New Budweiser 'Pool' ad

Dont know if anyones seen it yet but Diageo launched a new Budweiser ad in Ireland on the 25th October. It's a pretty cool ad and theres actually little mention of the beer or the name throughout, except at the very end, which is pretty unusual for beer ads. The ad shows a city at night and uses music to build up to a giant lifesize game of "human pool" taking place on the rooftop of a skyscraper. Its a real cool ad and the tag line "King of Good Times King of Beers" is pretty good. What you all think of the ad?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaBgseOU4OU

Sean

Lebron Addresses Critics in new Nike Ad

Should he have stayed with the Cleveland Cavaliers? Gotten his "Chosen One" tattoo removed? Admitted he's a failure because he teamed up with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh? Given up on hoops altogether and focused on something else? Ignored the advice his friends gave to him about his free agency, his brand and his life this summer?

In the 90-second clip released during the week LeBron takes aim at each and every columnist, blogger, NBA analyst and talking head that took shots at him after he made his decision to join the Heat in July. He addresses them, not through answers, but by questioning what they would have done if they were in his shoes (a nice touch, considering the spot was paid for by Nike). And he finishes by posing one simple question: "Should I be what you want me to be?" It's nothing if not effective.

I loved this ad because it shows that LeBron is not what we want him to be. He's flawed. He's imperfect. He's dare I say it human. But, you know what? There's really nothing wrong with that. And even though we think everything he's doing is wrong for his life, wrong for his career and wrong for his legacy, he's ultimately the one that's going to have to live with it. So, it doesn't really matter what we think, now does it?

Take a look

Role reversal

Just came across this ad today and I think its really well done you should check it out!

http://jackjones.com/girl-toy

I really like the way the ad plays on the whole reversing of the traditional roles per se. Apparently us lads have feelings now days! It's really well made and very contemporary. I think it is the type of ad which works really well with its target market, as the guy in the ad can be easily related to by the brands young male target market. The whole concept of men becoming a womans toy is really clever and innovative. The ad is very simple but delivers its message extremely effectively. It plays on some of the same principles as the Lynx ads "irresistable to women" did except in a less obvious more sleek way. It basically tells us to wear J & J to become a womans toy which is many a mans dream and the way it is portrayed in the ad as a negative emotional burden is brilliant. The imagery also kind of reminds of the Puma "weekend athelete" ad campaign. I just think this type of ad fits the brand perfectly!

What does everyone else think?? I for one really liked it.

Sean

Where Are All The Women?

As I was doing research for our assignment on branding Ireland I came across some information on Mary Robinson (former president) that I had no idea about!!! I am blaming my young age and possibly my parents for my ignorance, for those of you who arent aware of what she has done, see below for a summary:

• The first Bill Mary Robinson wrote as a new senator (this was in the late 60's) sought to overturn the ban on importing, distribution and sale of contraception in Ireland (thank goodness)
• She married a protestant man, despite protests from her parents who would not even go to the wedding because they did not believe in mixed religion marraiges.
• She transformed the position of President of Ireland.
• She has dedicated her life to lobbying for human rights for people who cannot stand up for themselves, not just in Ireland but around the world.

" I was elected by the women of Ireland who, instead of rocking the cradle, rocked the system" -Mary Robinson

But the thing that struck me when I was reading about this was that are there any Irish women of this generation that are a patch on the likes of Mary Robinson? If yes - who? If no - why?????

With all the problems in our political systems and in our economy where are the women with the balls and the brains to get us out of this mess???? They are certainly not in the Dail anyways......

Electronics company Sony have pulled their support for the carbon-reduction initiative 10:10 after the climate change campaign group’s latest promotional campaign was met with public outrage. The aim of the campaign is to cut global carbon emissions by 10% each year from 2010, with their centerpiece day of action coming up on the 10.10.10. The content of its latest promotional video ‘No Pressure’ is certainly set to shock. It contains footage of schoolchildren being blown to pieces, along with actress Gillian Anderson and French footballer David Ginola. Leading UK comedy writer Richard Curtis (Director, Notting Hill) agreed to write the 4 minute film for the campaign. It appeared on the company website last week but was pulled down hours after.

In an official release on its corporate website, Sony said that it strongly ‘condemned the release by 10:10, the climate change campaign group, of a video entitled ’No Pressure’ that Sony considers to be ill-conceived and tasteless’.

In a statement, 10:10 said that it sincerely apologised to anyone who was offended by the promotion. According to the 10:10 UK director, Eugenie Harvey; ‘10:10 is a young and creative team but we will learn lessons from this. We are going to investigate what happened, review our processes and procedures, and share the results with our partners’.

What do you think? Do you believe Sony were right in pulling their support from the campaign; just a few days before 10.10.10? Did Gillian Anderson and David Ginola do the right thing by lending their support to the campaign? Were 10.10 correct in using shock tactics in order to highlight the issue of climate change? In a world where traditional marketing is losing its place, should they be admired for concentrating their efforts on a unique ‘humorous’ digital campaign?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgG1SMo1oTw&feature=related

Warning: do not watch this video if you are in anyway queasy!

Aislinn Mahon

World Smile Day

SMILE )))))))

Good Day fellow bloggers & Happy World Smile Day.

World Smile Day is held on the first Friday of October each year and is a day dedicated to "good cheer and good works". The catch phrase for the day is "Do an act of kindness-help one person smile".

Harvey Ball, a commercial artist from Worcester, Massachusetts created the smiley face in 1963. That image went on to become the most recognizable symbol of good will and good cheer on the planet.

As the years passed Harvey Ball became concerned about the over-commercialization of his symbol, and how its original meaning and intent had become lost in the constant repetition of the marketplace.

Out of that concern came his idea for World Smile Day.

Smiling is infectious so let it spread today.

Donal 'Smiles' Mc Sharry