Walmart Does a Remake of Stephen King's 'IT'

Dear Walmart,

Well maybe its not exactly a remake of Stephen King's 'IT' but it is a pretty creepy clown suit. Personally I think the spot delivers the funny and manages to save enough time for some useful information about Walmart. The look on those kids faces is priceless.



Sincerely,

The Biggest Winner

Dear Everyone,

Want to know who was the 'Biggest Winner' over the past year in advertising. There is a site that tallies up the wins for the years biggest campaigns. I was a little surprised at who the biggest winner was (nothing against the creative) I just figured this campaign would sweep the award shows wherever it went.

Basically it works like this:
The Big Won is a register of who's winning what at advertising awards shows around the world. In 2008 we logged nearly 12,000 awards won by 1,702 different agencies at over 50 shows - with credits to over 22,000 different people.

Here is the list of winners:



Something to strive to.

Sincerely,

Telus Helps Users Make the Ugly Christmas Sweater of their Dreams

Dear Telus,

I just wanted to drop you a quick note to say thank you for letting me design my very own Christmas Sweater. With the Christmas season well on its way and many 'Ugly Christmas Sweater' parties under my belt I thought that this app created by Bimm Communications was a great way to kill some time.

I recommend taking it for a spin: http://www.telusmemberservices.com/holiday/

Happy Holidays!

Sincerely,

Buick Ads Make Brand Look Newic

Dear GM,



Caught your New Buick ad today and I have to say that I am not mad about it at all. Not only did it introduce the Buick in a younger light it also used the song 'Here Comes the Hotstepper' - which is a personal fave. Seriously though it is great to see Buick finaljavascript:void(0)ly introducing itself to a younger generation of car buyers. I guess its not just for my grandparents anymore.

What I really liked is that GM is moving away from this whole reinvention platform after announcing their bankruptcy. Who isn't going to announce a reinvention after you've gone bankrupt (I know I'm a little bit late on this but I wanted to get this off my chest). What would have been less obvious would be if they came our with a 'we're going to build even bigger cars campaign'. Now that what have turned some heads.

Sincerely,

Unbelievable

Dear Coke Zero,



I apologize if I'm reporting an old piece of creative but I just stumbled across this tv spot for Coke Zero that was created by Wieden+Kennedy and all I can say is 'unbelievable'.

I'm not sure if this is a platform that will continue to be explored but I think that while the combo idea may have been seen before I think that this might be an area that Coke Zero could hang their hat on. It seems since the launch of Coke Zero that the brand has had a hard time finding and sticking to one platform producing a number of spots unable to create any real synergy for the brand.



Don't get me wrong many entertaining spots have been produced as a result I'm just wondering if Coke Zero will ever be able to carve out clear strategy and communication for the brand.



This is still my favourite.

Sincerely,

Casino Rama wants your vote...

Dear Casino Rama,



While I am all for excitement I struggle to be all for your current campaign. Let me get this straight I have to vote yes or no on whether I am for excitement...well that seems like a pretty easy answer who wouldn't want to vote 'yes' for...wait a minute I get it now this is kind of like opposite day where up is down and left is right and voting no to excitement is just plain ludicrous.

I want to start off by thanking Casino Rama and their AOR Marshall Fenn Communications for treating me like a dummy. What is even more unfortunate is the response that the campaign is getting, judging from the number of hits the site is getting. What is kind of funny though is that 'Voting No to Excitement' seems to be outweighing 'Voting Yes'. I guess I am not the only one feeling like Casino Rama doesn't think much of my intelligence or their current clienteles. I would have loved to be in that brainstorm/presentation when this idea seemed like a logical step for the brand.

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWCxAXwQO1w)- I only provided the link because all I could find on Youtube was one of the old spots attached to a BMO spot.

Once upon a time Casino Rama had a branded itself as the founder of excitement and that the word would not exist if it weren't for them. And now they are asking us to 'Vote for Excitement'? Seems a little backwards to me!?!?

The only vote they are going to get from me is a vote of silence until they figure out the proper way to evolve their communication as a brand that is the reason for excitement.

