Liquid-Plumr Urgent Clear Is For Those Who Need It NOW

Following in the footsteps of last year’s wildly suggestive (and wildly popular) Double Impact spot, Liquid-Plumr has a new commercial for a new product called Urgent Clear. As the name suggests, it’s for those plumbing situations that just can’t wait. Luckily, when the daydreaming woman tells the hunky plumber named Peter that she only has 10 minutes, he informs her that he only needs seven. Then the Barry White-ish voiceover begins. And of course, the real-life Peter is drilling. This one will have people talking about Liquid-Plumr for sure.

Want Waffles With Swag? Go To IHOP!

There’s nothing really interesting about this ad, aside from the fact that I just saw it and was previously unaware that waffles could have “swag.” Thanks TV, I’m learning so much.

Audi’s Summer Camp Spot Has Such Swagger

Cool commercial. That young guy sure looked impressive. I bet he’s really looking forward to next summer, and the shenanigans that will undoubtedly ensue. Snarky YouTube comments have said that it looked like he gave her weed too, but I think it’s just grass (the real thing).

Tuesday Throwback: Nike’s 2004 Red Sox World Series Commercial

2004 was a great year to start college in the Boston area. Largely because this happened. I don’t actually remember seeing Nike’s Red Sox ad, probably because I was out celebrating or watching a guy jump into our quad’s disgusting pond. But it’s a excellent spot showing the devotion of fans over decades of disappointment. It’s so cool that the brothers, young boys in 1919, grow up and attend the games with a changing cast of family and friends. They’re old men by 2004, and looking suspiciously good for being in their 90s. Styles and times change, but being a fan doesn’t. What’s also interesting is that the commercial, created by Wieden+Kennedy, actually was created in 2003, but it obviously had to be shelved when this happened.

The Miller 64 Song That Makes Me Want To Throw A Bottle Of Beer At The TV

Clearly based off  “99 Bottles of Beer.” And just terrible.

Those Annoying Honda Hashtag Commercials

I used to hate Twitter, but over time, it’s become one of my most visited sites. It’s great for breaking news and to get a pulse on what’s happening in the world. Still, I find myself annoyed by constant tweeters (I don’t need to know EVERY detail of your life) and overuse of hashtags. For some reason, the word “hashtag” just bothers me. Incorporating real tweets is a somewhat interesting and interactive strategy, but I find these new Honda ads to be quite smarmy. “Hands” it is not. And in case you were wondering, the female dealer in the first spot is played by Jen Drohan.

Dick’s Sporting Goods Has A Very Real Football Spot

Quietly, Dick’s Sporting Goods has made some great commercials. There was this Father’s Day spot from last year, and a very realistic baseball ad from the spring. Dick’s new football commercial is a similar, and very worthy successor to the baseball spot. The one take style is extremely compelling and in the words of Adweek, “it’s reminiscent of the actual process of playing football in a way that few ads—hell, few movies—really are.” It focuses on the action before the action we usually see. Very nice work.

Tuesday Throwback: Staples Goes Back To School

It seems a little crazy since it’s only July 10th, but back to school sales are already in full swing. But with the trend of schools starting earlier in summer, I guess it makes some sense. All of this reminds me of a commercial that I grew up with: this Staples back to school ad. Made sometime in the mid-’90s, every year this spot appeared, it reminded that school was starting soon. It might actually still be on the air. Watching as an adult, it’s hilarious to see the juxtaposition of the gleefully dorky dad with the thousand-yard stare of the kids. The ironic use of “It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year” just adds to the fun. And a final thought: maybe I’m just looking through rose-colored glasses, but it seems strange now that going back to elementary/junior high/high school was such a drag. Compared to job hunting with a liberal arts degree in a crappy economy, that sounds positively swell.

 

Honda’s Spectacular Hands

“Hands”, a great new video from Honda, created by Wieden+Kennedy London, has racked up close to 2.5 million views on YouTube since being uploaded on July 3. Quite an impressive total, especially since it’s fairly long for an ad at nearly two minutes. And it’s well worth it. Maybe it’s not as classic as the “Cog” Honda ad (which gets referenced in the beginning and end of “Hands.”) But still a stellar piece of work and a compelling way to show off the company’s skills. This feels like an award winner.

Tuesday Throwback: The Stars Will Always Shine, The Birds Will Always Sing…For Coca-Cola

Songs and jingles can be very catchy. That’s why they’ve been used so often in advertising and to teach children educational concepts (think Schoolhouse Rock). Today the verse “the stars will always shine/the birds will always sing/as long as there is thirst, there’s always the real thing” randomly came into my head. Maybe because this was a summer Coca-Cola commercial. Quintessential early ’90s song and visuals. So catchy. It also really sounds like Michael Jackson, but of course it isn’t, since he was a Pepsi pitchman.