We all thought the whole Chevy Novo "No Go" thing was a bad naming gaffe but that doesn't hold a candle to H&M's naming of their new men's jeans Fit Sliq. A harmless name to those of us who regularly speak English but not so harmless and carrying an entirely different meaning in Swedish. In Swedish, it means - brace yourselves - cunnilingus or "cunt licker" in a more exact translation. Yes, according to Adland's dabitch, a women well versed in Swedish, the jeans just might become a hot item as "Swedish men and the occasional lesbian raid the stores for a pair of these naughty naughty jeans."
The kicker to this whole thing is that H&M is a Swedish company. Perhaps it's not a gaffe at all but an inside joke or perhaps it's an English speaking product manager run amok. Either way, it's funny. I mean, unfortunate.
In contrast to the many freakish and violent themed PlayStation2 ads that have been the norm for a while, Coolz0r calls attention to this PlayStation2 ad that is quite the opposite. Still weird, it's very calming and gentle in comparison to most of the other ads. Just thought we'd share.
We are tired. So tired. Tired of typing the words "Burger King," "Chicken" and "Crispin Porter + Bogusky." But, it is our duty, as one who conveys the latest in advertising goodies, to tell you that, yes, CP+B has launched yet another chicken-themed campaign to promote Burger King Chicken sandwiches. We've seen everything from the Whopperettes to CoqRoq to Subservient Chicken to Big Buckin' Chicken. Now, there's this site called Huckin' Chicken on which a guy in a chicken suit does increasingly more daring motorcycle stunts based on how many people visit the site. It's a nice twist on a viral campaign but maybe CP+B should just move on to Big Fuckin' Chicken and close the book on the man in a chicken suit approach to selling sandwiches. Oh wait, there's still Suckin' Chicken to endure.
In what BBDO Canada calls inventive, the agency has created a campaign for Pepsi's Pepsi Access Canada, a site that provides people with "access to ultra exclusive music, downloads, concerts, merchandise and events." To promote the site, BBDO Canada seeded will seed (although BBDO, as of June 8, says the client has not yet given approval) peer to peer sites like Acquisition and Kazaa with MP3s that appear to be unreleased tracks from major artists but when the user downloads the song, this (removed from YouTube at the request of BBDO Canada) is what they hear. Basically, BBDO and Pepsi are tricking people into believing they are downloading new music when, in fact, they are downloading an ad promoting Pepsi and its association with really cutting edge groups like...oh...INXS which almost may have been cutting edge about 20 years ago.
Anyway, less "inventive" are several (1, 2, 3, 4) ads BBDO created to promote the site which humorously follow the actions of a couple guys as they try to obtain access to popular Canadian groups such as Kardinal Offishal, Swollen Members, and Dashboard Confessional.
UPDATE: The MP3 file that was to have been seeded has been removed from YouTube at the request of BBDO Canada who claims (or had to based on the choices YouTube provides when a cancellation request is made) they were used without permission even though they were sent to us by someone from BBDO Canada to be featured here on Adrants. Twisted. Consequently, because of this and other companies who have sent in content and then had other entities with the company or partner companies make complaints, our YouTube account has been closed. With bandwidth constraints in mind, we'll host what we can here or we will rely on the marketer/agency to host things themselves. The frustrating thing here is everyone wants there work seen by everyone - and we want to show it - until those nasty usage fees and other issues come into play.
UPDATE II: We've been told the file that will be seeded has not yet been approved by Pepsi and that is why BBDO Canada asked YouTube to remove the file and has asked us to clarify that here.
Bob Garfield hates the new BMW campaign from GSD&M which, of course, means we have to like it. Bob thinks GSD&M's use of the bureaucracy-kills-ideas concept with images of old, retro boardroom dudes portrayed as pompous fools without a good idea left in their bones reflected against BMW's refreshingly idea-centric, independent approach is really, really bad. He goes on to explain how that concept is old are tired and how it mirrors a creative process he claims had something to do with killing what could have been a good concept. All potentially true.
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Seattle-based Worktank created the See Windows Vista site for Microsoft to illustrate how companies are using Vista to develop applications. The site is full of videos and is hosted by Tom Skerritt (where's he been lately?). It's pretty good. Does the job and seems to make good use of video.
Bringing back the goofiness of yesteryear's advertising, this Canadian campaign for Chevrolet offers the perfect mash up of Ward Cleaver morals and today's penchant for doing whatever the hell we want. Using old school TV style, A Past School Special covers bad influence, peer pressure and principles while promoting Chevrolet's Cobalt, HHR and Aveo. There's a companion website to the campaign and, of course, MySpace profiles.
Neil Boorman is going to gather together all his branded possessions, place them in a pile, douse them with lighter fluid and set the whole thing on fire. He's doing it as some sort of protest against the ruling power brands have over an individual's life and one's definition of that life. Of course, in a sick twist, he's doing it all to promote his own brand, a new book called Bonfire of the Brands.
You've probably seen the new over-the-top Mariah Carey Pepsi spot in which she promotes ring tones and Pepsi in a production very similar to...oh...I don't know...those Pepsi spots from a few years back that took the exact same approach except with Britney Spears. Apparently, Britney wasn't available since she decided to hook up with that Federline dude and has been busy running away from paparazzi who can't seem to get enough picture of her dropping her baby.
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GM, in honor of Memorial Day and the veterans the holiday was created for, GM is supporting the the families at the VFW National Home by donating $100 for every Pontiac, Buick and GMC sold between May 22 and May 31. The spot says "If your at all serious about getting a new car, this would be a good time to do it." Indeed. You can view the spot here.
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