Toyota Synergy

Very strange but entertaining spot for Toyota by Saatchi & Saatchi, Sydney. Talking about how the synergy of a perfect pair makes life easier.

Sometimes, an app can’t beat the real thing

Nice to see that in an app-happy world, there is a reminder that some experiences cannot be matched by technological counter-parts. A soothing, subtle spot by Tinsley Advertising out of Miami that creates a desire to be miles from your app-connected life.

Coincidence? or good copyrighting?

A new print ad from Boulder agency TDA Advertising and Design for their client Hapa Sushi features a map of Denver and Boulder with 63 dots. Four dots are blue, representing the four Hapa locations (and the lunch specials they have available). The remaining 59 are red, representing medical marijuana dispensaries, some of which are conveniently located very near Hapa’s restaurants.

With the medical marijuana issue being in full debate, and dispensaries opening up left and right while the “getting is good”, this ad is receiving national attention. Even the New York Times has shown interest, with this article that appeared in the paper last week.

Congratulations to my good buddy Phil Van Buren, the copyrighter of the ad; I’m sure Georgette is proud that your munchie ad is getting national press.

Wi-Fry

A clever McDonald’s ad from DDB Sydney, Australia. Proof that putting a smile on someones face can make even a nominal announcement fun.

Oops!

Volkswagen Golf GTI: Bag

Some cool work coming from all over the country to promote the new VW Golf GTI. This work comes from an agency in Paris.

The challenge was to increase visibility of the VW brand during the Paris Motor show. They wanted to draw as much traffic as possible to the VW tent during the highly competitive event.

The strategy was to give consumers this fun and eye-catching bag to draw attention to the brand as well as get on consumers good sides by giving them a useful giveaway to hold other, not-so-useful giveaways.

The result was that attendees utilized the bag throughout the show, dropping swag from other promoters into the VW-branded bag. The VW tent was overcrowded for the duration of the show, and the long-term usefulness of the bag created lasting visibility for the brand.

Macy’s: “Oops, sorry Phillies!”

Why you should always check what is inserting…ran Tuesday, they lost Wednesday.

Buy A Weezer Album… Get a Snuggie?

Weezer is doing something interesting to promote their new album. They’re running direct response TV ads that let you get an exclusive Weezer Blue Snuggie with your order of Raditude, their new CD. For an additional $20, you get the Raditude Deluxe CD, the exclusive Weezer Zebra Snuggie, and the Weezer Photo Book. Awesome targeting idea that markets their young, hipster audience.

Trivial Pursuit: Battle of the Sexes

To promote the latest version of Trivial Pursuit, the gamemakers launched an online battle-of-the-sexes challenge called Who’s Smarter Than Who? It’s an ongoing game that tracks points for each side. They also created the video below to generate buzz for the game and website.

Nice to see a big-budget commercial again

AMV BBDO, the London brand of the worldwide agency, have just released this epic commercial for Guinness. According to the makers, they shot in four countries (New Zealand, Canada, Fiji and the U.K.); took three months to build the set for the underwater scene; got army assistance to film the grass-hauling shots at an old bombing range; and hired the set designer from the third Lord of the Rings film to pull it all together. Click here to get the details on just how much went into it.

The connection to Guinness is a bit vague, a churning pint of freshly-poured Guinness apparently attempting to evoke a sense of rebirth. The tagline, “Bring it to life,” is  replacing the long-running slogan, “Good things come to those who wait.”