Scion: Zeus & The High Voltage tC

I don't know if I'm the only one or not but i found out this ad from Scion, apparently is a car brand but I've never heard about it.

Anyway, today I'm in the mood for light things and so i don't want to say much, especially because there aren't any particular interesting results or innovating techniques used here. Its simply funny and there's nothing else to it. Here you go:

"Zeus unleashes his power on the Scion tC, thus creating the limited edition "High Voltage" Scion tC Release Series. He's only made 2200 of them because he has other things to do."

Viagra: Apologies To Your Golf Buddies Ad

I'm in a hurry right now, so here's a short but amazing campaign from Viagra. It's great how they only need 18 seconds to pass the message. Enjoy:

The Creative Recruting Iniciative Continues!

This afternoon I had the second interview for that job i posted before brought by Could Be Love and "The Client" and who would of say that they had another really cool surprise stored for us.

 

This time the offered us the opportunity to see Lisbon, our own city with tourist eyes. What i mean with this is that they had a red bus just like the old English buses, but with the rooftop open, a nice sofa and some puffs for us to chill and admire the city while waiting for our turn to be interviewed downstairs.

Ahhh, what an amazing day!

With me on this lovely adventure where 3 more people and for them i wish the biggest luck. Other than that, once again i can't thank you all enough all of you for providing another fantastic experience just like before.

Cheers and keep it up y'all!

Coca-Cola's Fukien Tea Plants Billboard

Since today's theme is "green", here we have another fantastic action of social responsibility regarding air pollution from Coca-Cola and the World Wildlife Fund.

This new 60-by-60-foot billboard in the Philippines is covered in Fukien tea plants, which absorb air pollution. Supposedly each plant can absorb up to 13 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. The big picture is that this massive billboard helps to clear out the air.

How did they do it you ask? The plants are planted in 3,600 pots made from old Coke bottles and designed to help the plants grow sideways combined with a drip irrigation system that was installed and that saves water and fertilizer by allowing water to drip slowly to the roots of plants.

The project was made in an effort to complete Coca-Cola Philippines "Live Positively" program which includes conservation of critical watersheds in the Philippines and in support of the "Earth Hour"

GREENPEACE: Anti-Volkswagen "Dark Side"

Enough with the Cannes Lions winners. Today on my usual ad research i found this funny and very interesting response against Volkswagen, using their own Star Wars Commercial

This campaign was created by GREENPEACE in order to fight Volkswagen's Dark Side, who opposes key environmental laws that are important to prevent our planet going the way of "Alderaan (bye bye)". Supposedly the brand try's to pass the image of being green, when actually they do the opposite of that with various actions.
 

"But all is not lost. We feel the good in Volkswagen" and that is the main idea surrounding the "VW: Dark Side"  campaign.

I don't know for sure if all of what GREENPEACE implies is true. However if not, this might be a major blow in the brand's image that can bring problems if not taken care of, especially because its a social responsibility issue and people take that more seriously each day.

Social responsibility nowadays is something mandatory. Company's can't take the luxury to choose not to do so. If they don't, people are starting more and more to decide not to be associated to products from brands who don't do their share to help at least a bit the world.

So, for your sake Volkswagen i hope this ain't true especially since your a renowned brand who should and i know that knows better.

Never the less if you fancy this action, you can also JOIN the other "Jedi" in this rebellion at their site or simply check it out.

"Pay With a Tweet" Cannes Lions Cyber Category Winner

Another winner at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity was the campaign "Pay with a tweet" from the agency R/GA, based in New York.

Personally i don't use much Twitter and in Portugal i think it isn't that much popular like for example Facebook, but that doesn't matter here since this is a world known social network and can be used to reach everyone, anywhere to communicate and sell anything from products to ideas.

So, i have to say that this idea is extremely innovating, brilliant and most effective because in today's world the value of people talking about your product is sometimes higher than the money you would get for it. Social networks are showing more their full potential's every day and this is one demonstration of that. What will come next? its thrilling just to imagine!

