AdNausea

As I was trolling Digg the other day, I came across an interesting post. My earlier blog about subliminal advertising gave readers a background about subconscious messages used in entertainment and advertising. And here is some more recent news about it.

Posted on 9/28/09,  BBC News reports that yes, in fact, subliminal messages do work. Most effectively, negative messages it seems. Three experiments were conducted at the University College in London where entrants were briefly shown hidden words and asked to classify these words as different emotions (good or bad) or as neutral.

Where does this come from? It seems that being able to pick up on and react to small cues that we sense subconsciously help us to avoid danger. This might be, obviously,  useful in marketing.

The actual experiment was conducted as such: 50 participants (which seems like a small number, to me) were shown a series of words on a computer screen. These words only appeared for a fraction of a second (way too fast for someone to actually see and read the word) and they were either positive words (like peace and flower) or negative words (like agony and murder) or they were neutral (like box and kettle). After each word, they had to choose whether the word was emotional or neutral and how sure they were of their answer. Most people categorized the word (without consciously seeing it) correctly when it was negative, even when they thought they were guessing at it. They accurately categorized 66% of the negative words and only 50% of the positive ones.

Don’t get too excited now. Critics of this experiment are saying that there is no grounded evidence that this same thing would happen outside a labratory. And I have to agree. This experiment was done on a rather small scale (only three runs of 50 people?) and was done with the participants knowledge of being tested for these. Anyone can guess something correctly 50% of the time, it’s just math. I’m excited to see where further experiments will take this study and what this may mean for subliminal messages in advertising. In all honesty, the world of advertising will be evolving to places we never thought imaginable and this may be a small step toward those bigger leaps.

What do you think?

Sells?

So, remember the post on Gossip Girl and they’re (in)famous OMFG advertising? Well, those guys are at it again, this time promoting the show The Beautiful Life which is supposed to be about runway models (who, obviously, are all about the clothes) but the advertisements feature women wearing pretty much nothing. Except for the always strategic and teasing headline bar over the naughty bits.

I’m not sure how I feel about these. On one hand – sex sells. It’s been said over and over and it will continue to work and will continue to drum up controversy and attention, both of which will work for the advantage of the client. But on the other, this specific brand of sex (the over-the-top with young people naked to piss off parents and therefore cement themselves with the youth of today kind) has been done before – by this same company and for the same network (CW) so is it really new anymore? If they’ve already done something extremely similar (and to me, more creative, since the OMFG ads featured REAL reviews (negative) from real critics and made it work for them) they’re not putting much thought into it, just following a formula that has been proven to work.

Although, with these ads, I do appreciate that there are some men baring it as well. Apparently, it’s the four main actors/actresses in the show and while women are usually the ones who get naked for these things, the two gentlemen stepped up to the plate as well. Thank you for that.

And on this same note, a show that I have fallen out of love with, Heroes, has… kind of (?) jumped on this same sexy bandwagon with the Season 4 poster. Here, you see Hayden Pantierre (Panties, as I call her) showing a bit of cleavage – although at my first glance, I didn’t see the cleavage… I thought it was part of her clothing. The lighting and the angle are terrible… her “cleavage” looks badly Photoshopped or badly photographed… whichever. It’s not working for me. Although I do love how Hiro is just staring at her goodies… lol.

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I… Love… These… Commercials. It’s a normal car commercial, yes, but it’s spruced up. People dressed in costumes mimic nature – everything from grass swaying, palm trees and waves to the sun and the clouds – all people. It sounds weird, but if you’ve seen it, you’ll know what I mean. The music is very catchy as well, I like to sing along to it. I’m thinking that one of the songs sounds like it’s sung by Beyonce, which would make sense since lots of people (actors and musicians alike) are taking more jobs with commercials than they used to.

Two commercials, titled “Harmony” and “MPG” are currently airing and the tagline is “Harmong Between Man, Nature and Machine” is very fitting for the commercial. Definitely YouTube these commercials if you haven’t seen them yet and go here (http://priuschat.com/news/video-behind-scenes-harmony-2010-prius-commercial) to learn about a behind the scenes video released and posted by Toyota that shows how the commercial was put together.

This being said, my boyfriend thinks these commercials are “creepy as hell.” Anyone else agree?

It seems I’m not the only one taking notice and blogging about the “selling out” of well-known stars\ for the less glitzy/glamorous world of commercials.  Someone at Car and Driver has noticed and compiled a small list of celebs who are lending their voices to hawk products, namely cars. It’s a great list and has put a face and name to voices I hear in these commercials and can’t pinpoint.

Just to name a few that are mentioned in Andrew Smart’s post:

Dennis Leary (From 24)

Matt Dillion (From There’s Something about Mary)

Richard Thomas (From The Waltons)

James Spader (From Boston Legal)

Jeff Bridges (From The Big Lebowski)

… and more…

Just a fun side note, it appears that post was written by Smart and illustrated by a Scott Pollack. This is fun because I wouldn’t go as far as to call the photos an illustration. It’s images with a “sketch” filter from Photoshop on them. Kudos on the list, D+ for the “illustration” creativity.

