Husband forgetting the wife's birthday has been taken to a next level. A very nice ad that shows how a mother saves her son on his wife's birthday. No excesses, nice acting, and a good edit. The ad ends with these words "Heera dene waalon ka dil bhi heere jaise hota hai"! Wow!
But wait a minute, isn't the ad supposed to sell jewellery???!!! Why then does the ad end up selling the mother??!!
A better closing line, in my view, would have been "Hamare heere, dene waalon ke dil ke jaise hoten hain"! This highlights the mother's goodness and equates the diamond to the mother's heart! Don't you agree?
Thursday 30 October 2014
Thursday 9 October 2014
Hudson's Low Sugar Blood
Why can't people see the ads they have created in one full piece??????
The top of the ad talks about low sugar blood not coming in a box, and then there's a huge bottle of Hudson Canola Oil. So low sugar blood comes in a bottle and is called Hudson?
Hire an agency, guys!! Or at least someone who can think!!
Style One, Meaning Many
What!!!!!!
That was my first reaction when I saw the ad the first time (actually, every time after that too!). Buy 3, get 1 free! But what? People? That's the feeling I get from the ad. What exactly are they trying to sell?
This ad would not have caught my attention if they had used just one model. Their idea, I'm sure, is to convey that they cater to the entire family. But ironically the matching 3 (3 models and 'Buy 3') is what causes the confusion, or rather makes the ad funny.
And guys, the models look so pretentious that it is a put-off!!
Hire an agency guys!!
That was my first reaction when I saw the ad the first time (actually, every time after that too!). Buy 3, get 1 free! But what? People? That's the feeling I get from the ad. What exactly are they trying to sell?
This ad would not have caught my attention if they had used just one model. Their idea, I'm sure, is to convey that they cater to the entire family. But ironically the matching 3 (3 models and 'Buy 3') is what causes the confusion, or rather makes the ad funny.
And guys, the models look so pretentious that it is a put-off!!
Hire an agency guys!!
Wednesday 24 September 2014
Feel like a fool?
When you say 'feel like an eden meal today?', doesn't it mean 'are you feeling like you are food today'?
Well I get the song! But in this context, it doesn't mean what it is meant to. Knock off the meal and then it will all make sense! See just what a word can do!!!
Reason why people need ad agencies. In my career running an agency, I have come across many clients who think they are creative geniuses. If they think they can do the work of an agency, here's a guarantee to 'feel like a fool' later.
Well I get the song! But in this context, it doesn't mean what it is meant to. Knock off the meal and then it will all make sense! See just what a word can do!!!
Reason why people need ad agencies. In my career running an agency, I have come across many clients who think they are creative geniuses. If they think they can do the work of an agency, here's a guarantee to 'feel like a fool' later.
Monday 8 September 2014
Confused!
What do you think this ad is for?
.
.
.
A mobile? Some mobile store?
I would love to say you are right! But you are not! Again, not your fault. Frankly I thought so too and then I was shocked when I saw the brand and the copy. See for yourself.
Isn't it commonsense to use a picture that highlights the product? Okay, not always. I know! But how can your ad/picture highlight another product?
That's so wrong! Grossly misguiding picture, this! I have heard jewellers misguide you when it comes to purity, making charges, etc. But this is new. Either GRT didn't use an agency or the agency was so lost in the bigger scheme of things, that they missed this completely.
Couldn't find out who the agency is now, though in 2012 JWT won the account. This surely doesn't look like JWT's work!
Sunday 17 August 2014
Wah Daawat (LLP) Wah!
Impeccable copy, finest acting, inspiring frames and the absolute truth. Simply brilliant!
Food is a healer, binder and make-fonder in Indian families, and this has been beautifully captured here. Though this is the original 1 minute version, the 15/30 sec edits on TV also convey the same emotions with no loss of value.
I have nothing else to say about this ad. I mean, what can I?!
Lowe Lintas and Partners, kudos!
Food is a healer, binder and make-fonder in Indian families, and this has been beautifully captured here. Though this is the original 1 minute version, the 15/30 sec edits on TV also convey the same emotions with no loss of value.
I have nothing else to say about this ad. I mean, what can I?!
Lowe Lintas and Partners, kudos!
Saturday 16 August 2014
'Feels That Bad' in the end - Volkswagon Polo
A nice ad tapping the sentiments of the second child.