  

Pay with a Tweet is the first social payment system, where people pay with the value of their social network. This application was launched simultaneously with the release of their book "Oh My God What Happened And What Should I Do?". 

The concept is simple, people who have something to sell simply add the "Pay With A Tweet" button to their site. Then people simply click on it, tweet about the product and are able to download it: a book, album, or whatever. What began as a promotion became a whole new way to trade content online.

Check it out here to understand exactly what this is about and some of its results:

 

"NAB: break up" Cannes Lions PR Category Winner

Today I bring you another Cannes Lions "Grand Prix" award winner. It was Clemmenger BBDO, Melbourne, Australia for the “Break up” campaign in the PR category.

The Briefing

Consumer research has shown how much people disliked and distrusted the four big banks in Australia (NAB included as one of them). They were annoyed how the big banks pretended to be competing with each other, when they were in fact in bed together trying to make a profit. 

Regardless of the truth, the perception of this teamwork between the banks was clearly imbedded in people's minds. So much, that NAB knew their goal had to be: Overcome this perception barrier, so the public would finally acknowledge the real truth, that in the last 2 years they had undergone in big changes to become more fair and competitive.

With this stated, a brilliant and funny campaign was created in such a way that in a single day the public’s perception of the bank was absolutely transformed. By actively harnessing the Australian media across multiple channels simultaneously, NAB’s changes were given an immediate credibility that traditional advertising simply could not deliver. People now see the bank as not only different, more fair and competitive but also much more relatable and human.

Just check out this formidable campaign and its results:

The winner campaigns I've been watching in this year's festival are absolutely brilliant and if you have the chance check them all out, but if not, at least the winners. They all deserve an applause for such spectacular work.

The way advertisers have been using lots of different and innovating tools is fantastic. Each time i see a great idea, i think: "how is possible to something bigger than this or more creative?" but then there it is. A new campaign, using new tools and showing huge results. Like for example the "Decode Jay-Z with Bing" that I've posted before and was the "Grand Prix" award winner for the Outdoor category, after that the "Tesco: Homeplus Subway Virtual Store" or now this one from "NAB: Break up"

This is the reason i LOVE Marketing, Advertising and PR. Its a world that never stops to grow and never ceases to amaze!

"Homeplus: Virtual Subway Store" Cannes Lions Media Category Winner

Here we have the "Grand Prix" award winner in the category of Media Lions at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. It is an extraordinary campaign and i was simply amazed by it.

 

The Idea

South Korea is a unique market. Even the most powerful global corporations tend to fail miserably there. However TESCO has been evolving and adjusting to the local market. It even changed the name itself, from TESCO to HOMEPLUS. Eventually it grew up to become No. 2 in Korea but it had to overcome one obstacle which was fewer stores compared to the No. 1 company, E-mart.

For that they conducted a market study to better understand the current needs. Koreans are the 2nd most hard-working people in the world and  for them, grocery shopping once a week is a horrible task. Knowing that they've came with a brilliant idea: Let the store come to the people!

They created virtual stores in subway stations, hoping to take advantage of the "unoccupied" time while people wait and blend their products into their everyday lives. The first attempt was at busy subway stations in rush hours. How crazy is this? brilliant!

Although virtual, the displays were exactly the same as actual stores but with one difference. Here we use smart phones to shop. Just scan the QR code with your phone, and the product automatically lands in our on-line cart. When the online purchase is done, it will be delivered to our door right after we get home.

 

Results

The campaign results are outstanding and it feels quite good to see so because it makes me want to try it out! 

- Currently, HOMEPLUS is No.1 in the on-line market and is a very close 2nd offline. 

- People can now encounter TESCO HOMEPLUS wherever they go without having to visit the actual store. 

- On-line sales increased tremendously (Nov.2010-Jan.2011), about 130%.

- Through this campaign, 10,287 consumers visited the online HOMEPLUS mall using smartphones and the number of new registered members rose by 76%.

To conclude, technology is something that can take us anywhere and this is the proof. Its one thing to make your shopping online in the market website, but to be able and do it anywhere and in a way that we can save up time for other activities is absolutely perfect.

