RADvertising or BADvertising?

RADvertising:   Jordan Melo M8 shoe launch

Just as building projections are starting to become the new flash mob (tired and played out), along comes another boundary pushing experience:  water projections!  Coupled with what looks like a fun party on the Hudson River, this is a dramatic way to launch the next evolution of the iconic Jordan shoe. 

The weakness of events is that only a few people get to experience them.  18,000+ people have already experienced this event thanks to Youtube and social channels.  Nice one. 

RADvertising:  Pneu Egger

For anyone who says you can’t take a boring category like tires (or, tyres in Australian), this ad is for you.

RADvertising: Rabobank

It’s very rare that financial service companies can combine “creepy + humorous” with such panache but this ad does it well.  One of my favorite Aussie ads to date.  It does a great job of dramatizing the issue and creating an enemy (the big 4 banks which it calls out). 

RADvertising:  Essential Beauty  “Mary Huff” commercial. 

Irreverent, clever, and humorous… I love this ad (although I had to watch it 3 times to fully grasp it).  Any ad that can get me to replay it 3 times in a row is doing something right.  

I love that this service brand decided to do something really outlandish rather than play it safe.  I’ve been in Australia 2 years now and this is one of my favourite ads I’ve seen yet.  Some people thought this ad pushed the limits too far, but I bet it appeals to its target of women 25-45 who have seen every episode of Sex & the City (which comparatively makes this ad seem tame.) 

Fery vunny! 

RADvertising:  Essential Beauty “Mary Huff”

BADvertising:  Stella Artois  “Crying Jean” commercial

Adrien Brody crooning for 60 seconds?  No thanks. 

Seems to really miss the mark with the Superbowl party spirit and audience.  I’m not saying Stella should try to be Budweiser, but this ad would test anyone’s patience.

Runner Ups for worst ad in my book include:

Coca Cola’s “Siege” and “Border” —- No cohesion, no strong brand message or campaign idea, just a gag and some CGI.  Disappointing.

Etrade:  The baby has lost its charm.

You can see all the ads here:  http://adage.com/superbowl/article?article_id=148677

RADvertising:  Doritos “The Best Part”

To me, “The Best Part” was indeed the Best Ad in this year’s SuperBowl.

Of all the ads this year, this one caught me the most off guard and made me laugh out loud.  Plus, the actor is really funny and plays the part freakishly well.

Runner up would have to be Volkswagon’s “The Force” with the little kid dressed up at Darth Vader. 

You can see all the ads at:  http://adage.com/superbowl/article?article_id=148677

RADvertising: LEGO

These ads capture the true spirit of the LEGO brand and exude possibility —- not just to recreate something that already exists, but something that might exist in the future.   Inventors take note!

Well done (and fun)!

(with thanks to Nick Hurley for pointing them out to me ;)