Pro Golfer Phil Mickelson Wants You!

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As part of a campaign for Crowne Plaza Hotels, golfer Phil Mickelson along with golf commentator and journalist David Feherty, Phil Mickelson's parents Phil, Sr. and Mary Mickelson, wife Amy Mickelson, and her parents Gary and Renee McBride have launched a search for a few people who, if chosen, will appear alongside Mickelson in the hotel chain's upcoming ad campaign which is set to break in April. The New York auditions can be viewed here.

The ads will take on the form of a casual conversation between Mickelson and the chosen golf fan and will address topics such as whose been hit by Phil's balls (golf balls, that is), people who look like Phil, those who are left handed and those who have advice for Phil.

by Steve Hall    Jan-24-08    
Topic: Campaigns, Celebrity



Install Facebook App. Win Communal Shark. Questions? DIE!

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Catch Up Lady let us in on the conception of Will Ferrell's Funny or Die Facebook app.

It's nothing special; users can watch Funny or Die videos, rate them, that kind of thing.

The school with the most downloads wins a visit from the Funny or Die comedy tour and a hammerhead shark, possibly autographed by Ferrell and the cast of The Golden Girls...?

Well, that's slightly more creative than $5,000. And sharks are neat. If they stop moving, they die. Sort of like what will happen to Will Ferrell's career if he stops being funny.

by Angela Natividad    Jan-22-08    
Topic: Celebrity, Online



Firebrand to Create National Holiday Out of...Um...Commercials

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Is there such a thing as tanking a press release, hoping no one will pick it up and make fun of it? No luck of that here today folks. It might be Martin Luther King day but we're still strapped to our crappy, back-breaking, sorry-ass chair dishing out content for the rest of you unlucky souls working today while your bosses are enjoying the day off.

Anyway. here we go. Firebrand (the hottest spots from the coolest brands, ya know) is pleased to announce what it's dubbed "The Holiest Day in Advertising," occurring February 4th. On that day, Firebrand will showcase the best of this year's Super Bowl spots.

more »

by Steve Hall    Jan-21-08    
Topic: Cable, Campaigns, Celebrity, Online, Super Bowl 2008



Sarah Michelle Gellar, Eva Longoria Drink HINT to Reinvigorate Careers

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What do you do when you've pigeonholed your career in an award-winning TV series? If Eva Longoria and Sarah Michelle Gellar are any indication, you get behind a beverage. (Or change your name. The sirens of Desperate Housewives and Buffy the Vampire Slayer are now, legally, Eva Longoria Parker and Sarah Michelle Prinze. Uh ... yeah.)

Eva and Sarah, among other celebrities, are helping promote a flavored water drink called HINT. It boasts zero calories, no artificial sweeteners and total lack of tact.

Here's to their health. (We're brand-whore traditionalists, so we'll stick with Evian.)

by Angela Natividad    Jan-16-08    
Topic: Brands, Celebrity, Promotions



Scooby Doo Sleuths Nab Cable Guy For DIRECTV

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OK, who doesn't love Scooby Doo? But this spot featuring the clan just doesn't seem to click. It's not really the agency's (Deutsch LA) fault. It's more the fault of the notion you can just suddenly implant a commercial message in the middle of a cartoon and everything will go swimmingly; no one will notice the blunt transition from show-focused action to commerce-focused action. Everyone notices.

In this commercial for DIRECTV, the sleuths have caught a cable guy who was trying to stop everyone from switching from cable because DIRECTV carries more high definition programming, We go from Shaggy's "Zoinks!" directly to Velma's droll commercial message quicker than you avert your eyes from that Donny Deutsch Speedo shot. While these transitions are never seamless, this one just seems a bit blunt. Hmm. Maybe that's why they're calling it the 4th wall campiagn.

by Steve Hall    Jan-14-08    
Topic: Celebrity, Commercials, Creative Commentary



Obama Girl Declares Love For Adrants

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It's not often one of the hottest women on the planet creates a personalized video just for you but that's exactly what our fave political babe, Obama Girl, did for us today. In the video she calls for a return to values, honesty and patriotism. She then says when it comes to reading about advertising, it's critical she reads Adrants. OMFG. We think we just fell in love!

OK. Fuck that "we" shit. I think I just fell in love! Amber Lee goes on to say Steve Hall is "the kind of American we can all aspire to be." I'm not sure that's true but I'm not going to argue with someone as nice as Amber Lee Ettinger. Thank you, Amber Lee. Thank you, Ben. You both rock.

See all the Obama Girl videos here.

by Steve Hall    Jan- 7-08    
Topic: Announcements, Cause, Celebrity, Good, Video



Anne Hathaway Finalizes Spokesmodel Deal With Lancombe

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Radiating gorgeous beauty and steamy sexuality all at once, Anne Hathaway stormed the scene a few years ago in a little movie called The Princess Diaries which turned ouut to be not so little after all spawning a sequel. After baring all in Havov, the nailed the role of Andy Sachs in The Devil Wears Prada. That recent accomplishment makes for a fitting role as Lancome spokesmodel.

Reported back in early October, the deal is now final between the star and the beauty brand who will harness Hathaway's impossible beauty for a new fragrance line. We look forward to seeing her in the new campaign.

by Steve Hall    Jan- 2-08    
Topic: Brands, Celebrity



Rosie Gets All Snot-Nosed Over Blogger's Choice Awards

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Ever wonder what celebrities (including ourselves) do with the promotional packages you send them? Rosie O'Donnell put her reactions on video, for no less than a gift package from the Blogger's Choice Awards. We like how she gave us a full-face Chris Crocker shot for, like, two seconds.

Uh ... we don't think that's a giant pencil, Rosie.

by Angela Natividad    Dec-18-07    
Topic: Celebrity, Industry Events, Opinion, Video



Ed Byrne Says Recycle Christmas Cards, Glass ... and Sleigh Carbon?

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Recycling is the last thing most people think about over Christmas. Unless you're Ed Byrne.

The above video is worth watching for reasons besides the green guilt-trip, though. Looking for lame ways to mask your holiday alcoholism in the face of nosy and judgmental neighbors? Push play. (We took notes.)

This multi-use message is brought to you by Team Rubber for the Recycle Now group.

by Angela Natividad    Dec-18-07    
Topic: Cause, Celebrity, Good



Can't Read Your Kids? Ask a Celebrity, Courtesy of Best Buy

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To help parents understand what their teenagers want for the holidays, Best Buy launched an online campaign called Wow the Un-Wowable featuring Nickelodeon's Drake Bell, a teen star who's really good at looking bummed.

In a series of videos, Drake "interprets" what teens want. Ideas include a laptop, a Lexus and a horse named iPod. (Yeah.)

In our expert view, the videos straddle parody and condescension. We haven't decided which halves of our emotional selves to give in to yet.

Whatever happened to the unfailing cash-and-card model? $20 may not buy a Lexus, but the recipient may score some fragrant pot.

Nothing says "I love you" like money with no strings!

by Angela Natividad    Dec-16-07    
Topic: Brands, Campaigns, Celebrity, Online