Are we controlled by advertising?

It's so weird to think that every idea that we have or anything that we want to buy was triggered by an ad we saw or a billboard we drove past. Are we brainwashed as a society or are we just easily influenced? We are exposed to ads every second without even realizing it. However, this may not be completely bad. How else would our society run if this wasn't the case? Businesses wouldn't survive because the world wouldn't know that their products even exist. People would lose their jobs and eventually our society would collapse. So as much as people criticize advertising, its actually the puzzle piece thats keeping our society together. So with this being said, I came to the conclusion that... ADVERTISING RUNS OUR SOCIETY.

Art & Advertising- Are they related?

YES. Advertising is art. I think that they definitely fall into the same category. I guess I would define art as self-expression and using your own creativity to express how you feel and get your point across to the others around you. This is what ads are too aren't they? They use different tactics to catch their audiences attention to ultimately get their point across. By using sounds, different lighting and certain picked out actors they work to pull you into their product that they are selling. This is also what an artist does, they pull you into their art piece and have you try to understand what their message that their trying to get across. Yes, I do think that advertising is more vocal about their purpose but I think that ultimately art does the same thing just in a more subtle way.

Lynx/ Axe Caveman AD

This ad was done by BBH, London. We have seen alot of Axe/ Lynx ads in class but we have not seen this particular one. Honestly, I didn't like it very much I thought that it was bizarre and didn't go with the theme of the other Axe commercials. I felt that it was very random and not very effective. The cartoon feel didn't cut it for me.

Barclaycard waterslide AD

This commercial was done by BBH out of their London office. I chose this particular BBH ad because it was really funny and to be honest i was really intrigued as to how long it took them to set up this commercial. This ad was very entertaining and i personally loved it... so I wanted to share it on my blog!

"Enduring Skin"

This commerical was done by BBH out of their New York office. I LOVED this commercial. I thought that the lightning and shots that were shownt throughout the ad were unbelievable. It had such great effects and really caught my attention.

Audi R8

This Audi commercial was done by BBH out of their London office. The music and the slow tempo was what really drew me in to this particular ad. I thought that it was a very unique approach and I liked it. I loved how each piece of the car was slowly added and then at the end the full car was shown with the tagline "The slowest car we've ever built," which I thought was also very interesting.

Viral Ad- BBH

This viral ad was done by BBH, London. I love viral advertising because I feel like many times they get their point faster and more effective than the standard TV advertisment. This ad was for Graduate recruitment and I loved how BBH went about getting their message across. I thought it was very effective having young children tell their dreams and what they want to be when they grow up. It relayed the message that graduating with a degree can help you accomplish those goals that you've dreamed of since you were a child.

Library- Coca Cola

To be honest, this commercial kind of freaked me out. It was done by Wieden and Kennedy out of their Amsterdam office. It was very original don't get me wrong but I still thought that it was very bizarre. But maybe that was a good thing because it did catch my eye. I had never seen a Coke commercial like this one. I think Wieden and Kennedy did a great job of differentiating themselves from the rest of the advertising world.

Coca Cola Zero meets James Bond

To help promote the new James Bond movie, Quantum of Solace, James Bond teams up with Coca Cola Zero. This tv commercial was made by Wieden and Kennedy out of their Portland office. I loved the creativity that was used throughout the ad. Such as, during all the chase scenes the sports cars used crisscrossed over the the landscape always forming a Coca-Cola bottle shape. I also liked how the commercial stays within the James Bond theme by having him defeat several villians in attempt to reach the girl (because of course, theres always a girl) and then reach his goal of recovering the Coke Zero bottle.

Coca Cola formula

This short and sweet commercial was done by Wieden and Kennedy out of their main Portland office. This ad really shows the world that Coke is a product that has been around for generations and is desired and envied by their competitors. I liked it because i felt that it showed Coke's tradtional image by using a red background with white lettering and then showing the tradtional coke bottle at the end. It was also kind of fiesty and aggressive in a way telling the world "you want our product's secret formula, but you'll never get it and therefore, never be as good as us."

"Just a friend"

This Heineken commercial was done by Wieden and Kennedy out of their Portland office. I absolutely LOVED this commercial. It's just fun and light-hearted. It made me smile watching it and put me in a good mood. We were not shown this commercial in class so I had to include it on my blog because it's pure entertainment.

Wieden and Kennedy- "Pass the Cheer"

We did not see this particular ad in class by Wieden and Kennedy but i wanted to show it because I really enjoyed it. It gave me a "feel good" feeling that I loved. It is an ad for starbucks and something about it instanty drew me in. It had a very childish and fairy tale feel to it that I really enjoyed. It made me think of the Holidays and made me want to be with my family. Wieden and Kennedy did a great job with this ad because they really aimed it towards all ages: children, teens and even adults.

