Keep Austin Weird

So while I'm in Austin visiting my BFF, I've started to notice just how creative of a city Austin is. Walking around "the Drag" as UT students like to call it, I saw so many different personality types it's hard to fit them all on here. We saw hippies chanting songs while strumming a guitar, girls smoking in the shade, clad in size double zero jeans and barely there t-shirts trying to look like they didn't give a F*#@ about life. You saw the clean-shaven and conservative businessmen rushing to get a sandwich during their lunch break, and then you saw the sea of UT students donning the traditional burnt orange shirts.

With all these different people it's no wonder Austin is home to some of the most creative people in today's working word. These people have no limits when it comes to expressing themselves - they are happy with who they are and aren't afraid to express it.

I think in order for a person to be creative they have to have a free outlet to express their creativity. In Austin, people can act, dress, talk however they want and not be judged for it. With this freedom, an individual's creativity emerges, providing to the expanding creative population of the city.

I think this ad campaign speaks for itself.  I wish we would see more if this in today's advertising. Maybe I'm the only one, but seeing half-naked, starved models showing off the new designer's lines, and hot Abercrombie boys modeling skimpy underwear is getting old.  Many companies could benefit from this type of advertising from Kenneth Cole, not to mention, attract dozens of new consumers to various products.

http://www.kennethcole.com/thinkers/default.asp

Each ad portrays a unique individual. There is a solider who won a Purple Heart, an Israeli and Palestine film directing team, Sikh entrepreneur, a tattooed singer, an HIV positive magazine editor, quadriplegic rugby player, undocumented immigrant, gay married couple w/ a daughter, paralympic athlete and director, and a gay republican.

Each individual tells their story of why they are unique. They do not want sympathy, rather they want respect. This campaign helps portray America as a truly diverse culture, while sending the powerful message of how unique and special people we would not give a second glance to, really are.

More than a rope

This might be one of the most insane/ cool ideas I have ever seen.  Who would have thought you could replace a piece of rope with a human body?  Kids these days...

Children are always coming up with new ideas to keep their attention, but who would have thought a common childhood toy, let alone a piece of equipment adults use to work out, could be used in such a unique way.  I never thought I would see something this outrageous.  Or witness someone who has enough trust in their friends to pull their body in opposite directions while swinging them around.

+1 for becoming a human jump rope!

Airport Security

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/01/28/tsa.bombtest/index.html

So I realize this article is old news, but having just returned from Phoenix, this struck me as somewhat important. If you don't read it, basically a man testing airport security managed to get through the Tampa Airport security check with a fake homemade bomb strapped around his waist, hidden beneath his shirt.  The only way this ties into being creative is that this man creatively hid the "bomb," and creatively tricked security personnel at the airport.

If people are getting away with this, it makes me think how much other "stuff" people are getting away with in airports. I tried to take a Starbucks coffee through security, but they made me throw it away just so I could buy another one out at the gate. Three people behind me, a woman walked through with a thermos of who knows what.  Apparently, a blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl with a chai latte is the stereotype of a terrorist.

It's obvious the terrorists in the Middle East or wherever else they live are constantly coming up with new ideas on how to creatively destroy our country. But I feel as if our country has no way to defend us from these ideas.

Maybe someone will come up with a creative way to keep our home safe. Until then, I'm convinced airport security is full of people on power trips, and will always remain selective of who they screen in security.

I guess this is funny...

When I first saw this commercial I wasn't sure whether to laugh or be offended.  I mean, the whole idea of the ad is funny, and I guess since Pepsi employees were featured in the ad it's ok, but if I was deaf I think I would be maybe slightly offended.

The message at the beginning may save Pepsi from some criticism, but not all.  If I was death I would almost feel insulted to know that other people in the country are watching the same thing, and laughing at people with my disability.  I mean a deaf person doesn't laugh at a person who has perfect hearing.

I think Pepsi definitely took a risk in airing this - even though it is humorous.  If a Snickers ad featuring two straight guys touching lips creates such an outcry, it should be interesting to see what this ad stirs up any controversy.

"Meet the Men Under the Helmet"

Each year ad critics rehash the commercials run during the Superbowl just as critically as John Madden analyzes Tom Brady's last touchdown pass.  This year the NFL decided to add a twist of their own to the ad mix and create the "Super Ad."  The "Super Ad: Who Wants it More" spotlights various NFL players' personal stories, giving the viewer a taste of what the man under the helmet is like.

Players were asked to spill on-camera their favorite fan story, untold stories, funny stories, or share an awakening moment they experience upon coming to the NFL.  Some players, like Brady Quinn, explains why he wants to be in the NFL more than any other player.
48 commercials were filmed, and shown online for fans to select their favorite one.  While the winner won't be revealed till game day (February 3rd), all videos are available online.  Set up in a true playoff manner, all videos will have to endure winning their division, clinching a spot in the playoff round, with the winner receiving the Superbowl ad trophy.Now if you're not a football fan, you'll spend these 60 seconds loading up your plate of nachos or refilling your beer, but for the rest of us, these are the kind of ads we live for during the Superbowl.  It's these stories about the NFL that feeds our addiction, teaches us more about our favorite player, and give us an insight to what is means to be a member of the NFL family.I think this is a great idea because while we all love the beer guzzling commercials, Pepsi promotions, and whatever zany ideas the creative departments concoct, this new element will pull in football fans to watch the ads rather than snooze for five minutes.Trust me, an avid football fan isn't going to race into the kitchen during a break if his favorite quarterback is on TV followed by his favorite beer and then a cool new electronic he just has to have.  These ads should keep fans glued to their seat, and open their eyes to the rest of the ads the Superbowl has to offer.  

For more information about the Super Ad - and to watch all 48 videos, please visit the link below.

http://superad.nfl.com/

What's the real message here?

When I first saw this ad I wasn't sure if I was supposed to laugh, or be shocked.  I mean, of course it's funny, but upon realizing that was an actual ad for a German eyeglass company, my opinion changed.  How would we react in the U.S. if we saw an ad like that on our local station?  I think it's safe to assume the public would be outraged.  The shock and awe ads do seem to work though, so why can't we advertise like this in our country?  Is it because we have more taste and decency?  I think the Europeans are more free spirited than the Americans, but we still know how to have our fun - we just do it in a more tasteful manner.  What also struck me about this ad was the question, "Who is the target audience?"  I highly doubt the company was going after the older generation.  But isn't it the older crowd (like my grandmother) who has the most trouble seeing?  I would be terrified if this ad led Grandma into the eye doctor for a sexy pair of new frames.  This ad, in my opinion, was targeting more of my generation.  Apparently guys, you'll get more action if your girl gets new glasses.  The message I take away from this ad is - this company could very well save your sex life.  It's funny, but let's keep these ads over seas.  My little brother doesn't need the idea instilled in this head that his crush needs glasses to lead to a more active sex life.