Sprint Films: Epic Kiss

I came across this hilarious commercial while looking through Sprint commercials after blogging about the Sprint NFL Mobile commercial that features Peyton Manning. Although the Sprint Epic Kiss commercial comes from the same company, it is completely different in that there is no dialogue besides the narration at the end. Also the Sprint Epic Kiss commercial uses everyday people to act in their commercial opposed to the use of Peyton Manning as a celebrity endorsement. I like this commercial because it made me laugh out loud. At the climax of the commercial a man and woman approach each other in an alley, the girl takes off her glasses and shakes out her hair while giving the man a sexy innocent look. At this point in the commercial the audience is thinking back to the most recent movie containing a cheesy make out scene and then the ad takes a twist. The camera pans to the man who spits out his gum, takes off his glasses, and lets his hair out too. The man proceeds to jump into the woman's arms and kiss her, just as their lips touch it begins to pour rain. I think this spoof on make out scenes is hilarious and original. This humor works for this commercial because they chose to overstate every aspect of a stereotypical make out scene.

HP Beats Audio

This commercial is filmed in rapper and producer Dr. Dre's recording studio in Los Angeles, California. It is advertising HP Beats Audio, a computer with programming specifically for making music, which is designed in collaboration with Dr Dre. The commercial consists of Dr. Dre working in his studio and a dorky guy asking about the product. HP chose not only to use Dr. Dre to endorse their product but also used him in the advertising. By using Dre's status as a rapper and producer they increased their credibility as a company on the breaking edge in the music industry. HP also uses humor specifically by comparing Dr. Dre, who is familiar with current hip-hop music and culture, with a nerdy office guy who is goofy and clueless about HP Beats Audio. Although I like the premise behind the commercial, Dr. Dre's music and productions, and the use of Dre as an endorser of the product, I think they should have spent more time explaining or demonstrating what the product actually does. Overall I like the ad but think that it should have had more dialogue about the product and its features.

Sprint NFL Mobile

This ad is for Sprint NFL Mobile and is staring Peyton Manning, the quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts. The commercial is humorous because Peyton is disguised with a wig and a fake moustache, but you can still definitely tell it is him. During the commercial he discusses the many customizable features that Sprint NFL Mobile has. He also explains that Sprint NFL Mobile will make you a better football fan by giving you real time footage and stats. Next Peyton, while acting like the disguise is hiding his identity, states, "You can follow players like Peyton Manning...that is if you like six foot five inch quarterbacks with laser-rocket arms..." This kind of humor works well with Peyton Manning as a well known celebrity endorser who backs Sprint NFL Mobile. The fact that Peyton Manning is a well known celebrity makes the humor more effective, which relates to a more effective advertisement. Another advertisement that follows this theme is the Hanes Lay-Flat Collar commercials with Michael Jordan who is very well known. In the commercial Jordan is on a plane and the passenger next to him pretends to not know who he is, which plays into the humor and theme of the commercial. These two commercials are similar in theory, but I think that Sprint made a more efficient and humorous advertisement.

Call of Duty: Black Ops

Call of Duty really stepped up their advertising with this commercial. The first time I saw the new Call of Duty Black Ops commercial I was impressed and found myself watching just to see what happened next. This commercial is aimed at a wide audience of people, the point being that anyone can play. It shows a variety of people playing as if they were actually in the game including a little girl, a construction worker and a well dressed business woman. It even includes several celebrities including Jimmy Kimmel and Kobe Bryant. The sound track playing throughout the commercial goes right along with the tone and content of the advertisement. The hype and advertising that has accompanied the release of this game has been huge, and this commercial helps to expand the market. The campaigns slogan is, "There's a soldier in all of us." By using a diverse range of people in this commercial they are reaching out to new audiences that in general would not play this type of video game. Overall I think that this is one of the best video game commercials I have seen. Not to mention the makers of Black Ops expect, and I'm sure that they will attain, profit directly correlated with the effectiveness of the epic promotion and advertising they put in place.

