das good ads

Wii would like to blow up YouTube.

2008-09-24T23:11:00.005-04:00

I really wanted to get in bed right now, as I'm trying to break my recent run as an insomniac, but I couldn't go without posting this video first. Make sure you watch it the entire thing. It's definitely worth the 45 seconds.

Unfortunately, I'm unable to embed it, so check it out here.

I know this general concept of a product affecting it's environment has been done before (see the HEMA online store), but this piece from Nintendo really takes it to a new level. Very entertaining.

8/10: Das Superb Ad

FedExcellent.

2008-09-11T17:17:00.004-04:00

Yes.

You can claim you can do something better than your competitor, or you can discover a creative way to show it. Kudos, FedEx.

P.S. For what it's worth, your logo (with that lovely, mysterious arrow) is my all-time favorite.

8/10: Das Superb Ad

Your Jawbone's connected to your shitty ad bone

2008-09-04T21:48:00.005-04:00

(click to enlarge)

I really don't need to say much about this ad. In fact, all I will say is, "WTF, CP+B?"

2/10: Das Pathetic Ad

Ikea: Single-handedly bringing back the newspaper

2008-08-27T21:48:00.002-04:00

Are you seeing this right now? I mean seriously, are you? I don't think you are. Click on the image to really take a look at it.

Yes, my friends, that is a brilliant media usage in (pause) a newspaper! What you're seeing is not only a clever idea, but an amazing way to use an old medium in a new way. I haven't seen anything done like this before.

The copy is concise and works well to support to the visual. It's to the point and doesn't ruin a great idea by trying too hard. Ikea knows nobody likes a try-hard.

Ikea has put out some impressive work over the past few years - who doesn't love the Lamp ad? - and I would put this simple piece right up there with the best of it.

Despite the greatness of this ad, I think it's time for me to graduate from Ikea furniture. You know, I'm an adult these days.

9/10: Das Phenomenal Ad

Oh, the smell of that NPH

2008-07-28T11:17:00.000-04:00

Does it get any better than this!? Body Odor Protection by Former TV Doctors, the latest stellar campaign by Wieden Kennedy spins the classic celebrity endorsement method to new ridiculousness with our old favorites. Old Spice does a fantastic job ensuring their brand maintains its witty manlike sense of humor. These companies have a rich history of working together. Check out our boy, Bruce Campbell providing Old Spice with his panach.

7/10: Das Great Ad

New Season of Mad Men Tonight

2008-07-27T12:52:00.001-04:00

I'm not one for much TV, but Mad Men is a damn good show and the second season is kicking off tonight. AMC, 10pm. Check it.

New York deli worker smooches British businessman: Puts everyone's panties in a twist

2008-07-24T23:14:00.009-04:00

This video is of an ad recently banned in the UK for Heinz Deli Mayo.

There's really two things that I don't get:
1. Why does this ad need to be banned? Because of the passionless peck between hoighty toighty "Dad" and Deniro wannabe "Mom"? Come on. I thought Europe was supposed to be all kinds of progressive.
2. What the hell is the point of this ad? The man-man kiss is entirely superfluous and doesn't even serve a purpose. I get that "Mom" is being portrayed by the New York style deli-man, but why? If you're going to use same sex kisses, why in this situation?

The ad isn't smart. To me, it just seems like a stunt.

4/10: Das Mediocre Ad

Terrible Tuesdays: Capital ONE SHITTY TV SPOT

2008-07-22T12:43:00.003-04:00

War kittens? Cardlab? What's in your Wallet? Not Capital One, I am sure of that! This commercial is very dumb, not entertaining, nor clever and sends me racing for the remote to turn the channel.

The only thought I am left with upon the rancid sight of this bollocks is why credit card companies are allowed to advertise? The total U.S. consumer debt reached $962 billion in May 2008 and the marathon of TV spots and direct mail continue to flood American culture. If I am not mistaken, cigarette companies were cast out of TV land because of what their "product" was doing to people.

If anyone is interested in watching a fantastic documentary about credit card debit, check out Maxed Out.

