Monday, July 25, 2011

Ericsson One Black Coffee Please Ad

This ad came out in mid 90's when India's cellphone market was largely niche. By todays standards the phone is a brick but was very small for 90s. An ad that immediately brings a smile to your face.

It was one of the few ads at the time to use the concept of Layering, A feature that comes up repeatedly in Prasoon Pandeys'ads. As the man gets up thinking that the lady is inviting him over to her table, she looks at him and tells him, ‘One black coffee, please?’ Now, while the camera focuses on the man’s crestfallen expression, the sound bite in the background is that of glasses breaking. It was also an ad , that was very different for that time. A time when ads still had a distinct colonial hangover or where the humor was not subtle. This ad however had a distinct humor that people were able to associate immediately and it was no wonder, that the international audienced lapped this ad up. Think, this was the first ever Indian ad to get a Cannes award as well.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Movie Directors in Ad Industry : Michael Bay

Michael Bay known for his blockbuster movies ( Bad Boyz , Bad Boyz II , Transformers Franchise , The Island etc..) , has also created some fantastic advertisements for Chevrolet, Victoria Secret , Got Milk , Verizon etc..

Some early commercials like the Aaron Burr Got Milk ad , seem distinctly Anti- Michael Bay ad. An Ad that was made almost 15 years back , it has none of the trademark Michael Bay elements of Glamour , Explosions , fast cars or Helicopters. However , what it does not lack , is customary wit and it is no wonder , that this ad has won so many awards for Goodby Silverstein & Partners.



And then there are ads like this , after he became an established director in Hollywood. Basically a Verizon FIOS ( Fiber Optics) Ad where he mocks his style of making films while appearing in the ad.




With each of his films becoming bigger than the previous one ,his commercials have also become bigger than previous ones. For example , The initial Victoria's Secret Ad , had one model (Gisele Bundchen) , one helicopter and no major explosions. Quite unlike Michael Bay.



However with time , the ads have become longer , Bigger and better as well. Featuring more models , More Helicopters, More Explosions.



It is also interesting to note the positioning of Victoria's Secret to other brands Such as Wonderbra. While Wonderbra goes out of the way , to be a thinking person's lingerie ( if you can call that) , Victoria's Secret goes with the time tested model of going with the raw sex appeal in ads.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Titan - HTSE




An amazing ad featuring Aamir Khan "stealing" light to "feed" his watch that runs on light..though quite literal, the message is captivating and unequivocally clear. 
Background score is tune with the mysterious aura of the whole "stealing" process.


Thursday, July 21, 2011

Vodafone - Blackberry Boys



Revisiting this Ad from last year (2010); simple yet effective communication of the service from Vodafone, that Blackberry is no longer just for corporate users but for one and all with suitable plans. It aims to break the impression of the junta  that Blackberry is meant only for corporate honchos (Elitists!!?)
Once again Vodafone does not fail to impress us.
Ad Agency: Ogilvy & Mather

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Vodafone - Udhaar/Borrow



The film  directed by Rajesh Krishnan of Soda Films. A wonderful insight into the Indian psyche towards "Borrowing". It sells most effectively since we all can relate to the central premise of the ad which is about "borrowing" talk-time from your circle of friends..
Ad Agency: Ogilvy 
Creative Directors:  Abhijit Avasthi, Rajiv Rao
Team: Kiran Antony, Shahrukh Irani, Rakesh Jha and Jigar Fernandes

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Got Milk? - PMS series










"Milk helps reduce the symptoms of PMS "..SCIENTIFIC.. but using sarcasm and overdoing the whole PMS bit..Epic Failure..
Will not improve sales.. at least not with women controlling the diet of the household.. for boys ..go ahead have a good laugh..

Advertising Agency: Goodby Silverstein & Partners, USA