February 26, 2008
"This is the place to be"
I've heard about this spot before, but just came across it on YouTube. It's a promo for ABC's Fall 1971 television season. It has some crazy hypnotic graphics and a theme song as memorable as the one from "Cheers." It's impressive to me that if you read the comments, people really seem to have bonded with this message and still remember it, which is kind of creepy but really compelling to me from an advertising standpoint.
Listen to these people who still remember details about this ad almost 40 years later:
"have looked for this promo probably for the last 15 years. I was 10 years old and madly in love with Henry Fonda who is in this promo for the show "The Smith Family" which I never missed. I actually met a guy online about ten years ago in a trivia chat room who remembered the jingle and we called each other up ( he in NY and me in LA ) and sang the whole song! Thanks for posting this one." -totoro61
"Does anyone know who wrote this song? It's one of the finest music pieces any network ever commissioned for a Fall Season promotion. ABC had a winner on its hands with this spot. The fact that so many people remember the images and the music is a true testament to the talent of the creative team who produced this. ABC would be wise to revive the entire spot with the same soundtrack and just substitute its current lineup of shows for the ones featured here. THANK YOU for sharing this great film." -GoodguyNYS
"OMG, where was this found? I've been searching for this for years. Geez, that brings back memories. I was 11 and that house by the highway and the livingroom with that gorgeous console tv just waiting to be turned on to one of my favorite networks back then. Now 48, it feels like yesterday. Geez!" -Independentman41
What do you think? I'm actually thinking of the U2 3D IMAX movie they're playing down at the Aquarium. We went to see it the other day and towards the end there's this crazy visual effect with words and messages flashing on the screen, raining down from above, and zooming toward you. The messages combine and rotate and dissolve and lose their meaning, drawing you into a hypnotic state, all while Bono reaches out and programs something in your mind that I'm convinced we'll all find out about some day soon when a code phrase in the media triggers the brainwashed masses, who will have nothing in common besides the fact that they watched this U2 movie, but will all bond together as "One" and will overthrow President Bush and open the borders and we'll all be one big happy American family, North and South together for the first time. Coexist. Ahhhhh.
Posted by Mark C McKnight at 10:20 PM
August 15, 2007
Rebrand Nearly Complete
... but sometimes, you just want the logo a little bigger...
Posted by Mark C McKnight at 11:03 PM
October 27, 2005
Let there be light, and therefore, colour
(Photo above from Bravia)
Fallon of London just released a new TV spot for Sony's new Bravia brand of televisions. The spot shows a couple hundred thousand bouncy balls careening down a San Francisco street. It's really a great idea, and pefectly executed. Fallon has even set up a Web site with a short behind-the-scenes movie and some desktop wallpapers.
Occasionally advertising dollars do go toward something close to art. I hope José González, who's song "Heartbeats" sets the tone for the advert, worked out a deal where he can use the song as a music video.
Fallon has a pretty quirky portfolio of television spots. They are the agency behind Citi's identity theft commercials, which I've always thought were hilarious. They also did the Holliday Inn Express commercial where Alex Trebec is talking to a contestant who is about to go into seventh grade. The spot ends with Trebec saying, "No shi-" when the screen cuts and the Holliday Inn pitch starts. That one's funny because it's so much like the celebrity Jeopardy skits from SNL.
The creativity of this ad reminds me of BMW's short films and comics, which they have apparently pulled the plug on. Anyone know where the find the videos online?
The Bravia site is located here.
Thanks to Adland's Ad-Rag for actually naming the musician; I couldn't find it anywhere on the Bravia site except in passing on the behind the scenes video.
Also covered on BrandRepublic's Creative Bulletin.
There's a cool Flickr stream here with photos from the shoot.
Posted by Mark C McKnight at 1:08 PM
September 28, 2005
Alcohol + Scooter = Alcooter
Just saw this ad and had to share:
Provided by your friendly Ministero della Salute.
