Sorry Beck's, but Saying 'Different by CHOICE!' Doesn't Make it So

To draw attention away from its absence of a sound position in the beer market (unless "favorited beer of the band 'Black Label Society'" counts), Beck's tries wearing the message "Different by Choice."

This new spot -- produced by Anonymous for agency Lowe Worldwide & Partners -- compares the mediocre green beer to avant-garde painters, punk rockers and the VW bug, among other subversive cultural icons.

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Amstel Light: Not Big on the Whole 'Literacy' Thing

Amstel Light may have taught us properly how to spell "beer" in Dutch, but this is definitely not how you spell "damn." Unless you're referring to what beavers make, or are trying to be clever with your city of origin. But really, did bad puns ever get a brand anywhere good?

Also, I'm digging how the YouTube video description reads "Tradition since 18070." I didn't even realize we'd passed that year yet.

Now You, Too, Can Be in the Business of Propaganda!

In an ad bluntly called "McCain, Fire Charlie Black," MoveOn tries strong-arming John McCain into dismissing his lobbyist, whose firm allegedly made millions by aiding dictators, terrorists and sundry other villains.

$25 helps get it on the air!

GEICO Gecko Gets Stalked!

Here's a new series of GEICO commercials where the gecko gets stalked by a wildlife enthusiast. Watch him narrate for nature lovers while the green mascot goes about his business at libraries, golf courses, cafes and parks.

The safari fanboy is totally at odds with his surroundings, but he's got that wild, lovable Steve Irwin enthusiasm about him. My favourite is the spot where the gecko ditches him on the subway.

One point for beast; zero for man.

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Forget the Snack Bars; Want Some Eye Candy with that Cuppa?

A UK-based Kellogg's Nutri-Grain campaign aspires to bring the office tea trolley back in vogue.

I have no strong feelings about mobile snack trays, but this glorified Nutri-Grain evangelist is sizzling. (So much hotter than his American counterpart, the break room bagel guy.) He can push my trolley any day of the week -- or at least stand around pouring me tea for an indecently long time before moving onto the next hungry cog.

Samsung Fobs Soul-Seekers Off with Eye Tricks

Like crows drawn to scraps of tinfoil, the average person cannot resist the temptation of an optical illusion -- no matter how many times they've visited the Imaginarium.

To promote the Soul handset, Samsung presents 10 optical illusions in under two minutes. And while the use of optical illusions to promote the Soul is confusing in itself, the video has sparked an argument on Engadget over whether the actual number of illusions seen is 8 or 9. (It's definitely not 10.)

If that proved as pointless and disappointing to you as it did me, please accept my apologies and some Magic Eye porn.

Amstel Light Teaches Us Dutch Word for 'Beer'

And it's a lot like the English way, actually. Also see banner variation.

Sadly, the banner doesn't sing, dance or turn monitors into open bars. Guess it won't be joining the rich media gallery.

Missing Soldiers Put Internet at Standstill

This campaign won a Gold Clio in the Content & Contact category.

To commemorate Ehud Goldwasser, Gilad Shalit and Eldad Regev, Israeli soldiers abducted by Hezbollah on July 12 of '06, Y&R/Tel Aviv asked major sites to shut down for five minutes on July 12, '07. For that short period of time, each page aired this message.

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And the Awards Show Pinata Explodes Again!

If after a panoply of awards shows you are still not sure which ads were best, below are the agencies, clients and campaigns that received a Gold or above in Clio's Television/Cinema/Digital, Interactive, Technique and Radio categories.

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Yellowbook Promises to Wipe Away Past Mistakes, Present Inadequacies

To distinguish itself from its older and heavier rival, Yellowbook reimagines itself as a kind of digital genie, bestowing not merely phone numbers but self-confidence and clean slates. Instantly.

This is not the first time a lower-back tat has been used to sell something it shouldn't. The VW Touareg, Livescribe and Office Max have tread that valley before (and left the ink stains to prove it). Lower still: Hyundai.

Back to Yellowbook. The campaign is called "Say Yellow to the Future" and was put together by Gotham. No word on whether you can muzzle your virtual concierge if you find him too invasive.