Check it out:

Awesome!

Obama's New Marketing Strategy: Yes, We Tweet!

The U.S. presidential elections are approaching and with them, begin to appear the new strategic marketing genialities from President Barack Obama, candidate for reelection. 

In 2008, Barack Obama and his PR and communication team were responsible for introducing innovative marketing tactics in politics that served later on as references for several candidates for public office.

In general, the strategies were focused on the Internet and other digital platforms. Not being different, the new wave of communication ideas to bring voters to the president, also a candidate, he will return to the digital world with new and important teachings.

The media reported this past weekend that Barack Obama is personally behind the posts made on his Twitter profile.

For some, this may not seem to mean much. However, pay attention to one thing:

After Barack Obama inspired thousands of politicians around the world and having them follow similar models of strategy in internet relationships, there is no denying that when it comes to communication, President Obama has an enormous potential of influence. In other words, this brilliant new strategy to position itself as a mentor in their Twitter tweets, can indeed be another marketing tactic for the world of politics that can become popular and bring results, not only in the United States.

As mentioned by several international  means and also by the presidents PR team, from now on, all tweets from @ BarackObama that are signed with "BO" are written by Obama himself. 

This new strategy is part of the political campaign that has already begun in the Democratic Party for the presidential election to be held in 2012.

Barack Obama will expose his personal views on various subjects, without having to go through his consultancy aides that were solely responsible fort that. 

Now, Barack Obama will make a new school, teaching all politicians that humanization when communicating will increase the empathy of the voting public, focusing, more than ever, the more transparent candidates .

Source: ADivertido

Coppafeel:The Boob Tube Campaign

Today, as i read a story of a young Hero (i think its adequate to call her that for all that she is trying to do), i became extremely sympathetic with her cause and had the need to try and help a bit at least by sharing this with all of you. Also, their latest campaign to spread the word is absolutely wonderful and funny making it perfect for me to post it here in my blog.

Her name is Kristin Hallenga, and she young breast cancer survivor who was frustrated about her own misdiagnosis by a doctor. After this life changing experience Kristin is determined to get young women to known their breasts better by “copping a feel” regularly so that lumps can be detected early. To create awareness for that subject she started “Coppafeel", which it’s a UK non profit organization that makes various campaigns for that matter.

For their latest action in this journey for breast cancer awareness, Coppafeel teamed up with the staff at AOL and created the very first literal Boob Tube. Early morning London commuters were greeted by an army of boobs and were told to start checking their boobs because it could save their life one day. Just watch:

 

Doing a campaign like this in the middle of London is bound to get great notoriety especially because they grabbed a really serious issue and promoted it in a very amusing way.

You can check her site which is very easy going, treating this issue in a way that its softer for everyone to deal with at: http://www.coppafeel.org/

A New Creative Recruiting Initiative by Could Be Love

Some time ago i applied for a promotion work through a promotion agency called "Could be Love". I wasn't told much at the start, just that we were going to promote something for some multi national company with a very good salary and that we were 150 going to this first interview (25 will be chosen in the end). Later on i was surprised to know that the client is a huge renowned International company, which name i can't say for legal issues and that the best promoter in the end will get an INTERNSHIP with them, how great is that? my new goal is set!

However, want to tell you about is the day that they prepared for us. Its a whole new creative recruiting initiative that i never saw before in an interview and that i will be completely honest by saying this.. If i don't pass to the second round i wont be mad, disappointed maybe, since i really want that internship but ill never forget that day. The organization was absolutely fantastic, the whole team from Could be Love and the Client were extremely helpful and in complete sync. 

The day started off with some great activities like inverted jump (opposite of bungee jump), riding a speed boat, an extreme epic helicopter flight and some tai chi lessons to relax at the end. After all of those new experiences we had the most amazing lunch prepared for us with more than 5 different main courses and desserts, quite the work there invested for us.

