Advertising as Art

There has been a lot of debate in the art world about what constitutes art. When advertising entered into play, the definition of "art" has been questioned even further. Typically, when one thinks of art, they think of paintings, sculptures or ballet. I chose the following five ads according to this stereotype. Three look as if they are paintings, one has been designed on photoshop and the other is made of a collage of yellow paper that forms a black plane in the center. These of course are not the only forms of advertising I consider to be "art," but I feel as if there would be little hesitation about these particular five. I believe that art is about passion, creativity and individuality. If your advertisement have those three key elements, then I would most likely consider it a work of art.

Ads that are Socially Irresponsible

The following three ads are socially irresponsible because they all degrade women by solely portraying them as sex objects who will do anything for guys. Society needs to set a positive image for young girls that will teach them to be strong and independent women who are able to stand on their own and make a difference in the world.


Paris Hilton Carl's Junior ad


Nando's Restaurant Ad


Jim Bean

Ads that are Socially Responsible

The following ads are very socially responsible and are examples of what a good message advertising can set for people in our society. The first Ad is for Dove Campaign for Real Beauty and it stresses the importance of teaching young girls to loves themselves for who they are before the beauty industry does. It is a powerful and well done spot. The second is a very funny spot that talks about how important it is for father's to be involved in their children's lives. The third is a truth ad to prevent smoking. I was very moved by this ad and found it to be extremely powerful.


Dove Campaign for Real Beauty: Ogilvy and Mather


Public Service Announcement: Be an Involved Father


Truth Campaign: Body Bag

Strawberry Frog

This ad done by Strawberryfrog's Amsterdam office, is really funny and different. I really like how it indirectly gets its main message across that the Chevrolet is very calm, safe and reliable, by having it sit next to the crazy dancing car. The dancing car is what makes this commercial funny and interesting. The dancing car is key because it shows how other car companies besides Chevrolet are wild and unruly, and that only with a Chevy will you have no problems.

AMV/BBDO

AMV/BBDO in London has done some great campaigns for "The economist." The have begun to stray from the typical straight-laced and traditional ads for "The Economist" using only red and white. This new ad "shockingly" ads black and grey into the mix. Also, you definitely haven't seen teddy bears on an Economist ad before. I really like the copy in this ad, but I'm not so sure about the visual. Although I think all the stuffed animals are very cute, I'm not sure they are appropriate for the audience that reads the economist. In some ways I think the visual might turn people away, especially if they don't read the copy.

Modernista!

Modernista! in Boston has done some exceptional work for car companies like Cadillac and Hummer. Their campaign for Cadillac CTS with Kate Walsh has been very successful. I really like the tv commercial she stars in to promote the Cadillac CTS. In these Cadillac ads, Modernista! is skilled at using great copy as well as visuals. this particular, print ad of Kate Walsh walking away from the red CTS is ok-nothing special, but that is not the point. The point of this print ad is to jog your memory of the tv commercial of her in this same car and it definitely does this job. Another really cool thing Modernista! has going for them is their really awesome website that is seamless with Google. I look forward to seeing what else they come out with in the future.

Mother

Mother's London office takes a totally different approach to their beer advertisement for Stella Artois than Ground Zero did for Beck's. Mother is trying to compare Stella with paradise, old-time glamour and the feeling that you are on a vacation. I like the look of this print ad a lot. The visual elements of this ad remind me somewhat of the print campaign Arnold did for Amtrack.

Ground Zero

Ground Zero's New York office came up with this original print ad for Beck's Beer. I like that it is visually appealing and different than a lot of other beer campaigns. When I see this, the message they are sending makes me think that by drinking Beck's Beer life will be more fun, exciting and on-the-edge. Ground Zero wants the audience to associate Beck's with freedom and excitement by using the tagline, "life is what you choose."

Droga5

This is a print created by Droga5 for Puma Lift Bolt shoes. Droga 5 is known for doing non-traditional ads that are very unique and make you think. This ad for Puma is no different. These "Bolt" shoes are said to have light technology. The ad is trying to symbolize how this man can travel at the speed of light by wearing these Bolt Puma shoes. It is cool idea and visually appealing. The tagline for this print ad is "The 173 gram lift. Lite injected foam technology." The only downside I see to this ad is at first glance it is not clear what product is being advertised. It would be very easy to pass over this ad without figuring this out if you weren't paying attention.

Rethink

This ad for Science World is all about facing your fears. It is a really creative idea to demonstrate the resources and information available with Science World by having five clowns hold a trampoline with "Two most common fears: clowns and heights." Another successful technique used what by having the clowns and trampoline in bright colors against a gray background. This will grab the audiences attention and be curious about the message. This print ad was done by Rethink Communications in Vancouver, Canada. It was introduced on July 2009. Rethink has also done some really cool commercials for Science World as well.

Cramer-Krasselt

Cramer-Krasselt in Chicago new they needed to do it big when they won the account for the Porsche Panamera. This is a really well-done commercial that demonstrates the sheer power and greatness that the Porsche has in the car industry. The incorporation of every historical Porsche model being included in the ad emphasis the sense of "family" within the Porsche brand. Although the Panamera is central focus of the ad, it is not discussed in detail. The history and family of the brand as a whole is emphasized. The visual effects in this commercial are awesome, especially in the end when all of the models stem off to form different branches of the tree. This was really great work by Cramer-Krasselt.

