Out to Launch
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Land Rover wants to send you to outer space. Gillette razors tickle the ivories. Let's launch!
  • geicoThe latest "Did you Know" ad from Geico features the resurrection of the Ickey Shuffle, made popular by former NFLer Ickey Woods. The ad launched during last week's NFL kickoff game and stars a dentist unaware of Geico's knack for helping drivers to save on car insurance. When the patient schools his doctor, telling him that everyone knows about Geico, the dentist describes how football legend Ickey Woods will celebrate almost any event in life -- even buying cold cuts at the supermarket. When Woods' number is called, he screams with excitement and performs his famous shuffle. He also spikes an order of cold cuts, which is odd, since his number was just called -- unless he spiked some prepackaged deli meat. Food for thought. Watch it here, created by The Martin Agency. In addition, GEICO will be launching IckeyFY.com, a YouTube integration dedicated to celebrating and sharing life's most special moments with videos from Ickey Woods.

  • nationwideEven Peyton Manning can't avoid getting an advertising jingle stuck in his head. Manning stars in the latest ad for Nationwide that debuts the brand's new logo, which includes the letter "N" and an eagle. Throughout "Jingle," Manning incorporates the jingle into his everyday life. The jingle becomes part of his "Omaha" plays during practice -- and when he sits in an ice bath and eats a chicken parm sandwich, Manning sings his own tune to the jingle. Watch the ad here, created by Ogilvy & Mather New York.

  • scienceworldadAn ad for Science World  is "Positively Painful" for viewers to watch, given what life deals the main character in a matter of seconds. The ad for a children's science museum was banned from airing on Canadian television due to violent content, such as a man getting kicked in the groin. Not what you'd typically expect from a children's museum ad. And that's only one of the man's dismal encounters. When the man opens his door to begin his day, he's hit in the face by the morning newspaper, steps on a rusty nail, is bit by the neighborhood dog and then kicked in the groin. I'd promptly turn back around, but our happy camper keeps on truckin', even after he's hit by a flaming arrow from a Renaissance Fair and hit by a bus. "Optimists feel less pain," closes the ad, seen here. Imagine what else one could learn at Science World? Rethink created the campaign.

  • landroverAre you the adventurous type, not content with having both feet on the ground? If so, this contest from Land Rover and Virgin Galactic is up your alley... er, galaxy? As part of its global partnership with Virgin Galactic, Land Rover globally launched its Discovery Sport vehicle with a contest offering a pretty epic prize: a trip to space for the winner and three of his or her friends. A series of teaser ads features Bear Grylls, Sir Richard Branson, Virginia McKenna and Ranulf Fiennes describing their love of adventure and discovering the unknown. One 90-second spot has the four adventurers together, driving in a Land Rover Discovery Sport en route to Spaceport America, where the Virgin Galactic plane is housed. See it here. The final video in the roundup doesn't mention the space contest or brand ambassadors, but gives viewers a closer look at the Discovery Sport vehicle as it drives to the airplane hangar. Watch it here. The Brooklyn Brothers created the campaign.

  • GEGE is a problem-solver, no matter how rough an idea may be. That's the gist of "Ideas," a 60-second online video illustrating GE's knack for taking a tough, misunderstood concept and turning it into something beautiful. The video begins with the birth of an idea, and this idea has a face only its creator can love. As the idea grows, it's beaten down by passersby and comes across as a hot mess. The idea goes from business to business, hoping to sell itself as the next big creation. Sadly, the idea only sees rejection and constant door slams, until it crosses paths with a GE employee. The man escorts the idea into GE's headquarters and with proper care it becomes a blooming success. The video will be posted across all of GE's social channels from Facebook and Twitter to LinkedIn and Tumblr. Watch "Ideas" here, created by BBDO New York and directed by Noam Murro.

  • pottyappRandom iPhone App of the week: Kids, it's potty time. Kimberly Clarks' Pull-Ups launched an app that helps kids with the potty training process. The "Time to Potty" mobile app uses a "smart potty" timer that lets parents know when it's time to go and gets kids excited to take potty breaks. A customized reward system unlocks different Disney Character Celebrations when a child's Pull-Ups training pant is scanned when they attempt to use the toilet. Kids can unlock songs, videos puzzles and coloring books. With all this entertainment, who would everwant to leave the potty? Parents receive weekly emails charting their child's progress, along with coupons for Pull-Ups. Organic created the free app. Download it here.

  • regencybeautyRegency Beauty Institute launched a quirky online video to encourage young people to pursue a career in the beauty industry, showing the creativity and artistry required. The animated video follows a young woman who has the gift of doing hair. It all begins in a treehouse, as a young girl styles her friend's hair. The girl has a dream to become a stylist, even though she's discouraged to follow that career path. The young woman can't be stopped and moves to the city to follow her dream. She becomes a success in a place where her talent is embraced by creative friends like architects, sculptors and chefs. See "Beauty Grew All Around" here, created by Colle+McVoy.

  • rosettastoneRosetta Stone has launched a 60-second ad that targets Millennials by illustrating the advantages of learning a new language. "Create a Smaller World" depicts what the world would look like if everyone learned one new language. Strangers would become friends, sharing ideas, stories and unique dining arrangements. The world would be happier and smaller, given the new connections made. Watch the ad here, created by Energy BBDO and directed by Young Replicant from Pulse Films.

  • gilletteSure, Gillette's new Flexball razor can play a piano, but does it leave users with a smooth nick-free shave? The brand's agency, Grey New York, partnered with production company First Avenue Machine, rented out the Hammerstein Ballroom and built a rig that hooked 88 Flexball razors to a baby grand piano. Composer Son Lux wrote an original score which he played on the customized piano. It sounded flawless, but hey, what do I know about piano-playing razors? Watch it here.


    Call For Submissions: Agency Of The Year.

    It's the time of year when the editors of MEDIA and OMMA magazine begin considering candidates for their annual Agency of the Year awards, so if you've got any organizations -- or people -- you want to nominate for the following categories, please send them to joe@mediapost.com.

    MEDIA Agency of the Year
    OMMA Digital Agency of the Year
    Agency Holding Company of the Year
    Social Agency of the Year
    Search Agency of the Year
    Mobile Agency of the Year
    Creative Agency of the Year
    Client of the Year
    Supplier of the Year
    Executive of the Year