Favorite Five

There are so many ads that I have wanted to share with you and talk about. I have been seeing a lot of emotionally and creatively executed ads these last couple of days. They made me smile. They made me tear up. They did everything that a good ad does-- get me to feel something profound. They gave me the feels. Please take the time to watch these ads if you haven't yet. I am in awe of them. I realize the majority of the ones I choose are more feminist but gender equality is a major trend in advertising right now, as evident by this past summer's Cannes Lions. Here are my top five favorite new ads (not in any order):

Pretty in Print: Germany

I am a little late on this one. Pretty in Print is my bi-weekly feature. I highlight creative print ads from a certain country. This week I am looking at some of the best from Germany:

1.   TUS Haltern: Souvenirs
Scholz&Friends, NRW

"You can leave Haltern with souvenirs. But not with points"

In Celebration of COP21: The Best Eco-Friendly Ads

            Two weeks ago representatives from 196 countries came together in Paris, France for COP21, the United Nations climate change conference. On Saturday, December 12^th the group was triumphant in coming up with the first-ever global agreement to fight global warming, according to DOGOnews.

Boss Lady

My gender does not define me, I define my gender. If you are female you should be a feminist. If you are a male you are not the enemy. You too should be a feminist.

Why study abroad changed my life and set me on my career path

Me by some thermal pools at the Tongariro Crossing in New Zealand. I went there for holiday while living in Australia.

Travel circulates my body. It runs in my blood. My first time ever on a plane was to Australia. Go big or go home, right?

White Savior Racist Ad from Mexico: Follow up

About two weeks ago I posted an ad from Mexico that gave me a negative reaction. It was Coca Cola's Christmas advert in Mexico. When I was looking back at my post I realized the video had been taken off of YouTube. It looks like I am not the only who thought this ad was offensive.

What it means to be a man

I make it my mission to know what ads are being shown around the world. So I was a bit surprised when AdWeek released their 10 Most Watched Ads on Youtube in 2015 yesterday and there was one on there that I had never seen. Of course I watched it.

This ad you might have seen (because it has over 30 million views on Youtube!) but I am going to share it with you because if you haven't seen it yet you should!

Finals Time

No I didn't die... just all my extra time, effort and sanity have been taken ransom by my studies. Here's some of my favorite study time memes that just about sum up how I feel these last few days (and will be feeling for a few more). Yes most of them are based on cartoons but that is the level I am at now. Here's to all the current students and those who are reminiscing on these beautiful apocalyptic days.

Mog's Christmas Calamity

Mog sets off a series of unfortunate events that almost ruins Christmas for the Thomas family. See the chaos unravel!

Tis the season... lovin' these Christmas ads. Hope you get a chance to see Mog's Christmas Calamity. If you haven't already I have it posted below:

The Spanish Lottery Christmas Commercial 2015

November saw the release of Christmas advertisements in the form several short films across Europe, among other places. Now that it is in fact December and I've allowed myself to get into the Christmas spirit, I'm hooked! There's so many beautifully cinematic experiences by brands that set high standards for ads going into 2016.

11 Habits that Inspire Creativity

Maybe as a creative person you've been cast as a strange bird-- a little off beat and way too spontaneous. Have you been called random? Have you had to explain something to someone that makes perfect sense in your own little world, but not so much in the real one?

Well that's me.

Below are a few of my personal habits that have allowed my creativity to flow. Maybe if you are looking to ignite your creative flame you can try some of these things that work for me. Maybe some of these things have worked for you as well.

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I appreciate your support and always look forward to feedback!

Cheers!

Laura

White Savior Racist Ad from Mexico

Recently Coca Cola released an ad that spread an offensive holiday message to its white and Mestizo audience: bring civilization to indigenous people.

 

Emotional Christmas Commercial from Germany

If you need a reminder on what the holidays should really be about watch Edeka's new Christmas advert. It is guaranteed to make you choke up a little, perhaps reach for the tissue box.

Edeka, a German grocery store chain, delivers this spot just in time for the Christmas season. So today is Cyber Monday, the day many people will be living on their phones or PCs to get the best online deals. I want to forget about that for a second. Instead of thinking about money and how much I'm going to spend, I am going to enjoy this commercial. This is the part of Christmas I look forward to.

 

Creativity is a drug

John Lewis Christmas Advert 2015- #ManOnTheMoon (ft. Aldi's spoof)

Copywriting or Art Direction?

I have always had an obvious passion/ obsession for the visual arts and the written word. So when I went to an advertising conference in New York City this weekend and they told me I have to choose one, I really started to think about it. Do I want to be a copywriter or an art director?

Pretty in Print: Brazil

Hello! This is the second feature for Pretty in Print. Two weeks ago we looked at the beautiful art in print ads from Russia in Pretty in Print: Russia.

 Today we are venturing to South America to the land of white-sand beaches, wild rain forests and bustling cities. That's right-- Brazil.

These are what I think to be some of the most captivating creative pieces of print advertising straight out of Brazil:

1.     Zoo Safari: Lion

        DDB Sao Paulo

Body Art in Ads

"The Church says: the body is a sin. 

