Television

Unilever’s Sure and Deutsch NY view the women’s deodorant industry as something in need of repair. What’s the problem, you ask? In a statement, they say, “For years, women have been portrayed by the deodorant industry as weak. From embarrassed bridesmaids to sheepish business women in silk blouses who hide their armpits, women have been made to feel that without a deodorant we are inadequate and unattractive.” Well, I don’t know if I’d take it that far, but considering that one of Sure’s biggest competitors is named “Secret,” I can definitely jump on board with the overall sentiment of that statement.

With the above spot titled “We Are Strong” (which will run on TV in 24 countries), Sure seeks to depict a different side of women, one that isn’t all about skipping merrily through fields of lilac while dressed head to toe in pastels. In fact, the models in “Unapologetically Strong” opt for decrepit abandoned buildings instead of the great outdoors, which is a great place to cross your arms and look intimidating, but probably isn’t the best environment for a newborn baby. The spot is part of Sure’s Maximum Strength global product launch, and the statement from Sure and Deutsch goes on to say that, “Sweat is a sign that we’re engaged, we’re doing, we’re achieving. Women are strong. And now there’s a product as strong as we are.” Click here for credits.

From Portland-based prodco Mmmmm Society comes “Put a Job On It,” a new political ad for Portland mayoral candidate, Eileen Brady.

As fans of IFC’s breakout hit Portlandia will note, the spot borrows heavily from the style and tone of the satirical TV show, with Brady walking optimistically down the streets of the Rose City accompanied by younger-looking facsimiles of comedic stars Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein. It seems that while the dream of the 90s may be alive in the hipster haven of the Northwest, young professionals who move to the city for its vegan-friendly, craft brewery heavy, bicycle-loving environs are being devastated by a difficult job market. Yes, there are only so many Fair Trade coffee houses in the city that need tattooed, Sleater-Kinney fanatic barisitas. So, the Brady campaign is focusing on job creation, borrowing its title from one of Portlandia’s most-beloved skits, “Put a Bird on It.”

According to a press release, the spot was produced as a donation in association with members of Portland’s thriving film and television industry. Of course it was. Brady says in a statement, “I’m honored to have been supported by the incredible talents of Mmmmm Society’s Michele Carnes Ellis and an amazing team…assembled on a collaboration with my campaign team. Their creativity was only matched by their professionalism, dedication and attention to detail.” Well, we’ll see what percentage of the bohemian vote she receives come election time, when Brady will face off against 22 other quirky, eccentric candidates. Seriously, Portland. What the hell. Credits after the jump.

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Throw some plastic over your keyboard, because this new campaign is bound to turn on the waterworks for many, even you heartless, jaded advertising professionals.

Kicking off what’s being declared P&G’s biggest campaign in the company’s 174-year history is the above two-minute spot, “Best Job.” Shot in London, Rio de Janeiro, Los Angeles and Beijing by award-winning director Alejandro González Iñárritu (21 Grams, Babel, Amores Perros, Nike “Write the Future”),“Best Job” launched today on TV and social media, coinciding with April 17 marking 100 days until the upcoming Olympic Summer Games in London. The “Thank You, Mom” campaign by W+K (with VFX by The MIll) also features a custom tab on P&G’s Facebook page, which allows visitors to send personal notes of gratitude to their mothers which are posted to a stream on the app and to users’ Walls.

So, if you mom is still alive, consider sending her a quick message of gratitude, via Facebook or other means. And, if you’re fortunate enough to be watching the Olympics this summer with her, give her a hug, a kiss, and a quick thanks. Even if you didn’t become a world class athlete (or avoided sports altogether), chances are you mom was always your biggest fan. Visit the “Thank You, Mom” Facebook page here.

From Chicago-based multicutural agency Commonground comes the first spot in a new television campaign titled “Who’s the Coldest?” for Coors Light. The first spot, “Bodyguard,” reunites rapper-turned-family friendly Hollywood mogul Ice Cube with his cast-mate from Friday, Tommy “Tiny” Lister. Aside from playing the neighborhood bully “Deebo” in the Friday trilogy, you might also recognize “Tiny” from his role as the noble, unnamed prisoner who doesn’t blow up a boat in The Dark Knight.

With the (hopefully) final film in the Friday series, Last Friday, due out in 2013, perhaps we should expect to see cameos from the likes of Chris Tucker and Faizon Love as the campaign continues.

According who the anonymous source who sent the clip our way, “It’s viewed by many that this campaign and these spots are better than the Coors Light work DraftFCB is putting out there.” What say you, dear commenters? Here’s some fairly recent work for the brand from DraftFCB for comparison:

It is “hump day,” after all (sorry). Just when you thought the day couldn’t get any worse, you’re now imagining seniors getting it on in every position imaginable. Still, you have to hand it to the cast of this PSA from DDB NY for SaferSexforSeniors.com. They’re quite flexible, no?

Aside from being a state known for horribly offensive MLB managers and the most ass-backwards self-defense law anyone’s ever heard of, Florida is also STD central for the 55+ crowd. A lack of sexual education and pregnancy potential has been resulting in a huge spike in syphilis and Chlamydia in seniors, with cases of the diseases rising 71 percent and 62 percent respectively from 2005-2009. DDB NY CCO Matt Eastwood says in a statement “I was important for us that our creative response felt empowering to the 55, 60, 65+ demographic. Whether the younger generation likes it or not, our grandparents are having sex. We wanted to make a sexy ad that maintains a level of tastefulness and encourages seniors to enjoy their sex lives –safely.”

So, quit being a prude, and just be proud of these brave souls for getting some action despite the risk of dislocating hips in the process. Credits after the jump.

