BBDO

BBDO is a member of Omnicom which boasts some of the largest agencies in the nation.  One of those agencies is BBDO.  A worldwide company with roots in New York boasts such clients as Burger King, and Pepsi.  

This particular ad is for BBDO New York for GE.  

I love this because I think that the imagination that thought of it was smartly childlike. It reminds me of being a little kind and wondering wha tit would be like to live in the clouds. I also think it is effective to use the rain as a similie to the clean water that GE produces.

Publicis Groupe

Publicis

This ad by Publicis & Hal Riney for US Cellular is an artful approach to cellular advertising. It urges consumers to think about the people in their phone rather than just talking about network sizes, promising a program that saves all the contacts in your phone.



Saatchi and Saatchi

This ad by Saatchi and Saatchi New Zealand for Toyota is about more than just selling a car. In this ad, the toyota is a prop on the way to your dreams. This was such a clever and funny way to promote toyota trucks.



Leo Burnett

This ad was a promotion for star wars in a McDonalds ad, or a promotion for McDonalds in a star wars ad by Leo Burnett. This was a typical case of borrowing interest from another product in an ad. I didn't see how the two connected in the ad at all.



Fallon Worldwide

This ad for Citi bank by Fallon Worldwide, Minneapoilis is a sweet albeit corny commercial. Advertisers are getting creative with the current economic recession and finding ways to promote living a good life rather than just living a wealthy life.



Kaplan Thaler Group

Kaplan Thaler Group is responsible for all of those swiffer commercials where the old mop is trying to get the attention of the swiffer enligtened housewife. I thought they were funny at first but I am soon approaching burnout as all the variations of this ad are the same. If they are going to stick with this idea they need to at least to something different with it.



Team One Advertising

This ad by Team One advertising for Lexus presents some cool imagery with the turning table in between the two cars, yet still doesn't scream new or different car commercial, but rather is exactly what you would expect from a car commercial.

Last of the Small Independents

Secret Weapon Marketing

Secret Weapon Marketing is responsible for what is in my opinion the funniest of advertisements on t.v, the Jack in the Box Commercials.  This one in particular, the Mini Buffalo Ranch Chicken Sandwich gets me every single time.  I think its just the mix of cleverness with rediculous-ness that makes it so funny.  What I want to know is who was sitting in their office and thought to themselves, "I know we will make a mini buffalo ranch chicken sandwich dance!"  This person is a genius.

Wongdoody

The Wongdoody spot for pizza night...or pizza Knight for round table pizza is genius.  It doesn't go too far out of the box, it just takes a literal different interpretation of a word and turns it into an entire ad concept.  I love the simplicity, I think that is what makes it so successful.

R/GA

R/GA made this contribution to the Ad Council's fight against cyber bullying, and sexting.  The idea was to make a forum for teens to discuss this issue so that they had the tools to make the right decision.  Because the effort was made in the perspective of teens, it was very successful.  I great piece of creative, and interactive work by R/GA.

AMV/BBDO

I wanted to look at this ad by AMV/BBDO because as an avid gum addict I have always been intrigued by this 5 gum.  In sleek black packaging, they name cinnamon gum, "flare."  I think that this ad definitely goes with the over all feel of the gum in that it is meant to be intense, and sleek.  I think that the art direction in the ad was great, but if I watched it without the logo.  I would never have known it was a gum ad.  

More Small Independents

La Comunidad

Ground Zero

Mother

72 and Sunny

StrawberryFrog

22squared

Modernista!  

This ad for Hummer by Modernista! I think is genius.  No different camera angles, no messing around with clever copy, just a straight shot of the hummer going across some rugged terrain.  I also feel that this really works because, there really is no practical reason to purchase a hummer.  I think that Modernista has latched onto that and gone with the idea that people buy hummers because they look cool.     

David&Goliath

This ad for Hot Wheels by David&Goliath is a funny way of looking at toy cars.  I think little kids would love this because they always want things that are 'real.'  This is definitely a fresh take on toy advertising by David and Goliath. 

Venables, Bell & Partners, SF

I have always liked this advertisement for Audi by Venables, Bell and Partners of San Francisco, as it is so clever for a car commercial.  I love the way the kid is just staring at the cards realizing that he is being brainwashed, and how the Audi pulls in and changes everything.  It's not just a car commercial its a permission slip to 'break the cycle.' 

Small Independents

Rethink

This ad for Science World by Rethink is downright creepy.  While it does catch your attention, I really don't know what made anyone think this was a good idea.  Very creative Rethink, but very, very weird.  

Taxi

This ad by Taxi for Viagra wittily shows that sometimes in a conversation there is only one thing that  you need to understand to know what is going on.  I find it a little odd that old men are having conversations about Viagra while bowling, ultimately it was a very creative work by Taxi.  

