DQ Campaign, not so Original.

Is it just me or do the new Dairy Queen Ad's have a striking resemblance to the now infamous Old Spice Ad's. I love the new tactic and feel that it is highly effective in generating attention and interest but could DQ really take credit for this new campaign after sounding and looking so similar to the Old Spice campaign. The copy in the new DQ ad campaign is a dead give away. It does generate a sleek new look for the brand but there are no brownie points for coming up with the idea as this is clearly a case of stolen success.

Fall Is Here

I am in love with Starbucks, I spend countless hours here working away from home. I look forward to my daily S-Bucks beverage as it is my mini release from the day's stress. I have come to truly appreciate the strength of S-Bucks seasonal advertising campaigns. I was drawn in completely with there summer time, 'Make it anyway you want it' Frappuccino ad campaign and again I am totally agreeing with the new season campaign lure to 'Fall Back In' I first was drawn into this new campaign after picking up an issue of 'Entertainment' Magazine which featured an outline of anticipated exciting fall shows. Starbucks had their new fall campaign featured in the center cut out program listing Fall's T.V schedule line up.

The campaign is brilliant and ushers customers into the new fall season.

Love the new IKEA Catalogue

So I got my new IKEA catalogue and took it with me to Chapters one afternoon for some leisure reading and ended up in a 1 hour conversation with a woman from Mexico. It all started with me flipping through the new IKEA catalogue. This woman had heard of the company and asked if she could take a look. This promoted a long conversation and introductions to the entire family.

Who else can create buzz and excitement, not only that but generate an entire campaign surrounding the launch of a new catalogue. IKEA has done this remarkably and it's no doubt why they have everyone talking.

One way they have Incorporated customer interaction is through this very cool contest which encourages consumers to share their favourite images from latest catalogue. Its called the "Capture the Page" contest and is the latest online initiative connecting consumers to the brand as they go online to upload their favourite images from the catalogue for the chance to win a grand prize of a $10,000 gift card or one of 15 $500 gift cards.

TIFF 2011

It is the first day back at school for students and It is a good day for me to get back in the habit of blogging.

I have been inspired this summer with new innovative and vibrant ads. The fall looks promising and the excitement of new events and campaigns are swirling through the city.


I recently waited in line to get very coveted U2 Documentary tickets "FROM THE SKY DOWN". The volunteers were all wearing these distinctive orange tee-shirts that proclaimed "See It Happen Here" With the Tff.net/festival URL Link. I love this type of in-your-face-advertising. It generates a ton of hype and adds a certain level of uniformity to the campaign.

Go Firkin!

I happen to love this pub, they serve incredible food and this innovative out door ad technique really stands out and draws attention. What a great way to put yourself on the map for all near by walkers to see. Really great idea.

A True Fan.

A True Fan

Today Canadian hockey fans wait with anticipation to see if The Vancouver Canucks will win their first Stanley Cup. Advancing to the finals for the first time since 1994, Canuck fans are riled up and ready to cheer, scream and chant their beloved team into a Stanley Cup victory.

If they don’t pull it off tonight fans are confident that the Canucks will finish it off Wednesday with a Game 7 win on their home turf in Vancouver.

A true fan is someone who really accepts their team, regardless of if they win or lose. They remain optimistic despite loss and embrace their team through highs and lows. They may not have the resources to attend games but they support their team whole heartedly. True fans come in all shapes and sizes, represent all ages and believe that in spite of any odds their team is the best and will win.

Some fans purchase every type of merchandise available and sport team colours around town on game days. Other fans make sure they have the best seats in the house and some are just lucky enough to afford a ticket at all. Regardless, true fans are watching and cheering their team on from wherever they might be watching or listening.

True fans know that common sense and logic need be thrown out and blind belief must be adopted when fully embracing their favourite team during dry spells and bad situations.

Whether your favourite group is a sports team or a rock band, true fans are loyal and always believe the best about their team and continually cheer them on regardless of the outcome. [1]

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[1] Bleacher report <http://bleacherreport.com/articles/124450-what-makes-a-true-fan>

Yum!

Cadbury does it again with this larger than life billboard. This 3D out of home ad shows different types of people peeling away the Dairy Milk chocolate wrapper. This was done by Toronto based agency Zig a couple of years ago.

This definitely makes the tummy rumble!

Happy Hour @ Starbucks!

I am in frappuccino heaven with the half price Happy Hour Fraps between 3-5 p.m at Starbucks. Simple banners are located through out the store highlighting this promotion. This is a great summer time promo kick off as many patrons will enjoy this deal, get hooked on a favorite flavour and will want to continue to purchase it even after the promotion has ended.

Huge Wall Mural

This giant Capital One mural rivals any similar displays as it is the largest Outdoor Advertising Display in Canada. You can find this 13,000 sf. ft thing of beauty on the west-facing glass wall of Toronto Pearson Terminal 1.