BELIEF DESIGN

This rather bizzare commemrcial was done by VitroRobertson out of their LA office. I found this commercial to be rather strange and was definately not my favorite ad that I've seen so far throughout the semester. But I have to give VitroRobertson credit because it was definately quite unique.

Ford Focus- "beautifully arranged"

This is an ad where I think that art and advertising truly come together. It incorporates music and the product and brings them together as one. This ad was done by Dailey and Associates advertising agency out of their LA office. We talked about the concept of advertising and art in class but after watching this commercial I think it actually comes to life. I believe that advertising is art and this ad is my proof. Arts can be incorporated into advertising and when they do I think the ad becomes that much stronger and has a greater effect on the audience.

Audi Ad

This commerical was done by Venables Bells & Partners out of their main San Francisco office. All of the action in the ad really caught my attention and i loved it!

Alaska Airlines

This commercial was done by Wongdoody advertising agency out of their Seattle office. I loved this commercial because it was so entertaining. I thought that it was a very creative way to advertise for an airlines company. Overall, I thought Wongdoody did a great job with this particular ad.

oh Jack....

These infamous Jack in the Box commercials never get old for me. I find them very entertaining for some reason. There done by Secret Weapon ad agency out of their LA office. I can tell that they do only handle three clients at a time because these ads have been running for a while and continue to be a success.

"Can't a minivan go perfectly with your little black dress?"

This print ad for Hyundai was done by Kirshenbaum Bond out of their New York office. I really liked this ad because it grabbed my attention immediately. I don't know whether it was because of the bright colors that jumped out at me or because the concept of the ad was very strange and "out there." I never would have paired a little black dress with a minivan, which is why I think that this ad worked. Kirshenbaum Bond stepped out of the boundaries and tryed something new and extreme. I LIKED IT!

YOU RULE

This Virgin Mobile ad was done by McKinney advertising agency out of their New York office. I thought that this print ad was "what not to do." Personally, when I look at a print ad I look for humor and or why I should buy the product advertised. What is the main "catch" and reason I should buy the product. This ad is a paragraph, literally. I think it's too long and therefore, is far less effective. McKinney should of kept it short, sweet and to the point if you ask me.

Weingart Homeless Center

I thought that this print ad by David & Goliath advertising agency was very powerful. It was done out of their Los Angelos office. My heart melted when I read the tag line" Before you turn away, put yourself in my place." I think it touched me to the extent that it did because it's so true. I know the phrase "put yourself in someone else's shoes" is a cliche but I stand by it. It's a for sure way to ground yourself and feel sympathy for another person. It was very effective of David & Goliath to use this tactic because it definately worked. (Or at least it did for me)

Hummer

This Hummer print ad was done by Modernista out of their Boston office. I think that this ad was very well done. To me, the Hummer screams adventure. This ad painted a picture of this mind set up perfectly. The surrounding are so open and free it goes with the theme of travel and risk-taking that I think of when i see this type of car. The picture is beautiful and really gives the audience a clear insight into what type of car the Hummer really is.

yummm... It's HYPNOTIC

This print ad for Buffalo Wild Wings was done by advertising agency 22squared WestWayne out of their Tampa office. There are several of these ads such as, Super Cold and Truth Serum. These ads really grab my attention. I love the bright, bold colors that are used. Even the bold text thats used had an effect on me. It brought me into the ad and actually made me crave the product advertised, which as I see it means it was a success.

Panasonic Viera- Blink

This ad for Panasonic was done by advertising agency Strawberry Frog out of their Netherlands office. I absolutely LOVED this commercial. I felt like the timing was perfect for everything. I loved how the ad was shown in slow motion. It really exentuated the point that the product was trying to get across: that every second counts and matters. Srawberry Frog did a great job of bringing this characterictic of the Panasonic Viera to life in their commercial.

I love the World

This ad for the Discovery Channel was done by advertising agency, 72 and sunny out of their Los Angelos office. I chose this commercial because it just gave me a "feel good" vibe as I was watching it. It wasn't to serious or trying too hard to be funny, it just worked. I think 72 and Sunny did a great job of finding a way to advertise for The Discovery Channel. They chose a fun and unique way to do it which is why I think it was an overall success.