Droga5

This commercial for Rhapsody by Droga5 promotes that fans can upload music quickly.  When watching the ad I felt that the art directors were trying to recreate a dream, but then I didn't really understand what that had to do with Rob Thomas, especially since all the characters ran past him.  Ultimately I didn't understand what this commercial was getting at, although the idea was cool looking. 

Large Independents

Dentsu

This ad for WonderBra, created by Dentsu in Singapore is subtly sexy, but also hilarious.  Its not about the physical attributes of the bra, rather it pokes fun at it.  It doesn't say anything, but shows it.  I think its hilarious that you don't get it at first, and then the Wonderbra logo shows up and instantly you understand.

Weiden and Kennedy

This ad by Weiden and Kennedy titles, "OPioneers!" challenges people to "Go Forth!"  I think that this ad turns Levi's into the  American adventurer jean.  Wranglers already had the classic cowboy feel to their jeans, Weiden and Kennedy took the path of another American classic, the pioneer, the adventurer with the spirit of Lewis and Clark but with fire and energy.  This was a great piece by Weiden and Kennedy. 

Bartle Bogle Hegarty 

This commercial for Audi, by Bartle Bogle and Hegarty is a very creative approach to a car commercial, as though in a different world if you could make a car just as you wanted it, this would be the car you would make.  

 

Richards Group 

This ad for Chick Fil A by the Richards Group is a continuation of their "Eat Mor Chikin" campaign.  I always thought that these commercials were funny but a little disturbing.  I don't really want to think about the fact that cows are protesting hamburgers while I'm eating. Although, this campaign has been running for a long time with a lot of creative twists.

Doner

This ad by Doner for UPS, reminds be of the Coca Cola happiness machines commercials.  There seems to be a trend of creating an animated world under the simple things we encounter all the time like vending machines, or in this case cardboard boxes.  This is a great piece of creative work. 

Cramer-Krasselt

This ad for Careerbuilder.com by Cramer Krasselt is a funny way to literally portray the way people feel when they are stuck in their jobs.  Whenever I see this I just can't help but think of what it would have been like to shot these scenes, the actor really did do a good job of looking at the monkey with a straight face.  This ad was clever and funny.

MDC

Crispin Porter + Bogusky

Crispin Porter + Bogusky is nows for its recent work for Burger king. This ad for Burger King's Kick'n Chicken Sandwich reminds me of the comedies of my youth including, the Karate Kid, and Monty Python and the Holy Grail. It reminded me of the intense karate training in the Karate Kid, but the chicken just made it so slapstick silly it reminded be of the part in Monty Python when there was an attack bunny that killed the knights that crossed it. All of Crispin's recent work for Burger King seems to have the same sense of humor that attracts a younger crowd.



VitroRobertson

VitroRobertson's ads for Taylor guitars are meant to show how music connects people.  This ad is a simple yet creative way to literally put the product into the metaphor.  I think that this ad creates a beautiful image, and a beautiful metaphor.  

Cliff Freeman and Partners

This ad for Cliff Freeman and Partners is one in a series of 2000 Cannes Gold Lion winning spots for Budget via Cliff Freeman, New York.  While the ad is funny, I still can't help but feel that the whole idea of a meeting of people sitting around a table and coming up with funny ideas isn't overdone.  I can think of three commercials running right now that use that same idea.  Its funny, but it's not original.  

Kirshenbaum Bond

this ad by Kirschenbaum Bond has the distinct flavor of the kind of home video that you would find on YouTube, but it is an ad for Wendy's.  It is exactly this kind of advertising that I think makes people stop fast forwarding through the ads between shows, because its so weird that people want to see it!

Havas

Arnold Worldwide

Arnod Worldwide developed this ad for Jack Daniels as an effort to work in partnership with the sponsorships that the brand had. The rodeo setting in black and white works really well with the product, Jack Daniels and this ad seems to come together effortlessly.



Euro RSCG

This ad by Euro RSCG Bangkok for a thai bank promotes its ability to help with housing loan payments. I found this commercial strange if not a bit disturbing, but credited it to different cultures having different senses of humor. It is ad the very least very creative.

Interpublic Continued.

Mullen 

This ad for La Quinta by Mullen takes a sarcastic take on business trips.  I think this is an interesting way to promote La Quinta, as I interpreted from it, "if you have to wake up here at least be optimistic about it...we have waffles."  I don't think that this ad really does anything for La Quinta.

Campbell Mithun

This ad for Famous Footwear reminded me exactly of a previous ad for payless.  A good song, close ups of shoes, and people who are really happy to wear them.  Not unexpected for a shoe commercial, but well done.  

T.A.G. Sf

This trailer for Halo 3 by T.A.G. sf is a serious departure from your average video game commercial.  It shows the intensity of the game, and is overall an extremely high quality ad.  