Posted by Mark C McKnight at 8:22 PM
September 14, 2005
Hurricane Katrina Merch Booth
While I'm somewhat cynical about capitalism's ability to merchandise anything from diseases to disasters and wars (cf. Armstrong's little yellow bracelets, quite the hot accessory now with dozens of knockoffs, some for charity and some solely for fashion), Abita is doing what it can to help with the rebuild. You should to. If you don't buy any of this stuff, go give blood or give money to the Red Cross. Cheers folks.
As you may know, I have strong ties to New Orleans and have a vested interest in seeing the area rebuilt. Abita Beer, over in Abita Springs, LA, just sent the following e-mail this morning:
A Special Message from Abita Beer,
Our prayers go out to all who have been affected by the storm. Our area is a beautiful one, where roots run deep and we know that it will rebuild stronger and better than ever.As you know, our brewery is located just 30 miles north of New Orleans in a tiny town called Abita Springs. Miraculously, the brewery was spared any major storm damage from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. As one of the top craft-breweries in the nation, we have very strong ties to Louisiana and the New Orleans area.
The rebuilding and restoration of the greater New Orleans area is vitally important. We’re proud to be a Louisiana Company and feel blessed that we are still able to brew beer and keep our employees working. Like many businesses from this area, we succeed because of the culture, creativity and uniqueness of the New Orleans area.
To help restore the area that we love so much, we are proud to announce a major initiative to help raise funds for all the people whose lives have been devastated by Hurricane Katrina.
Today we have announced two major projects focused on raising money for Hurricane Katrina victims:
1) The Creation of “Fleur-de-lis” Restoration Ale
2) New “Fleur-de-lis” Merchandising ProductsFleur-de-lis Restoration Ale
Abita began crafting the new beer the first day the brewing facility re-opened after the hurricane. The beer is expected to be on store shelves in early October. A donation of one dollar for every six pack of the Fleur-de-lis brew sold will be made by the Abita Beer to the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Fund.While the word Fleur-de-lis is a common word to many of us, the story behind the Fleur-de-lis is very symbolic, appropriate and inspiring. We invite you to read the story behind the brew’s name and the significance of the colors chosen for the label by clicking here.
This new, golden ale brew (flavor description) in every way symbolizes the hope and generosity of our people. Everybody in their own way, has to contribute to the recovery efforts… and our way is to do what we do best. Brew great tasting beer. Our wish is that everyone who enjoys Abita Beer will enjoy it even more, knowing they are helping to restore the areas we all love so much.
New Fleur-de-lis Merchandising Products
The Abita Brewing Company has also created a line of t-shirts, hats and a special “Fleur-de-lis” ribbon pin and car magnet to raise funds for the hurricane victims. I want to stress that 100% of the net proceeds from the merchandise sales will go directly to the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation (LDRF). All of the items can be viewed and purchased on-line at www.abita.com.Retailers wishing to display and sell the charity merchandise can also place their order for a special retail display package at the Abita Brewing Company website.
We as a community want the nation to know that we will rebuild the New Orleans area. Sometimes a lot of little things add up and if we can get thousands of the pins, hats and car magnets out there it makes a difference. This symbolic measure can help bring us together, unite us and add a common voice to our entire cause.
All across the state right now, neighbors are helping neighbors. They’re opening their homes, their hearts and their wallets to ease the suffering of our citizens. Our company slogan echoes the thoughts and prayers of so many longing to see the Greater New Orleans area rise again…..Louisiana True.
One day soon, when all this is past we will all be able to sit back… pop open a beer and share our stories and triumphs and revel in the restoration of the greater New Orleans area.
Cheers,
David Blossman, President
Abita Brewing Company, LLC
Abita Springs, Lousiana
Posted by Mark C McKnight at 8:46 AM
June 22, 2005
How much of a mermaid is a woman?
Well, for those of you who often find yourself contemplating exactly how far the tail of a mermaid extends up into the "woman" part, here's the beginning of an answer... This guy at Deadprogrammer's Cafe has published a history of the Starbucks logo and guess what? That witchy woman on the ubiquitous coffee company's logo comes from a 15th Century mermaid-ish thing. Check it out here.
Thanks to Adpulp for the story.
Posted by Mark C McKnight at 7:28 AM
