Peanut Butter Cup Guitar Duel

                             Peanut Butter Cup Guitar Duel

A great introduction and demonstration by Butterfinger’s peanut butter cup, of a new product into a long-standing category to show the difference between the new entry and a classic brand name. 

My Pet Peeve

                                  My Pet Peeve.

When adult words are put into the mouths of kids who wouldn’t even understand half the words they say.

It seems almost like child-abuse. And even though the kids might be cute, no one really believes their spiel.

(bad use of kids) Mastercard Concierge Service.

(Good use of kids) Charles Schwab. Child asks father simple child’s curiosity questions that the father then realizes he should be asking those same questions himself.

What bothers you in the ads you see? I will be listing some of your pet peeves in a future blog.

THE ADMAN ASKS:

THE ADMAN ASKS:
I'm planning to write an E-book on the principles behind successful advertising. Are there questions or topics you would like me to cover in this book? Also, please list your 3 most interesting blogs on my site. Thank you for commenting. 

Go Daddy ads- From Sexy, To Silly, To Stupid.

Go Daddy ads- From Sexy, To Silly, To Stupid.

Go Daddy, what happened?

What happened to sexy? Didn’t it work? Did you get a lot of notice, but not enough business? But why go to silly? And then to stupid? You’re starting to look desperate.

Trivago. What does “exactly the same” mean?

               Trivago. What does “exactly the same” mean?

What bothers me about their claim of: “The exact same room for less” is that no two rooms are “exactly” alike.

All hotel rooms have things in common( beds,bathrooms,closets, and some furniture). What makes a big difference is location of the hotel as well as the room.

If the view from the window is a brick wall or a great ocean view or cityscape, or if the room is near the noisy street or elevator, or convenient to the parking lot, is a big difference. Also, the neighborhood: A peaceful quiet area, or a run-down part of town. Amenities make a smaller, but important difference (firm beds, new TV, new towels).

The claim: “Exact same room” could be deceiving. You sometimes get exactly what you pay for.

Most Used Words In Advertising

       

Most Used Words in Advertising

Three of the most used terms in advertising: “FREE!”, SALE, AND “BUT WAIT!”.

What would your suggestions be for other most used words or phrases? 

Look at the pretty girl. Forget cancer, seizures and fatal brain conditions.

Look at the pretty girl. Forget cancer, seizures and fatal brain conditions.

Stelara’s treatment for plaque psoriasis (a skin condition) has such devastating side affects that they can’t let you hear them without a distraction. The distraction is a pretty model that parades from scene to scene in different color themes, displaying her good looks in different poses. Next time you see this spot, focus on what the voice over is saying about the side affects. You’ll rethink the skin condition you might have. I’m sure the first time you see the commercial, like I did, You won’t even remember what it said.  

Super Bowl Ads

Super Bowl Ads

If you're a client paying 4 1/2 million dollars for a spot on the Super Bowl with people watching all over the world, you want to accomplish more than just name recognition. You want to persuade people your product is better than your competition. If you think the job is done by just attracting attention with "entertainment", You just threw away 4 1/2 million dollars. If you OK'd that commercial, you deserve to lose the money. Only world-widely known products can attempt that technique. So many of this years spots opted for "feel good"  ads or bizarre ideas with no connection to what they were selling. Pure waste of money. These method must be used in service to your selling message. Sex can be used creatively, such as in Fiat's "Blue Pill" take-off on Viagra. Or Carl Jr's  "All Natural " hamburger. 

Some "teases" were real disappointments, like the Game of War Tub scene that implied that the real spot would show her emerging from the tub. It didn't. She was already dressed  when it came on. The race between the turtle and hare was below the dignity of a brand like Mercedes -Benz. Camry and Budweiser were able to do satisfying "feel good" ads, with "Being a Dad is More Than Being a Father, and Bud's "Lost Dog " spot.  Dove also hit with Dads in "What makes a Man Stronger? showing That You Care." 

As always, Super Bowl ads were a mixed bag.