Advertising

[Cannon]

So this (perhaps unprecedented) decision by Chanel to use a "male icon" to be the face of a women's fragrance is getting a lot of buzz. Brad Pitt will be featured in the new campaign for the classic women's fragrance, Chanel No. 5.


The ad is directed by Joe Wright (Pride & Prejudice, Atonement, Hanna, Anna Karenina). Personally, I don't see much of his hand in the ad, mainly because I consider him to be a bit of a master with colors and there is very little color going on in there. I think the final shot of Earth is gorgeous, but I'm not compelled by the Brad Pitt monologue.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGs4CjeJiJQ&feature=plcp


Some say the ad oozes cheesiness and feels unnatural. Many others are saying it is a brilliant way to tell women that men want women to wear it and to tell men that the fragrance is an impressive classic for the women in their life.





And so, I figured, why not talk about some ads here in the future? Notable campaigns, impressive shots, unconvincing gimmicks, brilliance in creativity, etc.

[Hobson]

It does come across a bit strange. I think that Brad Pitt, while very handsome and notable as he is, could have been a poor choice. It could be he's TOO big of a celebrity, IMHO, and that combined with the casual look of his attire here, it just feels wrong for a Chanel spot. I would recommend someone other actor, but most of the other guys I would think to fill this roll already represent some other brand!


And I would dress it up a bit more.

[chern]

Brilliant:


- Levi's Go Forth

- California Milk Processor Board's Got Milk

- Nike's Write the Future (or pretty much anything w+k touches, like Sportscenter & Old Spice)


Brilliantly awesome but doesn't make me want to buy the product (which after all, is what advertising is about):


- K Swiss' Kenny Powers

[LesserBlackDog]

I thought the Brad Pitt ad was just odd. But of course, it's Brad Pitt. It's going to be a "successful" ad and get people talking about Chanel No. 5 because they're forwarding the link around to their friends, whether out of confusion or not.


It's a shame, too, since Chanel has done some pretty good, cinematic ads in the past.


I prefer CommunityChanel to Chanel:


http://youtu.be/VasChuSdv3M

[scrambledpotato]

I don't think it's that out of line with the usual 'classical music + b/w videography + flowing curtains in paris' kind of perfume marketing. It wants women to think 'I wear this = make Brad Pitt crazy when I'm not around', which fits with those other ads. Chanel No. 5 is a benchmark, it's not really an unknown brand or make, and when you've cemented your place sometimes you have to do something slightly different to refresh your brand in people's minds (people's minds? that can't be grammatically correct).


And @Chern, Weiden and Kennedy are probably the most brilliant marketers on the planet. Can't wait for 'Mad Men' to be refreshed in 20 years and have it be about them.

[Cannon]

Definitely one of the greatest slogans of all time:

[Cannon]

Good ones:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnNWkEhJ7kY

[Cannon]

I'm not that into Lincoln, but their 'Luxury at Light Speed' campaign is probably my favorite car commercial series to date. Very slick, exciting, and visually haunting with great musical covers chosen for the soundtracks:



Under the Milky Way: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uvbANB6oIY

Major Tom (Coming Home): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8YUMgVtYiU

Space Oddity: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opx5zEg9PJw

Technologic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59C7vWDWCOQ

Burnin' For You: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFwTPMyaLbU

I have a thing for space, so that may be why the theme appealed to me.

I do like the sunset opulence and music choices in the current John Slattery commercials, as well:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_stPLuAlkLY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWhaxXtBC-I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_10azZ5J-NU

[Cannon]

This poster caught my eye, though I've never watched the film:

[scrambledpotato]

That Volkswagen ad campaign is taught as one of the greatest examples of solid creative direction in a while. Keep in mind when that car was introduced, if you knew anything about it, it was Beetle = Hitler.

If you're into advertising, here's the industry standard newsletter/magazine regarding it: http://www.commarts.com/creative

[Cannon]

Another one of the Lincoln 'Luxury at Light Speed' commercials (the only one that doesn't use a cover song or music). I'd really love an option to turn these sounds on in a car. It would probably convince me to get a Lincoln.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdgoS...ture=endscreen

That Volkswagen ad campaign is taught as one of the greatest examples of solid creative direction in a while. Keep in mind when that car was introduced, if you knew anything about it, it was Beetle = Hitler.

If you're into advertising, here's the industry standard newsletter/magazine regarding it: http://www.commarts.com/creative

Thanks for the link.

[Cannon]

Alright. I guess Lincoln's got my attention again. They've just started a new campaign to refresh their public image called "Introducing The Lincoln Motor Company".

This is a beautiful video as far as car company videos go. This week's new ad: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIGL_Mxn0NU

[runner-guy]

Lincoln better hope those ads help them, because they aren't doing too good right now.