Dr. Dre is back in the spotlight with a new spot from HP featuring one of his latest tracks and some Beats by Dre infused laptops. To me, this spot is everything that is wrong with advertising. For instance:

• HP claims that these laptops are built for music. But the sound quality of laptop speakers is notoriously bad.

• Dr. Dre insinuates his Beats by Dre line of gear is the best to listen to his beats. But a audio store employee I recently talked to suggested I spend $10 more and get the true head-of-the-class headset…without the fancy colour scheme.

• Dr. Dre is also giving a preview of his new album Detox, which has been in the works for a decade. But the tracks, that were previously released online, have had at best mixed reviews from even his most loyal fans.

In conclusion, this spot hits their target on the nose with hip music, a famous rapper and a blinged out laptop. But their customers will be sorely underwhelmed when they compare the bill to what they’re actually getting. And having Dre in a Daft Punk inspired…face-helmet in a CG ‘factory’ only serves to undermine the entire message even further.Might I suggest the angle Coors Light took in 2002 with the good doctor. The beat is way, way better.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6OKvVCW3qE

© 2010 The Bottom Rung | by Angus Gastle under TV | Permalink | No comments

Fresh off a Cannes win for their last commercial, W+K & Old Spice have just released a hilarious followup that may even out do the original.

Speaking of, I can’t believe that Old Spice beat Nike’s Write the Future and the epic Johnny Walker ad at Cannes. Old Spice’s execution may be hilarious but the other two brought me into their world and let me experience the drama and the tension. I really became a part of the film while I was watching them. Old Spice just made me want to watch it again and again which is enough for Youtube fame but shouldn’t be enough for Cannes fame.

What do you think? Did Old Spice deserve the Grand Prix win?

Johnny Walker:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NvDev-5qP4

Nike:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=idLG6jh23yE

© 2010 The Bottom Rung | by Angus Gastle under TV | Permalink | One comment

Tropicana’s latest spot truly brings to life their new motto, “Brighter Mornings.” For this, they drove cases of Tropicana to a spot where the sun never rises in the winter. With them, they brought a humongous balloon to light up the sky.

The most magical part of this ad for me is the wide shot of the orb floating over the town. While I’m not overtly religious, the parallels between that shot and the bible are not subtle. For this town, this may be the only version of Christmas they’ll ever experience.

I’m looking forward to seeing this on the Cannes Reel this year.

Source: MarketingMag

© 2010 The Bottom Rung | by Angus Gastle under TV | Permalink | No comments

This was just released to promote Sony’s brand new line of 3D TVs. It’s almost as if this spot is a rebuttal to Samsung’s latest 3D TV pitch. But in this spot, they take a completely different approach of showing what life could be like with a 3D TV.

Adding the ending showing the explosion coming out of the TV was brilliant. Until that point, it’s hard to tell what’s going on, but you get the sense that if you did in fact travel in store to see this thing live, it would be quite the experience.

Speaking of which, my friends at Immediate Future (Sony UK’s PR team) tell me if you did want to see it in full HD 3D, you can visit selected Sony Style stores from June 12^th onwards.

Source: Mark Wainwright of Immediate Future, Sony Europe’s Youtube Channel

© 2010 The Bottom Rung | by Angus Gastle under TV | Permalink | No comments

I love this spot. Nike’s method of telling the story behind the athletes engages you from the moment you start to watch this ad. It helps you empathize with them and revere them even more for their skill with the ball.

The message here is simple: The best athletes in the world are the best because they have that extra drive needed to compete and to win. Nike’s customers can associate with that, aspire to it, and will pay for it.

© 2010 The Bottom Rung | by Angus Gastle under TV | Permalink | No comments