The AdWeek interview of Matthew Weiner, executive producer and creator of Mad Men.
Some interesting quotes from the interview.
"I found that, with the exception of very few people, most of the guys who had the job that my hero has in the show are dead. They were very hard-living people."
"...I think that advertising people like to see themselves as darkly glamorous people."
"I've tried to keep the reality that the good ideas are the ones the client likes."
Friday, July 27, 2007
Friday, July 13, 2007
DSW making SLC comeback
Ad agency returning to city under new name
By Paul Beebe The Salt Lake Tribune
http://www.sltrib.com/ci_6229143
Article Last Updated: 06/25/2007 11:41:07 PM MDT
What still remains of arguably the most successful ad agency ever to come out of Salt Lake City is gearing up for a return next month.
Dahlin Smith White, which created the famous "Intel inside" campaign that made consumers familiar with Intel Pentium processor chips, will open a small office in Salt Lake, employing 10 to 15 people.
Its return, however, will be under a different name - Euro RSCG DRTV. And it will be a satellite office of a Portland, Ore., unit of Euro RSCG Worldwide, the flagship ad agency network of Paris-based Havas.
"There is a lot of [history] and people here that they have connections with, and the talent in Salt Lake is pretty decent. It's a way to tap into some known strong people," said Aaron Raymond, director of digital strategy for the Salt Lake office.
Dahlin Smith White, which came to be known as DSW, was established in 1986 by John Dahlin, Darrell Smith and Jon White. The agency landed the Intel advertising account in 1990 and kept it for most of the decade, producing expensive commercials that aired on national television.
"They made people know who Intel was, and what a microprocessor was, and why it was important. It was brilliant," said Eric White, vice president of creative services at the Rare Method agency in Salt Lake City.
At its height, DSW had more than $300 million in annual billings and300 employees. Other high-tech clients included network software company Novell; Alcatel, which develops telecommunications equipment; and Ask Jeeves, the search engine firm.
"They were a very good agency, especially in the high-technology arena, which was where they focused, primarily. I think they had a very good reputation nationally, and internationally, for that matter," said Dave Neubold, president of Salt Lake ad agency Richter7.
In 1996, Euro RSCG bought DSW. A few years later, DSW's Intel business was moved to another Euro RSCG agency in New York, leaving the Salt Lake office without its biggest account.
In 2003, Euro RSCG closed down the Salt Lake office. DSW operations were moved to Portland the next year, said Craig Aramaki, president of Euro RSCG Portland. Aramaki said several employees in Salt Lake have worked remotely for the Portland office for a few years.
The new Salt Lake office will support the Portland office, which provides general advertising services and creates infomercials for clients such as Netflix, the U.S. Postal Service and Internet telephone company Vonage, he said.
By Paul Beebe The Salt Lake Tribune
http://www.sltrib.com/ci_6229143
Article Last Updated: 06/25/2007 11:41:07 PM MDT
What still remains of arguably the most successful ad agency ever to come out of Salt Lake City is gearing up for a return next month.
Dahlin Smith White, which created the famous "Intel inside" campaign that made consumers familiar with Intel Pentium processor chips, will open a small office in Salt Lake, employing 10 to 15 people.
Its return, however, will be under a different name - Euro RSCG DRTV. And it will be a satellite office of a Portland, Ore., unit of Euro RSCG Worldwide, the flagship ad agency network of Paris-based Havas.
"There is a lot of [history] and people here that they have connections with, and the talent in Salt Lake is pretty decent. It's a way to tap into some known strong people," said Aaron Raymond, director of digital strategy for the Salt Lake office.
Dahlin Smith White, which came to be known as DSW, was established in 1986 by John Dahlin, Darrell Smith and Jon White. The agency landed the Intel advertising account in 1990 and kept it for most of the decade, producing expensive commercials that aired on national television.
"They made people know who Intel was, and what a microprocessor was, and why it was important. It was brilliant," said Eric White, vice president of creative services at the Rare Method agency in Salt Lake City.
At its height, DSW had more than $300 million in annual billings and300 employees. Other high-tech clients included network software company Novell; Alcatel, which develops telecommunications equipment; and Ask Jeeves, the search engine firm.
"They were a very good agency, especially in the high-technology arena, which was where they focused, primarily. I think they had a very good reputation nationally, and internationally, for that matter," said Dave Neubold, president of Salt Lake ad agency Richter7.
In 1996, Euro RSCG bought DSW. A few years later, DSW's Intel business was moved to another Euro RSCG agency in New York, leaving the Salt Lake office without its biggest account.
In 2003, Euro RSCG closed down the Salt Lake office. DSW operations were moved to Portland the next year, said Craig Aramaki, president of Euro RSCG Portland. Aramaki said several employees in Salt Lake have worked remotely for the Portland office for a few years.
The new Salt Lake office will support the Portland office, which provides general advertising services and creates infomercials for clients such as Netflix, the U.S. Postal Service and Internet telephone company Vonage, he said.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Mentos Ice gives men’s nipples a purpose
OK, this is STRANGE!