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During MLB Opening Weekend, a round of new TV spots debuted for Chevy from Spike Lee/DDB collaboration, Spike DDB. The campaign stars Detroit Tigers pitching ace Justin Verlander and recent slugging addition Prince Fielder (above) mumbling a 1974 jingle that compares the automaker to the ultimate American items (“baseball, hotdogs, apple pie and Chevrolet”). For a blast from the past, here’s Chevy’s anthem of material patriotism from almost 40 years ago:

As both Verlander and Fielder are under 30, there’s probably no way the pair were familiar with this Chevy campaign prior to exhibiting their singing and acting chops in these spots. But, coming off a sweep that embarrassed the Boston Red Sox, there’s no way Tigers fans are going to call out their heroes for manufacturing nostalgia. Watch the other two spots after the jump and visit the Chevy Baseball website here.

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Last year, New Era delighted with a round of spots that featured Boston Red Sox fan John Krasinski and New York Yankees fan Alec Baldwin trading jabs in support of their respective teams. Donning New Era’s on-field hats, the campaign (created by agency Brooklyn Brothers) ran over the course of the 2011 MLB regular season, culminating in Baldwin’s “character” accidentally committing an act of arson after taunting Krasinski by burning a stack of Sox tickets.

This time around, New Era is focusing on a different baseball rivalry, casting two more members of the NBC Thursday night comedy lineup in starring roles. Written and produced by the team at Funny or Die, “Chicago vs. Chicago: Round 1″ finds Cubs supporter Nick Offerman (Ron Swanson of Parks and Recreation) trash-talking with Southside native and White Sox fan, Craig Robinson (Darryl Philbin of The Office). Debuting today, the 60-second cut focuses on, among other things, Wrigley Field’s famous foliage, former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich‘s attempt to sell off President Obama’s vacant senate seat, and whether or not “havetalent” is one word.

And, for the record, you CAN get good pizza north of Division St. No; Gino’s East doesn’t count. Read an interview with Offerman and Robinson discussing the spot and their history with Chicago baseball here.

While Nokia and AT&T aren’t yet taking explicit credit for a new campaign codenamed “Operation Rolling Thunder,” some poking around on the part of WPCentral.com shows that the above spot (which debuted during yesterday’s NBA broadcasts) and its companions are perhaps the handiwork of Butler, Shine, Stern and Partners, which is hyping Nokia’s Lumia 900 LTE smartphone prior to an April 8 launch.

The “hidden camera” spots depict one naysayer doubting the functionality of a poorly-censored iPhone, criticizing its fragility, inability to be used safely outside, and barrage of antenna issues. In fact, the above spot, “Fragile,” compares using the iPhone to taking maybe the worst investment advice of 2007 (though the iPhone will bankrupt you in other ways). Following the spots to “smartphonebetatest.com” leads users to a microsite featuring a countdown clock, all three videos from the campaign, and a teaser trailer featuring SNL alum Chris Parnell (perhaps best known to the kids as 30 Rock’s “Dr. Spaceman”). Is the iPhone actually the result of a half-assed beta test gone awry? Conspiracy theorists, rejoice!

As Daily Tech points out, it’s a bit surprising that AT&T is endorsing such a blatant attack on one of its top-selling products. Perhaps it’s a stroke of revenge for Apple giving Verizon and Sprint access to the iPhone. So, dear commenters, who’s your money on in the great “War Against iPhones,” Samsung or Nokia? Two more spots, including one mocking the late Steve Jobs‘ “you’re holding it wrong” admonishment of 2010, after the jump.

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While Americans have been bombarded with heavily sentimental Google+ TV ads that cause us to burst into tears and hug our pets during Modern Family commercial breaks, the UK has been living in deprivation. That is, until now.

For Google+’s first UK TV spot, creative shop Adam and Eve (not the porn company) is taking responsibility for melting the cold, British hearts of the assorted Emma Thompsons and Alan Rickmans across the pond. A dead ringer for the BBH Google work we’ve been seeing stateside (but with accents), “Tom+” follows the online life of one man, starting by watching him sort his wife into a “Love of My Life” Circle and ending with his older, gray-haired self sorting a baby into a Circle labeled “Grandchildren.” And, in case you didn’t recognize it right away, the narration over the spot is British actor Benedict Cumberbatch reading “The Seven Ages of Man,” from Shakespeare’s As You Like It.

Now, as tear-inducing as this spot is, it’s kind of silly to think that it hinges on the belief that Google+ will be successful enough to last an entire generation. Regardless, Adam & Eve founding creative partner Ben Priest told Brand Republic, “We wanted to bring warmth and humanity to this platform. To show people how it allows you to share what’s important with those you love.” So, dear commenters, do you prefer your tea and crumpets with “Tom+” or a shot of “Dear Sophie?”

It seems as though the hiring manager at Old Navy’s “Funnovations Inc.” is quite the fanatic of early 90s sitcoms. After all, Blossom star and current Big Bang Theory cast member Mayim Bialik revives her giant floral hat for a stint spent deploying “Bee Bots” on spring dresses. It’s always amazing how quickly these Old Navy spots from CP+B and prodco Brand New School turn into surreal portrayals of a dystopian society controlled by excessively cheerful celebrities who run clothing factories.

So maybe using Bootsy Collins to sell boots last winter was a bit of a stretch, but if there’s one media personality we can immortalize for bringing colorful clothing to the masses 20-some years ago, it was blossom and her outrageously bright clothing. Also, it’s kind of nice (and a little depressing) that Joey Lawrence can still make some money on the side by not wearing a shirt and saying, “Whoa.”

On that note, who’s ready for the second season of Melissa and Joey on ABC Family? Credits after the jump.

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