Target’s constant (and consistent) cool ideas are always a great example of good, inspiring design and great execution. Today I want to share one of their latest gems. In order to promote a new home decor collection called Threshold, they unveiled a not-so-typical display inside one of New York’s most iconic landmarks. To celebrate the launch, Target decided to go beyond the usual “imaging how this would look…” sales pitch and built an open dollhouse inside New York’s Grand Central Terminal! fully decorated and set up to allow visitors to instantly purchase items being displayed… Big kudos to Deutsch Inc. for pulling this off.
Continue reading…;
Advertising
1
May 13
SNL by Mary Ellen Matthews
For many years, Saturday Night Live has introduced us to some of the most iconic and best comedians out there. And it is probably the only show that still brings in ratings for NBC. As a ‘visual’ person, I’ve always paid extra attention to different elements including opening titles, fonts, graphics, and bumper photos. And speaking of photos, today I want to share the lovely work of Mary Ellen Matthews who’s been SNL’s official Photographer since 1999. Her signature quirky, fun, and memorable photos adorn all intros and commercial breaks every saturday night, and here are a few, plus a behind the scenes video courtesy of Plum.
Continue reading…;
17
Apr 13
Real Beauty Sketches
If there’s a company that knows how to create successful viral and empowering campaigns, it has to be Dove. Their approach to beauty, very different than what the media has sold us, has set them apart from the competition, and their campaigns, including the one I want to share today, have the power to open our eyes and realize that we must embrace our traits and differences as we are all different, and great. Real Beauty Sketches is a new campaign aiming to change the way we look, think and feel about ourselves. Congrats to Dove for such a great concept and a beautifully executed ‘experiment’.
Continue reading…;
8
Apr 13
Mad Men Then and Now
The new season of Mad Men began this weekend, and as you can imagine, many Designers, inspired by the show, created and shared cool new posters, charts and videos online. The one that I want to share today comes from the folks at Shutterstock. Their Design team, used stock photos to create comparative posters featuring tools and elements from the show’s era (circa 1963) and today. Check them out after the jump…
Continue reading…;
3
Apr 13
Mad Men Season 6
As many of you already know, Mad Men is launching its 2-hour 6th season premiere this Sunday (April 7) and it looks as crazy and great as always! Now, if you did not know this or have not seen the promos, here’s a preview of what’s to come on season 6…
Continue reading…;
15
Feb 13
Google Crashers
Remember Wedding Crashers and that great bromance/chemistry between Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn? Well, they’re back, but not for a sequel (yet). The Internship is a new movie starring Wilson and Vaughn as ex-salesmen who lose their jobs and somehow end up as Google interns. Could this be the future of movies? A feature, extremely expensive (and profitable) product commercial?
Continue reading…;
12
Feb 13
Havana Heat
We all love good books right? Well, if you consider yourself a book worm or even a casual reader, I want to introduce you to Good Books. An organization that will not only provide a wide collection of titles, but will also make you feel good because you are, directly, funding social, medical and environmental projects around the world in partnership with Oxfam. When you buy a book, 100% of the profits are used for these causes. How freakin’ amazing is this!? And to promote this great site, Good Books collaborated with always inspiring The Mill to deliver a beautiful animated novel featuring stunning illustration, animation and way better steamy romance and writting than all Fifty Shades of Grey books together. Check out the short film after the jump and keep on reading!
Continue reading…;
1
Feb 13
Super Bowl XLVII Commercials
So, the big game is finally here, and we all know what that means! Yup, a ton of extremely expensive ads that will have us talking for days. Even if they suck… This year, I figured I would do things a little different. Usually, I post about the good and bad commercials after the game, but this year, thanks to the interweb and the fact that everything is available and “leaked”, we get to check out a few of these ads before the game. I know these might not be all, but it is what I’ve found and seen. If you think I’m missing any, let me know :) Check out these ads by Mercedes Benz, Volkswagen, Fiat, Budweiser, Hyundai, Toyota, CocaCola, Allstate, Taco Bell and Milk, featuring Bar Rafaelli, The Rock, Kaley Cuoco, Kate Upton and more…
Continue reading…;
24
Jan 13
90s Nostalgia
Like many of you, I really don’t like Internet Explorer. It’s cumbersome, unreliable and worst of all, forces us to work extra/harder. But now that Microsoft has decided to copy Apple ‘evolve’, new promo spots and advertising has been popping up everywhere. And to my surprise, the spot I want to share today is actually good! (Considering most of their print ads are blatant copies of Apple and iPad ads). This new ad spot wants to re-introduce us to the new and ‘grown-up’ Internet Explorer by taking us back in time to the 90s - this ad might not make much sense if you were born in the 2000s – and featuring items, toys, technology and shoes (Pumps & LA Lights!!!) we grew up with.
Ahhh the good ol’ days…
22
Jan 13
A new look for 7-Eleven
Last week we witnessed the first large – and very questioned – corporation rebrand of 2013 courtesy of American Airlines (HERE). Today, we have another iconic american (Texas originated) corporation rebrand – well, it is actually more of a semi-rebrand as it only applies to the European (Swedish) market. 7-Eleven collaborated with Swedish Design agency BVD to rebrand the company’s coffee concept for its Swedish market. The result, a very modern/retro new look, emphasizing the brand’s colors (I’ve never been a fan of that green and orange) and merging them with contrasting geometric elements, creating a clean and effective solution. With a 70s twist.