Doner

This ad for UPS done by Doner in Detroit is full of imagination. The visual effects are great and make you feel as if you are inside a magical storybook. Also, I like how only brown-toned colors are used to match the UPS colors. This is another good holiday ad that can be added to the list. I find it hard not to like all of the holiday ads because they always put me in such a good mood. The only thing that could have made this ad better is to improve upon the copy-it lacks creativity and seems very run-of-the-mill.

Richards Group

These two ads by The Richards Group in Dallas were designed for the Michaels Arts & Crafts Stores. Both ads are visually stunning and magical. They perfectly highlight what Michaels is all about. The only drawback is that they only focus on a female audience, but I guess that is the group that primarily shops at Michaels anyway. Not only are the visuals really nice, but the copy is also very well done. Featured on each print ad is a poem that describes the scene. In the first ad the poem is called "Beading Diva" and in the second ad, the poem is called "Ode to A Hot Glue Gun." This is great work from The Richard's Group that I had not seen before. It ran in magazine beginning in June 2007.

Bartle Bogle Hegarty

Simplicity is key in this print ad by BBH Singapore for the National Environment agency. The ad ran to alert people that beginning July 1, 2007, people would have to "smoke it outside." There is not much to this ad, but the visual says everything. Just by making the cigarette point outside of the ash tray instead of inside it, it is clear that the message it that there is going to be no more smoking inside. I really like this ad because it successfully uses the technique that less is more.

Weiden + Kennedy

When I was younger, I was a huge Michael Jordan fan. I had air jordans, wore his jersey all the time and watched his greatest moments dvds over and over again. This fantastic ad called "2nd Generation Michael Jordan," gives younger generations who love Michael Jordan as much as I did, the ability to put themselves in Michael's shoes. This commercial allows other kids to perform Michael's greatest moments in his basketball career. Weiden + Kennedy has been an incredible blessing for Nike because they never fail to come up with fantastic ads that are heartfelt and moving. The New York office came up with this particular Michael Jordan ad.

Dentsu

Dentsu Canada's office in Toronto did a powerful print campaign in November of this year for the Sunnybrook hospital. Each print ad is driven by copy and seeks to illustrate the ending statement in each ad, "That's why it matters." Many agencies often have trouble balancing the seriousness of certain issues, while also making a heartfelt and successful campaign. Dentsu accomplished this goal by being very sensitive to the issues addressed, while also tugging at your heartstrings. The ads definitely leave you feeling that the Sunnybrook hospital will do the best work possible to care for you and your family during a difficult time as well as keep you safe and secure, which is what I think Dentsu was aiming at.

Cliff Freeman and Partners

I really like this Baskin Robbins: Driving Lesson spot by Cliff-Freeman and Partners in New York. This is not what I would expect for an ice-cream store commercial, but it really works. If your weren't paying attention in the beginning of the ad, you will--the second the girl slams the car into the parked car in the garage, it made me do a double-take. It will definitely capture the audiences' attention right before the important message about Baskin Robbins is revealed.

The "Ice-cream and cake" spot for Baskin Robbins is the newest campaign Cliff-Freeman's New York office did for Baskin Robbins, before the agency closed its doors this fall. This spot is incredibly repetitive and annoying, but at the same time very catchy and cute. I admit that I sometimes find myself singing this jingle. It is definitely a commercial that you won't soon forget.

Vitrorobertson

I think this asics shoe ad by Vitrorobertson in San Diego terrible. Not to sound too harsh, but there is absolutely nothing to the ad. The copy "(sound mind)x(sound body)xtwo=happily ever after?" It sounds like absolutely anyone could have written this. Where was the creative team? Also, I think the art direction is very poor as well. Two people running, one tree, gray sky, a few birds? If I saw this in a magazine I would turn the page immediately and never remember anything about it. One thing is for sure, I am not racing out to buy asics tennis shoes after seeing this ad.

Crispin Porter + Bogusky

Crispin Porter + Bogusky never ceases to amaze me with their brilliant campaigns and abundance of non-traditional and viral media campaigns. This unconventional ad done by CP+B in both Miami & Boulder, called the Whopper Freakout is hilarious. Not only has it been incredibly successful, it has also become an internet sensation. People all over the country and even in other parts of the world have copied the concept of this campaign and created their own "Whopper Freakout" commercials, which gives both CP+B and Burger King a ton of free publicity. I could watch these over and over again. They are so funny!


CP+B is always coming out with new creative and unexpected viral campaigns...here is a fun music video they had their interns create and star in called "World of an Intern."

McKinney

Mckinney in Durham did a fabulous job with the O2 Fitness campaign called "deflate." Out of all the ads I found for my blog, this was by far one of my favorite print campaigns. No copy is needed. The images simply speak for themselves in a brilliant way. It is in so many ways a simple concept and you sort of ask yourself, I can't believe someone hasn't come up with this before? Another thing that makes these ads so great is the 3D figures in bright vivid colors contrasted against a stark, white background. This is such a unique and non-traditional way to advertise for a fitness center--love it.