Miller Lite Love You Commercial

This commercial for Miller Lite is currently being aired. It uses humor associated with the notion of love, the relationship between the couple, and the man's relationship to his Miller Lite. While sitting alone at a bar a couple's conversation turns serious when the female states, "I've been meaning to tell you something..." Her statement catches the attention of the male long enough for her to say that she loves him. After realizing what he had heard, he acted baffled and stuttered as he could not tell her that he loved her. As he stuttered through his poor attempt at proclaiming his love to his girl, the waitress walked up to the table and interrupted. Then she asked, "Would you like another Miller Lite?" and the man enthusiastically responded saying, "I'd love one!" Miller Lite used humor in an attempt to explain the relationship between their beer and the people who consume it, specifically males. This commercial is a part of a series that involves dating and Miller Lite. This specific commercial is stating that the man's relationship to his Miller Lite is more worthy of love than his girlfriend. Although the Miller Lite dating commercial series is funny, I question its efficiency. I think that the way they are attempting to position their product and the statement they are making concerning it is too bold.

Rock it Like Block: Ford Fiesta

This commercial featuring Ken Block, professional rally driver, was created in collaboration with Ford and Monster. It begins as he walks out of his house and gets into his rally modified Ford Fiesta. He explains, "Since I started driving the Fiesta, I can't say my life has changed much. I still have to do the everyday things." Block proceeds to provide a fun and exciting display of his driving skills while simultaneously doing his everyday chores. These chores included taking out a trash bag, which he throws out his window while drifting a turn. Next he zooms pasts his mailbox and throws in his bills, he finishes by doing doughnuts in a grocery store parking lot. As soon as he gets out of his Monster sponsored car, you see that he is dressed head to toe in monster racing gear. Finally he throws in a promo to his website RockitLikeBlock.com, where you can buy merchandise and enter to win a modified Ford Fiesta. The combination of the rally racing, Ken Block as a celebrity endorser, and multiple advertisements, logos, and promotions into one commercial made this ad stand out. As more research is constantly conducted concerning advertising and how to maximize its effectiveness, this advertisement did a good job of trying something new and setting itself apart by using multiple tactics and by giving a consistent theme to entire commercial.

1800 Tequila - Shot Top Commercial

With several competitors in the tequila game, 1800 had to take a risk and try a new approach to their advertising. This fifteen second television advertisement for 1800 Tequila uses several different advertising techniques to position their tequila. The ad consists of "Christopher" from The Sopranos as the celebrity endorser. He is dressed well in a suit and tie, his hair pulled back, looking very cool. First he picks up the bottle of 1800 and gives a demonstration of how to use the shot top. This addition to their bottle was a big part of their new line of ads in attempt to position the product as cool or stylish. This brand image is also reflected in the choice of the use of a Sopranos character as their celebrity endorsement. Although the market audience may not make the direct connection to The Sopranos series, they understand the image he is portraying. "Christopher" even goes as far as to state, "That's cool!" after he watched the bottle poor a shot. Then asked "What can your bottle do?...Nothing!". 1800 is deliberately comparing the two products in attempt to make Patron Tequila look out dated. In general I liked the advertisement, especially the idea of manipulating the appearance of the product in order to reposition it.

SAY BOOM

This video advertisement by Nike caught my attention because I am naturally a sports fan. This ad is effective because it appeals to all people on a fundamental level. This advertisement gets me excited with the word "BOOM" symbolizing a moment or feeling that cannot be described in any other way. This ad is reaching out to a very demographically diverse audience. This advertisement targets young and old alike, from every culture and creed attempting to relate their brand lifestyle with every individual they can reach. The concept behind the marketing idea of "BOOM" is subjective to the audience and becomes what they envision it. This video not only encompasses celebrity endorsements and sports, but the fans and everyday people that make the "BOOM" moment happen. My favorite part of the video ad is towards the beginning when Rick Ross, rapper and producer, buys some ice at a jewelry store. Hanging from his necklace is a mini diamond inlaid version of him, as he puts it on and looks in the mirror he blurts out the only word to describe the moment, "BOOM!"

