Sometimes it helps to see the "making of" segment or director's notes before the feature. This is one of those times. Okay, now view the spot from McCann Erickson. The advert imitates the infamous Bellagio fountains in Las Vegas in tune to the comic opera Don Pasquale. …
A Man And His Marker
Once upon a time, I used to cut out photos, captions and headlines from the newspaper and rearrange them to make a totally new statement. I'd often follow the newly formed thought with lines of verse, making for a rudimentary media mashup. Austin Kleon, "a writer who draws" is up to something similar. He takes newsprint and marks it out with a Sharpie, leaving a few key phrases visible thereby constructing new …
Obey Capitalism
This ad for Saks Fifth Avenue is bound to give the more idealistic Shepard Fairey fans reason to pause. Pimping the new Prez is one thing, but Saks is on another level. It's unadulterated consumerism. Eric Wilson of The New York Times, asked Fairey if his work could be "misunderstood as some sinister form of retail indoctrination." "Some people might think it could be making fun of what's going on right now," Mr. …
Photographic Content Helps Build Top-Shelf Scotch Brand
Masters of Photography from The Macallan is a beautiful series of images by Rankin captured at the distillery. The setting, the model, the famous photog and his 1000 Polaroids all combine to make a strong statement about this Scotch whiskey brand. …
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National Guard Rocks Out
So last night I went to the movies (saw "Slumdog Millionaire" which is excellent) and this played during the previews: A video promo for the National Guard, with a song called "Citizen Soldier" by 3 Doors Down. You can see a better quality version here. On the big screen, it's an amazing piece of video, combining the past and the present in stunning imagery. And a very interesting way to promote the National Guard. …
Lessons From The Big-And-Shrinking Three
When the CEOs of GM, Ford, and Chrysler went to Washington a couple of weeks ago to plead for money, there was one glaring thing that stood out: They each flew on separate private jets to get there. That's the kind of tone-deaf move people remember, and it's exactly what politicians and pundits seized on. Writing on Ad Age's Small Agency Diary, Tom Martin looks back and suggests ways we can all learn to present …
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