Cool Marketing Thoughts

I have very mixed feelings when it comes to awareness-creating messages like the one below. I’ll be the last one to understate the importance of decent awareness campaigns, but there are some limits to the ‘where and hows’ when you run the campaign. If you look at the little kid in the water next to the ad, you’ll understand why I’m saying this. I think it can be quite traumatic for kids to play around in a pool when there’s a simulated drowned kid on the bottom of the pool. I think it’s frightening and very much beyond acceptable. Alerts for parents can be placed at the side of the pool as well, there’s no need to make it this spooky. It’s still better then stepping in your car after picking up your kids at school and seeing a poster placed face down on your windshield with the picture of a child that’s been run over, but still.

Via SeaSpace

Durex came up with the ‘warming pleasure’ series of condoms. Instead of your good old trusted rubbers, there’s been a slight modification and a soothing warm experience is being evoke by mean of a ’sensual warming lubricant’. What better way to promote this product then by upgrading ye olde hand-dryer-machine in the restrooms by making it look like a giant replica of the 3-pack condom box, the ones you’re most likely to find in vending machines in those same restrooms. Certainly an eye-catcher for every man who washes his hands after the wizz. Maybe even for those dirty souls that simply refuse to do that. This looks a little too photoshopped (very much in fact), especially with the hot air streams, so it might be just a pitch for an ambient setup. I like the idea though, and if I’d seen it somewhere, it would be top of mind for a rather long time.

Agency: Arco Publicidad
Creative Director: Carlos Vazquez
Art director: Jerry Rivera
Copywriter: Nanel Rodríguez
Via: AdsOfTheWorld

I love this idea from the BBC World tv station. To promote their ‘hot and scoopy’ news speed, they’ve placed stickers on the windows of the back seat passenger in taxis. A grey frame makes the outer borders a bit less clear, while in the fully transparent zone in the center (which simulates a television screen) a ‘live’ button suggest that you’re looking at the world in real-time. This is a very clever campaign, and it fits with the BBC World’s image of being ‘right there when it’s happening’. Very cool, very simple and very powerful.

Agency unknown
Via 24

These ads are pretty edgy. I don’t quite get the link between Vigo and Umbro. I know Celta Vigo is a soccer club, and Adidas has some Vigo shorts, but I can’t figure out the link here. I think there’s also a player called Vigo, but I’m not sure. Anyway, once again it’s proven that sex sells. Instead of playing with the hot sauce (check here for that post), this time it’s the soccer shoes that are used to ‘hurt’. Probably it’s also why the tagline is :”Umbro Vigo. It Hurts”. I don’t think the pics are actually stressing the brand’s identity. Pretty funny, good photography and retouching, but not really my cup of tea. If anyone knows the agency, feel free to drop a line in the comments

Via SeaSpace

Nice visual for UK’s trendy clothing brand FCUK. The French Connection label has gained internation fame quite fast and it’s certainly not the first time they would produce ads that cause a stir. Last time I blogged about them, they had launched a kinky movie where two fashionistas were beating the crap out of each other, while at the same time demonstrating the collection. Seeing this ad for “eau de FCUK”, the brand’s perfume, I couldn’t resist to smile. I know it’s a cliché, but dammit, it’s a good one.

Agency unknown | Seen on SeaSpace