Audi R8

This is an advertisement for the Audi A8 sports car. Audi is a high-end make of car from Europe and is characterized by their class, power, and aggressive styling. In this ad a police officer is stalking a criminal through a parking garage. Then the ad cuts to another part of the garage where a gorgeous woman is getting out of her Audi A8. As the criminal moves through the garage towards the Audi and the woman the officer spots him and demands for him to freeze. The criminal points and gun at the officer and the officer returns the favor. An intense standoff follows as the criminal swings his gun towards the woman the officer does not flinch. As the criminal points the gun at the Audi and screams drop your weapon or I will shoot only then does the officer put down his gun. This advertisement positions the Audi A8 as a sports car for people on the edge, specifically a younger audience. This beautiful woman in the A8 also complements the car. What stands out most in this ad is that it throws you for a loop when the officer obeys the criminal when he threatens to shoot the car. All in all I like this ad; I believe the action narrative makes it believable, until you are thrown for a humorous twist.

Budweiser

Absolut Vodka

Absolut vodka is known for its extremely creative and effective advertising. However many people consider Absolut brand vodka to be a fraud because they created their entire marketing plan before they created the actual vodka.

Absolut's most valuable asset is their brand and their brand image. Absoluts' advertising department has used many precise and purposeful tactics to develop that image over a period of time. This image is created and portrayed by the company. Although some call it fraud, most consider it a crafty marketing technique that has proven itself effective time and time again.

The specific advertisement that I looked at this week was for the original flavor of Absolut vodka and is in the form of an image.

The ad does an effective job of portraying the brands' image through the elaborate gold and diamond jewelry. These specific items are there so people associate Absolut vodka with wealth, high class and/or royalty.

Absolut vodka is a great example of a product whose brand, and brand image are crucial to the success of their companies. Absoluts' brand image is what allows for the mass marketing of their product. In conclusion this ad is effective in expressing the brand image while being interesting and fun at the same time.

Old Spice | Ray Lewis

In the last couple of years Old Spice has taken their advertising to a new level. The newest line of Old Spice commercials uses the same brand personality as the last campaign with the "Old Spice Man". Old Spice positions their products to a male audience, they also make claims about what it does for them and that it is the "x-factor". This is especially evident in their latest commercial campaign with National Football League All-Star Ray Lewis and Old Spice's newest body wash called "Swagger". The name of the product alone says a lot about the business plan and target audience of this campaign. This commercial is genius because it uses Ray Lewis's celebrity status and personality to perfectly compliment the brand image that they have so carefully created for the "Swagger" campaign. During the commercial Ray explains he plays real football stating, "It's like fantasy, only it's real!". He goes on to explain what you need to be a pro football player: hard work, body muscles, a pinch of love, and Swagger Old Spice body wash. Ray Lewis exhibits his magical "swagger" throughout the commercial. As Ray stepped out of the shower covered in Swagger body wash suds, he jumped onto his magical bird named Raven. The last thing that I noticed is the placement of Ray Lewis's name, and the use of words and images relating to the Ravens NFL team throughout the advertisement. All of the above mentioned elements work very well together to make a funny and very memorable commercial.

Kenny Powers & Jeremy Shockey-K Swiss

This is a commercial paid for by the K Swiss shoe company. I like this ad and also think that it is effective. This ad

is a T.V. commercial. K Swiss is using

celebrity endorsement and humor to

advertise their new "Tubes" shoes.

The Tubes are very similar to Nikes Shocks. K Swiss did a good job of setting their shoes apart from Nike's with an original advertisement.

In the ad Jeremy Shockey, professional football player on the New Orleans Saints, is challenged by Kenny Powers, the main character from the HBO series East Bound and Down. The character of Kenny Powers is a arrogant ex pro baseball player who has lost his talent to pitch, yet still thinks a lot of himself.

While working out in the gym Shockey and Powers have a competition on the leg press machine. As they progress through their sets they gradually grunt and yell louder and louder as they lift. Powers racks the weights first after claiming he finished his 1,000,000th rep and stating, "Shockey you got nothing!"

The humor and celebrities were original, and went well together. They also combined to make a very memorable commercial. There are other videos in this series using the same premise with Kenny Powers and other athletes.

This video can be found on YouTube under the title "Kenny Powers and Jeremy Shockey stare down-K Swiss.