WPP

Ogilvy and Mather

One of the largest agencies in WPP Ogilvy and Mather has hundreds of offices worldwide founded by David Ogilvy was of the most iconic names in advertising.  Some of their clients include, American Express, Sears, Ford, Shell, Barbie, Pond's, Dove, and Maxwell House among them, and more recently, IBM and Kodak.

This print ad by Ogilvy and Mather New York for American features Ellen Degeneres.  The campaign had celebrities in their natural setting.  While the ads were creative, and the photography was great, I don't see how this is an effective promotion for American Express. 

Y&R

Young and Rubicam is headquartered in New York but has offices all over the world.   Some of their clients include, Orange, Colgate, Spring Valley, and Danone. 

This ad by Y&R Melbourne for Schweppes is a great example of large performance art that makes a great ad.  The ad brings a magic to carbonated water making it appear to be so much more than...carbonated water.  This is a great example of creative work by JWT.

JWT

Headquartered in Georgia, J. Walter Thompson is another strong member WPP.  Some of their clients include, ATI, BMC, DLP, CDW, and Symantec.  But some of their most famous ads are for DeBeers diamonds.  

I have always loves this DeBeers commercial by JWT simply because it's not overdone.  Its so simple, and conveys it's message so simply.  Or maybe I'm just a corny hopeless romantic, but the message of the ad is beautiful.

Grey

Headquartered in New York, Grey Advertising has many clients including Kraft, Sara Lee, Campbells, Dairy Queen, and Smuckers. 

Smuckers advertisements have to be one of my favorites of all time. This one, by Grey of New York is for Smuckers Uncrustables. While I feel that pre-made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are the absolute epitome of laziness, there is something about the man's voice in the commercial that makes you want to hug your grandpa. Their commercials all carry the theme of simpler times, and simple pleasures, which works very well for a project like jelly.

Interpublic

McCann Erikson

McCann Erikson among other things is known for its work with Coke Zero.  This ad by McCann Erikson Germany is possibly one of the funniest things I have ever seen.  It just reminds me of my brothers making fun of my ballet recitals when I was a little girl.  

The Martin Agency

Located in Richmond Virginia, The Martin Agency is one of the smaller agencies in Interpublic.  One of their current campaigns is for Walmart featuring the tagline "Save money live better."  While it is not wildly unexpected for a commercial for a discount store this campaign is a familiar, well done ad catering to families on a budget.  

TM Advertising

TM Advertising is a full-service agency with offices in Dallas, Seattle, Austin, Houston, New Orleans and Toronto.  Some of their clients include American Airlines, Nationwide Insurance, and Group Health.  This ad for Group Healthin Seattle, Washington promotes that health records are kept online making healthcare more efficient.  I love that their commercials simply point out the obvious.  They aren't sarcastic, they are just smart.

DraftFCB

DraftFCB is headquartered in both Chicago and New York.  Some of their clients include Boeing Co., S.C. Johnson & Sons, Inc, Citigroup, Coors Brewing Co., Dow Chemical Co., Eli Lilly & Co., Hilton Hotels, KFC Corp, and DirecTV.  

This ad for 'umami secret' by DraftFCB's San Francisco office is for Kikkoman teriyaki sauce.  I have always found these ads strange as they are so modular for a product like teriyaki sauce.  It is definitely an unexpected approach which I find more strange than anything else. 

Lowe Worldwide

Lowe Worldwide is a creative advertising agency that is headquartered in London.  Some of their clients include, Nokia, Jahnson and Johnson, Electrolux, and Nestle.

This ad by Lowe Singapore for Nokia, is titles, Nokia N82 Fairytale, and promotes storytelling in connection with the phones ability to take and send pictures.  This is a very clever way to bring magic to taking pictures with your cell phone.  While maybe its a stretch to use fairytales as these stories, it is a beautiful ad.  

Carmichael Lynch 

Located in Minneapolis Minnesota, Carmichael Lynch is another small office in the Interpublic group.  Some of their clients include, Coca Cola, IKEA, Porsche, and Harley Davidson.

This ad for Ikea by Carmichael Lynch shows a set of twins challenging a set of double ovens.  I think this is a funny way to promote kitchen gear without simply talking about the benefits of the oven itself.  Although...the twins are a little creepy.

   

Hill Holliday

Hill Holiday is located in Boston, with offices in New York, Miami, South Carolina, and San Francisco.  Some of their Clients include Anheuse Busch, Dunkin Donuts, Bank of America, Liberty mutual, and CVS/pharmacy.  

This ad by Hill Holiday for Dunkin Donuts promotes that ad dunkin donuts you can order in English not "Fritalian."  But then it says you can order your latte in english....latte is not english Hill Holiday!  The commercial is funny, but come on, get the words right!

