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