Then while each one waited for its turn to be interviewed, we could pass the time playing one of the six consoles that they had there, maybe playing some pool, ping pong or even just sit in some sofas listening to some music by the dj while preparing for that moment when we would be called by the number we got at the beginning, just like cattle. Just kidding ;p

Finally i was called and it went really smooth and good, i sang some songs from "The Lion King" to amuse everyone and answered some more serious questions. I was really happy with the outcome of it and now I'm anxiously waiting for the results to know if I'm on the next step.

To conclude, congratulations and thank you very much for everything. I think the objective of this huge effort from them was accomplished since in my case after this day i told everyone i know about it and i can say for sure that everyone did the same. Giving so the "Client" and Could be Love the so deserved recognition for it.

I sincerely hope to see you all soon.

Budweiser Ice Cold Index

Every passing day it becomes more and more important to add value to people's lives, so that these might see their needs met in the best way. Nowadays in this world where people are getting more demanding each second, interaction with consumers is what makes that possible and the mobile applications that are showing up are one of the means that can materialize very effectively that so needed interaction. Here is one of the latest examples with the Budweiser Ice Cold Index.

 With the arrival of heat, more specifically in Europe, Budweiser launched a new app for several devices like iPhone, Android, Blackberry and Nokia that can be used for now in Ireland. It offers discounts in the act of buying beer (a pint) according to the local temperature where you are standing. The hotter it is, the bigger the discount. Check out how it works:

It is in fact a brilliant way to interact with consumers and especially to get more people to drink Budweiser. I don't know the results that this campaign got but I'm sure that they must of been positive and that if they take it to other country's it will probably be a huge success.

If I die App: Death Can Catch You Anywhere, Anytime!

The reason I'm going to talk about this campaign is not because its from Facebook, nothing like that. Its imply to show how something so morbid can in fact bring great results.

If those numbers are true, then I'm quite impressed how someone calling you on the phone and saying that death catches anyone, anytime makes that person go and record something for when he/she dies!

It was a very well thought out idea that was guaranteed to get lots of the media attention if done properly, since people don't usualy think about death and here you have that subject thrown right in your face without any warning.

I just have one question after seeing this video. Whats with that "Location Tracker v1.9.84" ? was it the C.I.A that did this campaign with that awesome gadget? and does Arnold Schwarzenegger work for them? After hearing that voice saying you might die, i believe so!

I really enjoyed this for all of these little things and because they've shown us a very interesting way to work this theme that i would never expect and if it happened to me I'd be shocked but would probably go see the app for sure.

Bing | Decode Jay-Z Case Study

Everyone pay close attention to this campaign that it's simply out of this world!

In 2010, Bing wanted to increase their relevance with the young audience, and at that same time Jay-Z was about to launch his autobiography "Decoded". With one big creative idea the two of them got together, connecting Jay-Z with a new demographic public and giving millions a reason to use Bing. 

The campaign involved placing each of the 320 pages of the book in 600 unique advertising placements of 15 cities around the world. Then with some clues that were given, people were able to claim prizes if they identified the pages locations on Bing Maps. 

 

Bing deserves a lot of credit for pulling this off, this campaign must have cost multi-millions. Everything needed to be planned in great detail and especially being able to make this happen in so many different and noticeable spots around the world is something to be congratulated for sure. Evidently the results were outstanding as you could see in the video. The attention that they've got from the media was insane along with the extraordinary increase of number of visits in one single month allowing them to enter the top 10 most visited sites for the first time. Congratulations for something so good and in the end, entertaining.

Direct Marketing Campaign by ArtCenter: La Pizza

In São Paulo Brazil there are more than 40 printing companies, but ArtCenter is the one that pops out with this direct marketing campaign. They delivered free pizzas to all the advertising agencies in town. But it were no ordinary pizzas, the topping of the pizzas was printed onto the dough

If i received something like this from my competition, i gotta say that I'd be totally blown away by it. Fantastic!

Marketing: Brands with the Biggest Rep. in the World

Do you have any idea of which are the biggest brands in the world? well, Google, Apple e Walt Disney occupy the top 3 places in the ranking according to a study made by the Reputation Institute.

"Strong brands do not automatically imply a strong reputation. It takes more than a strong brand to build trust, respect and support, "says the study, quoted by Lusa, which evaluated the 100 most reputable companies for a total of 15 countries.