Sincerely,

"The times they are a changin..."

While I’m not positive that Bob Dylan wrote that song or line for the Advertising Industry, but it has never been more true than right now. The industry as a whole has been taking a beating because of the economic downturn and everybody and their mother has asked for a bailout. And while we are not in an industry that gives handouts (aside from the odd NGO campaign) our services as advertising agencies seem to be the first expenditure on the chopping block. For years advertising agencies in general have been perceived as an overcharging, expensive and only looking out for ourselves not necessary but a ‘nice to have’ service by marketers.

There are some agencies that have heard this and are standing up for agencies to show that we will sacrifice the Kraft truck and champagne kisses in order to continue to do some great work.

Over the last month or so campaigns from agencies have been popping up across North America offering clients (marketers) the opportunity to remain competitive and active with their communications by providing advertising services at a reduced rate or no fees at all! An industry that has taken for so long has decided to give back in order to get their creative fix (like a junky in need of their next hit).

Why now? It’s simple really, this is a vulnerable time for the big agency and the small and medium size has recognized this and is using this opportunity to dangle their line in the water in hopes of landing one of the big fish. It has become apparent that a lot of the bigger agencies have taken their line out of the water for the time being and that the little guys being so nimble in size can afford the right bait for these hard times. I could use fish analogies all day but the point is that these hardships have brought new opportunities that marketing departments may never see again. The only challenge is getting past the fact that a lot of these companies remain relatively unknown in the big world of advertising.

Should these offers be taken seriously? It really depends on what it is your looking for.


Elemental Agency from Toronto recently launched the Marketing Budget Bailout campaign (www.whatsinyourbudget.ca) offering marketers a bailout package that includes strategy, the communication plan and creative without any sort of a payback.


Agency Nil from Virginia is offering its services for a price of ‘whatever you think the work is worth’ (www.agencynil.com).


The Brainstorm Group recently ran a newspaper ad of a coupon giving clients $40,000 off if they signed up to work with them on a retainer worth $250,000 plus.

Do these campaigns work? Only time will tell. All I can say is that now is the time for small and medium sized agencies with their low overhead costs to finally reel in a large client. I look forward to these tall tales in the future about how they finally landed a big one.

Sincerely,

"All Aboard!"

Dear Steam Whistle,

I want to be the first to welcome you to the wonderful world of TV advertising. I saw your spot the other night while I was watching 'The Hour' and I have to say that I liked it...I didn't love it but I certainly will not hold anything against you for your valiant effort.



Steam Whistle has always been a huge supporter of the indy music scene so it only makes sense that the spot would appear during a show with another supporter of the scene George Stroumboulopoulos. I look forward to seeing what this campaign will lead to. The obvious would be to take it to the street with Street Car and Go Train wraps but hopefully my first thought isn't as far as this brand will be pushed.

All Aboard!

Sincerely,

Kokanee takes a Page out of Samsung's Book?

Dear Kokanee,

Its been a while since I've heard from you. Hope everything is going well? Ohh whats that you've been working on a new campaign have you? Sounds interesting I hope its as good as the Ranger and the Sasquatch work once was. It is you say. Well let me have a looksy then:

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Are you sure about that Kokanee. I liked this ad the first time I saw it when it was done by Samsung.

I'm not mad I'm just disappointed.

Sincerely,

Pour Out A Little Diet Pepsi for My Hommies

Dear Diet Pepsi,

It appears that the well is getting pretty dry. I understand the 'Forever Young' tagline and quite frankly I enjoy, make that enjoyed some of your last installments to the campaign. It seems of late that the ideas aren't as entertaining as they used to be (re: Pong, Thriller) instead we are treated to some half pregnant spots about 'Recess' and 'Sleepover' attempting to discredit both activities of being 'not that fun'. Are you kidding me? Recess and Staying Up All Night in a tent are the two most fun things I can think of and I would gladly take either or over a Diet Pepsi at this moment in my 27 year old life.

I think it is time to pour out a little Diet Pepsi for this fallen campaign.

Sincerely,