Bundaberg Rum Dandies

Won't Take Anything Less Than Extraordinary

By: Nicole Lustig

Hello everyone!

This week in International Advertising, I've caught an incredibly dandy case of sophistication and intrepid thinking from the people at Bundaberg Rum.

From the masterminds at Leo Burnett Sydney, a traveling bevy of sugar cane millers encourage the average guy to never back down, even when the odds aren't looking so great. In this case, a golfer interrupted by a sizable crocodile wants to (understandably) play around him. The batch of intrepid gentlemen win me over, complete with spectacles, handlebar moustaches, and strapping young muscle-men hovering near in case any problems arise. It's like a motley crew, and I can't help but laugh and be completely won over by their personalities. I'll let the ad speak for itself, really.

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Advertising Still Works

By: Jeff Gibbard

I'm here to declare that yes, advertising still works. The choices that a company makes in determining how to advertise directly influences me.

Now I'm not a mushy-brained dimwit. I'm not talking about being subconsciously swayed or duped into buying something that I don't need or want. I'm talking about consciously acknowledging when a company does something that pisses you off or does something you can respect and making the choice between their product and a competitors'.

I'd like to highlight a few examples.

Changing a brand perception: The most obvious example is...

This is what Old Spice used to make me think of.

Now I think of this.

And this...

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“Allez PR!”

By: Kim Genkin

Over a year ago…before Jose Garces (the newest Iron Chef) even began filming for “The Next Iron Chef” competition on Food Network…Chef Marc Vetri (Vetri/Osteria/Amis) snuck over to kitchen stadium to film a battle for “Iron Chef America.”

On October 17, at 10 PM, Italian food fanatics, Jeff Michaud (Vetri’s sous chef) lovers and people who enjoy watching two hairless heads of the best male chefs in the country battle got their antipasti ready and tuned into the Food Network.

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Cola Christmas Comes Early

By: Dave Corbin

Every year, it seems, Christmas seeps into our collective conscious earlier, and earlier. Even before we've been able to sit down to enjoy our well prepared Thanksgiving meal, we've already been inundated with a plethora of carols and commercials.

If there's one brand that has fervently attached itself to Santa Clause, it's Coca-Cola. The man continuously knocks them back each and every year, with a blatant disregard for his own well-being. This year, Santa is going to be cracking those cans open earlier with a global Coca-Cola campaign starting on November 15th.

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Advertising Still Works

By: Jeff Gibbard

I'm here to declare that yes, advertising still works. The choices that a company makes in determining how to advertise directly influences me.

Now I'm not a mushy-brained dimwit. I'm not talking about being subconsciously swayed or duped into buying something that I don't need or want. I'm talking about consciously acknowledging when a company does something that pisses you off or does something you can respect and making the choice between their product and a competitors'.

I'd like to highlight a few examples.

Changing a brand perception: The most obvious example is...

This is what Old Spice used to make me think of.

Now I think of this.

And this...

Continue reading >>>

@SocialSweets Delivers to Raise Money & Hunger Awareness

By: Erica Nardello

One of the most elementary social media strategies for non-profit organizations is the classic pay-per-tweet model.  For every tweet using a certain hashtag or mentioning a particular brand/user, a company will donate some amount to the charity of choice.  It’s a great model – there’s certainly nothing wrong with it.  It promotes awareness, allows for modern word-of-mouth and raises money for a worthy cause.  But it’s always great to see a brand that takes that model to the next level.

Today, Pennsylvania-based ad agency Neiman Group embarked on an effort to raise money (“up to $2,000 – we ain’t Oprah”) for Philabundance.  Four Neiman Groupies traveled throughout the City of Brotherly Love, delivering full-sized chocolate bars to Philadelphians.  The kicker?  For each chocolate recipient who thanked them on Facebook or Twitter, Neiman Group would donate $1 to Philabundance Food Banks!  Social Sweets, indeed!

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My _____ : Round 2

We all used Myspace. It was our first foray into the world of social media…

“EXCUSE US! Don’t forget about Friendster! WE ushered the way for Myspace.

Oops, sorry Friendster. 2003 feels sooo long ago. Please don’t be mad.

So as I was saying, Myspace, even though it wasn’t the 1st player in the social game, was most definitely the game “changer.” Like most empires though, it fell into ruins, breathing on the life support of its music platform and still fairly high number of users in Asia. But hold the phone, Myspace is finally unveiling a new look? Bestill my heart. Right on the heels of David Fincher’s “The Social Network” comes our old friend, looking, well… surprisingly dashing.

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