Axe ambient advertising

People are saying ambient advertising is getting a little dated and questioning its effectiveness, we are beginning to see their point.

However you can help laugh at the axe ad, inspired.

Sexy People

Sexy People is a huge collection of those photos from the days you where a bit ugly. Some absolute classics on there, the above image being one of them. We only wish we had half the charisma and looks these guys do.

Hair cuts

My girlfriend got her hair cut yesterday. I haven't seen it yet, however she tells me it's quite a drastic change. I'm wonder if it looks anything like this:

To see more of these brilliant creations click here.

Paul Wruiz

Some of the most stunning and emotive paintings we have seen in years.
Indulge your eyeballs on the artists (Paul Wruiz) website
Thanks to Louise Daniels for pointing us in his direction.

Taxi keeps tramps warm and dry.

"In 2007, TAXI celebrated 15 years of success. To mark the occasion, they wanted a big idea, one that would give back to the community." So they invented a jacket, but this was no ordinary jacket it had lots of pockets. Now thats what we call a big idea.

Ok so there was a little more to it.

"The jacket would be breathable, waterproof, lightweight, and the lining would be made up of pockets throughout. And these pockets would be able to be stuffed with newspaper to provide adjustable levels of insulation from the cold."

We're shocked at just how good a jacket stuffed with newspaper can actually look, let alone work.
There is a site dedicated to the jacket 15belowproject.org where you can get a load more info on the jacket, you can even see it being tested in a humongous freezer.

Our only problem is if you aren't a homeless man/woman sleeping on a sidewalk in America somewhere, you don't seem to be able to get your hands on one. Wouldn't they be great for the weight conscious backpacker or festival goer, we recon they would be an autumn essential here in the UK.

Wazzup

I'm sure you culture heads are ahead of the game on this one, however.

We only just found out this classic Bud Wazzup ad:


Is based (this term is used very loosely) on this short film directed by Chuck Stone


It actually works seamlessly for the brand.
So instead of criticizing the creatives for copying (as so many people seem to do in these circumstances), perhaps we should commend their genius for spotting the film and associating it with Bud.

Videos for the bored

If you can forgive the school boy giggling and "awsome" comments from the camera man its actually quite ingenious.

Next is a classic test of the Titans. A battle between new technology and old fashioned craftsmanship.
The voice over for the Japanese man is possibly even more entertaining than the dual itself.


Now get back to work!

Copy Writer

I just chanced upon these ads for Manix Condoms.



Nope, I'd never heard of Manix either, which doesn't exactly fill me with faith.

On a (un)related note, I recently tore open a pack of Mates to find them decorated with a limp comic sans typeface staring back at me, it didn't help too much. Of all the tone of voices to choose from and my condom manufacturer goes for comic sans. Not sure that was the best choice, perhaps the thinking went: Mates - Friendly – Playful – Childish..Already not heading in the best direction for a sex cap. I wanted to show an example of the guilty subject, but the only image I can find is of a Mates condom for the 'smaller gentleman', here's what they look like, but I'd like to point out that wasn't the specific product I was operating with. Anyway, not the point..



So anyway, I recognised the copy from HMV's line, which is the same – Though not exactly heading in quite the same direction. HMV's Get Closer project seems pretty big, worth a look. There's an article from April on their social network concept here.



Wonder how many different brands use the exact same lines for completely different purposes (Call it trivial curiosity, perhaps).

Mars define the new 'gay'

Shocking facts have revealed that speedwalking = homosexuality. Just watch, the proof is here:



Or maybe not. But Mars have still chosen to withdraw the advert on the basis that it might be a little too homophobic (according to someone. maybe. possibly).

If anything, shouldn't Mars be worried about upsetting the harmony of the speed-walking community?! They've had it easy for a long time. Lucy Mangan from The Guardian comments on her frustration with speedwalkers: "Either walk or run properly, for God's sake! To watch someone fight against every human urge to propel themselves across ground as quickly and efficiently as possible is agonising! Make it stop!"

A short while ago another Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO ad was pulled (remember the highly provocative Heinz Mayo ad which made the word explicit seem rather beige). Perhaps it's time Heinz and Mars got some nuts* and stopped giving in to all the homophobes out there.

Sexy pic & more info here.

When in doubt, how would Eddie Murphy answer all this?


* Someone had to say it.

Mach Daddy

Continuing from our last post, we're still increasingly fascinated with the McCain and Obama slanging match. In fact, it's often pretty funny to watch how adverts and brands attempt to show up their rivals, whether it's AOL v NetZero, Nokia v Apple, or Tesco v Asda....on that note, what's also interesting is the youtubes out there doing this already, you probably remember this one.

So amongst all this nonsense, I find myself watching the latest series of gillette advertisements where instead of opting for a gentleman's fisticuffs with Wilkinson Sword (who?), they go straight for the self-flagellation. Now, in my world, Gillette reached a conclusion a few years back when they invented the Mach 3. The perfect razor. What's with all the new products?! Well, it turns out a lot of people are of the same thinking. So instead of really focusing on the brilliance of the new gillette fuscia, or whatever its called, they have to literally beg you to fuggetabout the Mach 3. No, that's wrong, they want to force it from your hands. It's pretty violent...



Gillette fuscia or not, I'm sticking with my house-mate's Mach 3 for now.

Oh, Bummer

From one vision of a celebrity Jesus to another...

If anyone's not seen the recent advertisements from Republican HQ, approved by 'the original maverick' Mccain ("I'm John Mccain and I approve this message"), check them out...

Celebrity B.O.


Jesus B.O.


Please don't let these advertisements be the reason Obama loses. Seriously please.

--

Whilst we're on the subject, what on earth is this whole 'too thin to win' thing?!

"He has been called too arrogant, too remote and too clever by half, but last week Senator Barack Obama was hit below the belt with a cruel new allegation: he may be too skinny to win the White House."
Times Online.

Apparently there's been a great deal of concern that America isn't ready for a slim leader. With 2/3 voters overweight & 30% obese it could be too much to be confronted with. Now, I don't want to get into topless politicians again – but I didn't think Bush was looking overtly chunky last time he got papped on the beach. Anyway, enough of my body dysmorphia - back to Obama...


Great Delts