Science says: the body is a machine. 

Advertising says: The body is a business. 

The Body says: I am a fiesta."

-Eduardo Galeano, Walking Words

1.     Ford Environmental Conservation Award

        JWT, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Insecure Creative

If you're a truly creative person, you know that feeling insecure and lonely is par for the course. You can't have it both ways: You can't be creative, and conform too. You have to recognize that what makes you different also makes you creative

-Arno Penzias, Noble Prize winner for physics

Animal Selfies

Monkey see, monkey do?

I know a gorilla is not a monkey... same idea though!

Animal Selfies for National Geographic is an advertising campaign from Sao Paulo, Brazil for National Geographic and stock photo agency Diomedia. This photo series came out last Spring, but it is absolutely adorable so I will share it with you now. It says one thing that may or may not be for the better: selfies are NOT going away.

Think Small

Nothing is small in America. Big burgers. Over-the-top mansions. Wanting more and taking more: over-consumption is the cornerstone, unfortunately, of the country I come from. America the great.

That's why Volkswagen's ad from the 1960s is brilliant. While everything else about American culture was trying to be more, they showed that less could be more.

Think small.

These cars were built by the Nazis, looked like bugs, but became iconic to post-war (World War II) Americans. Cars were the symbols of masculinity and power. How was Doyle Dane Bernbach (DDB) able to make this product succeed in America and change the status quo of cars forever??

The First 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' TV Spot

With the much anticipated Star Wars: The Force Awakens film expected to debut in a little over a month, the first 30- second television commercial has finally just appeared, via Twitter. Let's just say you have to see it for yourself.

10 Hilarious Cultural Brand Blunders

As companies franchise into international markets they don't always get their marketing campaigns right. Some advertisements don't quite translate from country to country. Companies can lose millions with a campaign that isn't tailored specifically to their targeted segment. Their errors show that there are limitations to globalization.

 Even Homer Simpson would cringe at these mistakes!

The errors just also happen to be hilarious!

High School Girl?

This Japanese cosmetic company, Shiseido, cleverly shows the transformative use of its products. Watch the  commercial below (released October 2015).

Pretty in Print: Russia

I'm starting a new bi-weekly feature: Pretty in Print. Advertising can be so beautifully designed in its most traditional form. Even with the plague of social media marketing and the obsession with new technologies, good art direction and copy are the fundamentals for an ad. Print advertising can be the most effective medium for getting your message across.

Today we are going to Rossiyskaya Federatsiya, the land of contemporary creative cities and charming historical towns. Advertising agencies in Russia have created gorgeous pieces that capture the country's identity and display each brand's authenticity.

My favorite print advertisements from Russia:

1.     Museum of Architecture: Discover the Full Story
        Saatchi & Saatchi Russia

Design Business Cards To Remember

In a couple weeks, seven of my female classmates and I are hitting up the Big Apple for the Advertising Women of New York (AWNY) Career Conference. All of us who are going are a part of our campus advertising agency, Kwerkworks, a student chapter of the American Advertising Federation (AAF). 

Because this is an important opportunity to network and because I am the Chief Designer for AAF, I have offered to help each of my team members with making personalized business cards. I want each person's cards to reflect who they are as a professional. To do this I am planning on meeting one-on-one with those who want cards to get an idea of their strongest assets and design preferences.

Halloween Ads: Then & Now (Now)

These are some of my favorite recent Halloween ads from around the world. While most of the ads are from the United States, there are a couple really good ones from other countries that I have never seen before.When you look for quality content, you really will find it.

Dumb Ways to Die: Halloween (2014) (Australia)

One of the ads that has been getting a lot of attention is Tesco's Spookermart, from the UK. It was featured on AdWeek, showing a supermarket that set out to scare its customers at every turn. I love celebrating the holidays with the world at large. The seasons really bring us together in spirit.

Halloween Ads: Then & Now (Then)

Halloween is quickly approaching. I'm busting out my vintage Singer sewing machine to get going on making my costume. I'd tell you what I'm being, but it's a surprise!

In honor of the holiday tradition let's #tb to Halloweens of the past with these beautiful and sometimes unintentially creepy vintage ads.

Enjoy!

Coming Soon

Hi everyone!

There's a new section coming to my blog called "Laura the Explorer." I'm going to share some of my favorite adventures with you. The world is a beautiful, exciting place. I can't wait to share this gallery of photography with you, so you can see what I've seen.

Cheers!
Laura

My goals

I'm a pretty ambitious person, with oh-so-serious goals. I'm hoping to knock off some of these things within my lifetime:

1. Be an ex-pat (live and work abroad)
   
2. Have a pet dingo
3. Go to every continent (yes that includes Antarctica) 
4. Climb the Great Wall of China
5. Have a house with a rooftop patio and throw parties 
6. Leave clues for a treasure hunt around a city
7. Have an exchange student stay with me
8. Make a toast at an important event
9. Wear an edible outfit (think Lady Gaga)
10. Have my name on a building (I hope they can spell Zakrzewski)
11. Complete a 365-day challenge
12. Bike cross-country
    
13. Win a contest (I'm feeling lucky)
14. Invent a food or drink and have it on special at a bar/restaurant
15. Own a winery
16. Read a book a day
17. Plan a wedding
18. Be an honorary guest at an event
19. Climb Mt. Everest
20. Jump down buildings in Dubai

That's only some of what I'm going to do. So excited for life and what it throws my way!