This is the perfect greeting for some 21.1 million passengers departing on flights. Capital One does it right with this dynamic massive wall mural.

Unique DNA

"Our customer service is as individual as you are. Realize the potential. -American Express.

I saw this outdoor wall ad for American Express while walking to Chapters by the Scotia Bank Theater. The visual struck me first, I was wondering what the ad was all about and after reading the text, I thought the concept was really unique as the ad message is crying out individualism.

Buck a Beer

So cool! This is a great billboard from James Ready, a brand of lager brewed in Niagara
Falls, Canada. It is known for its discount prices, selling for a buck (one dollar).
Ontario raised taxes on alcoholic beverages, threatening to take the cost of the beer above a dollar.
Leo Burnett Toronto teamed up with the company to keep customers connected with the brand by designing these interactive call to action billboards. To follow up, a public message was showcased saying “Thanks (name) for keeping J.R. a Buck”.
This is one brill ant way to turn sales around and interact with the consumer. It really emphasized the unique buck for a beer USP and got consumers on board to help keep it that way.

Genius Outdoor

I am in love with these really cool innovative Outdoor CocaCola ads. They are completely brilliant and really draw the watcher in.

This outdoor campaign displays just how refreshing Coke can be. Done by ad agency MacLaren McCann Toronto, these clever series of posters and billboards involve straws.

This image shows two fashion models sipping from their straws for a much - needed refreshing sip of CocaCola.

Fighting Stare

Love this Billboard for Sportsline located on the side of the Gardener Expressway in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
A picture says a 1000 words and this is no exception. The tension is high as this image speaks loud and clear to the commuter about what they can expect to experience when they tune into Sportsline.
This Billboard stands out due to its simplicity and easy to understand message. Only the essential information is presented such as viewing time, name and hosts. Very strategic Outdoor.

Ultimate Pop Out Billboard

"Decorate for the holidays" This IKEA billboard screams attention from afar with its larger than life pop out floor plan. It draws the viewer in as they can picture themselves in the space.

What a great concept, the target is visually able to envision their home space and get ideas on how they would like to decorate it over the holidays.

This ad is really interactive and innovative. I love the simplicity of colours and design. Overall it is a stand out.

The New Pirates of the Caribbean 4

I was inspired to talk about this movie advertisement because it caught my attention this morning on my way to work. There is a huge brick wall mural with this Pirates of the Caribbean 4 movie poster. I think this is a great way to get people excited about an upcoming movie. It will remind everyone that it's coming out soon and will generate a ton of early buzz. I had heard this movie was coming out but I had no idea when so now I know and will definitely be seeing it!

Controversy #2

In keeping with the same virgin 99 radio rant this Usher billboard also raised eyebrows. The controversial billboard located just west of Dundas St. W. on the north side of Bloor St. W. — depicts a smiling photograph of the performer with the words: “Shirt On: OMG, Shirt Off: OMFG.
”http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2011/03/21/17702601.html
We all know what OMFG stands for so its obvious that many on lookers would be offended by this. A lot of on lookers were upset about the combination of the F word and God; they feel that the name God is sacred and should not be used in this context. I happen to agree with that statement.

Controversy #1

I am sure all of us Toronto dwellers have turned our radio frequency to virgin 99.9 at some point. If you commute you see the controversial billboards for the station.
I will talk about two of these in separate posts this week. Each deserves their own spot.

Currently Katy Perry is representing on Virgin 99.9 billboards. This billboard is generating a lot of attention. Many on lookers are upset about the visual image of firecrackers protruding from her breasts.
The question on lookers are asking is does this "shock" type of ad generate more attention and interaction with the brand or does it deter potential listeners away.

I am sure that both are true and Virgin radio has decided that negative publicity is still great exposure and publicity for their brand so pushing the media envelope in their competitive industry is probably not much of a risk.

Laying Down the LAW!

Doritos always starts water cooler conversations with their very direct advertising campaigns. This is one example of Doritos doing it well again with Crash the Super Bowl 2010 Finalist - House Rules. check it out. The little boy here lays down the LAW!

Even Elephants Choke

This is great. When you think of peanuts & elephants you think of feeding Elephants at the circus. Elephants love peanuts!Knowing this fact makes this print ad for Kaya King Jumbo Peanuts a perfect fit. Indonesias Ogilvy & Mather, Jakarata generates a humours moment with this larger than life elephant giving the Heimlich maneuver to his/her young child. The idea behind this ad reflects the big size product benefit of Jumbo peanuts.

Advertising Agency: Ogilvy & Mather, Jakarta, Indonesia
Executive Creative Director: Gary Caulfield
Creative Director: Glenn Alexander
Art Directors: Alfa Aphrodita, Yogi Wiweka
Copywriter: Glenn Alexander
Photographers: Heru Suryoko, Leonardus Bramantya
Designer: Aldo Khalid
Published: 2008