Galaxy92 Decries Modern Dogmas ... Well, Except for the Ones it Made Last Year

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Greek station Galaxy 92 made a resonant impression on us in 2007 with "DOGMA," a print campaign where dictators proclaim the merits of music.

But that was then. Galaxy's gone 180 on our asses. "Stop Modern Dogmas," its current ads demand -- in little red buttons! -- over images of brassy, but vapid, constructs of modern worship:

o Celebritism
o Nip Tuckism (at left)

Slogan: "All music. No dogma." No word on how Galaxy92 feels about the ones it invented last year. I imagine they're exempt from scorn -- or else they did very, very poorly amongst the public.

"Stop Modern Dogmas" was put together by Lowe, Athens, the creators of "DOGMA."

by Angela Natividad    Jun-12-08    
Topic: Good, Magazine, Poster, Radio



'Delicate Flowers' Don Helmets, Make Naughty in Women's Football

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For Pittsburgh Passion, an indy women's football league, Garrison Hughes asks us to "celebrate the delicate flower that is woman ... as well as the beauty of one delicate flower drilling the other delicate flower into the ground." Touchdown, BITCH!

Also see variant: "A woman's hands can heal, teach, inspire and comfort. It can also deliver a wicked head-slap when the ref's not looking."

How very "I am woman, hear me roar! -- or at least pull a flag once in awhile." (Kidding. I'm sure women's football is ultra-rowdy.)

Would've been awesome if the talent were actual Pittsburgh Passion players and not just Corbis fodder. Maybe they felt put-off by the soft-focus lens technique.

by Angela Natividad    Jun-10-08    
Topic: Campaigns, Magazine, Poster



ONDCP Puts Hispanic Parents on Drug Alert ... by Villainizing Their Children

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Coinciding with the (coincidental!) release of a CDC survey that found Hispanic teens more likely to use drugs and try suicide than black and white kids, the Office for National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) launched this really weird campaign.

The heading above the girl at left says, "I sell drugs during recess." And here's one where a sheepish-looking boy divulges, "Yesterday, I offered marijuana to your daughter."

The effort will appear in print, on TV and over the radio.

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by Angela Natividad    Jun-10-08    
Topic: Cause, Magazine, Poster, Worst



Why Use Your Brain when You Can Hassle a Rich Uncle?

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"I didn't use my brain. I went straight to the financial aid office." That's the headline from the ad at left, which concludes with a tidy "thinking saves thousands at myrichuncle.com."

Wait a sec. Use your head, stick your hand out? I'm confused.

It turns out the ad is not referring to an exploitable loose-handed relative. My Rich Uncle is actually a national loan company. Visit the site and click on Engage Your Brain, which walks you through the process of applying for student aid.

That's useful and all, but come on. Sally's uncle gave her a trust fund; you're giving me a FAFSA sheet?

by Angela Natividad    Jun- 9-08    
Topic: Magazine, Online



From Cradle to Grave, Independence Blue Cross Wants Your Business

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CEO Joseph Frick of Independence Blue Cross, the biggest health insurance provider in Philadelphia, used his recent colon cancer diagnosis to fuel this ad campaign by Tierney Communications.

The height chart at left lends a practical, and sort of charming, picture of how needs change as the mortal coil unravels. (Nagging question: why is 5'9," "Mammogram Reminders," followed by 6'1," "Senior Fitness Programs"? I thought people shrink when they get old? Is Independence just that good?)

Tagline: "Just a few ways we're here for you every step of the way" -- a little clumsy, but it gets the idea across.

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Konica Plays the Tease, Promises Quick Pleasers and Big-Shots

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To generate interest in a product that isn't very interesting -- office printers -- Konica Minolta borrowed from a topic that makes everyone's ears perk up: the office affair.

Print ad Episode 1, "When efficiency flirts with flexibility," ran in Government Purchasing Guide.

And while bizhub, a "quick pleaser," probably won't fit under your desk, it'll get email and FTPs scanned ... fast. Feeling flushed? Wait 'til you've heard what it does with heavy card stock.

by Angela Natividad    Jun- 1-08    
Topic: Brands, Campaigns, Magazine



State Farm Hedges Bets for the Asian Vote

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It's sort of thoughtful that State Farm feels compelled to pander directly to both mainland Asians and Pacific Islanders.

The question I really want answered is, who left that rug in the middle of the driveway?

Via Gawker and Multicult Classics.

by Angela Natividad    May-29-08    
Topic: Brands, Campaigns, Magazine, Strange



Even Rich People Need A Place to Live

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So how do you sell homes to people with boatloads of money when the homes aren't even built yet? You show them the view, of course and that's exactly what this Denver-based Cultivator Advertising & Design campaign does for Heber City, Utah-based Red Ledges, a yet-to-be-built community for adults 45-65 with household incomes of $250K plus.

According to the release, is sounds like a great place. "Red Ledges will be a private golf and four-season recreational second home community, encompassing approximately 1,200 homes across nearly 2,000 acres. Planned amenities include 18-hole and 9-hole Jack Nicklaus designed golf courses; a Jim McLean practice and instructional facility; a Cliff Drysdale tennis academy; a premier spa and fitness facility; an indoor/outdoor equestrian center; and a private ski-in/ski-out club at Deer Valley Resort. "

Now if only if only if a few advertisers would drop several hundred thousand dollar on Adrants, we'd most assuredly consider moving the offices to Utah.

by Steve Hall    May-22-08    
Topic: Good, Magazine



Shaved Primates Become Human In Braun Campaign

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I don't know what's worse, having so much facial hair you need a big ass electric razor to handle it or being cast in a big ass electric razor campaign because you look like a primate. So I feel a bit sorry for the models in this new print campiagn for Braun which "brings out the human in men." Blame (or congratulate) BBDO Dusseldorf for the work.

An escalator shaped like a woman's leg for Gillette Venus is much kinder. BBDO Guerrero Ortega crafted this work.

by Steve Hall    May-22-08    
Topic: Campaigns, Good, Magazine



Economist.com Surrenders to the Web 2.0 Aesthetic

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The quote at left comes from a banner ad for The Ideas People, a "knowledge" campaign meant to school you on the modern pioneers of great ideas while slyly promoting The Economist.

It reads, "No one becomes perfect, but some become great." I thought it was apt in light of the launch of The Economist's fully redesigned homepage.

The current print edition says the designers sought to wed clean usability with informational depth. (In less diplomatic terms, it's another web 2.0 casualty. Think AJAX! Big FONTS! And widget-looking things!)

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by Angela Natividad    May-22-08    
Topic: Magazine, Online, Packaging, Publishing