Campaigns

Deutsch LA is promoting the new Twisted Metal game for client Playstation by providing 100,000 bullets (yes, for real) in a military-sized machine gun for those laptop jocks and jockettes who want to let out some aggression and fire away and blow shit up. The agency went so far as to send us a promo poster, which you can see above, which we suppose a new kind of Valentine’s Day massacre. We’re not sure why we feel giddy/weird about something like this, but we’re on the list. If you care to join in on the fun, time is limited, but go here.

Create a social media strategy, launch your campaign, and track the results in our Social Media Marketing Boot Camp starting February 16. The online event and workshop will feature speakers including The Onion‘s Baratunde Thurston (left), Facebook’s Morin Oluwole, and bitly’s Tim Devane. Register now.

Each week, we’re sent hundreds of pieces of advertisement-y work that falls into the fun-to-watch-video category. There’s not enough time in the day to think up copy for all of them so here’s a round-up of the best ad-related video we’ve seen in the last 7 days. You’re welcome.

7. Who doesn’t love watching buildings crumble? In this spot for Ecotricity, a UK-based energy resource, we get to watch cooling stacks from power plants crumble. There might be a bit of mixed messaging here though — why anthropomorphize the stacks with cutesy characters and then kill them? Regardless, you can’t deny the enjoyment of watching big structures fall.

 

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Yep, it’s about time to wind down the work week, and while we do, let’s show you a rather lengthy infographic (full-size version after the jump) from an aptly titled, Seattle-based operation called Killer Infographics. We figured we’d give you the cliff notes version at the top of the page, but the full visual display details top 10 slogans, ad situations and a little bit of data analysis. Our only issue is that none of the top 10 ad campaigns dates past the ’80s. Were things really that bad for the last 20+ years?

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The fabricated holiday that is Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and, of course, the agency world is cashing in. Since we’ve already seen the W+K contribution, why not showcase other agencies who want to reach consumers who are stuck in Cupid’s crosshairs.

Durham, NC’s own McKinney has launched a web app called “Meet Me in the Photo Booth” that lets users invite a partner into a virtual photo booth (webcam necessary), take a few pics and share them on Facebook and Twitter or even print. The agency is also running a little contest where those who tweet their best pics to @mckinney can have a chance to snag a big box of chocolates in time for Valentine’s Day. So, we guess the winner gets to save a few bucks there and still comes out looking like a star.

 

Then there’s Y&R Singapore’s effort for Kirin beer called the “Beerbro-quet.” If your man, woman or friend prefers booze over flowers (and remember, it’s the thought that counts), why not indulge them with a 10-pack of Kirin Ichiban mini-cans?

Finally, this one’s been making the rounds, but Blast Radius is helping its client Starbucks turn Valentine’s Day into another augmented reality experience via a little “Cup Magic.” See demo below:

It looks like the one and only Paul McCartney is on the promotional trail, having released his peculiarly titled album “Kisses on the Bottom” this week. Macca as they call him is not only gearing up for a tour, but also took a day or two in London last month to shoot this spot that’s part of the ongoing Harman/JBL “Hear the Truth” campaign from Southfield, MI’s own, Doner. Sir Paul’s rather timely, new single, “My Valentine,” is the featured tune and we have to say, the man himself lo0ks pretty good for almost-70. Despite the low-key mood, we’ll take this over Maroon 5 any time. Look for this spot featuring McCartney in all his smooth, romantic form to break on the telly during the Grammys on Sunday.

The CP+B-aided reinvention of Domino’s continues as the pizza chain is heralding the launch of its new Facebook platform called Think Oven, which serves as both a suggestion box (or “Idea Box” as they’re calling it) and an outlet for Domino’s to dish out projects for its consumer base to take part in.

First up to bat on the Think Oven project list? New uniforms. Yes, it appears that Domino’s is looking to update the ol’ blue and red-based outfits and is looking for your best ideas. The two best visual and written submissions will each win a cool $500, so why not channel your inner Project Runway designer. If you need a prettier explanation of what Think Oven is, see visual presentation above. Deadline for the uniform project, by the way, is March 4. In conjunction with the Facebook launch, Domino’s has also rolled out a new TV spot that tells the tale of how the brand’s new Parmesan Bread Bites came to be. Hint: The product idea wasn’t hatched at corporate HQ. Check it after the jump.

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Well, this probably won’t diffuse any anger felt by those who are accusing W+K, Clint Eastwood and Chrysler for sending out a pro-Obama message in their Super Bowl ad (which is now live again, by the way). But here’s a little clip that’s being dubbed as an “alternate version” of the official big game spot, the latter of which Eastwood has recently defended, claiming there’s no spin to be had in his “Halftime.” But as you’ll see, we can’t say the same for this quick mash-up, which makes its message loud and clear by the end. Did you think the original had an Obama bias or was it “apolitical” as Eastwood claims? Or should we just discontinue the conversation altogether and let the ad be?

Judging by the fact that millions of people have probably called in sick today (and millions more are probably just showing up to the office), we can’t say we disagree with a new Coke Zero campaign calling to make the day after Super Bowl Sunday a federal holiday dubbed, er, Magnificent Monday. Well, the name could use some tweaking, but we’re on board with this effort from CP+B. On the social media front, the beverage brand is asking the Twitterverse to log on and submit ideas on how to make this holiday happen using the hashtag #magmonday. We have faith that this could become reality in the coming years, folks, so let’s get to it already. Credits after the jump.

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Each week, we’re sent hundreds of pieces of advertisement-y work that falls into the fun-to-watch-video category. There’s not enough time in the day to think up copy for all of them so here’s a round-up of the best ad-related video we’ve seen in the last 7 days. You’re welcome.

11. Just four days after the internet found out about people flying over New York City, 6 million views have been racked up on the YouTube clip for this campaign for the upcoming film Chronicle.

10. The second season of HBO’s Game of Thrones is coming on April 1, and this trailer gave more than a few of the show’s fans something to look forward to.

9. Augmented Reality flashed its toothy head this week in this AR world tour for National Geographic from Appshaker.

8. Acura is pushing its new NSX super car with the help of Jerry Seinfeld and Jay Leno, the car world’s biggest celebs.

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The E*Ttrade baby has been a divisive figure in advertising. As marketers, it can be easy to hate the cocky, talking infant. But, many in the financial industry can’t seem to get enough of the little guy (close relatives of mine included). It must be working for E*Trade and Grey NY, because five years after the baby’s first appearance, he’s still being used at the company spokesperson in all-important Super Bowl ads. It seems much longer than five years, doesn’t it?

Anyway, one of two Super Bowl spots for E*Trade from Grey NY finds the baby giving his father advice about planning for the future. It’s part of a push from E*Trade to highlight the company’s other, non-trading products and services. As the baby reps his favorite brand’s new offering of financial consultants, he’s interrupted to see a toddler acquaintance “speed-dating” newborns. It’s kind of an unsettling image, no?

In a statement, E*Trade Financial Corporation CMO Nick Utton previews the baby’s new direction away from pixelated webcams. “We’re focused on building on our momentum by ensuring the campaign remains memorable and iconic, and also says something new about E*Trade’s offerings,” he says. “This year’s approach features the Baby interacting with people facing important real-life events that trigger a need to consider investing.”

E*Trade’s second Super Bowl spot, “Best Man,” follows after the jump.

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