Southwest -- Wanna Get Away? -- Broken TV

Hilarious concept. With the rising popularity of gaming systems with motion sensors, this ad probably hits home with the younger demographic. I still laugh at it if I haven't seen it in awhile. One major problem though... I've seen this countless times and have probably had conversations with friends about it... but I had no recollection of it being for Southwest! Maybe that makes me an idiot. Well, America has a lot of idiots. B-.

The Mouth:

You just about nailed it. I laugh every time I see him whip that controller at the tv. Every time. Then I think the following things: What kind of controller is that? Nintendo 64? Would an LCD screen really shatter like that? I've never seen one shatter in real life. I sort of miss the whole Southwest message while I'm thinking those things, thus I thought this might have been a Best Buy commercial. Okay, B-.

Boost Mobile, Anthem 2.0

Sorry, this one just isn't for me. First, what's the point of it? That these guys use Boost Mobile? That's they're successful and therefore are authorities on cool phones? Granted, I'm probably not the target audience, but I like hip-hop. And who is that third person? A man or a woman? What? I don't really like any of the people in this or the song. I officially hate "now I'm at the tippy." D.

The Hawk:
The Mouth needs to recognize and realize on this one. Jermaine Dupri and Young Jeezy are southern Hip-Hop institutions. This ad plays just like a music video, and honestly the beat and lyrics are good enough to rock it as a song, until... whatever that thing at the end is, happens. Mickey Avalon, I guess? Horrid. Cringe-worthy. Ruins the whole commercial. It's a classic case of ad guys not knowing shit about Hip-Hop. The culture has so many applications to advertising, but rarely is it utilized well. From A to D, just like that. Our paths are vastly different, but I to arrive at D for this one.


I guess it was supposed to be the follow up to this one, but with slick effects and supers trying to fill the void between star and song quality:



This I liked, although I wouldn't have been able to tell you which company it was for. They went from Kanye, Luda and Game to Dupri, Jeezy and Avalon? Talk about a drop in quality. At least this one showed the functionality, dudes talking coast to coast in real time, rhyming over a Kanye beat. And the song is actually good. And is that B Davis making an appearance in the background?! Or is it Black Thought...I'm not sure which is better, a commercial I don't like, but remember the company, or a commercial I do like but can't remember who it was for. A-.

The Hawk:
Just to reiterate: Avalon=drop in quality, Dupri and Jeezy do not. Jermaine Dupri is one of the most successful, versatile music men of all-time. With that out of the way... I love this one too. Great song, great stars, fits the Boost brand to a tee... and somehow, maybe subconsciously, I always realized whom this ad was repping. A+.

Update: After re-watching, I realized it was the incessant Boost chirp used throughout the ad that tipped me off to the brand. Nice placement.

T Mobile, Secret Lover: B

"Seeecret loovers, that's what we are."

I was singing that all night last night, so if we're grading for stuck-in-my-headedness this is a winner. However, I think the concept of Fav Five is dumb and would never, ever cause me to buy a phone or switch carriers. Unless Dwayne and Charles were in my top five.

The Hawk:

Love it. Great song, great "busted" moment... Fav Five is awesome... not really. I agree on B, but mine is a positive B, whereas The Mouth gave a negative B.

Jeep Liberty -- Rock Me Gently

This makes me absolutely cringe in terror. It's, like, sooooooooooooooo, totally, annoying. Dude. And you know what? I've seen this ad approximately 3.78 billion times, and guess what? I had NO clue what car it was advertising. Way to go Jeep. This is the type of ad that makes swear to NEVER buy from a company. In fact, anyone have Dr. Kevorkian's number? I need his "assistance"... F.

The Mouth:

My first reaction to seeing this ad was disgust. What a waste of advertising dollars from Jeep, a company with a product that has demanded some of the industry's best work. But for some reason, repeated viewing has softened me. Not to say that I like it, because I don't, at all. I have simply ceased thinking of this as a commercial and ceased noticing there's a car--or Jeep--in the ad. I simply hum along with the song, which is also pretty awful. I can't help it if my brain is easily tricked into liking things it sees over and over again.

This is one that slipped through the cracks at Jeep. Jeeps are meant to run animals over. I think a commercial featuring all of the animals in the commercial being run over would certainly be a step in the right direction.

D.

