Archive for July, 2006
Here’s something interesting. To communicate with customers on your website, how about a digital version of the company’s CEO or any celebrity, or maybe even allow the customer to create a digital image of his or herself!
These ‘digital people’ are called Avatars, and are popping up on a number of websites, providing help to users, interacting with your requests and even your mouse pointers moves.
Some people are calling it the next frontier in marketing communications on the Internet.
The sample Avatar is of Washington Post writer Frank Ahrens who wrote a story about this new technology.
Apparently, advertisers are now evaluating the potential of avatars, with some ideas on how an Avatar can preach the value of certain products, just like a friend. It’s like word-of-mouth. Only it’s not a real person!
Already, websites of companies like Accuweather, L’Oreal and Global Gillette are avatar-equipped.
Even DaimlerChrysler has created a low-tech avatar of its chief executive, Dieter Zetsche, to answer online questions as “Dr. Z.”
Interesting. It makes you shudder to think that, soon, we may not even need real people in commercials!
Find out more at The Washington Post.
July 25th, 2006
Al Aqariya Group- owners of media specialized in covering real-estate in the Arab World- have launched an initiative entitled “With You Lebanon” in cooperation with the UAE Red Crescent to support war-stricken Lebanon.
So far, it has generated donations worth AED 50 million from individuals and organizations across the Arab world, which include cash donations, medicines, medical equipment, foodstuff and tents, in addition to shipping services to deliver supplies to affected areas in Lebanon.
And now Al Aqariya TV has opened the door to advertising agencies to air, for free, TV ads to drive more donations and create more support.
Al Aqariya Group will also run a special supplement of its magazine “Al Aqariya”, titled “With You Lebanon”.
This is a demonstration of social responsibility by an Arab media group which deserves to be recognized.
July 24th, 2006
Neat idea for Garden Cafe in Dubai.
This is a couple of months old, but one of the very few ads posted by a Middle Eastern ad agency on Ads Of The World.
It is surprising that so few regional agencies, or even freelance designers, send their work to advertising websites and blogs. If the work is good enough, it will get free exposure!
Actually, what seems like a lack of interest in the online world is actually a lack of ‘online literacy’ by the region’s agencies.
It’s a pity. That’s why we tip our hat to Liwa Advertising (Dubai, UAE), who posted this ad.
The team behind it are Suhas Rege, Sajeev, Vinayak Adate and Tarun.
Via [AdsOfTheWorld].
July 24th, 2006
If you’re tired of seeing this image by now- so are we- stop for a moment to consider the marketing implications of the famous World Cup final headbutt, which apparently continues to provide Adidas with millions of brand exposures.
Zidane is wearing Adidas kit, with the logo appearing on his shirt, shorts and socks.
Apart from having it’s logo on the match ball, on billboards in the stadium and on every French player’s apparel; the head butt will provide the ‘long-term’ branding effect.
Apparently, research firm Nielsen believes this has resulted in Adidas winning the ‘World Cup 2006 Brand War’.
And the exposure continues on the Internet everyday, with tens of thousands of daily playbacks on video sharing sites like YouTube and MetaCafe.
Ridiculous?
Maybe, but it’s described in detail at The MediaPost.
July 24th, 2006
Without wanting to sound too political, consider how useful such vitamins would be to children in a state of war similar to what’s happening in Lebanon.
This was the first idea that came to my mind, so maybe this vitamins company should possibly reconsider such a controversial creative idea. Or, at least, never use it in a region of conflict.
For now, it’s running in South Africa. The advertisement is called ” Supercharged vitamins for kids”, and it’s by Lowe Bull in Johannesburg.
Via [Ads Of The World].
July 23rd, 2006
I don’t think this is what the advertiser had in mind when booking this banner campaign on the website of the British daily The Telegraph!
But, it’s a daily newspaper which reports on wars, and this banner has created the kind of embarrassing coincidence that should be a lesson to all advertisers, creatives and media planners.
Slogans like ‘Don’t watch Your Profits Go Up in Smoke’ should not be used.
Chances are a country may be going up in smoke too ….. and let’s just say it’s a much more important issue than profits!
July 22nd, 2006
Here’s something interesting, and slightly disgusting, from AdRants.
You’re on a flight, and not feeling to well. You grab the ’sickness bag’- also known as barf bag- to relieve yourself.
The question is: Would you notice advertising on the bag?
Apparently, some airlines in the America think so, and will soon be offering advertisers the opportunity to place images on the sides and bottom of these bags. US Airways could be doing it as early as this September.
What advertisers would want their brands associated with vomit?
Airlines in the US are also exploring other ‘non-traditional advertising’ opportunities like cups, napkins and ticket jackets.
With such other options available, starting with ‘barf bags’ is a bad idea.
Read the details in The Miami Herald.
July 22nd, 2006
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