Nobody like controversy over their brand, or do they? Today controversy over advertisements is getting brands more play then there otherwise would be. And not in a bad way.

Take for instance Liquid Plumr. Now the 18-24 generation would not be searching through the internet in hopes of watching the newest drain cleaning ad. But, the Plumr snagged us with their Sexy Vid. Because this ad. led to so much controversy in the form of protesting moms, the advertisement had a million view this week.

I just saw the video and thought it was hilarious. It shows a woman's grocery-aisle fantasy about a pair of muscular plumbers that really get her flustered. Other brands have utilized such a tactic to grab attention; as M&M, Volkswagen, and Old Spice.

So controversy may not be such a bad thing after all.

See the rest of the top rated commercials at the source.
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The insanity of Cousins keeps on coming. Cousins, the directors who did the unauthorized scandalous 'Newlywed Skittles' spot last year have come back with a sequel. This same couple that were seen having Skittles sex in the last spot are back--- and expecting!

Awkward part about it is that Daddy is expecting a Skittle....but what arises is not short of an issue. See for yourself!

A bit graphic and a nice Jersey reference in the end. Very nice.

BIZARRE and HILARIOUS
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Remember Ted Williams, the man with the golden voice? Well KRAFT has developed a heartarming endeavor featuring Mr. Williams. This Valentine's Day all you Tweeters should know that you could have Ted read out your Valentine's Tweet with his magestic voice if you type #voiceoflove at the end of whatever you'd like him to say. And it gets better as with every Tweet he receives, KRAFT will donate 100 boxes of Mac & Cheese to Feeding America.

Now I'm not sure how well Mr. William's voice qualitfies as a voice of love? In my opinoin, not romantic in any sense. Like com' on when he reads that sample Tweet, didn't really do it for me. Hit and miss, but I see what your trying to do KRAFT. It is a great cause, and having Ted Williams, a homeless man who hit it big representing the cause is a great mix. But in all, this just goes to show how integrated social media has become into marketing. 

Other brands have been utilizing Twitter in such a way too. The integration of social media into a campaign shows how to build-up fun and excitement around a brand through providing an additional venue for consumers to interact with it instead of just making purchases. For instance, Heineken launched a similar endeavor where consumers can 'serenade' a date online. In detail, this Valentine's Day, Heineken is giving consumers the chance to personalizee video-serenades to send out to their Facebook friends. Recently, Heineken's social media monitoring revealed that the campaign is creating positive discussion amongst its target market, young adult males and women alike.  All in all the integration os social media encourages fans to make links with the brand, while also driving consumer-to-consumer engagement around the brand. Great stuff!

In the end, I think im gunna embarras my Boo with a Heineken Serenade =]!
Check it out. IT IS HILARIOUS! (https://www.facebook.com/heineken?sk=app_137291299679912)

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I think a war is brewing. One between Moleskin and Field Notes. Personally, I've bought Moleskin prodcuts for some time now and have looked over any Field Notes notebooks. But, upon seeing this cute little number I'll begin to reconsider.

This video was created to promote the Red Blooded notebook which Field Notes has recently added to their product line. The video features the notebool that becomes a love letter. A very creative approach reminicent of Google's ad about a year ago of the couple that met while studying abroad.But, adding in the end that "I swear I didn't just make this to sell Field Notes," is a bit much in my taste. They could have done without that part.

But, with the big V-day approaching more and more people will become suckers for the romantic and boyfriends will be desperate for ideas on what to get their significant other.

See the video here: http://player.vimeo.com/video/36086669?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&color=fffff

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So the Chirstmas of advertising has passed us, and now brands are reaping the benefits of their agency's hard work and dedication.

Now we look and see whose spot really made it! AdAge Magazine along with partner Blufin Labs generated data on the 10 Super Bowl spots that revealed the highest levels of response across social media.

