Out to Launch
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Forget Abby Wambach. Homer Simpson advertises on YouTube. Let's launch!
  • Quite the opposite of "Netflix and Chill" takes place in "The List," the latest ad for Netflix. Like the end of a relationship, the conclusion of a binge-watching session leaves one with mixed emotions. What will you do now? Can you rush right into a new binge-watching relationship? Do you watch the first show you can think of? Of course not. That's exactly one woman's dilemma in "The List." She's devastated when her latest binge-worthy obsession comes to an end. Her best guy friend tries to cheer her up by naming movies, TV shows and documentaries whenever they hang out. Nothing helps. She's depressed and merely going through the motions of life. Until one day, at Happy Hour, the woman perks up and asks the name of the FIRST show the guy mentioned. And that's her next binge-watching relationship. See it here, created by TBWA.

  • Forget about tracking steps, heart rate and miles walked. How about a device to track happiness? Shocking, I know! McKinney launched JoLLY, currently in beta, which tracks the frequency of a user's smile via a long white beard lined with adhesive sensors that send real-time smile data to an app, then encourages more laughing and smirking. JoLLY uses four adhesive sensors that the wearer attaches to their cheeks and jaw, a battery pack and a Wi-Fi-enabled Arduino board. I'm confident that I go out at night with less accessories. When a user is slacking on the smiling, they're shocked with "disruptive provocations" to encourage more smiling. JoLLY was one of many ideas submitted by agency employees to Hacky Holidays, McKinney's Internet island of misfit toys. Check out a video of JoLLY in action here, produced by Aero Film. And don't forget to smile!

  • Grocery chain Edeka is the latest brand to launch a touching Christmas ad that brings a tear to your eye. The 1:45 ad begins with an adorable grandfather watching his neighbors prepare for the holiday: decorations are up, family is arriving and everyone is happy.

    Then, the grandfather gets news from his family members that they can't make it home for Christmas. So what does Grandpa do? He fakes his death. Family members receive formal cards in the mail about grandpa's passing. This was a tipoff for me -- no one has a phone nowadays?

    Everyone is sad, reflective and traveling from all over the world. When they all meet at the grandfather's house, they find a dining room table filled with food. Grandpa emerges from the kitchen and says: "How else could I have brought you all together?" Score! Watch it here, created by Jung von Matt.

  • YouTube uses Homer Simpson to promote how its video ads can help small businesses reach higher levels. The ad features clips from the "Mr. Plow" episode of "The Simpsons," which first ran in 1992. In the original episode, Homer starts a snowplow business and uses traditional means of advertising to spread the word. When that doesn't work, his daughter Lisa suggests he buys airtime on late-night local television. Lisa creates a YouTube ad for Homer, turning his nonexistent start-up into a town-wide success. Soon, everyone knows Mr. Plow and his catchy jingle. See it here, created by Camp + King.

  • Gatorade honors Abby Wambach as she retires from the soccer field with a 60-second ad where Wambach asks viewers to forget her. Rather than focusing on herself and her tremendous accomplishments on and off the field, Wambach chooses to look forward and put the spotlight on the next generation of female soccer players. "Forget me. Forget I ever existed. Because the day I am forgotten is the day we will succeed," says Wambach in the ad, seen here and created by TBWA\Chiat\Day LA.

  • Currys PC World launched a Christmas campaign in Ireland and the U.K. starring Jeff Goldblum as the acting coach for those receiving crummy gifts. Getting a loved one something from Currys will prevent this scenario, a fact that's noted at the end of each spot.  In the first video, Goldblum does such a good job of acting excited about the jigsaw puzzle a wife has just received from her husband, the hubby gets overzealous with his role-playing and gives Goldblum a passionate lip lock. See it here. Goldblum emerges from underneath a couple's bed in the next video to help a husband pretend that he loves foot talc for Christmas. Watch it here. Watching a movie on Grandma's old TV is a snoozer, but Goldblum has the family pretend they're watching a Goldblum movie on a 4K curved TV. See it here. A brother's hideous cooking should be overlooked, according to Goldblum, but when he tastes a side dish, even he can't fake it. Watch it here. Secret Santa at the office party goes goes poorly for the employee who not only can't keep a secret, but has also scored a crappy gift from his boss. See it hereAMV BBDO created the campaign, directed by David Shane.