Last week I mentioned ads that make you think (hopefully for only a second or two), but once you get them they are quite clever. Here is another good example from McDonald's on a Canadian subway car. 

The adweek article makes an interesting point on ad placement: you would have issues putting this in a NY or DC subway car because sleeping in them may not be the safest choice. It is important to think about the different meanings an ad takes in different locations. 

Via adweek

I came across two ads for Smart Cars the other day and thought they were genius. The first one blew my mind and while I was made aware of the fact the ad was there, I assume many people never notice it. But, for those who do, I have a feeling they appreciate it even more than I do (if they get it of course). See the ad here:

The ad is so simple, but clearly the placement was thought out and in effect really drives the point home. I'm not sure you can convey the convenience of the Smart Car's size any other way. I do find it interesting that there are two car ads on the sides. It creates a great visual that implies parking spots, but I wonder what happens if the ads on either side change to another product. Much of the humor and message is conveyed by being between two other cars and not just a small advertising space. 

The second piece is one right up my alley. I am a huge fan of extremely creative outdoor and guerilla advertising. This display does a great job conveying the idea that the Smart Car is fun and powerful despite its small size. Here is this ad:

I find this one funny because I could see myself driving by day after day when the bridge is down and thinking to myself "what is so special about this ad." On the day I drive by and see the bridge up I know I would laugh pretty hard maybe even get a legitimate LOL out there (and I can use LOL because I actually would be laughing out loud). 

I didn't know it, but Smart Car does some really great advertising. This probably has to do with the fact that they are relatively new to the US. You can check out more of their ads here. I look forward to seeing ads her in the States because I think those face an interesting challenge; we love our big cars. 

So this is this guy named Brian. He is pretty much copying my idea of how to get a new girlfriend. He is going about it a slightly different way, but ultimately his idea is the same. Except that he is actually doing it (I did make a good faith effort however). 

Here's his shtick…

So, basically his 5+ year relationship ended and he wants to find a new girl. I don't blame him. His goal is to go on thirty dates with thirty girls. I'm not sure if it is thirty different girls (what if he hits it off with one?), but hell I'd take 10 dates with qualified women.

It's like my idea in the sense that you are using some medium to broadcast the fact that you are single and ready to mingle. My method was website and billboard. His happens to be website and Twitter.  

He's a bit of an oddball IMHO, but I applaud his effort. I know it's hard to bounce back and I know I did some crazy things after my relationship ended. More power to the guy. 

And Brian, if for some crazy reason you get around to reading this, I highly suggest sky diving. It'll shake things up. 

I don't really think I can call this an advertisement because I don't know that it will ever be one, but it is creative and the people who created it should consider a career in advertising.  This newest video entitled "HP – Hit Print" is a second short film by the same people who submitted a spot for the D&AD Student Awards brief set by HP (below the newest spot). 

And here is their first video entitled "HP – Invent". I can't even imagine how much paper and ink these must have used. Good thing HP sponsors them (I'm assuming).

If they aren't advertisements then maybe they are just meant to be viral videos (seems to be achieving at least that) displaying, rather creatively I might add, the things you can accomplish with your HP products. Now I sound like the commercial…

via gizmodo

I love the soundtrack for this spot:

Okay, I admit, I like the visuals as well. The audio is great though; I wasn’t joking about that. I found this over at the ADFREAK blog and thought their interpretation of what was going on was interesting.

They essentially said that this may be a new type of  advertising in which it is essentially product placement, but on a different level. By this I mean Michael Bay has chosen to (agreed to? was paid to?) cast Rosie Huntington-Whitely in the Transformers 3 movie. This is interesting because she has no acting experience, just a lot of looking hot experience (which she does well).

I find it interesting that Victoria’s Secret decided to do a congratulations highlight reel, but as ADFREAK points out it may be to further the product placement. Either way the spot is enjoyable, I will see Transformers 3, and probably continue to buy Victoria’s Secret products for a significant other (#datemattmcnamara).

via  ADFREAK