Test Pattern : TV commercials

Boo! Scared yet? The fear factor in TV ads

Gael Fashingbauer Cooper — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 10:00:00 GMT

If a TV commercial can scare you, they can get you to buy their product, and don't think they don't know it. If you're suddenly frightened into believing that you smell, or you're somehow hideously unattractive or uncool unless you have their product, that's one scare tactic. And then there are the less subtle ones -- ads where people claim your life or your property is at risk, but they can save you, if you just fork over the purchase money. ...(read more)

Kids in ads: Read the rules, Shankapotamus

Gael Fashingbauer Cooper — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:00:00 GMT

The use of kids in TV commercials is always a controversial topic. Some viewers are sucked in by their cuteness, others find them annoying as all get-out. And so we don't start a fight between the parents and the child-free, here, I'd like to say that I'm a parent, but that doesn't mean I find every use of a kid in a commercial to be brilliant. ...(read more)

Music in ads: What's that catchy tune?

Gael Fashingbauer Cooper — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 10:00:00 GMT

I'd divide ads that use music into three categories. Some dig up an old familiar song from our past, counting on the nostalgia value to make us associate good things with their product. Some pick a catchy modern tune which viewers may or may not have heard before, thinking it'll hit the right notes. And others make up a jingle specifically for their product....(read more)

It's a dog's life: Animals in ads

Gael Fashingbauer Cooper — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 10:00:00 GMT

Animal ads are always a popular topic of discussion in our commercial contest. The right cute pooch or cuddly kitten can sell a product, or at least give you warm fuzzy feelings about a brand name, and advertisers know it....(read more)

TV commercials that make you go hmm ...

Gael Fashingbauer Cooper — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 10:00:00 GMT

We've discussed song lyrics that just don't make any sense, but what about commercials that are equally confusing? A good commercial is like a mini-movie, with characters, a plot, and a storyline that at least makes a tiny bit of sense. But some commercials are like a really terrible B-movie that only runs late at night in between infomercials. In other words, they are completely insane. ...(read more)

Vote for best and worst ads

Gael Fashingbauer Cooper — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 10:00:00 GMT

We've been hashing out commercials for two months now, and it's time for a vote. The contest isn't over, and the vote isn't the final word on who will take this year's best and worst ad honors, but it'll definitely help narrow things down....(read more)

Vintage ads: Coke singers, Bud tribute

Gael Fashingbauer Cooper — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 10:00:00 GMT

We've been rehashing and reviewing the crop of current commercials, but let's do the time warp. Thanks to You Tube, it's easier than ever to watch old commercials, and it can be a blast....(read more)

Digger's baaaack: Toenail monster returns

Gael Fashingbauer Cooper — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 10:00:00 GMT

He's baaaack. The little monster who manhandles a cartoon toenail like he's sliding up a garage door has a new ad....(read more)

Celebs in ads: Do you trust Ozzy?

Gael Fashingbauer Cooper — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 10:00:00 GMT

Companies love to sign up a big star to promote their products. Yet so many of the celeb-product pairings are ridiculous....(read more)

Ad contest so far: Skating babies! Armpit hair!

Gael Fashingbauer Cooper — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 10:00:00 GMT

We're halfway through our commercial contest, so let's look at some of the ads that have been repeatedly mentioned as contenders. That Prius ad is still high among your favorites, as are the Evian skating babies. But over on the worst side, there's a yogurt-sucking blonde and a bicycling woman with Sasquatch-like armpit hair....(read more)