigns and the support Patagonia gives to these organizations, really shows me they have integrity and really care about what message they are trying to give. Everything they do in their company represents honesty, reliability, hard work, and a passion for the environment that we all should have.

I have chosen Patagonia as the brand for me because I believe they depict all the things I would want to represent as a great brand. I want to be a company with morals, following a strict order that is based on helping the environment, I also want to be a company that goes out and makes things happen by joining or uniting with certain groups for the greater good, and last but not least, I want to be a company or brand that supports and produces products that live up to their name. This company bends over backwards to help save the environment and provide its consumers with a product that everyone can be satisfied with. This is me as a person. I am willing to do whatever it takes to help save the environment even if I have to make changes to my daily life. Like Patagonia, my mission statement for life, or rather my motto, is to live on this earth and try my best not to leave my footprint behind or perhaps leave a good print.



http://www.patagonia.com/us/home