Out to Launch
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
A slow-motion horse, a lost iguana and mystery-solving goldfish. Let's launch!
  • havenniceguyHAVEN, a nonprofit organization that helps victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Oakland County, Mich., launched a disturbing PSA featuring a man who isn't as nice as he looks. In "Mr. Nice Guy," a man speaks directly at the camera, to his future victim. He begins talking about how nice he'll be at the beginning, until he's ticked off and smacks his victim hard, bragging that he'll do it again. The PSA goes into worse detail as the man threatens to push his victim down a flight of stairs and harm her children, and then tries to convince her that it's all her fault. "Live Without Fear" closes the ad, alongside HAVEN's logo and website. Watch it here, created by Lowe Campbell Ewald and directed by Angus Wall.

  • gatoradeGatorade created a love letter to Landon Donovan, who is retiring at the end of this year's MLS season. In "LegenD," every soccer player, regardless of his ability, becomes Landon Donovan. Each player mimics part of Donovan's penalty game ritual, from bending down by the ball and staring at the goal post to making the sign of the cross. Once the practice is complete, it's time to score a goal... hopefully. Donovan scores, as do his fans. "Inspired by a legend," closes the ad, seen here and created by TBWA\Chiat\Day LA. The spot ran Sunday night during Donovan's final match -- USA vs. Ecuador -- on ESPN.

  • hpThis is the kind of kid you want on your side if something goes awry. When Kevin's pet iguana Ralph goes missing, he doesn't just tack up a handful of fliers in his neighborhood, he uses every HP product he can get his hands on to bring his beloved iguana home. First, he starts with a 20-second video, where he holds up a flier of Ralph and asks viewers to use the hashtag #FindRalph if they see or find him. We see the lengths Kevin goes to in finding Ralph in "Lost Iguana." Not only does he make color copies of fliers, he uploads a video online, creates a color poster that's twice his size and enlists his neighborhood friends to place posters on any vacant storefront or telephone pole. Later that night, things get digital when Kevin powers digital billboards and a blimp with Ralph's adorable picture. The next morning, Ralph is returned. See it here. The social search continues at www.hp.com/go/findralph where users can check a map to see clues where Ralph has been. Twitter users can follow HP to guess his location and enter to win HP products. 180LA created the campaign.

  • strongbowBudweiser ads have majestic Clydesdales, while a campaign for Strongbow Hard Apple Cider has a slow-motion horse named Brian. "Cider at Its Bestest" debuted Oct. 1 and it's certainly the quirkiest ad for hard cider that I've seen. Created by Droga5, the 60-second spot marks the brand's launch in the U.S. "Slow Motion Horse" features a couple walking barefoot on the beach, close to sunset. The couple is relaxed, carefree and enjoying a glass of Strongbow over ice. The night is memorable for another reason: Brian, the slow-motion horse. When Brian is in the frame, the ad's music is loud and crisp. When his slow horse's behind leaves the frame, the music stops and the ad goes silent. Once Brian moseys back in, the music begins again. Watch it here.

  • dosequisDos Equis' Most Interesting Man always has smart advice to offer, even when it comes to Halloween. In a 15-second spot, he gives his opinion of masquerade parties: "Sometimes it's best to be yourself. This is not one of those times." See it here. In keeping with the Halloween theme, Dos Equis is giving six fans over 21 the chance to win an all-expense-paid trip for two to New Orleans to meet The Most Interesting Man and party with Q-Tip on November 22. Fans can enter the contest by posting Masquerade and Halloween photos to Instagram using the hashtag #XXMasquerade or uploading them to XXMasquerade.com. Another way to enter is to purchase Dos Equis and text/email a photo of the receipt to XX@DESWEEP.com. Every photo posted, uploaded or texted/emailed becomes another chance to win.

  • arcoARCO gas has launched a trio of TV ads encouraging drivers to treat their cars well by selecting a top-tier gas for cheap. In "Treat," a woman decides to clean her car from top to bottom after she filled up with ARCO. She scrubs the car inside and out, and finds some suspect items, like old milk and a French fry. Viewers then realize that she's only imagining cleaning her car, and in reality decided to put it off, afraid of what she might find. See it here. One man treats his truck to ARCO gas because the truck has seen him at his lowest points: moments of bad singing, bad driving and pining for a lost love. Hush premium gas? Watch it here. The final ad shows a SUV owner sorry for the ordeals he's put his car through: everything from countless soda spills and chopping cart dings to dog drool. So ARCO it is. See it here. "Your car puts up with a lot. Help protect it from harmful engine deposits. ARCO has quality Top Tier gas for less," closes each ad. RPA created the campaign.

  • skullcandyLife is filled with challenges big and small, like finding the perfect headphones that stay put, even when you sweat. I'm still on this journey, but after watching a TV spot for Skullcandy's line of sport headphones, I might give them a try. The ad follows a day in the life of Kyrie Irving, point guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers, as he trains for the upcoming season. There's more to basketball than practicing on the court. Irving trains hard off the court, doing push-ups, kettle bell swings and TRX. He chooses pain and discipline because hard work gets you off the bench and into the game. Throughout Irving's rough training regimen, his headphones remain in place. "Without the push, you don't get to play," closes the ad, seen here and created by Gifted Youth and Therapy Studios.

  • dodgeDodge pays homage to its company founders John and Horace Dodge with a fictional tale and a sneak peak at the 2015 Dodge Challenger. The brothers founded the company more than 100 years ago, and their spirit is kept alive in "Ballroom." The ad shows the brothers partying hard with their closest hundreds of friends. The duo worked hard and played hard, as evident from the celebration, albeit fictional, portrayed in the ad. As the brothers leave their party, their cars await them; alongside the original Dodge cars is the 2015 Challenger. The passion lives on. "Ballroom" debuted over the weekend during college and professional football games. See it here, created by Wieden+Kennedy Portland.

  • finnfriendsRandom iPad App of the week: Just in time for Halloween, Pepperidge Farms' Goldfish characters have a mystery to solve with "The Case of the Mystifying Mummy." This is the third interactive storybook in the series, and is available for free in the App Store. Parents and kids can read the story, play games and search for clues along with Finn and the mystery squad (Brooke, Gilbert and Xtreme). Geometry Global created the app. Download it here.