He always gets second-hand stuff, from books to uniform to shoes to cycles. He looks at the older brother with longing. Natural.
Now this is where we all expect a major twist in the tale. But does it happen? Well, I wouldn't be writing this if it had, right?!
Looks like the director/writer didn't know how to end this. The last shot shows a guy driving a Polo overtaking another car. It is fair to expect viewers to assume that the guy driving the Polo is the younger one and the other driver is the older brother. Is it obvious? No. Will people miss it? Definitely. But the bigger issue here is this. Since the other car is never shown, for all you know, the other guy could be driving a BMW!!
My point here is very simple. Viewers expect a twist in the tale and there's nothing here. A sad ending to an ad beautifully begun. Really 'feels that bad' in the end!
DDB Mudra.. expected more after the Union Bank ad.
He always gets second-hand stuff, from books to uniform to shoes to cycles. He looks at the older brother with longing. Natural.
Now this is where we all expect a major twist in the tale. But does it happen? Well, I wouldn't be writing this if it had, right?!
Looks like the director/writer didn't know how to end this. The last shot shows a guy driving a Polo overtaking another car. It is fair to expect viewers to assume that the guy driving the Polo is the younger one and the other driver is the older brother. Is it obvious? No. Will people miss it? Definitely. But the bigger issue here is this. Since the other car is never shown, for all you know, the other guy could be driving a BMW!!
My point here is very simple. Viewers expect a twist in the tale and there's nothing here. A sad ending to an ad beautifully begun. Really 'feels that bad' in the end!
DDB Mudra.. expected more after the Union Bank ad.
Wednesday 13 August 2014
Delsey-ly Unreal!
I know of slice-of-life ads, I-wanna-be (aspirational) ads, anything-but-true funny ads, functional ads, etc. But a stupid, it-means-nothing ad is difficult to come across. I found one! But trust me, I'm not delighted. It is definitely not like finding truffles! It is more like finding a rotten mushroom.
Okay, just see this one.
10 marks to anyone who can tell me why this visual was used!
Well, let see. It is Delsey Paris, so the Eiffel Tower. It is unisex, so we have a male and female. Fashion product, so swankily dressed models (on a cycle?????). What a way to put together an ad! What I just can't seem to understand is why the hell the woman is pulling the suitcase while on the cycle! Who does that?!!!! WHO DOES THAT??!!
I don't know who the agency is, but I think they were playing Lego while making this ad. Label the blocks with all that you want and then just pile them up!
Oh, I forgot the discount bit. That's there too.
Okay, just see this one.
10 marks to anyone who can tell me why this visual was used!
Well, let see. It is Delsey Paris, so the Eiffel Tower. It is unisex, so we have a male and female. Fashion product, so swankily dressed models (on a cycle?????). What a way to put together an ad! What I just can't seem to understand is why the hell the woman is pulling the suitcase while on the cycle! Who does that?!!!! WHO DOES THAT??!!
I don't know who the agency is, but I think they were playing Lego while making this ad. Label the blocks with all that you want and then just pile them up!
Oh, I forgot the discount bit. That's there too.
Saturday 2 August 2014
Zoiro finds a cure for ADHD
Is this what was meant to be said?
Nice colours and a good layout. But if this was meant to be for men with ADHD (Attention Deficiency Hyperactivity Disorder), why show a young man? [please do read between the lines!]
Well, I get it that you are trying to be creative, but in my opinion, this is not even remotely close to what men want. Or even women, for that matter!
Creativity for the sake of it sucks! Another of those 'kuch bhi' ads!
Friday 1 August 2014
100% off track?
Really??? "Shoe Love is True Love"???
Is this all the agency could think of? Or this could be a great way to punish a client who does not pay!
This ad is the result of a great combination of a rookie writer and a veteran account manager. The rookie writer comes up with such lines and the veteran account manager sells it to clients.
It is when I see ads like this that I think that ads don't need headlines at all.
Seriously, kuch bhi, eh?
Thursday 31 July 2014
SpiceJet pregnant!
Take a quick glance at this ad first.
A woman making a pregnancy announcement? That's what I thought too! One thing is the model's posture and add to that the red box and the megaphone!
This is a problem when the agency/client refuses to think beyond the corporate colours. One glance at the ad should have told them to change the colour of the red box.
Dentsu Marcomm, please see the ads you create before sending them out!
