Alas, there are no “T-shirt uniforms” to hammer home the message of individuality in this latest Dr. Pepper campaign from Deutsch LA, which is now eschewing grandiose productions and blockbuster cross-promotions to instead focus on real people, real stories. The above spot, dubbed “One in a Billion” (title track courtesy of the Vinyl Hearts), should give you the basic gist of how the agency’s ongoing “Always One of a Kind” campaign for the soda brand is evolving.

The heartwarming, human interest angle is one that’s been tread on aplenty, but it’s a somewhat interesting detour considering that at the end of the day, all agency and client are doing are selling soda. Will it take this year? Who knows, but in the meantime, check out out two specific stories, one focusing on a model-turned-boxer and the other a mother of five/roller derby queen along with credits after the jump.

Read more

By now, some, most or all of you have heard that Taco Bell is rolling out its Doritos Locos Tacos line (you might have seen this teaser), which will officially be available to appease your guilty-pleasure cravings nationwide come March 8. As part of the rollout of its new menu item, the fast-food chain’s agency partner Draftfcb Orange County unveiled a new spot called “Pockets” that was directed by Jake Scott and debuted during NBA All-Star weekend.

As you’ll see in the latest advert, Taco Bell is undergoing a rebranding of sorts that comes with a new slogan, “Live Mas,” which from the looks of it, will be emblazoned across all the brand’s sauce packets. Now, we’re just curious to find out if there really is a band called Slab Hauler. Credits after the jump.

Read more

With the Miami Heat set to tip off the NBA season tonight against the Boston Celtics, it’s rather timely that W+K Portland unveils this Nike spot called “Rise” starring Heat forward and two-time reigning MVP LeBron James. Following his less-than-well-received ESPN special, “The Decision,” where James announced he was taking his talents to South Beach, the backlash that ensued was virtually unparalleled.

So, in this spot, James simply asks the viewer, “What should I do?” While not even close to being as creepy as Tiger Woods’ pre-Masters Nike spot, this LeBron clip (directed by Stacy Wall) seems to beg for the audience’s sympathy just as much. Still, it’s not half-bad and way more entertaining than Tiger’s entry, what with its nod to “The Decision,” a shout-out to noted LeBron critic Charles Barkley and even a cameo appearance by Don Johnson. Will it rehabilitate LeBron’s image at all in the eyes of those who loathe him, though? We doubt it. Credits after the jump.

Read more