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Cardboard Kahne Baits Fans Hungry for Star Experience

cardboard kasey picnic.jpg

This is only mildly creepy. In hopes of generating fan interest for an Allstate promotion to meet Kasey Kahne of NASCAR, the pencil-twirlers at Leo Burnett have come up with a few videos of fans hanging out with a cardboard Kasey. It manages to be both laughable and sad. Our favorite is probably the ping-pong scene.

For those who prefer flesh to the paper doll, opt for more contest information on the site. After that, you'll be able to upload a picture so you can see what you'd look like hanging out with Kahne. And when all this fantasizing is said and done, you may win a chance to actually meet the guy.

We love the idea of selling idolatry to push insurance. It's so deliciously insane.

by Angela Natividad    Sep-19-07    
Topic: Online, Promotions



GM Promotes Better Eating While You Hurl Food at Strangers

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This game is awesome. Banking on the knowledge that most of us have enjoyed the fantasy of a good food fight but have had little opportunity to act on it, mono has created The Good Food Fight for General Mills' Eat Better America.

Gamers get to choose between three healthy dishes, based on splat factor, hurlability and stainage. Then they get to select a trash-talking, food-slewing chef.

We were disappointed at first because after choosing a chef, the site loaded a recipe page. So we thought we'd write the game off - then all of a sudden this crazy chef in a kimono comes leaping out of the frame throwing food at us and saying all kinds of wild things.

It was amazing. It was like playing a game of Street Fighter and finding our little characters come to life to harass us. It was like Animator vs. Animation, except with a tiny person and not a sociopathic stick figure.

Anyway, we lost the game, and in a manner most demeaning we were told to go clean ourselves up. Bummer. But in a good way.

by Angela Natividad    Sep-19-07    
Topic: Games, Good, Online



Google Grabs Ogilvy Exec, Sets Up Agency-Like Business Unit

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With the news Ogilvy New York Co-President Andy Berndt leaving for Google to head a group which will work with marketers, agencies and the entertainment industry, speculation abounds the online giant is looking to hang a shingle on the proverbial Madison Avenue. Whether or not that's the case, it appears Google may be poised to shake things up once again.

No one's sharing many details and Berndt will remain at Ogilvy for an undetermined period of time before he packs his bags for Google.

by Steve Hall    Sep-18-07    
Topic: Agencies



Louisville Makes Contemporary Ellis Island for Big City Sufferers

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After seeing these videos for the Share Louisville campaign, we are stunned by the opportunities proffered by the Louisville community. We can act on our sexual preferences? Play the tuba? Eat tofu?

We didn't realize Louisville could pose as a haven for disenfranchised members of higher-profile cities. Thanks to Doe Anderson, Red7E (the creatives) and Guthrie Mays for opening our eyes.

The ads are part of an effort to engender local pride. Those inclined can also become "Friends of Lou" to help evangelize the Louisville brand.

by Angela Natividad    Sep-18-07    
Topic: Brands, Online



While Pondering, Bill Posits: Leave the Kids Out of This!

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Bill over at Make the Logo Bigger weighs in on the use of kids to push causes that perhaps can't push themselves.

Should kids be involved in "adult" debates that have as much to do with their futures as ours? It's easy to say yes. But in cause-oriented ads, we often find them confidently taking positions fed to them by other adults (who should presumably be engaging in the discourse themselves).

By and large, kids depend our protection and sound judgment. One reason why The Exorcist and The Shining were so scary is that, when put in the position to strike fear or conviction into an adult, the young wield massive emotional force.

If the viewpoint of children makes us more emotional than critical, maybe we should indeed confine their marketing savvy to selling cookies, rather than selling political positions or causes.

by Angela Natividad    Sep-18-07    
Topic: Opinion



McDonald's 'The Savvies' Seeks Dollar Menunaires

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So there's this YouTube video contest called The Savvies Make the Logo Bigger points to that asks people to submit videos illustrating how they plan to become Dollar Menunaires just like the stuck-in-the-seventies dude in the contest video does by showing how to save money by turning an old pair of jeans into a pair of shorts...too short shorts, that is.

One of the best responses we saw in the five minutes we gave ourselves to witness this not so bad piece of CGMish marketing came from YouTuber JamesatWar who shared with us how to save money by using less toilet paper.

by Steve Hall    Sep-18-07    
Topic: Consumer Created, Good, Promotions, Video



Fresh Breath Brings Chills to Online Sites

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Hey, here's an idea we've never seen before. To promote Colgate's Max Fresh, Y&R Interactive and Tele-Pele have created a banner that behaves with direct feedback from users.

Encouraged to test their "freshness levels" via telephone, the curious click on the banner to get a phone number. After dialing in a code and blowing into the speaker, the site will actually react by freezing before your eyes.

This isn't just something we'd get out of our seats to try; it's something we'd tell friends about. Good stuff!

The campaign launched across all main Israeli online destinations, including walla!, msn, tapuz, and smile media, on August 12th.

by Angela Natividad    Sep-18-07    
Topic: Brands, Good, Online



Reebok Does 3D, Arnold Does Fashion, TimesSelect Opens

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- Here's a making of video highlighting the creation of a 3D graffiti project for Reebok in Cracow.

- Arnold and fashion-focused No. 11 have teamed to launch ArnoldEleven, an entity which will serve the fashion, beauty and luxury industries.

The New York Times is throwing in the towel on its subscription based Times Select product saying the growth of online advertising allows for far more revenue.

- Check this out for some face licking goodness from Guinness.

by Steve Hall    Sep-18-07    
Topic: Agencies, Guerilla, Online, Outdoor



Horizon Air Convinces Sloggers The Slog Is Not the Best Way to Travel

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After spending some time on Horizon Air's The Slog, a site created by WONGDOODY which highlights the landmarks along the 200 mile stretch of Interstate 5 between Seattle and Portland - in order to convince us to fly the 200 miles instead of drive - we actually want to take the 200 mile drive just to see all the cool stuff the site highlights. OK, so it's not all cool, the road sucks and the rest stop bathrooms are disgusting. But the way WONGDOODY crafted the site - a collection of videos highlight each of "the slog's" oddities and frustrations Old West-style - lends a certain attraction to the road.

In addition to the site, the campaign also includes print, radio and a branded truck with a museum-like diorama of the road that makes stops along the highway. Brochures will also be handed out to travelers on the road convincing them Horizon Air is really the way to go. In all, it's one of the best airline campaigns we've ever seen.

by Steve Hall    Sep-18-07    
Topic: Good, Online, Outdoor, Radio, Video



Adrants Likes Fallon's NYSE Commercial. Are we Right Or Are We Ill?

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Now there are some out there who would trash this latest work from Fallon for the NYSE as mindless blather but we like it. Perhaps it's the nifty animation from Stardust. Perhaps it's the metaphors that refer to areas of the NYSE. Perhaps. it's the soothing, baritone voice of the announcer. Perhaps it's that Fallon simply caught is in the rare state of a good mood. Whatever it is, we like this spot. Watch it and let us know what you think.

by Steve Hall    Sep-18-07    
Topic: Commercials, Good



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