Continue reading…;
15
Jan 13
Google News
As an avid news reader, I am always looking for good information sources to be informed and up to date when it comes to current events but mainly because it helps me grow in many different ways. Thanks to technology, it is now easier than ever to get your news fix from your favorite sources like Huffington Post, New York Times, Bloomberg Businessweek, (Sorry, unfortunately there is no worthy newspaper down here in Miami) anytime, anywhere. Google, wanting to capitalize even more on this trend, collaborated with Brand New School to create a sweet new campaign promo featuring some of its latest features and great animation. The result… a great, cheeky, and engaging spot!
Continue reading…;
11
Jan 13
Dumb Ways to Die
It’s Friday! And let’s be honest, a few of us will eventually do some dumb things over the weekend, like watching Maid in Manhattan on TBS, attempt to fix our electrical wiring at home or simply get a bit wasted at a club. So, to prevent any tragedies and to simply remind ourselves to be safe and use common sense from time to time, I want to share a fun video I recently discovered and loved! “Dumb Was to Die” is a brilliant PSA by Metro Trains Melbourne combining safety with fun (yet dumb) situations, lovely characters, a very catchy jingle and subtle-yet-impressive design and animations. If you’ve been thinking about eating super glue, outrunning a train, selling your kidneys on the internet or pushing that red button… watch this video! It will definitely entertain you (and have you singing the jingle the rest of the day) but it might also save your life :)
Continue reading…;
3
Jan 13
Virgin does it again…
There are many reasons why Virgin Airlines and its divisions are some of the best in the business. (Number 1 in my radar. Get it… radar…) Many perfectly combined factors like strong and very well executed branding, impeccable, fun, and comfortable planes and impressive customer service and in-flight experience come together to create the image and company many love. Another crucial factor has to be their marketing and advertising campaigns. I know we’ve shared a few in this blog, and today is no exception. Virgin’s newest campaign video called “Flying in the face of ordinary” features a group of extraordinary kids with supernatural abilities – Yes, of course these are all Virgin employees :) Think of it as a mix between X-Men and Heroes, with a twist of Richard Branson.
Continue reading…;
18
Dec 12
Celebrity Portraits by James Dimmock
Celebrity portraits have been around for many years, since the birth of stardom and Hollywood. Today, I want to share the great work of NY/London based Photographer James Dimmock, whose enviable portfolio includes brands like Omega, Esquire, GQ, Rolling Stone, Marc Jacobs, Nike, Motorola, Levi’s and celebrities like P!nk, Scarlett Johansson, Ewan McGregor, Will Smith, David Beckham, Britney Spears, Mariah Carey, Kanye West and The Killers. Check out some of his portraits after the jump!
Continue reading…;
12
Nov 12
Creative Catharsis by Sharp Suits
I believe the saying goes, “Common sense is the least common of all senses”, and unfortunately, this is very true. I know many retail and customer service professionals deal with mind-boggling requests, arguments and comments regularly but we ‘creatives’ also get our fair share of WTF? gems almost on a daily basis. Oh, and there is no discrimination… these gems could come from your sales team, ‘marketing gurus’, account executives, and of course…. clients. To celebrate? these frustrating gems, Sharp Suits launched a great collaborative exhibition called A Creative Catharsis featuring a collection of posters created by Ireland Designers. Check out some of these great and oh so real posters after the jump…
Continue reading…;
8
Nov 12
City of Possibilities
While watching Election Day coverage and flipping through channels, I found a commercial during a CNN break that immediately caught my attention and made me stop, rewind and watch it twice (second one with my kids). I mean, when a company goes way out of their ’safety zone’ or expected ads and hires a brilliant agency like The Mill NY, the results are magical! Norfolk Southern’s latest ad called “City of Possibilities” is an impressive and beautiful Live-Action/CGI ode to creativity and that child we all have inside. The ad, produced, designed and directed by The Mill NY, features a combination of awesome custom-made toys and lovely animation that I am sure will make you smile. Check the video after the jump AND a cool behind the scenes feature!
Continue reading…;
2
Nov 12
Air New Zealand + The Hobbit
Let’s face it, airplane safety videos are dull, boring and sometimes annoying (and painful, like those old 90s videos AmericanAirlines still plays). Yes, I know they can save lives but we’re not here to make sense are we? But wait, not all airlines have this “who gives a shit” attitude when it comes to their onboard experience. Jet Blue and Virgin Airlines, for example, have turned me not only into a customer but a fan as well. Last year I had the chance of flying Virgin and watched what until today, was the coolest and funnest safety video I had seen. Today, I want to share a new addition to the cool safety video club, courtesy of Air New Zealand. Their fun and over-the-top Hobbit inspired feature shows how something so dull as a safety video could be turned into a fun and entertaining experience with just a bit of caring. Check out the video after the jump!
Continue reading…;
