Out to Launch
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Holiday ads: too soon? Delta Faucet celebrates mess makers. Let's launch!
  • General Mills is doubling down on its promise to remove all artificial colors and flavors from its cereals, and the one to suffer is the beloved Trix rabbit. The brand launched an adorable online campaign that serves as a casting call for real rabbits adorable enough to replace the 57-year-old cartoon mascot -- temporarily, at least. The 55-second video is too cute. There's an off-camera fan blowing on the fur of adorable rabbits as they strike their realest poses. The rabbits come in all shapes, colors and sizes, and some don costumes. I love the bunny wearing a headband and ready to conquer the gym. Pet bunny owners can submit their pet online by Nov. 8 and view applicants using the #RealTrixRabbit hashtag. The winning rabbit will be featured on its own limited-run Trix box in the rabbit's hometown. After that, the iconic Trix Rabbit will return. See the video here, created by McCann New York.

  • Is it just me or does Hulu's new tagline, "Come TV With Us," not gel? I can't see TV becoming a verb the way, say, Google has become. The company launched an 81-second online ad and 60-second version for TV that's full of celebrity cameos and a look at Hulu's popular TV show offerings. The first brand campaign from Hulu serves as a platform to tell TV lovers that TV loves them right back. The video highlights Hulu's original works, like an upcoming partnership between JJ Abrams and Stephen King, along with beloved TV favorites like "South Park," "Fargo," "Empire" and "Seinfeld." Look for cameos by Mindy Kaling, Andy Samberg, Neil Patrick Harris, Anthony Anderson and Taraji P. Henson as Cookie from "Empire." Spoiler alert: Kenny dies at the end. See it here, created by twofifteenmccann.

  • If Takis rolled corn tortilla chips receive 1 million donated brains via the company's Facebook, YouTube and Twitter pages, one lucky fan will receive a crate of Takis delivered by zombies. One crate equals 200 bags of chips. Fans simply need to watch the "Takis Brain Drive" video and when instructed, place their finger on the computer screen. After a few awkward seconds, your brain has been donated to the undead. The Takis Zombie flavor is a combination of habanero and cucumber. Donate your brain here. Pereira & O'Dell created the campaign.

  • I'm all about heartwarming holiday ads, when it's the holiday season. It's not too early for Toys "R" Us, however, to begin its holiday season push, with a heartwarming ad that illustrates the true meaning of Christmas. It's not what you get, but what you give. In "Tree," a neighborhood is flooded with Christmas lights and decoration, except for the home of an older man who lives alone. Two pals decide to change that and launch a cover mission to make over the man's yard with a fully decorated and lit Christmas tree. Touched by the gesture, the man places presents underneath the tree for all the neighborhood kids. "Light up someone's Christmas," closes the ad, seen here. The next ads are light-hearted and focus on what happens inside a toy store after hours. Barbie and Ken are "Lost" in one ad. Even a toy man refuses to ask for directions. See it here. "Clone" explains the Toys "R" Us price match guarantee to parents using a doll and multiple Optimus Prime characters. Watch it here. BBDO Atlanta created the campaign.

  • The latest TV spot for Delta Faucet pays tribute to those who make a mess, which is all of us. Whether it's washing hands dirty from baking, cleaning fish for dinner, washing dinner plates or wine glasses, the kitchen sink helps us return the best place in the house back to its pristine self. Rather than equating messes with something negative, "To The Mess Makers" puts a positive spin on messes, especially when they're made when spending time with family and friends. Vance Joy's "Mess is Mine" plays throughout the spot, which promotes Delta's Touch2O technology. Watch it here, created by Leo Burnett Chicago.

  • Malcolm McDowell is an unlikely spokesperson for Lunchables Uploaded, as evident in a pair of ads created by mcgarrybowen. In "Sophisticated Snacking with Malcolm McDowell," there's a clear generational gap between McDowell and his young co-host when it comes to instructing viewers how to eat a walking taco. McDowell tries to make a lowbrow snack more highbrow, while his young counterpart tells viewers to nuke the taco and eat it from the bag. See it here. The next ad continues the shenanigans, with McDowell poorly attempting teenage lingo during the commercial's shoot. Even the director has lost control of the room. Watch it here. Both spots are running online and on ABC Family, Disney and Nickelodeon networks. Wayne McClammy of Hungry Man directed the ads, edited by Grant Gustafson of Cutters.

  • IFC Entertainment redesigned its website, the company's first revamp in seven years. The homepage is sleek, featuring trailers for current movies. Right now Misty Copeland is front and center on the homepage, with links to watch the trailer or read more about "A Ballerina's Tale." There are also links to every IFC movie plus a look at films in the pipeline. The new site, created by Big Spaceship, allows the user to watch or queue films via GoWatchIt, a widget that allows films to be purchased on iTunes, streamed on Netflix, or viewed on other available platforms.

  • Random iPhone and Android app of the week:Inkboard revamped its iPhone app and recently launched an Android version that allows users to draw and share pictures via social media and messaging apps. Inkboard offers every drawing tool under the sun, like pens, pencils, highlighters, fine-point, chisel-tip markers, crayons, and an eraser. New features include a larger keyboard and drawing surface area, and the ability to select multiple images to send or delete at once. Download them in the App Store and the Google Play store.

  • Am I alone in thinking that brands not typically associated with consumer bonding are making sappy, tug-at-your-heartstrings ads lately? The latest comes from Autotrader, which tells a man's journey through life via his car purchases. There's a stick shift he can't drive, an unseen car that was stolen, and a gas-guzzling truck. He picks up his future wife for their first date in the truck, which eventually morphs into a hybrid after they're engaged. The spot ends with the man searching Autotrader for a minivan for his expanding family. See "Journey" here, created by Zambezi.