Out to Launch
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Taco Bell smothers, Google Fiber finds hidden treasures and Infiniti breaks from the norm. Let's launch!
  • MoneySuperMarketMoneySuperMarket, a British price comparison site, launched a great TV spot illustrating the joy a man felt when he saved money on his car insurance. He was so elated he felt he could run with wolves. But, there’s one problem: “there are no wolves in Croydon,” says the narrator. So, the man takes his pet cat and the pair goes running through the streets. Before you know it, every cat within a 50-mile radius has joined in the activity, commencing atop a green hill. See "Running With Cats" here, created by Mother London and directed by Jeff Low of Biscuit UK.

  • jelloA father and son bond over their love of JELL-O chocolate pudding in “Comb-Over,” a 30-second spot that launches yesterday. The son opens Pandora’s box when he asks his father why he loves JELL-O pudding. Dad regales his boy with a typical day, from waking up with less hair, driving in traffic and having an important project at work canceled unexpectedly. The boy himself pictures himself with a massive comb-over, driving a car while barely being able to see through the windshield, and coloring a great fight scene only to have his boss rip it to shreds. And it’s at this very moment when the son gives his chocolate pudding to his father, saying, “Here. You need this more than me.” Watch it here, created by CP+B.

  • InfinitiWith all the conformity and cookie-cutter men and women, this car ad is a cross between the movie “Gattaca” and Eminem’s “The Real Slim Shady” music video. “Luxury never felt so liberating” in an ad for Infiniti’s Q50 model. The ad takes places on a high-tech assembly line, where men and women conform by wearing the same outfits, hairstyle and makeup. Plus, they have to drive the same cars, either a Mercedes or BMW. Boring. One man is clearly uncomfortable with the forced structure, and his need to break free is aided by a glitch in the computer system, where a woman appears onscreen to tell the man: “It’s in your pocket.” That's where the key to an Infiniti Q50 is found, prompting him to flee the assembly line, outrun robots and find the Infiniti Q50, already programmed for him personally, in the parking lot. See it here, created by TBWA\Chiat\Day LA.

  • Google FiberIf the difficult things in life were all explained this easily, there would be nothing to complain about. Google Fiber launched "Bird Watcher," an adorable TV spot that explains, in simplistic terms, how a Google Fiber remote control works. This technical-sounding question sounds difficult, until a young girl likens TV-watching to bird-watching. The Nexus tablet allows users to speak the name of their desired show, rather than scroll through lists until finding their hidden series. It’s just like bird-watching: you want to see a tawny owl or magpie, but they’re hiding. The tablet serves as a “touchscreen bird whistle” for the young lady and assures those watching, “it’s just science.” See “Bird Watcher” here, created by Venables Bell & Partners.

  • Taco BellThis ad goes perfectly with the recently released study that found a decent number of millennial-aged men are living at their parents' homes. Taco Bell’s latest TV spot uses a mother babying her adult son to promote its smothered burrito. Mom walk ins on her son entertaining a young lady in his bedroom, offers shampoo advice while he’s in the shower and interrupts a business meeting to give her boy the satchel he left at home. Each occasion should be an awkward, embarrassing moment for the man, yet he seems completely unfazed – not only does mom still wash and iron his clothes, she has his favorite dinner waiting on the table: a Taco Bell smothered burrito. He has it made. Watch it here, created by Deutsch LA.

  • Fruitwaterfruitwater, the newest brand from glacéau, maker of vitaminwater and smartwater, launched a print and outdoor campaign featuring actress Christina Applegate as spokeswoman. The latest beverage from the glacéau line is a zero-calorie, fruit-flavored, sparkling water drink. No calories is great, but I wonder how much sugar it may contain. Creative depicts both the drink and Applegate as bubbly and beautiful. See it here. An all-female creative team developed the campaign, created by Zambezi.

  • NYLottoThis ad has been around for a couple of months and it still creeps me out. Something about a fully dressed man soaping up in the shower and then riding the subway to work doesn’t sit well with me. And the poor woman who has to sit next to him? You win, New York Lottery, because I remember your ad. The campaign I can’t undo watching promotes the state’s “Win 4” game where players can win up to $5,000 if they pick four numbers and play them straight. “It pays to get the order right,” closes the ad, seen here, and created by DDB New York.

  • Angie's List AppRandom iPhone App of the week: Angie’s List Magazine, the membership-based service that allows members to rate the service at local business, launched an app that provides users with monthly news and articles on topics like home maintenance, auto care and health care. The company publishes 89 localized editions in 57 markets. The app is free to download, but an Angie’s List subscription is required for use. The app also offers users discounts on services for housekeeping and haircuts. Download the app here.