Where Kevin Garnett Happens

This might be the #1 spot from the campaign. It appeals to the "everyman" out there by showcasing one of the best aspects of sports -- it's melting pot effect. Sports, specifically the NBA in this case, can bring people together from all walks of life, and this ad showcases that scenario. In addition, this had to be very appealing to a specific NBA niche -- the Celtics fan. This commercial really tugs at my emotions. I love it. A+.

The Mouth:

No part of me disagrees with my associate here. For me, it's the song. An unexpected, fairly forgotten song that fits perfectly with the message. The only part that I don't like is that it's Boston. They took our Tom Brady. And now Detroit doesn't get KG? Still: A.

Where Kevin Durant Happens

Another great one. Excellent use of special effects and I like the music selection. This is the type of spot you want to watch over-and-over again, saying "How'd they do that?" and to see all the different jerseys. A commercial with Tivo factor is priceless. Of course, I'm an NBA fanatic, so maybe that's just me. A+.

THE MOUTH:

There's nothing I dislike about this spot, but it doesn't give me a boner like it does my repsected associate. Does he grow up at all? Do his arms get bigger? When he bulks up a little, look out. Also, I met him once and when he shook my hand he did it like I was a toddler and he was my lumberjack grandpa. Damn my not giant hands. B-.

Where Steve Nash Happens

Here is the Steve Nash spot from the NBA's "Where Amazing Happens" campaign. It cleverly uses the car's navigation lady to detail Steve Nash's path to success. A good idea by the NBA to use one of their most popular and marketable (meaning white) players. I love this one, although I can that it may fall under the "what the hell was that advertising?" category. B.

THE MOUTH:

I love Steve Nash, but I don't like this commercial much. I don't think using that navigation system to tell the story is all that clever--although it works with "where you have arrived happens." I hate that robot navigation voice in cars and this doesn't really do anything to diminish that. "You are now receiving your 2nd MVP" is possibly the worst line. The style is interesting, but doesn't seem to match the character of the NBA or the other spots in this campaign. C-.

NBA, Where Amazing Happens: A

"Where amazing happens." What a great, outstanding line. Something about it sounds wrong, which makes it all the more...amazing? A great example of how much you can do with a simple, true idea and great writing. Where never meant to happen happens. Where amazing happens. Where amazing happens. Where amazing happens! I love saying it. Say it with me. Where amazing happens.


The Hawk:

My first reaction to The Mouth liking this saying so much was negative at best. I thought it was too corny and cheesy. However, the more I think about it, it's not the tag line I don't like, it's this particular ad. It is too over the top with the piano music... almost a self-righteous type feel. I bet Mike Breen loves this one. The exploitation of the afro doesn't help my opinion, either. I much prefer the individual player ads that go along with this campaign. Continue reading the next few entries for the reviews of those...

C for this one.

Weight Watchers, Stop Dieting: B

I'm not sure what draws me to these. I'm not fat (although I am getting a small unattractive belly). I'm not planning to be fat. And when I do get fat, well, I'll most likely embrace my beautiful fatness. For some reason I like 'em. The lines aren't even that great; the other lines are barely worth mentioning. I guess I'm intrigued by the tagline and the overall idea.

Stop Dieting. Start Living.

Now, I haven't read the small type on any of these posters--maybe I'm not that interested--but I was under the impression that Weight Watchers was some sort of diet. I'm guessing they claim that watching your calorie intake, or eating healthier, is not necessarily a diet. In fact, their website brazenly states, "Weight Watchers works because it's not a diet." False. Wrong. Lie. Here is a common definintion of diet: To eat and drink according to a regulated system, especially so as to lose weight or control a medical condition. That could almost be the exact definition of Weight Watchers. A regulated system of eating to help you lose weight.

Getting my attention: success. Telling the truth: failure.

And now a word from The Hawk:

I haven't been honored by the presence of these ads, so I probably don't have enough information, but... they seem annoying. Intriguing though, I suppose. I'll take the cop out though, and go with C.

WSIB, There Are No Accidents: Rated Y for Yikes

The Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board has really gone the extra mile to shock people into being conscious of safety on the job.



Oh shit! I didn't see that coming. That scream is disturbing. And showing her burned, blistering face? Subtle, really.



Dang. I didn't laugh at the other one, but when that lady falls, for some reason that cracks me up. Until I see her with all that glass in her face. Then I want to cry. If you're into this, you can go to prevent-it.ca for more. You sick bastard.

The Hawk:

That second one is HILARIOUS! I'm still laughing... and the first one is EXTREMELY disturbing. Hey, they both garner strong reactions and definitely get their point across. A-.