Robert Downey Returns as Mr. Peanut, Alejandro Steals Limelight

Robert Downey Jr. is voicing Mr. Peanut again in a new mini-western commercial called Alejandro. Created by TBWA's Being NY, we see Downey introducing Alejandro, a character who is a lady killer, bull fighter and a general annoyance to Mr. Peanut. The spot was directed by Ringan Ledwidge of Smuggler and Mark Gustafson of Laika.

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Alka-Seltzer Celebrates Embarrassing Moments With Facebook Contest

We all have one of those stories. You know, the one where a simple miscommunication turns into something strange, embarrassing or hilarious. Enter Alka-Seltzer, the familiar plop, plop/fizz, fizz brand that wants us to know that while it's all well and good to tell hilarious stories, those stories can lead to a certain degree of heartburn, upset stomach or headache.

Acknowledging both the joy is telling and hearing about these stories as well as the reactions they can cause, the brand, today, announced the launch of its Said/Heard Mishaps Contest on Facebook. The contest gives entrants the opportunity to share their miscommunication experiences for a chance to win big.

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Military Get Their Own Private Super Bowl Ad

To remind overseas military of their right to vote, the Department of Defense Federal Voting Assistance Program, with help from Mullen, will air a commercial on the American Forces Network during the Super Bowl. As many as one million military will see the ad.

Traditionally, the military, while able to view the Super Bowl, are not able to view the ads the rest of us see during the game. Rather, they are subjected to a bunch of, shall we say, less creative PSAs.

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'Old Farts' Take Over Social Media

People over 65 are adopting Facebook faster than any other age group. That's the message in this video from the AARP. Additional statistics include the fact 6.5 million of those 65+ joined in May 2010 alone. Less surprising is the fact the fastest growing age group on Twitter is 35-49 year olds. Add to this the fastest growing group on Match.com is over 50.

Overall, 47 percent of 50-64 year olds are using social media; an 88 percent growth from 2009. The takeaway? It's the same takeaway no one in this youth-obsessed advertising business has ever listened to. There's a lot of "old people" out there and they have a lot of money to spend. The trouble is, there's a mentality in the advertising business that it's just "not cool" to create advertising for "old people" because, at least according to those in the business, "old people" aren't cool.

In addition to the fact "cool" is largely irrelevant, this line of thinking is ridiculous and illogical but as long as the hallways of ad agencies are primarily staffed with those aged 25-34, it's quite likely nothing is ever going to change.

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VW Employs Star Wars Theme for Passat Super Bowl Ad

We have to agree with AdFreak on this one. We like this new VW commercial for the 2012 Passat which will appear in the Super bowl. The ad takes on a Star Wars theme with a kid dressed like Darth Vadar attempting over and over again to exert The Force on object around his house.

When the boy's Dad arrives home in a brand new VW Passat, the boy goes to work trying his hardest to get that car to react. Suddenly, it does. The boy is very, very surprised. Then we see the dad clicking the remote starter in the kitchen.

From Deutsch LA, the ad is called The Force and we think it will garner some positive reaction during and after the game. Of course, the fact we're already a Passat owner might sway our opinion just a wee bit.

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Blind People Work Better, American Apparel Gets Nude Again

- PSA urges Norwegians to hire the blind because you'll be more efficient and you'll have more fun at work.

- American Apparel continues its nudity flirtation with a watercolor painting of three topless women. Previously, the brand served up some very young and very naked looking women in pencil sketch concepts.

- And here's that Skittles ad in which two guys are stuck in two giant fists hoping a giant bag of Skittles will set them free.

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Ad Banned For Claimed Drug Reference

Well this is totally ridiculous. A Yves Saint-Laurent's Belle d'Opium perfume ad has been banned because, well, because the woman in the ad briefly points to her arm. Thirteen complaints were filed with Britain's Advertising Standards Authority claiming the ad somehow encourages drug use. WTF?

Of course the fact the product is named Opium and the voiceover intones, "I am your addiction. I am Bell D'Opium," could have something to do with the complaints.

Explaining the decision, the ASA said, "In the context of the ad, Belle running her finger down her inner arm could be seen to simulate the injection of opiates into the body."

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Kelly Brooke Shoots New Campaign for Bikini Line

Yesterday, Kelly Brooke was in Los Angeles shooting a new ad campaign for her New Look line of swimwear. There's really nothing else to report on this other than a few comments Brooke made about her boobs. Not relevant at all to advertising but amusing nonetheless.

She was quoted as saying, "Well, they're mine so that's nice. They're not fake, but they hang a bit. They're not super-perky because they're so big. That's always a big disappointment, I think. Like when you take your top off and they go flop."

Wow. She even made a comment about her boobs rhyme. Impressive.

Brooke was previously seen in a billboard campaign for Reebok's EasyTone sneakers. Yea, the kicks that supposedly make your ass look amazing just by wearing the shoes.