2/10: Das Pathetic Ad

Kenneth Cole and Everyone's Shoes

2008-07-18T14:37:00.008-04:00

Yes, on the surface this is another personal style campaign, but dig deeper. Kenneth Cole, known for his humanitarian efforts, pushes his campaigns to not only express style but the empowerment of individuals. The current campaign "We All Walk in Different Shoes,” features individuals from all fascists of life whom's lifestyles further support his famous idea “What you stand for is more important than what you stand in. To be aware is more important than what you wear.”

The current campaign features cool bios and movies of the models,
check it here.

Also, a lengthy fantastic write up on the campaign can be found here.

7/10: Das Great Ad

Thowback Thursdays: TANTALIZE My Grits

2008-07-17T16:49:00.001-04:00

Good Day govena'… fancy me some flapjacks from thou Jemima. Another astonishing, I can't believe they made this, moment comes from our 1935 illustration showing a Southern family being served by the one and only Aunt Jemima. My first reaction was utter shock! It leaves me wondering if people in 1935 remember this thing called slavery? But before we call the NAACP and ACLU again, marvel in that typography! God it's so good, just like those pancakes.

On a personal note: When I was 9, my uncle tricked me that Aunt Jemima was Mr. T's mother.

Das Ridiculous Ad

HYPER DUNK YO

2008-07-16T20:19:00.005-04:00

Who want's balls in their face? Well too damn bad, Nike's newest ad campaign serves up an order of hot sweaty balls for the shoes Olympic basketball players will be wearing in Beijing next month.

The art direction recalls Vince Carter’s infamous dunk at the 2000 Games in Sydney, when the 6’6” USA guard dunked over France’s 7’2” center Frederic Weis. Ya'll gotta check out this dunk!

8/10: Das Superb Ad

Thowback Thursdays: Whoopi!

2008-07-10T10:55:00.003-04:00

Where have you gone, Whoopi Goldberg? Crawl out from under your rock and remind us how big of a loser you still are... unless, that is, you've gotten really fat again.

Microsoft is a pack of wimps.

2008-07-07T13:46:00.003-04:00

Apparently, I'm all about the ads that get no love from their owners.

Honestly, why would Microsoft refuse to air this ad? I've got some conflicting stories - some say the Microsoft lawyers nipped it in the bud, some say it made it to the FCC and got shot down. (No pun intended.)

Personally, I don't see the issue. Sure, they are "shooting" each other, but it's done in the same playful way that kids play games like cops and robbers. Or, at least, the way they did when I was a kid.

I like that it plays on that childish game, and I don't find it in anyway insensitive.

8/10: Das Superb Ad

Thanks Coach

2008-07-05T11:40:00.005-04:00

I can't stop watching this!

Finally Roger Federer, the number 1 ranked tennis player world-wide, has his own awesome TV spot. This humorous action-packed ad is another grand slam for Nike! Any guesses who that crazy coach is? The answer and official press release on the Federer commercial can be found here.

8/10: Das Superb Ad

Sweet, sweet independence.

2008-07-04T22:16:00.003-04:00

Happy 4th of July to all of you Das Good groupies out there. In honor of our nation's independence, please enjoy this fine piece of patriotic parody.

This clip comes courtesy of CollegeHumor and was written by our good friend Daniel Gurewitch.

Das Good Independence!

2008-07-04T16:58:00.008-04:00

Happy Independence Day! To celebrate, we wanted to highlight what Washington D.C. is doing to attract tourism these days.

Welcome Destination DC, a recently renamed group whose main mission is to restore D.C as a major tourist attraction. Its slick $200 million campaign reminds the public that Washington D.C. is the most powerful city in America. All the "power" messages are stretching it, but the overall effort is worthy of being Das GOOD! Other campaign elements can be found here.

6/10: Das Good Ad

Throwback Thursdays: Camel Time?

2008-07-03T15:24:00.012-04:00

Absurd!
The cigarette industry's impact on advertising has been epic. The iconic characters of the Marlboro Man and Joe Camel defined culture as well as invited ethical questions about the product of tobacco. Because of this, I am absolutely mystified by this ad. In a pre-Joe Camel world, it appears the best Camel had to combat the Marlboro Man with was a clown, down on his luck and looking to take that edge off.

Das Ridiculous Ad

Throwback Thursdays: Costanza sings, America rejoices.

2008-07-03T09:32:00.009-04:00

Most of you probably believe that Jason Alexander got his big break when he joined the cast of Seinfeld. Not so. This clip proves that Mr. Alexander's breakthrough talents received nation-wide recognition before the male pattern baldness kicked in.

Das Ridiculous Ad

Coke Zero Ads Continue to be Weird

2008-06-30T22:21:00.004-04:00

Holy crap, those tongues make me want to vom. I can't find the version of this commercial where they aren't talking in foreign accents, but I do find it hysterical that they used the same exact commercial and copy in more than one country.

ick.

3/10: Das Bad Ad

Xerox: Better at Copying

2008-06-30T18:41:00.006-04:00

Oh, my darling Das Good readers. Do you feel forsaken? Have you missed the witty banter and daily musings of your cherished editors over the past days? Have you longed for posts only to be disappointed again and again as you refreshed your browser with maddening fury? Well, sorry dudes. Apparently real life - the ones we get paid for where people tell us what to do - had taken over there for a while. I assure you it won't happen again. We really don't value our livelihood that greatly.

How about some great ads to get everything back on track? Ok, sure.

In each of these ads, Xerox depicts two print ads that look eerily similar (cough *copies* cough) that were each made in different years. The tagline brings it together with "Better Copies. Much Faster."

At first glance, I loved these ads. They make great use of other people's work in an inventive way, put a great spin the idea of copying and, frankly, expose VW as quite the idea stealer. The line is just so good for Xerox, and while the visual could have been developed more, you still get the point quickly.

Then after thinking about them a bit more, I doubted about my original sentiment. Maybe these ads aren't that great. Do they really have a lasting idea behind them? Are these ads geared too much towards people who are into advertising and will recognize the work rather than the consumer?

Whatev, I still like them a lot. What say you, readers - yay or nay?

(Click all images to enlarge.)

8/10: Das Superb Ad

Throwback Thursdays: Be careful how you use it.

2008-06-26T17:23:00.003-04:00

Kobe Bryant had Michael Jordan.
Chris Rock had Richard Pryor.
Green Day had The Clash.
Family Guy had The Simpsons.

Everyone needs someone to look up to. This ad proves that our dear friends Axe would be nowhere without Hai Karate.

8/10: Das Superb Ad

Throwback Thursdays: I <3 PBR & so should you.

2008-06-26T13:11:00.006-04:00

This awesome classic is from 1947. With a line like "It's blended… It's splendid," how can it fail? What an iconic campaign for a beer that does nothing but win blue ribbons. An amazing source for Pabst ads can be found here. It's well worth looking through the entire collection, especially everything from the 1930s through the 1950s!

9/10: Das Phenomenal Ad

Throwback Thursdays: Oh yeah, ladies…

2008-06-26T12:03:00.014-04:00

We here at Das Good Ads care about the empowerment and equality of women, and we love the fact that Foot Locker cares as much about the ladies as we do. This retro delight hits close to home and reminds everyone that females can surely get the same Nike shoes as Das Dudes.

Women + sneakers is always a good thing!

7/10: Das Great Ad

Throwback Thursdays

2008-06-26T10:19:00.004-04:00

Today marks the first edition of Throwback Thursdays.

Make sure you visit Das Good Ads each and every Thursday to see some of our favorite classic ads. We're talking about the best, the worst, the weirdest and the most offensive work of the past century, so check back all day and take a trip in the Das Good Time Machine.

WMF?!?!?!

2008-06-25T17:21:00.010-04:00

It's pretty awesome to see a brand take full advantage of its allotted space.

I've seen plenty of infomercials where the knives being sold are shown slicing through hammers, cutting boards and even rocks (see it all in this wonderful German video!). Here's the thing: unless you're a caveman or you happen to be strapped for cash, you're probably not eating hammers, cutting boards or rocks. But show me a memorable, creative ad with actual food at the focus and maybe I'll consider it.

Between this WMF ad and the McDonald's coffee ad from a few months back, it's been a great year for magazine spreads.

8/10: Das Superb Ad