January 26, 2005
Like Crispin Porter
So there seems to be another one of those viral faux sites floating around on the web. Now it's a site poking fun at all the agencies striving to replicate the amazing success of Crispin's Mini Cooper and Subservient Chicken campaigns from last year. I guess the "I want it to be Like Crispin Porter" mentality reached its crescendo with Advertising Age's recent crowning of Crispin Porter as the Agency of the Year. Given Crispin's recent history of viral faux sites, one would be stupid not to think that Crispin didn't actually seed this latest prank.
Here's a quote from the homepage, "At Like Crispin Porter we create work that is like Crispin Porter's work. Of course Like Crispin Porter is not exactly the same as Crispin Porter. We don't have clients. Or an office. Or a staff. In that sense I guess we could have called ourselves Like Grey Worldwide Canada. But we didn't. Because we're Like Crispin Porter."
Posted by richard ting at January 26, 2005, 10:33 AM
January 24, 2005
Web Surfers Crack G.M.'s Mystery Ad
[from nytimes.com]
Can an advertising campaign based on a teaser survive after its secret has been let out? The marketing team at General Motors hopes so, after some Web surfers spoiled a national promotion that was intended to gradually reveal a secret message. Under the campaign, which is about half completed, each day a billboard in a different part of the country divulges a word (or a punctuation mark) in a message. A billboard in Arlington, Tex., for example, says "you." One in New York City shows a period.
The billboards also promote the Web site www.findthemessage.com, on which G.M. explains that it created the campaign to spread "a message so important we need the whole country to tell it." But some Web visitors quickly found that most of the "secret" message is included in the site's source code. In a posting on the site's bulletin boards, a Web surfer using the name "J1mmy" wrote that the message was: "This is the last time you will ever have to feel alone on our nation's roadways."
Read more.
Check out the site.
Posted by richard ting at January 24, 2005, 01:18 PM
January 20, 2005
BMW To Launch Mobile Effort For 3 Series Models
[from MediaPost]
By Shankar Gupta
Boomerang Mobile Media, a cellular-based media company, has launched a campaign to bring mobile device users an early look at BMW's new 3 Series models with a Web site featuring photos, graphics, and product information that can be accessed by mobile phone.
To access the mobile site, users call 703-286-BMW3, and receive a voice message welcoming them to the site. "You can go into the site and you get exposed to the new 3 series; you can look at pictures, statistics, all the information that you want to know," said Lou Schultz, Boomerang chairman. "Think of it as dropping a catalogue on your phone," he said.
Customers can also opt-in to receive product alerts, which will come out as the new model nears its launch date, and will be sent to their mobile phones. Consumers are expected to get the number from BMW's Web site, where it will soon be posted, Schultz said. The company also intends to give consumers the number at auto shows or other major events. "They can actually get into it and see all the material while they're at the auto show versus going back home and maybe getting back on the Web and maybe not doing it," said Schultz.
Posted by richard ting at January 20, 2005, 07:07 PM
January 19, 2005
VW suicide-bomber viral spot a hoax
So here's the disturbing viral VW ad that's been circulating on MediaPost and advertising blogs. It's a short video of a suicide bomber driving up to a cafe in a VW Polo and trying to blow up the spot. Instead, he only manages to blow up himself while the VW Polo stays intact. The video ends with the tagline, "VW Polo, small but tough". VW and DDB have denied any involvement with this video.
Posted by richard ting at January 19, 2005, 11:20 PM
January 18, 2005
A Consumer's Guide to Times Square Advertising
CREATIVE TIME and TIMES SQUARE ALLIANCE PRESENT:
CHRISTINE HILL'S 'A CONSUMER'S GUIDE TO TIMES SQUARE ADVERTISING'
Artist Christine Hill's handheld interactive wheel uncovers the dollars and cents behind the spectacular signage in the world's preeminent center of outdoor advertising. Hill compiled captivating facts and figures into an imaginative and thought-provoking artwork cum resource for the consumer. The artwork continues Creative Time's tradition of enlivening Times Square through art and helping audiences to see and interpret the environment in a new way.
OPENING EVENT
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 19, 2005, TIMES SQUARE
Experience the tradition of old-time glamorous entertainment distribution! Performers costumed as classic 'cigarette girls' will distribute 'Consumer's Guide' while providing interesting tidbits of information about Times Square advertising.
CIGARETTE GIRLS DISTRIBUTE 'CONSUMER'S GUIDE'
NOON - 3 P.M. and 5:00 - 7:00 P.M.
VARIOUS LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT TIMES SQUARE
GUIDED TOURS
5:30 AND 6:30 P.M.
DEPARTING FROM TIMES SQUARE INFORMATION CENTER
(1560 Broadway between 46th and 47th Streets)
Pick up the free handheld artwork at the following locations through April 19 or while supplies last:
- Times Square Information Center (Seventh Avenue, between 46th and 47th Streets)
- Printed Matter (525 West 22nd Street, between 10th and 11th Avenues)
- International Center of Photography (1133 6th Avenue, between 42nd and 43rd Streets)
- Ronald Feldman Gallery (31 Mercer Street, between Grand and Canal Streets)
- AXA Gallery (787 Seventh Avenue, at 51st Street)
'A Consumer's Guide to Times Square Advertising' is also available on our website as a download, print, and assemble yourself artwork!
Posted by richard ting at January 18, 2005, 09:08 PM
January 14, 2005
Nintendo - Start the Mayhem
[from Mediapost]
Sedgwick Rd. has created a Web site for Nintendo called "Start Mayhem," supporting the company's Game Boy Advance SP. The site features Webisodes that give each of the Game Boy Advance SP colors its own personality. Colors include Flame, which "revels in chaos," and Onyx, the "cool guy." My favorite part of the site is the "Personality Test," which matches you up with the Game Boy Advance SP that you relate to the most. Hello world, I'm Flame. This Web site is part of an integrated campaign which includes a TV spot, radio, and print ads.
Posted by richard ting at January 14, 2005, 11:46 AM
Advertising on Blogs
Ad Network BURST! Media has begun to sell advertising on blogs represented in its network. One of the first advertisers to launch a campaign was Kyocera Wireless last week on Screenhead, Gizmodo, and Defamer (all part of Gawker Media). The Kyocera Wireless campaign is running expandable leader boards promoting the advergame "Red Carpet Blitz" which features the company's new wireless camera phone, the Koi/KX2. The purpose of the game is to demonstrate the phone's various features. Media Revolution created the campaign.
Posted by richard ting at January 14, 2005, 11:44 AM
January 09, 2005
21121.com - Adidas Campaign
My friend, Rei, spotted a bunch of OOH wild postings from Adidas last week. They were scattered all over the downtown area of NYC. There wasn't much to the postings except for an Adidas logo and a URL push to the www.21121.com site. Once again, not much is revealed on the site except a launch date of 2.07.05. Does anyone out there have any information about this campaign? Holler back.
Posted by richard ting at January 09, 2005, 08:29 PM
January 08, 2005
Nokia Fashion Collection
Inspired by the glamour, energy, and sophistication of the 1920s, the Nokia Fashion Collection fuses art, fashion, and technology. They've created wearable art and the ultimate objects of desire. Browse the Collection at their online boutique, www.NokiaInStyle.com.
Nokia hired David LaChapelle, photographer and director to direct the TV spots for this campaign.