Lego and BMW are two brands that round out the list of five most reputable. The top 10 comes complete with Sony, Daimler, Canon, Intel and Volkswagen. Lego and Canon are by comparison with 2010, the two new entries in the list of ten most reputable. Google has already won first place last year. Leadership, innovation, services and workspace are some of the points included in the study by the Reputation Institute.

Source: Agencia Financeira

“Le Mejor Excusa Del Mundo” To Go Out Drinking

My fellow friends around the world, today i bring you the biggest news of all times. Read and delight yourselves with something so beautiful that will make you smile forever.

Cerveza Norte, an the Argentinian beer came up with an extraordinary advertising campaign, “Le Mejor Excusa Del Mundo” (The Best Excuse In the World) which is absolutely perfect to capture their targets attention and at the same time show how the the company is committed in social responsibility. I have to admit that this ad is suberb. 

Men always needed a good excuse to go out to the bar and drink beer with their friends. They needed the best excuse ever and so for each Norte beer a man drank at the bar, the brand would convert that in one minute of good deeds. They put counters in the street with the accumulated minutes and a Norte team was in charge of the work.In the end those deeds could be followed on the Internet at: http://www.facebook.com/cervezanorte

 

So there you have it, 1 bottle cap = 1 minute of good deeds! and with that the more man drank, the nicer the city became. Now we can only hope that one day this initiative might arrive at our door step.

Before & After Ronaldo: Nike Ad

As a tribute for providing us with such phenomenal moments for so many years, i wish to start the day by this post and saying: Obrigado minino!

Recently the famous Brazilian Ronaldo played his farewell match with Brazil’s national team against Romania and Nike made this amazing commercial in his honor. The B.R. and A.R. are central in this spot, obviously meaning before and after the one and only Ronaldo with the number 9 on his shirt.

The intent of establishing Ronaldo as a mark of time just like B.C. and A.C. is brilliant. He really was like god but in this sport, a supreme being that changed football through out the whole world in his time and Nike caught that perfectly with this set of images. Just watch and see it for yourself.

Best Beer Ever!

Prepare yourselves for the beer EVER!

I don't want to talk much about it, i simply want  to share with all of you this commercial. The "epicness" that is shown here, on the making of this ultimate "Macho" drink is off the charts. The simple fact that it has the Night Rider theme song is enough to say its the best beer ever made.

I am actually stunned by the elements that they put in the ad. They turned it in something so perfect that this can probably be the worst drink in the world, but after seeing this, i guarantee you that if i find it on a store i will buy it at least once to try it out and feel the super going in!

The Electric Life is the Future

The final project that i did in my Marketing, Advertising, PR degree was a Marketing Plan for Renault Z.E. and its electric cars. Now I'm very happy to write this post, which is about an ad made by the brand that appeals to the use of electric energy in cars.

The way this ad shows us the truth with the right bit oh humor is fantastic. Humanity as converted nowadays almost everything to run with electric power, so why shouldn't we choose our means of travel supported with that same characteristic if the technology already exists?

My opinion after completing my project, is that the positive aspects are so much greater in every way like for example regarding the costs and quickness for charging the battery, costs of maintenance, the pollution matter, ect. Yes, we give more importance to what other people think and how they see us, and for that we might be reluctant to embrace something new and so different as soon as its available despite the advantages. However, keep in mind that technology is the future and with time mentalities will change.

Maybe Not so Fresh.. Awful!

Since I've never talked about anything really bad here in my blog, this time I'm going to dedicate this post to that exact matter with this McDonald's "Made on the Spot" placemat. Lets see.

I ask you sir Israelian, does this really pass the idea of freshness to the salads that are made McDonald's? For what i can see, this can probably be a cutting board from last year... Doesn't look very hygienic in my opinion. The references they use to pass the message of being fresh are pretty weak especially when the subject is food. Its very easy to get the wrong idea if not done properly.

Not an impressive campaign i should say, but hey, i can also be wrong. What are your thoughts about it? plz do share!