As most of you know by now, I am currently self-employed and out from underneath the grasp of the Anchorage Daily News. Excitedly so, I am doing very well, and I am very busy making a living on my own.
I still watch tv when I decide to turn it on, and as I spend most my time at home, it is a rule not to turn it on until I have completed some production (earned some money) during the day. I feel the Shit-Box, as I like to call it, is a tremendous distraction from getting anything done. Imagine that...
But it is when I do watch television that has truly inspired this post! Advertising is what I like to pride myself on when determining whether it is solid or a complete failure. I have been involved with advertising, all forms, for the last 10 years. I, of course, have my own opinion as to what works, and what does not.
I am very well versed when it comes to Online advertising, and I would like to think I have a masterful knowledge of what works and what does not in said industry. But it is television advertising, however, that I love to critique.
There are a few examples that I love, and a lot that I do not. Good examples of television advertising are commercials that entertain you while planting the message in your head that will trigger a reaction out of you when the industry is mentioned in conversation, or the thought of when demand for investigation of commerce is eminent.
A few of my favorite examples:
FreeCreditReport.com: Let's face it, those jingles are catchy. And they are catchy enough to make you think of them when you are standing in line at the bank. They are also fun to sing at the top of your lungs when you are the sole person at a party when you want everyone to know who you are. You don't think so? Try a verse at the next gathering you find yourself at -- as just another body in the crowd. You'll get laid. Trust me!
Geico Insurance: The caveman bit? Genius! So what if the sitcom series failed... It worked for advertising! And that is just a portion of the effect they have on consumers nationwide. All their commercials are great. Every washed up piece of talent in Hollywood is clammering to get into one of those spots. All-be-it painful to watch at times (i.e Peter Framton), You know that the formula is working when other insurance companies are trying to emulate the success of Geico's spots.
Burger King: The SteakHouse sandwich commercials are hilarious! Who hasn't been in the drive-through annoyed by the person in front of them? I have only seen two versions of the current spots for this particular product, but I loved them both. I definitely want to try the sandwich.
A few of my "not-so-favorite" spots:
Valtrex: Am I the only one who finds these spots uncomfortable? When the actors show up for filming these spots, do you think they flip a coin to be the one infected with herpes? If you're not familiar with the spot, they always begin with a couple committed to each other. One half claims to be infected with herpes while the other proudly proclaims he/she is not (and how Valtrex is the answer to their issue of affecting each other). I mean really... As an aspiring actor trying to get work... Do you really want to be known as that person, when somebody notices you at the grocery store, as the person on tv that has herpes? Could be a career-killer, but maybe that is just me.
Viagra: I play a little guitar, and I've played the drums in my past, and I have participated in my share of mini-jam-sessions, but I have never... ever... thought of thinking it was cool to do a little diddy about a pill that makes my Johnson hard. Gawd forbid the King, Elvis, could hear this blasphemy of the song he made famous about Las Vegas! He'd surely be spinning in his grave! Perhaps the marketing firm behind these spots could stick to the spots that list 800 side effects as a result of consumption of the medication instead of trying to be cute...
JG Wentworth: "It's my money, and I want it now!" This is easily the most annoying commercial on the face of the planet! Do you really have to have 10 people scream that to make your point? Besides the Geico commercial with Joan Rivers, this spot is the most popular for the mute button on my remote! This repetitive slogan advertising is as bad, if not worse, than the Jared jewelry spots!
Jared, The Galleria of Jewelry: As mentioned in the previous paragraph... If you are going to insult us with repetitive branding, please invest your marketing dollars in radio. These spots are ridiculous and annoying. These spots do nothing more than steer me toward Kay Jewelers as a place to buy high-priced gems! If you are an intimate person of interest to me, now or in the future, rest assured... I will not have gone to Jared!!! And if you ask me if I went there, it is immediate grounds for termination of the relationship. No exceptions!
There you have it. I know it has been a while since I have updated this blog, but when I do, I hope it is a little entertaining to you. Write me and tell me what you think. Or not...