Cheers!

Laura

Bernbach on Execution

Execution becomes content

in a work of genius

-Bill Bernbach

Co-founder of DDB

The Great Khali: Funny ad from India

Even if you are an English speaker like me, the humor in this commercial translates beautifully (this version has the translation included). It feautures WWE champion, the Great Khali.

Would you try these strange flavors?

My mom always said you won't know if you like it, if you don't try it. So I took a look at what they have available in the world's kitchen. I wasn't surprised that each country had their own unique way of snacking. Who would have thought there would be so many flavors for a potato chip?

A lot of what we accept as "norms" center around the culture that we have experienced. As brands are globalizing, they develop specialties to appeal to the local culture's taste preferences. It is part of their segmented branding strategy to develop products that would be popular in different global markets.

As an American, perhaps I have my own culturally-biased taste. Considering the different snacks and drinks from around the world, I see ones I would dare myself to try and others just too bizarre for me to consider. I must admit that some of these flavors are really intriguing, and I wish that they were available in America.

These are some of the most surprising snack flavors I've found from other countries. (I would probably try #4, 9, 10 and but stay away from #3, 6, and 11).  Let me tell you-- when you search for strange, you will find it.
 

 1.   Japan: Wasabi KitKat

via kotaku.com

Signature Chic

In order to be irreplaceable,

one must always be different

-Coco Chanel

5 Trends in Global Advertising

The advertising environment has been gradually shifting, holding great implications for advertisers and consumers within the next year.


These are some top advertising trends that will only get stronger in 2016:

1. Interactive Media.

More and more advertisers are throwing their budgets towards online ads instead of TV or print ads.  With higher internet speeds, brands also integrate high quality videos into their websites. The digital environment is becoming more dynamic as the technology is.

However, a reported tripling of anti-malware software prevents online ads from reaching potential customers. Apple said its upcoming operating system will make it easier for iPhone users to block ads in Safari browsers, according to Ad Age. This means that advertisers need to find more engaging ways to be present digitally. A transparent social media presence is a good start.

Is print dead?

Brands have found a way to merge the digital and the physical through interactive print ads.

A great example is Brazilian fashion retailer C&A who teamed up with Microsoft and Tim to make interactive magazine spreads with a working Facebook like button. Customers registered to receive the special Like ads on Facebook. They then received a magazine with their special Tim chip. As they went through the magazine they could indicate whether they liked a certain fashion by giving it a thumbs up or thumbs down, and the results would be indicated online.

See Japan through a cat's eye

Ever wonder what a cat is seeing? Well, the Hiroshima Tourist Board has made it possible to do just that-- it has appointed some furry friends to map out several popular routes. The new tool lets you experience the Japanese town, of Onomichi, from a cat's vantage point. Experience the streets as a cat, and even hang out with the local strays.

Tell me I'm crazy

When you innovate

You've got to be prepared 

For everyone to tell you you're nuts

-Larry Ellison 

Co-Founder & CEO of Oracle

50 Online Gems for Advertisers

Creativity dies in isolation and flourishes with influence. Do you want to be a one-man-circus? Or use the world and ideas around you to grow? 

Be inspired. Collaborate. Use the tools you have.

This is my collection of some of the most helpful websites/ blogs I've come across, that are great tools to use in the advertising field (divided by what part of the process you're in/ department):

How Far From Home: Creative couple from South Africa quits their agency job to travel the world

Perhaps a month ago Tim Nudd from AdWeek did a feature on South African couple Chanel Cartell and Stevo Dirnberger. It got my attention.

And it's not just AdWeek, the couple's story has been featured all over the media internationally, on websites and magazines including Cosmopolitan, Daily Mail and Elite Daily. What is the story that is creating all of the buzz? The pair of creatives quit their agency jobs to see the world. They have taken us with them for the trip.

Wise words from Leo

Make it simple.

Make it memorable.

Make it inviting to look at.

Make it fun to read.

Guinness Rugby's raw narratives

In honor of the beginning of the Rugby World Cup, which began with one of the greatest upsets in Rugby World Cup history by Japan beating the two-time champions South Africa on Saturday, I want to share with you some pieces of creative which beautifully capture the sport.

A series of short films done by AMV BBDO in London debuted the Rugby World Cup by showing the gripping stories of rugby legends Gareth Thomas and Ashwin Willemse. These ads appeared at the beginning of this month, as part of Guinness' historical sponsorship with the sport.

Guinness, one of my most beloved brands, showcases these narratives as a part of its "made of more" campaign.

Timely, emotional (without trying to be) and beautifully crafted, these stories hold a universal message. The combination of interview shots with live-action game shots, gives the narratives complete dimensionality and a dramatic rawness.

Gareth Thomas, the former Wales captain came out as gay in 2009. He tells his story in the first ad: