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Just Think of SIFF as eHarmony for Film

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For the Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF), which runs till June 17, SIFF and WONGDOODY join forces to launch Find True Film, a marketing effort that pairs users up with ideal genres.

See the campaign ads. They are kind of cute but also very MTV, which takes the edge off. We do dig the retro feel, though.

* Coquettish Medusa

* Chivalrous Grim

* Ramen (because nothing says "I love you" like false premises and consequent ingestion)

Find True Film suggested Adrants take a laxative and sit for an action flick, so now it's time for Fight Club and Ex-Lax. We'll tell you whether it's a winner.

by Angela Natividad    May-30-07    
Topic: Commercials, Events, Good



Skoda Fabia is the Stuff of Dreams

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To demonstrate the super-awesomosity of its Fabia, Skoda lets users watch them build one.

Out of cake ingredients.

We've never felt more inclined to run a hand across the hood of a vehicle and hope against hope that the finish will come off. Plus, there's something so psychologically soothing about Poppins. Thanks Shedwa for the good word.

by Angela Natividad    May-30-07    
Topic: Brands, Online, Video



Altoids Unveils Sindy in Google-Powered Search Game

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You know how much we love games. Find Altoids' Sindy in a game built right into Google Earth. We were never superkeen on Carmen Sandiego, but Sindy probably won't have trouble inspiring a chase.

Nice to see Altoids is over its frightening identity crisis. We salute you, Hal Riney WDDG (oops, sorry about that, guys).

by Angela Natividad    May-30-07    
Topic: Brands, Games, Good, Online



United Colors of Benetton Returns From Dead With New Campaign

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The United Colors of Who? Oh, Benetton. Sorry. It's just been years since we've seen anything from the clothier. In fact, we figured they went out of business but no. They are back and this time they are taking on the cause of domestic violence. Each ad stylishly coordinates their clothing line's colors with the bruises on women's faces to drive home the message. Damn. Did we just say "drive home the message?" Sorry, we thought we left that in the conference room years ago after realizing a message can't actually be driven and that saying stuff like that makes one appear to be an idiot. OK so maybe mobile billboards are an exception but we digress.

Benetton is back and they have a message. And as a bonus, maybe the campaign itself will deliver its own version of violence in the form of a slap upside the head of fashionistas who are more concerned with how they look than the plight of women around the world. Damn, that was bitchy.

UPDATE: Surprise, surprise. They're fake. Yawn.

by Steve Hall    May-30-07    
Topic: Brands, Campaigns, Cause, Good, Magazine



Absolut Brings Back the Miller-Inspired Pillow Fight

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As part of its departure from focusing on the bottle, this new TBWA\Chiat\Day-created commercial for Absolut Vodka examines a world which appears to be ruled by Pam Anderson and her fellow bikini-clad pillow fighting babes of yesteryear. During a standoff between shield bearing police officers and protesters, an altercation far different than those 60's-style, Abbie Hoffman-like riots new age historians are so fond of showing occurs. Whether Absolut is the cause or the solution to this unrest is unclear but the spot sure looks like it was fun to shoot.

by Steve Hall    May-30-07    
Topic: Commercials, Good



3 Things We Learned About Skittles, Based on Latest Ads

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Can we put these somewhere on the packaging?

1. Skittles may encourage kinky roleplaying behaviour. "Be a bike, baby, be my bike. And I will bring you to heaven."

2. Skittles may actually be steroids. They both start with S and they're also both plural. Hey, it's an easy mistake to make.

3. Skittles may lead to violent tearing-asunder of world-as-we-know-it.

These new ads for Skittles created by TBWA, Toronto made us not want to have seconds. Outcomes take a turn we don't want to make after the titillating first handful.

We much prefer the Little Lad with the little dance and the I-hate-life! expression. He was so tame in comparison. What happened to that guy?

by Angela Natividad    May-30-07    
Topic: Brands, Commercials, Strange, Television



Suicide Awareness Campaign Sends Multiple Messages

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Well here's some interesting commentary on stereotypes and suicide. As a hooded man approaches an elderly man who has just parked his car in a deserted rooftop parking lot, the elderly man cowers in fear the hooded man is about to mug him. Instead, the hooded man passes him by and heads for the edge of the rooftop as the elderly man realizes the ongoing scenario is much different that what he initially assumed. The spot is part of a British campaign calling attention to the fact suicide claims the lives of three men each day.

by Steve Hall    May-30-07    
Topic: Commercials, Good



Oxygen Network's AdFight Wants to Put You On TV

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If you ever wanted to be on a reality show but refused to subject yourself to the idiocy of The Apprentice, Oxygen is giving you another chance with AdFight, a show that pits creative teams against one another to create a TV campaign for a national retail advertiser. Winners will have their work shown as part of the advertiser's campaign.

If you can spare 3-5 days at the end of June when filming begins, send an email to adfight@yahoo.com by June 8 to be considered. Check out all the details here.

by Steve Hall    May-30-07    
Topic: Cable, Industry Events



Agency Says Connection to Consumer Cannot Be Found, Offers Solution

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Atlanta-based agency WestWayne has modified it website to resemble the classic 404 Page Not Found page. Humorously, yet very insightfully, the page reads, "The consumer you are trying to sell products or services to has been disconnected from your brand."

The page then offers suggestions such as, "Stop calling them consumers, they are people" and "Build a relationship with them and they will return the favor."

It's a daring move for an agency to make. To forgo all that Flashtastic, ego-driven drivel no one cares about in favor of a simple, straight forward message is truly commendable.

by Steve Hall    May-30-07    
Topic: Agencies, Best, Online, Promotions



VW Beetle Ad Says Get a Balloon, Not Our Car

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OK, we get that this VW Beetle commercial is supposed to somehow transcend the fact the thing's a car and is something far more...well...different but tagging a commercial about a car with "Some people don't really want a car" while showing the car leads us to say, "Well, yea. I don't really want that car. I'll just take that really cool, over sized VW Beetle balloon the guy's carrying around over his head." All of this beautifully crafted confusion comes courtesy of DDB Barcelona.

Two print ads accompany the spot, one of which illustrates very simply how the VW Beetle can brighten up your day. The other conveys the thrilling rush a vehicle can cause.

by Steve Hall    May-30-07    
Topic: Commercials, Creative Commentary, Strange



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