Out to Launch

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Google Fiber sounds delicious. Too bad this ultrafast Internet speed is only available in Kansas City… for now. More than 1,100 cities applied to be the first equipped with Internet speed 100 times faster than broadband, and Google thanked Kansas City with a 60-second love letter called “Thanks.” The spot is told through Google searches and features pictures of the city’s historic events, famous residents and notorious food fare -- and by food fare, I mean BBQ. See it here. “Toy Car World” brings us back to the days when dial-up was the norm. A toy car chugs along a road, slowly, complete with the old-school dial-up connection sound as background noise. Downloading a song keeps the car stuck at a train track, waiting for a train to pass. Broadband comes along and disperses the crowd of Internet users while a police car pulls over a Spam van. When cars experience the world of Google Fiber, they speed through highways like my childhood collection of Matchbox cars. Watch it here. Venables Bell & Partners created the campaign.

Southern Comfort launched a 1:42-second “film” for its "Whatever's Comfortable" campaign. If you value your time, let me break the video down for you. An oiled-up, tan man in skimpy swim trunks walks a beach. A dog follows. Dog leaves. Man leaves camera view and returns with glass of Southern Comfort. He continues walking. Dog rejoins him. End scene with tan, overweight stomach juxtaposed with glass of SoCo, waving a red flag. Wieden+Kennedy New York created the “film.”

William Levy could read me the phone book and I’d be a happy camper. His charms work on everyone, including Ms. Brown in a new ad for M&Ms. Levy has a “One Track Mind” when it comes to Ms. Brown, loving her for her chocolate goodness and not her mind, which Levy hopes is “ made of chocolate, too.” Unable to stay angered at the hunk, Ms. Brown simply replies: “Gosh, you’re handsome.” See it here, created by BBDO New York.

Once again, if you value your time, let me break down this juvenile Hooters ad so you don’t have to watch. Hooters owls play angel and devil characters on a lifeguard’s shoulders as he works an indoor pool filled with elderly women. Disparaging remarks about age and muscle tone ensue. Work becomes so traumatizing that a visit to Hooters is needed -- but for their burgers, nothing else, of course. See it here, created by Fitzgerald+Co, directed by Jody Hill and edited by Geoff Hounsell of Arcade Edit.

Super Mario Bros. 2 debuted on the Nintendo 3DS, and a supporting TV ad brings the familiar sounds and animations to everyday life. “Coin Craze” stars a young boy playing the latest Mario Bros. game. As he starts collecting gold coins on screen, the gold coins appear in real life, prompting anyone who sees them to start chasing. An ice cream truck turns into golden coins and manhole covers explode to release more gold. The spot ends with buildings transforming into coins, while the kid playing the video game finally looks up and observes the real-world transformations. See it here, created by Goodby, Silverstein & Partners.

The latest ad for the California Milk Advisory Board shows a tech-savvy cow who’s imbedded herself into a family’s realm. Not surprisingly, the cow knows more about the teenage daughter’s social life than her mother. The cow helps catch Mom up to speed in “Friends” by describing the teen’s love life using abbreviated teen lingo. It’s pretty spot-on, since I had to watch the ad a few times to catch and translate the terminology. Watch "Friends" here, created by Deutsch LA and directed by Fred Savage.

Attention young advertising creatives:  The Big Ad Gig is back. Now in its fourth year, the events invites young candidates to submit their resume and portfolio to a panel of judges in an effort to win a 30-day paid freelance gig. Creatives have until the end of the month to submit their work. On Sept. 1, the judges will narrow the competition down to eight finalists who will compete at The Big Ad Gig in New York, held during Advertising Week and produced by Atmosphere Proximity and The New York Times. Good luck to all.

Random iPhone App of the week: 76 launched a TV spot promoting its latest app, "The Quiet Game." Ever go on a road trip when your parents convinced you to play the “quiet game” so they could have a few minutes of peace? Well, there’s now an app for that. The free app keeps track of how long players have kept quiet while trying to tempt them into making noise. The supporting TV spot shows a brother and sister intent on making the other talk first. The pair loses the game when their adorable dog barks. Much to the mom’s happiness, the pair has been quiet for 48 minutes. Watch it here, created by Venables Bell & Partners.

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1 comment on "Out to Launch".

1. Dave Kohl from First In Promotions
   

   commented on: August 16, 2012 at 4:21 p.m.
   The spot for Hooters is far too juvenile to have an impact. It appears designed toward young teens, too young to drive there. Yet, the California Milk Advisory Board spot is funny. Even if you don't catch all of the terminology used within, it still gets the "message" across. A nice variety of good and bad in this batch.

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