INTERPUBLIC

1. McCann Erickson - NY

Aside from my fascination with Peyton Manning as an athlete and his rather impressive abilities as an actor, I chose this particular spot from McCann Erickson for a few different reasons. First, I'm always impressed with an agency that can come up with an idea and stick with it over the years. It really shows how well the creative team is when you can produce over 300 different ads, all with basically the same concept, and still be successful. Second, I think MasterCard does a terrific job of creating itself as a player in the credit card industry. With the success of VISA "Everywhere you want to be" and AMEX "Don't leave home without it" McCann does an excellent job of creating brand position. And thirdly, the tagline "priceless". So utterly simple yet has the ability to mean so much. It gives the consumer the possibility to purchase the things that truly matter to them, but in the end all of their spending accumulates to something money can't buy, hence "priceless".

2. The Martin Agency - Richmond

The Martin Agency is really one that caught me by surprise. Possibly becasue of their rather random location, I expected dull and standard work, but it's actually the contrary. I chose the Geico campaign becasue I think it does a good job of illustrating brand recognition. I love the general message "So easy a caveman can do it" and the different ways they portray the Cavemen becoming irritable at their utter fame. Even when approaching two females, in this particular spot, the moment is spoiled when an ad for GEICO motorcycle insurance pops up. I also enjoy when companies begin to become more subtle with their message as time goes on. For example, recent Caveman commercials show a mere look of disappointment on the faces of the Cavemen rather than explaining why they are so frustrated. It forces the viewer to kind of put two and two together and think a little bit harder to fully comprehend the commercial. Geico also has "celebrity" fictional characters in the green gecko and the wad of money that reiterates somebodys watching me. Very creative stuff especially when considering that they are trying to sell insurance

3. TM Advertising - DTOWN, TX


TM Advertising is most noteably known for its work with American Airlines and Nationwide Insurance and has offices in Dallas, Austin, and Seattle. I enjoy this spot becasue it does a good job of personalizing with the viewer. It shows that if you care about someone than you need an airline that's just as devoted as you are. People want to connect with companies, and commercials like the one TM does, gives a brand like American Airlines human emotions. Rep it Mark Cuban

4. DraftFCB - NY

I like the general message DraftFCB portrays with their spot here, which actually aired during the 2008 Superbowl, urging for a wake up call for parents to lock their medicine cabinets. I think it promotes social responsibility, but I think there are a few mishaps which could have been avoided. If interpreted in the wrong way, it basically tells kids that you don't need a drug dealer to get high and you can simply go into your parents medicine cabinet. I feel that a commercial explaining the negative consequences of abusing perscription drugs would be more effective to the overall purpose of this spot. That way the message is targeting the kids rather than the parents.

5. Lowe - London

Kinda gross yet kinda awesome. I honestly think I'm yet to find an axe campaign that I haven't liked. Also represented by BBH and VegaOlmosPonce, The Axe effect targets young males and sends a rather blunt message that if you try our product, chicks will like you. I'm sure they're not the first company to send this message, but they're the first company to be so bold about it (atleast in our generation). It has become the focal point of their advertisements and now I feel they hold a niche in the advertising world. This particular spot produced by Lowe, which isn't as outlandish as other Axe work, does a nice job with their visuals and narraration for their short story. While I enjoy the over-the-top work, it's also a nice change to see a more subtle approach to the brand.

6. Carmichael Lynch

The Minneapolis based agency Carmicheal Lynch takes credit for their notable work with Jack Link's beef jerky. The highly successful and creative campaign has attracted millions of viral users on youtube and created a feeding frenzy for the company, helping Jack Link's become the best selling beef jerky company in the US. Jack Link's sales have risen 47% according to ACNielsen, which is a perfect example of how advertising can be so effective and what it's all about. I love the practical joke approach that the creative team explores with Sasquatch being the butt of every one. It's a very fun idea, to not only use a mythical character, but rather to poke fun at one. Very Well Done.

7. Hill Holiday - boston

Product of the Boston agency, the Budweiser spot "clydesdales" pays tribute to...America?? Horses?? Beer?? I'm not really sure. While some may find the horses and sceneary beautiful, I find this ad to be a bit cheesy. I can't really find any sort of connection between the purpose of the ad and Budweiser as a company (besides the fact they've done other commercials like this one). The music and dullness of this ad make me want to go to sleep. Advertisements are suppose to attract and become a staple in the consumers mind, and I can't say either of those happened to me.

8. Deutsch - LA

This spot produced by Deutsch for Coors Light is hysterical. I'm not entirely sure if Coor's Light can take credit for creating the term "Wingman", but they definately brought the idea to a national spotlight. I wonder how Coors Light fares with the targeting of women. With this spot and the highly famous "twins" ad, you can't help but wonder if women are attracted to advertisements like this or repulsed. I persoanlly don't find anything wrong with their advertisements from a cultural stand point, but they must've been going after a predominately male target audience...very interesting. Does anyone else notice a strong connection between this and the "real men of genius" campaign by Bud light? I DO!!

9. Mullen - Boston

The Mullen Winston-Salem office created this spot for National Grid. I thought the creative team did a really nice job with the visuals, especially the scene with the little boy and the polar bear in the swimming pool. The Power of Action is a simple yet strong message that demonstrates how simple everyday behavior can go a long way in preserving the environment. It's also a very cool idea how you can adopt your own Polar bear, which truly encompasses the idea of a viral campaign. I recently saw an ad with several polar bears stuck on a melting glacier, huge black eyes staring back at you, and at the end gave a phone number for people to donate money to help save them from global warming. In reality, I'm sure very few people can say that they've actually donated to help save a polar bear, which is why I believe Mullen's idea is more effective. It offers a different approach that's easy and creative without the guilt trip of having to witness sick or dying animals in need.

10. Campbell Mithun - Minneaplois

This product from the Minneapolis based agency was actually one of three chosen by H&R block to be used in the 2009 Superbowl. The ad focuses on just one of the aspects H&R block specializes in the company's Second Look Review policy. I feel that when creating a television ad, especially one thats going to be aired during the Superbowl, the simpler the better. Campbell Mithun uses a cheeky way of creating a situation where a forgiving Death merely confronts his former accountant. The thins I enjoy most about the spot is the tagline "Nothing in life is certain except Death and Taxes" ...AMEN!
11. T.A.G. SF

This is a recent promotion for Microsoft's XBOX produced by TAG. The San Fran based agency created this online ad of a pair of lips walking through the streets singing Aha's Take On Me, selling the Lips game which is essentially Karaoke. I think TAG does an alright job on this piece. While I enjoy the song and even the creepy lips walking through the streets (why does it have legs?) I think it needs another component to be considered "good advertising". A minute of some amatuer singing a song that was big in the 80's doesn't really captivate todays XBOX user. I also feel that it doesn't even compare to other XBOX ads that are way more visually stimulant and entertaining. (McCann Erickson's water balloon fight)