Category Archives: Advertising

Live long and…you know the rest

Posted on May 17, 2013 | Leave a comment

StarTrekIntoDarkness_FinalUSPosterIf Star Trek Into Darkness opens in your city today, I encourage you to see it.

I saw it yesterday in IMAX 3D, and it was amazing…especially the new enemy of the Federation portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch.

You know Sherlock on BBC?  He’s the one.

But if you can’t get to the movie theatre today or even this weekend — I understand there are people who can actually wait weeks and even months; go figure — take a look at the “Star Trek Challenge” Audi spot featuring Leonard Nimoy and Zachary Quinto.

It’s too much fun.

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Posted in Humor, Movies, Internet, Television, TV, Entertainment, Automobiles, Cars, Life, Advertising, Shopping

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You might see yourself here

Posted on May 5, 2013 | Leave a comment

The best thing I saw at the movie theatre yesterday was an ad during the pre-show.

No offense to the movie.

I really enjoyed Oblivion, starring Tom Cruise and Morgan Freeman. It had great action, an interesting conceit and an ending that I did not see coming.

But this commercial for Windows Phone made me laugh aloud.

Truth is funny.

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Posted in Advertising, Comedy, Commentary, Entertainment, Humor, Life, Movies, Technology

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Dear New York City airports,

Posted on April 28, 2013 | Leave a comment

I will be headed back your way in less than 48 hours. Coming home is always a pleasure. But let’s be honest, my Big Apple airstrips…

Youse guys are fugly.

My current trip through Narita-Tokyo Airport en route to Singapore drove that point home…hard. I only spent two hours in Japan, and the ultramodern, high-tech facility convinced me that JFK and LGA need a major redo.

2013-04-28_09.08.16We can begin with a fun identity for each of you. Look at this little guy; he graces most of the signage at Narita Airport.

What is he?  Who cares? He’s cute… and LaGuardia could use a major dose of cuteness… JFK, too.

There’s nothing cute about either of you now.  No offense.

And speaking of high-tech, check out this gadget in the airport restrooms in Narita.

2013-04-28_09.14.23The facilities in Japan have talents that go far beyond the simple flush. (Come to think of it, everyone was smiling a lot.)

Lastly, you need better food…but I’ve always said that.

Okay, NYC airports, get started.  I’ll be back in two days, and I am expecting great things!

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Posted in Advertising, Airplanes, Commentary, Humor, Life, transportation, Travel

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Backyard brew

Posted on April 24, 2013 | Leave a comment

A cold beer after you’ve cut the lawn sounds good to most people.

But a beer with that ‘real lawn mower experience?’

lawn mower ad

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think something got lost in translation back in Sweden…

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Posted in Advertising, Commentary, Foods, Humor, Life, Writing

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No ombre, hombre

Posted on April 7, 2013 | Leave a comment

I just saw an ad for a hair color kit that will give you this look.

image

They call it ‘ombre.’

I call it ‘roots.’  (Or, conversely, ‘dead dry split ends.’)

I am not sure what inspired this craze, but I think it’s time we looked elsewhere for fashion ideas.

History.  Mythology.  Sitcoms of the 80s.
Anything but color tragedies like this one.

What say we save colorblocking for below our shoulders?

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Posted in Advertising, Commentary, Design, Fashion, Humor, Life

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There’s a cold front a’comin’

Posted on April 2, 2013 | Leave a comment

What’s up with Dairy Queen?

They seem as fascinated with natural disasters as Quentin Tarentino is with blood and gore.

mudslideI’ve never really thought about it until today, when a friend posted a picture of a DQ Mudslide (left) on Facebook.

Looks tasty.

But then I realized DQ has Mudslides.  And Blizzards.  And Earthquakes.

And it makes you wonder what naming guru at DQ — or their agency of record — associates really bad weather with ice cream treats?

You gotta admit, it’s weird.

And probably weirder still that we don’t spare the names a second thought as we cram all that gooey chocolate sauce into our pie holes.

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Posted in Advertising, Commentary, Food, Humor, Life, Restaurants, Weather, Writing

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This ad makes me feel lazy

Posted on February 26, 2013 | Leave a comment

What have you accomplished today?

A billboard in Lima, Peru converts air into purified water for drinking.

Let’s hear it for the University of Engineering and Technology (UTEC) and ad agency Mayo Publicidad. Thanks to their ingenuity, families in that desert community have access to over 25 gallons of purified water a day.

I think I can add a couple of things to my to-do list…

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Posted in Advertising, Commentary, Environment, Green, Humor, Life, Nature, Travel

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Crushin’ it

Posted on January 9, 2013 | Leave a comment

I’ve never watched The Real Housewives of New Jersey. Or Beverly Hills. Or Atlanta or Dallas or Miami

Thank you, no.

But I’m pretty sure we have that reality show franchise to thank for the ‘Everyday Collection’ TV ad from Target.

Gotta love that ‘tude.

Thank you, Housewives.

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Posted in Advertising, Business, Entertainment, Humor, Life, Shopping, Television, TV

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Pure as the driven snow

Posted on January 4, 2013 | Leave a comment

I arrived in Boston today — which has snow — and was immediately bombarded by television commercials for the local ski resorts, which also have snow.

My favorite?

Crotched Mountain

crotched mountainIt looks lovely enough in the ads, and in the promotional photos on the website.

But Crotched Mountain?

I can’t be the first person to experience a bit of mental whiplash at that name.

Apparently the mountain, located in western Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, was named by early settlers who thought its V-shaped peaks resembled the fork or “crotch” of a tree.

Huh.

My dirty mind has never heard “crotch” used in quite that context before.  But I’ll sure think of it now…

Every time it snows.

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Posted in Advertising, Humor, Life, Television, Weather

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Header

Posted on November 25, 2012 | 3 Comments

You know how when someone falls down the stairs or slips on ice, there is always that one person who stands and laughs at them?

That’s not me.

So why do I find these commercials from Sears to be so incredibly funny?

I have seen this ad more than once, and the ending continues to sneak up on me, eliciting a belly laugh. I love that.

I’m not sure what it says about me, though. Do I have a latent Three Stooges gene heretofore realized?

God, I hope not.

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Posted in Advertising, Humor, Life, Shopping, Travel

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