I was googling around today on my lunchbreak and stumbled across a few forums that had more of these quotes, from Dos Equis commercials, radio spots and print ads. Enjoy, my people!

He has been known to cure narcolepsy, just by walking into the room.

His organ donation card, also lists his beard.

He’s a lover, not a fighter, but he’s also a fighter, so don’t get any ideas.

When it is raining, it is because he is sad.

Even his parents’ advice is insightful.

If there were an interesting gland, his would be larger than most men’s entire lower intestines.

His shirts never wrinkle.

He is left-handed. And right-handed.

Even if he forgets to put postage on his mail, it gets there.

He once knew a call was a wrong number, even though the person on the other end wouldn’t admit it.

You can see his charisma from space.

The police often question him, just because they find him interesting.

He once punched a magician. That’s right. You heard me.

When he orders a salad, he gets the dressing right there on top of the salad, where it belongs…where there is no turning back.

If a monument was built in his honor, Mt. Rushmore would close, due to poor attendance.

His beard alone has experienced more than a lesser man’s entire body.

His blood smells like cologne.

On every continent in the world, there is a sandwich named after him.

He doesn’t believe in using oven mitts, nor potholders.

His cereal never gets soggy. It sits there, staying crispy, just for him.

His pillow talk is years ahead of it’s time.

Respected archaeologists fight over his discarded apple cores.

He is The Most Interesting Man In The World.

His aura can be seen from outer space

Mexico once cancelled Cinco de Mayo because he had a scheduling conflict

He always wins Halloween costume contests…even though he never wears a costume

When he bobbs for apples, the apples jockey for position.

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Have you heard more? I hear them on the radio, and actually haven’t seen on on tv, but after watching them on Youtube… I have to say that I really enjoy the radio spots much, much more. And recently, my boyfriend and I bought a six pack of the beer as a recipe for Guacamole called for it. The beer isn’t the most terrible piss out there… but take that with a grain of salt as I hate each and every beer I’ve tried.

So, I realize it’s been a very long time since I’ve written anything and for this, I feel bad. I do have an excuse, though! I’ve been working tow jobs for the last two months, one during the week and one during the weekend, so my free time is limited and not only does that keep me from writing, it keeps me from reading the ad sites I used to frequent.

But, I have noticed that my number of readers (or at least “views”) has continued to rise and I truly appreciate anyone who finds the images or content they are looking for on my page.

So I suggest, that while I adjust to my lack of free time and “make it work!” that we try something else - you guys tell me: What ads are catching your attention these days? Any commercials make you happy you didn’t leave the couch and grab a sandwich after your television show? Any magazine ads leave you interested while you were getting your hair cut? Internet stuff? Mail stuff? Posters, flyers, bus wraps? There’s got to be good stuff out there, even in times like today when safety seems more in than creativity.

So tell me, what are you liking these days? Email me at cre8.above.all.else@gmail.com (just copy and paste it so you don’t miss the periods) or comment below! I really want to look into these and see what other people are getting a kick out of. Other people besides SB and my co-workers! Come on, send them in!

And thank you for frequenting my page.

I stumbled across this very awesome idea and website earlier this morning and after making myself a piece of toast, I did some digging. This is taken from the website itself and I think it explains quite a bit:

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The Bread Art Project was created by the Grain Foods Foundation to help increase awareness of the growing hunger problem in the U.S. In an effort to help end hunger in the US, the Grain Foods Foundation will donate $50,000 to Feeding America. An additional donation of $1 will be made for each piece of Bread Art submitted, up to the maximum donation of $100,000.  You can make a personal donation to Feeding America.

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So basically you go to this website and can browse “toast art” done by featured artists like Jim Amadea, Iris Stein and Will Burns. You can create your own art on toast in the workshop, as well. I made one for my fictional lover, Edward as well as a shameless plug for my blog:

And not only can you upload a picture of your own, you can make a personal greeting, an image for someone else and send it to them to make their day. And $1 for each submission is being donated, so you can feel good about creating something fun. So wander on over to TheBreadArtProject and take a long look and believe me, you’ll be messing around with it for awhile, looking at the templates, using the awesome brushes, etc. Submit yours in the comments, I’d love to see what others come up with.

Let’s talk about job interviews! This is a post I’ve been thinking about for quite a while and just haven’t gotten down to writing. This is not specifically related to advertising, but I will dedicate it to interviews in the general creative field. In this economy, and in any economy, for that matter, job interviews are critical. Granted, applying for a receptionist job, a construction job, a retail job… is nothing like applying for a job in the visual arts field. For a regular job, you print a nice crisp, professional resume on off-white paper, put on your new shoes and cardigan or blazer or tie, grab those referrals and head out the door to answer questions like, “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” or “Are you willing to work the occasional late night or weekend?” You answer questions, shake their hand and look forward to the call.