Just for fun: Did you notice the 'On Time Guarantee' mnemonic on the top right, right above the megaphone!?
A woman making a pregnancy announcement? That's what I thought too! One thing is the model's posture and add to that the red box and the megaphone!
This is a problem when the agency/client refuses to think beyond the corporate colours. One glance at the ad should have told them to change the colour of the red box.
Dentsu Marcomm, please see the ads you create before sending them out!
Just for fun: Did you notice the 'On Time Guarantee' mnemonic on the top right, right above the megaphone!?
Tuesday 22 July 2014
Naseeruddin Shah Wasted!
Just in case you haven't seen this ad, please do before you read on.
Now, tell me something, half way through the ad, what did you think the ad was for? Do you have the habit of guessing what ads are for? I do. Going by the colours, music, actors, dialogue (monologue, here) etc, I really thought it was a surrogate for a liquor brand. Some scotch perhaps!
You thought so too? Well, It's not your fault. The treatment of the ad is exactly like that.
Such a dark ad for a financial services company!! Are they referring to our futures (as clients)? ;-)
Looking at Bajaj Finserv's logo, I would assume that the house colours would be blue and white. So why does the ad show only shades of grey? Why could they not have shot the same ad in bright sunlight? It would have reflected the brand values better and given consumers some confidence!
Plus, I'm sick of stupid word play. 'Would history have remembered Alexander the Good?' Has history remembered Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu? No!!! Because she was known to the world as Mother Teresa. Come on guys, heroes are always described using extreme superlatives. There's nothing more to it! If Alexander was known as 'Alexander the Good', the world would have remembered it that way. Period.
Way off the mark O&M, Mumbai! I'm surprised! I would have thought it was some amateur agency!
Now, tell me something, half way through the ad, what did you think the ad was for? Do you have the habit of guessing what ads are for? I do. Going by the colours, music, actors, dialogue (monologue, here) etc, I really thought it was a surrogate for a liquor brand. Some scotch perhaps!
You thought so too? Well, It's not your fault. The treatment of the ad is exactly like that.
Such a dark ad for a financial services company!! Are they referring to our futures (as clients)? ;-)
Looking at Bajaj Finserv's logo, I would assume that the house colours would be blue and white. So why does the ad show only shades of grey? Why could they not have shot the same ad in bright sunlight? It would have reflected the brand values better and given consumers some confidence!
Plus, I'm sick of stupid word play. 'Would history have remembered Alexander the Good?' Has history remembered Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu? No!!! Because she was known to the world as Mother Teresa. Come on guys, heroes are always described using extreme superlatives. There's nothing more to it! If Alexander was known as 'Alexander the Good', the world would have remembered it that way. Period.
Way off the mark O&M, Mumbai! I'm surprised! I would have thought it was some amateur agency!
Friday 18 July 2014
The sad little Marrybrown logo
Marrybrown was established in the 20th century. Sounds like history? Well at least the logo looks exactly that. The Marrybrown logo has undergone no change whatsoever ever since the fast food chain's launch in 1981.
I'll now let you in on a secret. One of the many on how agencies make the kind of money they do. The first thing every (well, almost) new agency wants to change is the logo. Every time! (Read this as an opportunity to change every single marketing collateral already created and in use! Don't forget the billing!) Everything else comes later. Trust the agency guys to come up with compelling reasons. What's the connection? All I'm trying to say is that this sad little logo hasn't even got that opportunity.
Consider competition now. See how the other logos have evolved
I'm definitely not advocating a change in logo every whatever years. But styles change, new types are created every day. Different combinations of styles, colours and types are in vogue at different times. If you do not change with the times, all the best! Or should I say, best of luck?
Grow up guys! Do something about your logo!
Disclaimer (I told you I'm habituated to adding disclaimers!):
All the pictures used are just taken from the internet. Thank you wikipedia.org, famouslogos.us and ksdesignblog.blogspot.com.
Kareena ad featuring a Jag!
Why the hell will you use a celebrity to sell a premium luxury saloon!!
I was always under the impression that you target the aspirational buyer using celebrities. A car that costs 92 lakhs is no way bought by the aspirers! And if you think you can make a man spend 92 lakhs showing Kareena, I'm sorry, you have no clue about the consumer's mind.
And BTW, the ad shows more Kareena than the car. Looks like the car is just incidental.