X-Box 360- "Jump In"

This X- Box commercial was done by T.A. G. SF advertising agency out of their San Francisco office. I liked this ad but I also thought that it was kind of creepy at the same time. I understand the concept that they were trying to get across that the game gets into your head but I think that they could of made the commercial a little more interactive, such as people playing the game which would of drawn the audience into the commercial. Rather than actually zooming into the back of someone's open head. (weird)

"The Future's Bright"

I absolutely LOVED this Orange commercial by advertising agency, Mother out of their London office. I think that the music made the ad. It went so well with the theme and mood of the commercial. I'm a huge fan of the ads done for this particualr brand but I thought that this ad stuck out. I think that this commercial was very well done and definately does a great job of getting their message across to the audience. (At least I thought so)

I think that this commercial is hilarious. This Pinky Vodka ad was done by advertising agency, Ground Zero out of their LA office. I find the man in the commercial soo funny. I know that the concept of a grown man in angel wings is so random but for some reason I think that it works for this product.

La Comunidad

This print ad was done by La Comunidad advertising agency out of their Miami office. For some reason I really liked this ad, I think it's because I find it so random and original.

Puma

This Puma Lift ad was done by Droga5 advertising agency, out of their New York office. Droga5 is known for their viral advertising so I chose to find something different. I really enjoyed watching this ad because it was very out of their ordinary. It was very unique which is why I think that I liked it. I loved the bright, neon colors and the dancing that was shown. Between the free-style dancing and bright colors, it kinda reminded me of the ipod commercials at some points throughout the ad.

SiZe Is DeCePtIvE

I loved this Mini Cooper ad done by ad agency, Taxi, out of their Toronto office. I think that it's concept was very original and really did a great job of advertising their product and message. It did a great job of showing that despite a Mini Cooper's small size, they come with a great amount of power. I loved the tag line "size is deceptive" it was the perfect line for this campaign and I think that overall Taxi did a great job of advertising this product.

1-800 Got Junk?

This ad for 1-800 Got Junk? is by the advertising agency Rethink, out of their vancouver office. I'm not the biggest fan of these commercials because I don't find them to be that funny. They are one of Rethink's largest clients but I don't think that their ads are as well done or effective as the work done by some of the other ad agencies that I've seen.

AIRTRAN.COM

This commercial for Airtran.com was done by Cramer-Krasselt advertising agency out of their Chicago office. I'm one of those people who accidently laughs when someone trips and I think that's why I find this commercial entertaining. Their is not much substance to this commercial at all I just found it purely entertaining. In my opinion, It was a very creative way to advertise an airline company.

"Battle"

This Quaker State Motor Oil commercial was done by Doner advertising agency, Southfield. I really liked how this commercial was focused on racing and had a very masculine feel to it. The fire horses also grabbed my attention because I thought it added more to the product. I think Doner did a great job of almost making the audience feel the power of the cars. Thus making the product appear more powerful and strong, which I think a customer is looking for in a product such as motor oil.

Men dressed up like fruits?

This Fruit of the Loom commercial was done by Richards Group out of their San Fransico office. I think that this is one of the most unique/bizzare advertising approaches that I've seen. I just don't know who would come up with the idea of singing grown men dressed in fruit costumes. I don't know whether I necessarily like or dislike these commercials I just see them as VERY random and slightly weird...

Levis ads- Too racy?

This Levi commercial was done by BBH out of their London office. I have very mixed feelings about these commercials. Levi has always had the "sexy" theme to their ads. They sell their jeans through the typical sex image. Sometimes I think this works with the brand and other times I feel like they take it alittle too far. I feel like they went a little over the top with this commercial that I posted. I think that they could rely their same sexy image in a less obvious, I'm taking my clothes off kind of way. Don't get me wrong, I do like the majority of these commercials but I also feel like they could tame it down a little for the younger audiences that may be watching.

"If you let me play"

I think that these Nike commercials really help show why Wieden and Kennedy is such a successful ad agency. This commercial was done out of their Portland, Oregon office. I absolutely love this campaign! I know that we saw this ad in class but I had to post it on my blog. Every time I watch these ads, I never fail to get goose bumps. I love how these ads empower women bringing them into the world of sports which many of times is only thought about in terms of men. This ad is so powerful because it reaches out of the stereotypes of men and sports by having women be the ones who want to get in the game and play.

Amino- Shiki Drink

This commercial was done by the Japanese- oriented agency, Dentsu out of their Toyko office. This commercial that I posted actually has two ads in one. The first is called "girl" and it is followed by "picnic" both advertising for the Japanese drink: Amino- Shiki. I chose to show this ad because I found it fascinating the tricks that were shown throughout the ad. It was definately entertaining and caught my eye. Hope you thought it was too :)

Little Ceasar's Pizza

This commercial for Little Ceasar's pizza was done by the Cliff Freeman advertising agency out of their New york office. I found this particular ad for Little Ceesar's to be very entertaining. It was fairly stupid but for some reason I liked it. It is one of their biggest accounts which is why I chose it for my blog!