NUMBER ONE being, one of my personal favorites, H&M's "Bodywear for H&M." Yum! David Beckham close-ups wearing nothing but some thighty whiteys, Ou lala. This spot was simple, done in black and white, while a camera pans up and down Beckhams bod. Gotta admit it is a rather simple BUT a striking campaign. I know when I first walked by H&M's window with the large stand-up Beckham, I had to do a double-take and instagram that ishh. This really gets the girls attention, but does that really drive a man's decision about what underwear to buy? From the men I know, the respect for this soccer player isn't too great. Many don't idolize him as they do Ronaldo or Messi. Maybe having either of them would have made a greater impact on males and females alike. Yet,  to be honest the underwear H&M is advertising here is really nothing special or sexy. A pair of white boxers and or briefs? uhhh..not really cutting it  for me, but if they are on the body of an all-star soccer player then thats another story. But, I mean but if it gets a woman's attention, then boys listen up.

As H&M had 108,914 number of social media comments, other top ten spots included Chrysler, Chevy, Budlight, Samsung, and Doritos enjoyed two top ten spots. Also included, was a personal favorite, Pepsi's "King's Court" ft. Elton John (too good).

To see the full list visit: http://adage.com/article/special-report-super-bowl/10-super-bowl-commercials-won-social-media/232548/

And to see all the SUper Bowl Spots again visit: http://adage.com/article/special-report-super-bowl/instant-replay-super-bowl-spots/232530/

--> As the Advertising's Chirstmas is nearing Joe Pytka named "the father of Super Bowl spots" by Advertising Age, reveals his tips and secrets on the art. (see it here)

--> TSK TSK TSK! a CSR no no for a BIG CSR brand, check out what big-time agency Ogilvy has on its' plate! (see it here)

--> Hey Hey TBWA! Making me wanna dance in my cubicle! and CHECK Elton John's sweet kicks!!
    --  Special SHOUT to Edouard of The Edouard Alert ! a great friend and currenty intern for TBWS/Chiat/Day
         in New York. Hisblog is great and filled with the latest on advertising news and alerts! Check it out.

So that's awkward.....Old Space basically giving Charmin the good old "F you!" or are they??

As the shot opens with a close-up on Charmin Freshmates with a voice-over stating;

“Charmin Freshmates are formulated to clean you better than dry bath tissue,” says a voiceover. “And they —— ”

Then the head of Terry Crews, the actor and former National Football League player, pops out of the box of Freshmates, as his hand, holding a can of Old Spice body spray, smashes through a wall.

“Old Spice is too powerful to stay in its own commercial!” Mr. Crews says, as the commercial closes with a shot of four Old Spice body spray scents and a slogan for the brand’s newest campaign, “Smell is power.”

This is not the only ad that Wieden & Kennedy have put out for Old Spice this year. Another similar advertisment involves Bounce, with the similar "Old Spice takeover theme."

In my opinion, I love this but feel it's a one time shot. In other words, if other brands began to follow Old Spice's theme we'd have a mess of Ads with multiple brands in them. Furthermore, this would get old. But koodos to Old Spice, this is hilarious, new, and innovative. I just love commercials that are fun to watch like this one, they are super effective and don't bother the consumer.

On the other hand, it is interesting though, both brands get showcased here and this is not the typical "brand v. brand" commercial, where one brand shocases it's prominence over another through pointing out flaws. Those, in my opinion, can be wholly ineffective and just plain annoying. It reminds me of  two annoying bickering sisters, to be honest. But, this ad doesn't necessarily 'hate' on Charim, it gets its fair share of airtime as well. Yet, viewers will walk away with Old Spice in thier minds rather then Charmin. Wholly, this gets me thinking are Charmin and Old Spice working together? Does this convey the right message to consumers? or does one brand overshadow the other? All  I know is that I would be interested to see the statistics resulting from this commercial on how consumers feel and act.

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Kia's Super Bowl Spot contends with leaders of the 'car commercial.' Kia's hamsters have been prancing around for way to long, it is great to see Kia come out with something new.

As early screenshots had not done it justice. In this spot Kia plays on idea of the sweetest of dreams, which of course incoporates the Kia Optima as well as that stuff that all men dream of (large sandwiches, Motley Crue, Adriana Lima, and MMA). The spot carries to protray that this dream trumps all, which in my opinion successful conveys the Kia Optima as the "cool, hip, and trendy" car which is the image Kia attempted (yet failed) to accomplish with their hamsters.

Yet, considering contenders such as VW, BMW, and Honda could Kia's spot really compete?  We'll just have to see where the hype will truly land.

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