You completely lost it Spark44, London!
How do you sell a premium saloon? See this ad for Audi A6.
I was always under the impression that you target the aspirational buyer using celebrities. A car that costs 92 lakhs is no way bought by the aspirers! And if you think you can make a man spend 92 lakhs showing Kareena, I'm sorry, you have no clue about the consumer's mind.
And BTW, the ad shows more Kareena than the car. Looks like the car is just incidental.
You completely lost it Spark44, London!
How do you sell a premium saloon? See this ad for Audi A6.
Thursday 17 July 2014
▶ Union Bank of India 2014 ad
Are good ads becoming rare nowadays? Most often I'm left with a 'Kuch Bhi??!!' feeling. I'm sure you can relate to that.
Here's a good one that's running on TV now. This TVC is part of a 5-ad campaign featuring a family headed by veteran actor Pankaj Kapoor.
This is not the first ad of the campaign, but doesn't matter! The ad shows the family at a jewelry shop. It is debatable if such a retired father would take his wife to TBZ Jewellers! The ad opens with the wife trying out necklaces and Pankaj trying to manipulate her choice keeping in mind his budget. The son who realizes this takes his phone and transfers money into the father's account. The father gets a message on his phone saying that money has been deposited. The father immediately understands what has happened and looks at his son in an absolutely touching shot. I'll let you see for yourself rather than typing all these words!
The slice of life ad has no excesses, no 'ewws', and leaves nothing imcomplete.
Congratulations DDB Mudra, good job!
Here's a good one that's running on TV now. This TVC is part of a 5-ad campaign featuring a family headed by veteran actor Pankaj Kapoor.
This is not the first ad of the campaign, but doesn't matter! The ad shows the family at a jewelry shop. It is debatable if such a retired father would take his wife to TBZ Jewellers! The ad opens with the wife trying out necklaces and Pankaj trying to manipulate her choice keeping in mind his budget. The son who realizes this takes his phone and transfers money into the father's account. The father gets a message on his phone saying that money has been deposited. The father immediately understands what has happened and looks at his son in an absolutely touching shot. I'll let you see for yourself rather than typing all these words!
The slice of life ad has no excesses, no 'ewws', and leaves nothing imcomplete.
Congratulations DDB Mudra, good job!
Say Hello!
I'm not entirely sure how many other blogs like this there are and so I'm not promising any path-breaking exclusivity. But I can assure you that I did search for similar themes and I didn't come across many.
You might wonder if I didn't find anything else to write about; here's some background dope. I have been actively following the advertising scene for the last 16 years, a considerable part (10 years) of which I was an entrepreneur running an advertising and brand consulting firm. I currently am pursuing my passion to teach in one of India's finest B-Schools.
If you are still wondering what the connect is, think of me writing a blog on stock market investments!
It has become a habit now after creating thousands of ads to put an asterisk and say 'Conditions Apply'. So, some disclaimers.
1. The views expressed here are my own, however close to or far from reality they are.
2. The idea is not to promote or put down any brand, company or agency. The blog simply records what I feel about advertisements, logos, jingles etc.
3. Language is just a medium for communication and I strongly believe that no more importance be given to it. If poets are allowed poetic licence, then I should be allowed what I call creative licence. You will therefore find a lot of unorthodox adjectives, combination of words etc. (I'm sure you would have realized that already!)
Having said all this, Happy Journey! And hopefully it will be!
You might wonder if I didn't find anything else to write about; here's some background dope. I have been actively following the advertising scene for the last 16 years, a considerable part (10 years) of which I was an entrepreneur running an advertising and brand consulting firm. I currently am pursuing my passion to teach in one of India's finest B-Schools.
If you are still wondering what the connect is, think of me writing a blog on stock market investments!
It has become a habit now after creating thousands of ads to put an asterisk and say 'Conditions Apply'. So, some disclaimers.
1. The views expressed here are my own, however close to or far from reality they are.
2. The idea is not to promote or put down any brand, company or agency. The blog simply records what I feel about advertisements, logos, jingles etc.
3. Language is just a medium for communication and I strongly believe that no more importance be given to it. If poets are allowed poetic licence, then I should be allowed what I call creative licence. You will therefore find a lot of unorthodox adjectives, combination of words etc. (I'm sure you would have realized that already!)
Having said all this, Happy Journey! And hopefully it will be!
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