For creative positions - this process is a bit more painstaking. First, you produce a top-notch (at least in your opinion) portfolio or demo reel. Then, you spend the money on multiple copies and leave-behinds and jewel cases. You grab a resume, hopefully one that will catch the interviewer’s eye as well as remain professional, your baby (portfolio) and head out to have each and every image critiqued and torn apart, sometimes laughed at and hopefully more often, praised. Everything from the kerning in your type to the one single frame in your short film that’s off, one printing mistake to one poorly rendered animation undergoes intense magnification.

So, let’s hear the stories. Who has had absolutely amazing interviews (which hopefully resulted in an amazing job) and who has had heart-breaking interviews where one thing after another went wrong? Or anything in between. I want to hear them. To start them off, here are a few of my interviews (or almost interviews.)

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I got a call after applying online to a small advertising company in Chicago. I got to the front desk 15 minutes early and was told that I would be interviewing with Tim, the guy from the online department, instead of Heather, the art director who was in charge of hiring. Why this change up? She had a pilates class and “accidentally” double-booked herself, and although she knew about it on Friday, she did not see fit to call me before the 10:30am interview on Monday. So instead, I was asked a few questions like - “Where did you get your degree?” “Do you like Chicago? Better than Georgia?” “Do you think it’s going to keep raining today?” And, as I pulled out my portfolio and opened it, Tim stood up and shook my hand, mentioning that since he was not in charge of hiring, he had no need to see my portfolio. Of course, I asked if I could reschedule with Heather, who was in charge of hiring and did need to see my portfolio and was told that she was pretty booked, but would get back in touch with me if she saw fit. Of course, she returned my follow-up call and email with one of her own, stating that they decided to go in a different direction than my creative talent allowed. I still feel like I was pretty cheated.

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Another “interview” I went on took place in what I consider a dirtier part of Chicago. I don’t live in the city and am not familiar with the worst neighborhoods, or even the semi-bad ones, but this one was pretty gross, and the building had no sign on the door, nor an address. I showed up for what I was told was a “freelance advertising and marketing position, with the potential to become permanent” at the same time as another gentleman. We both went to the front window and told the only person to stop by that I had an 11am interview with Bruce. The guy asked us to sit down and he’d let him know. After lots of small talk in this very small lobby, I realize that it’s been almost 30 minutes and go back up to the desk where I am told, again, to wait. So I do. After another 30 minutes, a guy I’ve never seen before comes up and asks what I’m waiting for, I tell him I’m waiting for Bruce and he says, “I am Bruce. I don’t work with these people, I just rent a desk from them, I didn’t know you were waiting.” So I sit down with him, at this tiny little brown desk and he proceeds to explain that the position is this - I pay to rent a desk in this warehouse next to his, he goes out and generates business for us, and we both invest in the products to do small advertising and marketing projects - like the paper, the printers and computer software. So, turns out he was looking for a business partner, not design help. Boo-hoo. He had a lazy eye, too, and those guys just make me uncomfortable. I told him I’d call him with my decision (he seemed desperate enough to want an answer now) and I did, because that’s the polite thing to do. Of course, it was a no and I drove home defeated.

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So, who else has interview stories? Any at all - send them in a comment, email them to me. I love hearing these things. Or, who has tips and tricks for landing a great interview, a great hiring story, etc. Send them in!

I am having a slow time of doing my taxes. Mostly because I procrastinate. But I have never gone to someone (besides my mom) to help me with them. If I did, though, H&R Block would be the last thing on my mind, probably. Why? This first commercial is… eh.  Almost no personality (at least none that I see) and it’s just… simple.

These next couple, though, were awesome. I wonder why none of these made it to the SuperBowl? The cupid one is my favorite. Who gets it? I DO! Tax guys are heartless, sometimes. Lol. So of course an arrow to the heart wouldn’t hurt him.

A continuation of yesterday’s post about as-seen-on-television products I would definitely buy, here are some that are completely… freakin’ useless.

1. Snuggy - What is it? It’s a warm blanket wrap with arm sleeves, so you can cuddle on the couch with your dog and stay warm, or pick up the phone without pulling your arm out of your blanket. Why is it useless? It’s a blanket. And both colors are terribly ugly. And the family dressed all in Snuggies looks like a fleece-covered cult.

2. Turbie Twist - What is it? It’s a magical cloth that will dry your hair if you wrap it around your head after you get out of the shower. Why is it useless? It’s a stupid towel! That’s all it is!

3. Fun Slides Carpet Skates - What is it? Strap on foot accessories that make gliding around on carpet as easy as skating around on ice. Why is it useless?
Because… well, the commercial is terrible. But also because it’s just begging you to replace your carpet over and over again.

4. A Bagel Slicer -What is it? This is basically a guillotine for your bagel. It’ll slice it nice and perfect and is the best thing since a knife. Why is it useless? Because it’s not the best thing since a knife. A knife can cut other things, too, not just bagels. We all have bagels to cut, occasionally, but I don’t think I cut enough bagels for this to pay for itself.