Burger King's- The Whopper!

This Burger King commercial was done by Crispin Porter & Bogusky out of their South Carolina office. I chose this ad because it is what Cripin Porter is most known for. Burger King is one of Cripin Porter's largest accounts and I think that it represents their agency well.

Citroen C4- "Staying Alive"

This Citroen C4 commercial was done by Euro RSCG advertising agency out of their London office. I liked this commercial because I felt that it had the same feel as the ipod commercials because the ad's center focus was on free-style dancing to fin music. It put me in a carefree mood which I enjoyed. I thought it was a very creative and unique way to promote the Citroen C4. Rather than just focusing on the specific attributes of the actual car itself, Euro RSCG took a different approach which I thought was very effective.

"Truth" ads

This truth ad was done by Arnold Worldwide out of their Boston office. Arnold is very well known for their truth campaign. I particularly liked this ad on smoking. Sometimes I feel as though these ads are a little intense but I do have to admit they definately get their message out to their audience. These ads always give me goosebumps everytime I watch them. I have to say they definately have an impact on their audience or at least they did with me.

This Lexus print ad was done by Team One Advertising out of their LA office. I like how this ad has such a modern- style feel to it. It almost looks as if it was made for the future. The lighting in this ad emphasizes every angle of the car making it pop out of the picture.

Make a Wish Foundation

This commercial was done by Kaplan Thaler Group advertising agency out of their New York office. I liked this commercial because I loved how the center focus was a little boy dressed up in a costume. I think that this tactic definately helped the audience realize what the commercial is actually promoting: helping little kids in need.

BMW Film- Ambush

This BMW film was done by Fallon Worldwide out of their main office in Minneapolis. Fallon is famous for their work on these BMW films. I thought that this was a great clip to use on my blog because it's one that actually captures the essence of this particular advertising agency.

I thought that this ad was cool because McDonald's sold their product through actually showing their audience how fresh their salads are rather than just telling their audience through words. This McDonald's commercial was done by Leo Burnett advertising agency out of their main office in Chicago. This ad was different and that's what attracted me to it. It reminded me of the "Diamonds are forever" campaign with the roses on a billboard which I loved. This ad had the same effect on me...

The infamous talking stain...

This Tide commercial was done by Saatchi & Saatchi advertising agency out of their New York office. I know that our class saw this ad in class but I couldn't help but put it on my blog. I have seen so many of these commercials but for some reason I never get sick of them. I think they are hilarious. It amazes me how Saatchi & Saatchi took a product as dull as stain remover and made a hit commercial out of it.

"Live Fruitfully"

This commercial for Jamba Juice was done by Publicis advertising agency out of their New York office. This ad drew me in by the colorful computer designs that were used. This ad is very bright which I think was one of the attributes that really caught my eye, making me desperately crave a smoothie from Jamba Juice!

H & R Block- "CUPID"

This H & R Block commercial was done by Campbell Mithun advertising agency out of their Minneapolis office. This is one of those ads that is so stupid that it's funny. I found it very amusing and a great way to entertain an audience especially when you are advertising a brand that deals with taxes (a not so interesting topic!)

National Grid: Polar Bear

This commercial for National Grid was done by Mullen advertising agency out of their Boston office. The one thing that attracted me about this ad was that it gave me a warm feeling when I watched it. I can't explain why I particularly liked it but just that I enjoyed the feeling that I got after I saw it. Mullen used a very inviting and warm approach when they made this ad and I think that it worked and was very effective.

This PlayStation commercial was done by Deutsch advertising agency out of their New York office. I definately think that this commercial was aimed towards a male audience but for some reason I really liked it! I thought that it was cool how Deutsch took stunt drivers/fliers from real airplanes and transitioned from real life to the "toy" life inside playstation. I felt like I was actually playing the game when I watched the ad. It did a great job of drawing the audience in and making them feel as though they were apart of the experience.

This Liberty Mutual ad was done by Hill Holiday out of their Boston office. This ad caught my attention because it gave me goosebumps while I was watching it. It's not just another pointless "funny" commercial it actually made me feel something. I think that when advertising agencies touch their audiences emotions it has a much greater impact on the success of the product.

Harley Davidson

This is a print ad for Harley Davidson done by Carmichael-lynch agency out of their Milwakee office. I think that this is such a cool ad. It has a vintage feel to it which I love.