Graffiti 360

In a world controlled by industry and the machine, this blog observes and critiques the world's true graffiti problem, which is advertising and marketing. From time to time, I'll also talk about art and interactive media. Or whatever else I feel like.

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

DSL That Won't Go Down... damn

Yes, that is a double meaning title for those of you who know what the other definition for DSL is. Check out this advert for QSOL server appliances. The headline reads, "Don't feel bad, our servers won't go down on us either." The copy is kind of hard to read, but some of it includes - "We've all known disappointment. And few things are more disappointing than undependable, expensive servers that don't satisfy your needs. QSOL servers will BLOW your mind, not your budget." Ridiculous. Maybe they did their research and found out IT guys are really horny. Wouldn't surprise me.

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Thursday, August 9, 2007

Personalized Digital Ads... Thank you for targeting me...?

David Kenny, CEO of Digitas, a subsidary of Publicis Groupe, says his agency is creating a digital advertising world where individuals are targeted more than groups. The main objective is to create thousands of different versions of ads that are personalized for individual consumers instead of the mass audience. Soon, you'll turn on the TV and there will be an advertisement for a diabetic tester and one for oatmeal because you have diabetes and you eat a lot of oatmeal. I can see this going as far as tapping into personal data that is stored on computers at places you make purchases. Since everything is becoming digital, it appears everything will become connected with data flow. In the future I can foresee this technology allowing advertisers to be able to target someone with a car ad because the consumer was in an accident a few days before. Screw Homeland Security, advertising is what we should be worried about getting our personal data.

On the other hand, I can see how this digitalization/personalization of ads could be more convienent for consumers. One of the reasons I hate seeing ads on TV is because they aren't targeting me most of the time, and I have no interest in them. If ads were tailored to my needs and only presented when I was most likely to give attention, then I can imagine myself not being as bothered by advertising.

Read the New York Times article about Kenny and Digitas.

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Wednesday, August 8, 2007

Jeep's Eulogy

A new :60 spot for Jeep shows the 66 years of heritage behind the brand, but I don't think this is a commercial, rather a pre-funeral eulogy. The brand is sinking and rumor has it, is about to get canned by the struggling Chrysler Corp. Plus, if they were attempting to revive the brand, this commercial was probably the worst thing they could have chosen to do. The tone is kinda cheesy, but I did think the animation was well done. The Jeep division's struggle could be seen when they tried to expand their lineup by introducing the first four-door Jeep (a mistake?), and they launched a massive Jeep Patriot interactive campaign. It will be sad to see such an American classic go, but oh well, should've hired some better creative. With all the American car companies struggling, I wonder if those heads have more to do with the direction of marketing than anyone thinks. Perhaps, they're still stuck in their ways of producing "American" classics. Maybe they need an American culture lesson.

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Thursday, August 2, 2007

Sarah Jessica Parker is Scary - Observe

Uhh, I ran into these ads for Sarah Jessica Parker's new fragrance, Covet, and I was frightened. She's in a jail with a bunch of vagrants for stealing her own perfume. The tag line reads, "I had to have it." Well, I think it was pretty obvious why she got caught stealing her own fragrance - look at the size of that bottle!!! I guess she couldn't do the Winona Ryder under the coat with this sucker. I also like how she is so excited. If you get a chance to see a higher quality pic, her face is pretty scary looking. Maybe she was drinking the perfume? I spotted the ad on the metro buses in downtown Seattle. The fragrance is being sold at Macy's.

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