Deutsch Inc. 

Deutsch Inc. was founded in 1969.  Some of its clients include DirecTV, Playstation, T.G.I. Fridays, Saturn, and Snapple, and Tylenol.

This ad by Deutsch for Tylenol promotes that you know your body, and that tylenol is good to your body, so you can feel better.  The ad seems very sincere, it doesn't show aching people as one would expect from a pain reliever ad, but rather just working natural bodies.  I think it is very effective in that it promotes being healthy. 

Martin Williams

Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Martin Williams is another one of the small but mighty members of the Omnicom group.  Some of their clients include, boyscouts, payless, pfizer, cargill, and anheuser busch.  

This commercial by Martin Williams for Payless is typical of all of their advertising. Nothing you wouldn't expect from a shoe store commercial.

LatinWorks

LatinWorks is based in Austin, Texas and is another member of the Omnicom Group.  They are a spanish speaking agency, founded by Manny Flores, and Alejandro Ruelas in 1998.  Some of theri clients include, Burger King, Budweiser, Domino's Pizza, and Lowe's.  

One ad that the agency is very well known for ran during Super Bowl XLI.  The commercial was for Bud Light, and features Carlos Mencia teaching a classroom of foreigners how to order a BudLight.  

Dieste Harmel and Partners

A small local agency right here in Dallas, Dieste Harmel and Partners is a part of the Omnicom holding group.  Some of their clients include, at&t, frito lay, ge appliances, and gillette.  

I love this ad for Clorox by Dieste, because its not the expected, "which sock is brighter, this one or this one??" ad but rather goes into the imagination of a little kid, and gives the feel of the real people that use the brand.

GSD&M Idea City

GSD&M Idea City is a smaller segment of Omnicom.  It is headquartered in Austin, Texas and also has offices in Chicago.  Some of their clients include, AARP, Red Cross, BMW, Hallmark, Jon Deere, and Marshalls.  

This ad by GSD&M in Austin for BMW is titled, BMW M3 Revolution. I feel that this ad is a total formulaic car ad. tight close ups, and talk about the power of the engine does nothing to stray from your everyday car advertisement.

180 Amsterdam/180 LA

Also a part of Omnicom, 180 Amsterdam/180 LA is an international agency headquartered in Amsterdam.  Some of their clients include Amstel, BMW Motorrad, Motorola, MTV, and Adidas.  

This ad by 180 Amsterdam for MTV promotes being good to the environment without simply, "painting everything green." I think that for MTV this is a great ad as it is seething in sarcasm which definitely appeals to young adults.

Goodby Silverstein

Another member of Omnicom, Goodby, Silverstein and Partners is located in San Francisco.  Founded by Rich Silversteirn and Jeff Goodby the agency boasts such clients as Comcast, Adobe Systems, and Hewlett-Packard, and are famous for the iconic Got Milk? ad campaign.

This ad by Goodby and Slverstein's San Francisco office is a change from the classic got milk ad with a hilarious twist. The idea behind the ads was that they would be passed around youtube, and social media sites. The ad is definitely aimed at a younger crowd, and while funny, may or may not actually increase milk sales.

TBWA/Chiat Day

TBWA/Chiat Day is also a member of Omnicom, and is known for doing funny work.  Headquartered in New York, they were the creators of such iconic ads as the energizer bunny, not to mention that they currently hold the Apple account.  Some other clients include Absolut Vodka, McDonalds, and Pedigree. 

This ad by TBWA Paris for McDonalds, while of no substance is on a comic level of the recent "ice cream and cake" commercial for Baskin Robbins.  It sticks in your head and makes you laugh.

DDB

Also a part of Omnicom, DDB is a household name in the advertising world.  Beginning with such a famous leader as Bill Bernbach, the agency has become strong in its creative work boasting such clients as, clorox, unilever, and volkswagon.  

An iconic ad by DDB was created by Bill Bernbach himself.  The "lemon" ad was revolutionary as it promoted a car as being practical rather than being stylish.

Advertising as Art

I think the most important thing that makes advertising artful, is when it is not necessarily about what it's about.  Essentially all that an ad needs to do is get your attention, and tell you about a product or service.  It is when ads go above and beyond that standard that they become art.  

One company that does a really good job of this is Bank of America.  Here is a commercial advertising online banking.  But do they simply tell you about online banking, no!  They illustrate a lifestyle free from things like ATMs. 

Another company that does a great job of advertising more than just its products is Target.  I really love their "Brand New Day" spot because it is all how people are becoming more frugal, but in such an optimistic way.

One of my current favorite spots thats running is the Prius harmony commercial.  They really took your basic car commercial of driving through nature, to a whole new level.  I think its inventive and creative.