ad:tech San Francisco Party Proliferation Begins

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If you're heading to ad:tech San Francisco in April, good for you. It's a great conference. Good content. Good networking. And plenty of exhibitors to visit. But let's not forget about a very important component of ad:tech...or any conference for that matter...the parties. The list is growing so it's time to share.

On Monday night April 11, between the first and second day of the three day conference, Moss Networks will host its VIP Mix + Mingle event at Supper Club beginning at 10PM.

On Tuesday night, things get a bit busier. Criteo will host a gathering at Roe from 4PM to 7PM. Advertise.com will hold its tenth anniversary party at Ruby Skye from 9PM to 1AM. Also beginning at 9PM, FriendFinder Networks will present The Marketers Ball at 1015 Folsom.

There are several other invite only parties occurring over the three day event which we'll leave unpublished. Though we'll continue to add to the list ans things are announced. Make sure you bookmark our continuously updated party calendar so you don't miss anything.

by Steve Hall    Mar-22-11    
Topic: Industry Events



QR Code Usage on the Rise

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In a recent study commissioned by ad agency MGH, 72 percent of smartphone users indicated that they would be likely to recall an ad with a QR code. The agency conducted the study to determine the usage of QR codes - a technology that uses barcode-like images containing information which can be scanned an read by using an application on a smartphone.

Top usage of those who said they've used a QR code was to secure a coupon, deal or discount (53 percent). Other uses of a QR code included:

- Secure a coupon, deal or discount (53%)
- Access additional information (52 percent);
- Enter a sweepstakes (33 percent);
- Sign up to receive more information (26 percent);
- Access video (24 percent).

Full results of the study are available here.

by Steve Hall    Mar-22-11    
Topic: Research



Muscle Milk Will Make Your Body Awesome!

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Pereira & O'Dell is out with some sublimely goofy work for Muscle Milk. Super Bowl champion Clay Matthews and All-Star Left Fielder Ryan Braun star in the fictitious "You, Your Awesome Body, and You, Show" with a crazed host who can't keep his shirt on or stop freaking out about the athletes.

The spots will run though April 7 on ESPN, ESPN2, Fuel, Fuse, G4, MTV2, Versus and others. Radio and online will support the television effort.

Whacked.

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by Steve Hall    Mar-22-11    
Topic: Campaigns, Commercials, Strange



Giant Flying Monsters Just as Bad as Termites

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When you think of termites you don't normally think about giant, flying monsters with huge fangs and the ability to dive bomb your home. But you should. Because that's the message this Publicis Dallas-created, Blacklist-produced commercial for Terminex. Termites might be small but they can do significant damage and, unlike the creatures in this commercial, they can do it without you even realizing. Because once you do, it's too late.

The message? Understand that though termites are small, they are just as damaging as the ficticious creatures in this commercial. The work does a nice job bringing to life the initially hidden damage termites can do to your home.

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by Steve Hall    Mar-22-11    
Topic: Commercials



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Sex-Crazed Smutley the Cat Calls Attention to AIDS

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So you know that expression that's sometimes said about a person who just can't get enough sex? Yea. You know. How they like to "f*^k everything that moves? Well that's the kind of guy Smutley the Cat turns out to be in this French AIDS awareness video for the non-profit AIDES.

Created by Goodby, Silverstein & Partners and directed by Niklas Rissler and Kevin O'Grady at againstallodds through Passion Pictures, the video brings us along on a ride with Smutley as he gets himself off by stuffing himself inside everything from a turtle to a dolphin to a fish to an elephant and more.

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by Steve Hall    Mar-22-11    
Topic: Cause



Ford Puppet Hits on Sexy Reporter in New Campaign

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Chevy has its Angels and Ford has...well...Ford has Doug. Doug is a puppet. And a puppet with an attitude and an attraction to blond reporters and, well, any female of any kind. He's also a wise ass who carefully walks the line between making the brand message interesting and turning the entire thing into a comedy routine. He's witty and stupid all at the same time. And it kind of works. And in any event, it's far more interesting that a typical :30 or :60. Far, far more interesting.

Doug's best lines include, "may I smell your fingers?" and "are you all business or it is just that suit?"

Directed by Paul Feig and written by a host of comedy writers, the collection of videos touts the Ford Focus and its many features. The unveiling of Doug as the new spokesperson for Ford was preceded by several unbranded videos in which the puppet stops a convenience store robbery, saves a choking victim and performs CPR.

We like this advertainment. We actually watched all of it. Of course, that's out job but that's besides the point. We actually liked it and found it entertaining. Which is a very, very good thing.

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by Steve Hall    Mar-22-11    
Topic: Brands, Campaigns, Creative Commentary, Video



Royal Caribbean Wants in on Carnival's Fun

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With a new ten minute film directed by and starring Jenny McCarthy, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines is aiming to get a seat at the "fun" table right there with Carnival. Of course, drawing that comparison is likely to anger both brands but when you get right down to it, all cruise ships are fun. Or at least they're supposed to be.

The film, which pimps the cruise line's newest ship, the very elaborate looking Allure of the Seas, has one couple working very very hard to get another together. Predictably, as with all relationship wars, everything turns high school complete with jealousy-inducing photos and all manner of pettiness.

But, since this is one gigantic ad, it, like all ads, ends well and everyone lives happily every after. As is always the case in ad world.

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by Steve Hall    Mar-22-11    
Topic: Video



Morality Testing Web Series Promoted With Killing Game

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The Booth at the End is a 62 episode web series that tests the moral fiber and fortitude of its characters. Xander Berkley stars is the main character and sits at the booth at the end of a diner. People come to him with things they want: a parent with a sick child, a woman who wants to be prettier, a nun who wants to hear God again.

For a price, Berkley can make these desires come true. In exchange for what they want, these individuals must sacrifice their morals and perform tasks they otherwise wouldn't. They may be asked to set off a bomb, rob a bank or kill a child. They then must return to the man and describe every step in detail. As the characters' tasks begin to overlap, complications ensue. But the man never forces anyone to do anything.

Promoting the series is an online game called Can You Kill which requires the player to shoot a person and then explain why they shot the person when they did. Once the mission is complete, the reason can be tweeted or shared on facebook.

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by Steve Hall    Mar-22-11    
Topic: Games, Online, Video



Boobs and Butts Front and Center in 'Unauthorized' Top Spin 4 Ad

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This one may not be up for long. A new ad for 2K Sports' game Top Spin 4 features Serena Williams - billed as the world's sexiest tennis player - and Rileah Vanderbilt - billed as the world's sexiest tennis gamer served up as a delicious meal of lingerie-clad slow motion boobs, in-your-face butt and orgasmic moans.

Though the ad did emanate from 2K Sports, the brand is distancing itself from the work telling Joystiq, "As part of the process for creating marketing campaigns to support our titles, we pursue a variety of creative avenues. This video is not part of the title's final marketing campaign and its distribution was unauthorized."

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by Steve Hall    Mar-22-11    
Topic: Celebrity, Commercials, Racy, Video