From AdFreak, AdWeek's Blog --
Yeah, that’s a guy catching a frisbee with his nipples, which are several inches long—a side effect, apparently, of Mentos Ice gum, which keeps you (and your nipples) “cool and icy fresh,” according to the brand’s advertising. That’s not all. The commercial suggests other benefits to having freakishly long nipples. You become more adroit with a turntable. You press elevator buttons more easily. You have a peg on which to hang your sunglasses when you go shirtless. And despite what common sense would tell you, the ladies actually dig dudes with long nipples. Not sure how we missed this spot when it broke in Australia last fall. It ended up being the country’s most complained-about ad of 2006, but despite the uproar, was never pulled off the air. See an outdoor execution from the same campaign here.
From AdFreak, AdWeek's Blog --
Yeah, that’s a guy catching a frisbee with his nipples, which are several inches long—a side effect, apparently, of Mentos Ice gum, which keeps you (and your nipples) “cool and icy fresh,” according to the brand’s advertising. That’s not all. The commercial suggests other benefits to having freakishly long nipples. You become more adroit with a turntable. You press elevator buttons more easily. You have a peg on which to hang your sunglasses when you go shirtless. And despite what common sense would tell you, the ladies actually dig dudes with long nipples. Not sure how we missed this spot when it broke in Australia last fall. It ended up being the country’s most complained-about ad of 2006, but despite the uproar, was never pulled off the air. See an outdoor execution from the same campaign here.
Friday, June 8, 2007
Now THAT'S some PR
From the BrandWeek newsletter ---
SOMETIMES, SIMPLER IS BETTER: Got word today that Crumpler, makers of messenger, laptop and photo bags, has scheduled its second annual Beer for Bags promotion in New York City. The idea is simple and genius at once: The company barters certain models of its bags in exchange for certain brands and quantities of beer. For example, one case of Coopers and four Fosters Oil Cans can be traded for a Barney Rustle Messenger bag (retail $95). Other similar offers can be found at the Crumpler Web site, but the best part is, when the promo’s all done, the store staff invites customers in for a party, and they drink the beer! We believe more companies should do this, in our humble opinion. (Homer Simpson voice: “Mmmmmm; Beer!”)
SOMETIMES, SIMPLER IS BETTER: Got word today that Crumpler, makers of messenger, laptop and photo bags, has scheduled its second annual Beer for Bags promotion in New York City. The idea is simple and genius at once: The company barters certain models of its bags in exchange for certain brands and quantities of beer. For example, one case of Coopers and four Fosters Oil Cans can be traded for a Barney Rustle Messenger bag (retail $95). Other similar offers can be found at the Crumpler Web site, but the best part is, when the promo’s all done, the store staff invites customers in for a party, and they drink the beer! We believe more companies should do this, in our humble opinion. (Homer Simpson voice: “Mmmmmm; Beer!”)
What's In a Name -- Part II
Guess there's something to be said for assuring that people know what business the company is in by the corporate name.
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Dikwear not accused of being overly subtle
http://adweek.blogs.com/adfreak/2007/06/dikwear_not_acc.html
Are you the sort of person who needs underwear yet hates nuance? Then you’ll love Dikwear. According to the Web site, Dikwear is a “high-end men’s undergarment that will make a statement about you—uncompromising, unrivaled, and the ultimate in sophistication.” That sophistication is evident both in the site’s photography and its choice of marketing copy (“Go ahead, show a little dik!”). With all that and an “ingenious name,” how can you go wrong? Via Short Takes.
------------
Dikwear not accused of being overly subtle
http://adweek.blogs.com/adfreak/2007/06/dikwear_not_acc.html
Are you the sort of person who needs underwear yet hates nuance? Then you’ll love Dikwear. According to the Web site, Dikwear is a “high-end men’s undergarment that will make a statement about you—uncompromising, unrivaled, and the ultimate in sophistication.” That sophistication is evident both in the site’s photography and its choice of marketing copy (“Go ahead, show a little dik!”). With all that and an “ingenious name,” how can you go wrong? Via Short Takes.
Sunday, June 3, 2007
There's No More Reassuring Voice In Retirement Planning Than Dennis Hopper
Assume everyone knows that The Onion is a fictional news source.
Personally thought this one was funny take on celebrity advertising.
Personally thought this one was funny take on celebrity advertising.
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There's No More Reassuring Voice In Retirement Planning Than Dennis Hopper
By Diane Rohde
May 30, 2007 Issue 43•22
There's no denying it anymore: I'm getting to that point in my life where I should start thinking seriously about my retirement. I'll be living on a fixed income, so careful management of my assets will be crucial. That's why Dennis Hopper's television spots for Ameriprise Financial are so reassuring. Retirement planning means a lot of decision making, and thank God I have the soothing presence of that amyl nitrate–huffing, obscenity-screaming, psychosexual lunatic from Blue Velvet to guide me through it.
I don't think I'm alone in saying that when I first saw Frank Booth dry hump, humiliate, and otherwise violently sexually assault Isabella Rossellini while calling her Mommy, I couldn't help but think stability, tranquility, and, most of all, security. The authoritative, crazed wheeze of this boozing, womanizing, rage-driven actor is a guiding light in the unpredictable, confusing world of investing.
That's why I know I can trust Ameriprise. I'm sure that Dennis Hopper wouldn't represent a company that was anything other than a rock of respectability. When I hear him in those commercials, it's the familiar voice of a coke- dealing, LSD-fueled hippie cowboy biker putting me at ease.
full article --
http://www.theonion.com/content/opinion/theres_no_more_reassuring_voice
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