Chobani lets fans do the talking

The other day when I was walking to work, I can across this billboard for Chobani Greek yogurt.

The billboard is very simple, featuring a cup of the Greek yogurt and a quote from a devoted Chobani fan.

“Chobani is heaven!!!!!!!”

The quote? Brought to you by @Kgmoll via Twitter.

The billboard is part of a larger campaign that revolves around customers’ love of Chobani Greek yogurt. Visitors to Chobani’s website are even invited to submit their Cobani “love stories”….video clips, photos, recipes or anything that displays their love for the Greek yogurt. Each week, Chobani gives away a free case of yogurt to the story with the most votes.

Why? Because satisfied customers are the best spokespeople. Look, even Cleo the bird loves his Chobani!

I’m a big fan of Chobani. And now? I’m a big fan of Chobani’s marketing strategy, too!

Period protection or fashionable accessory?

I’m not sure if you know this or not, but I’m a big fan of U by Kotex’s marketing. First they created a series of ads that poked fun of the stereotypical feminine hygiene ads (ie pretty girl, white pants/swimsuit, etc.). Now? They’re running a contest called Ban the Bland Design Challenge.

What’s the challenge? Girls are invited to design a pad (yes, as in a maxi pad) or a carrying tin through their website, BantheBland.com. The winner gets the chance to work with fashion designer Patricia Field (think Sex and the City, Ugly Betty, The Devil Wears Prada).

Entering is really easy. Girls design a pad…

Or a carrying tin…

Then, the designer is asked to submit a short essay about the inspiration behind the design. Because feminine hygiene doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, it can be just as stylish as you!

If you’re a fan of Mother Earth, check out this nature themed pad from designer Kimberly.

Or maybe you’re more of a rockstar and this skull-clad pad by Lindsey is more your style.

Ban the Bland is a fun idea and a great way to engage customers and encourage creativity. And sure, some may argue that a fashionable pad is pointless since no one will see it but you, but there’s no denying the feel-good mood that comes over you when you’re wearing a cute pair of underwear–even though nobody else can see it. I’m excited to see the winning design!

How low can you go?

Remember those commercials for U by Kotex that I loved? The ones that mock everything we’ve come to expect from a tampon or pad commercial? Well, now Tampax is coming back and mocking U by Kotex.

In this magazine ad for, a pretty blonde girl is limbo-ing on the beach. In a white bikini. Surrounded by a sea of other attractive people. We’ve got pretty much all the stereotypes that U by Kotex mocks in their ad campaign…all wrapped up in one little magazine ad. Aren’t you relieved that you’re not the only one who loves to limbo when it’s that time of month?

The copy reads:

“At a moment like this, I don’t care if my tampons came in a little black box. I just want ‘em to work.”

The little black box the ad is referring to? The distinctive black packaging that U by Kotex pads, tampons and liners arrive in.

I don’t use either of these brands, so Tampax may very well be the superior product. And I’m totally on board with Tampax’s copy about wanting your feminine hygiene products to work well when you need them most. But when it comes to advertising and creativity? U by Kotex is clearly the winner. I’ll take non-nonsense over cheesy any day.

 

Now that’s refreshing!

In a world full of celebrities that have big heads and take themselves way too seriously (ahem, Charlie Sheen anyone?), Ellen DeGeneres is different. She’s fun. She’s a breath of fresh air. She’s…refreshing. Refreshing like a tall glass of water. Or, say…a nice bottle of VitaminWater. What a perfect pairing!

The ad is primarily black and white with a splash of color—and the star of the show is obviously the product. The copy? Simple and playful.

Tasty for your tongue.

Vitamins for your body.

(and zero calories to go crazy about)

VitaminWater’s parent company, Glaceau, is fond of simple, clean ads. Remember the SmartWater campaign featuring Jennifer Anniston? Also black and white with just a splash of bright color. Also simple.

Even the company’s website is refreshingly simple. Simple imagery. Simple copy.

Ellen DeGeneres doesn’t take herself too seriously. By choosing Ellen as their spokesperson, VitaminWater is proving they don’t take themselves too seriously either. And in a world where everything’s always so serious…that’s seriously refreshing.

 

No shirt? No problem!

Perfume and cologne companies are notorious for using scantily clad women in their advertisements. And now it seems jeans companies are catching on. At least that’s the case for Joe’s Jeans.

This magazine ad for the brand’s skinny micro flare jeans features two emaciated women hanging out in the guy’s bathroom (you can see a row of urinals in the mirror). One is perched cross-legged on top of a sink….topless. The other looks like she’s on her way to do the same. There’s no headline. No body copy. Nothing to explain to me why these ladies are chilling in the guy’s bathroom half naked.

I’ve never seen an ad for Joe’s before, but a quick Google search showed that the brand is no stranger to the provocative. Imagine driving to work and seeing this giant butt everyday.

Or how about this gal who’s going for a swing sans shirt?

I don’t know. This just doesn’t make me want to go out and buy a pair of Joe’s jeans. How about you?

Please be our friend

Sometimes when I see a magazine ad or a TV commercial, I like to imagine the brainstorming session at the ad agency where the concept was born.

Take this ad for Glade’s limited edition “Sparkle of Spring” fragrance. There’s an executive from Glade who says, “Hey. Social media is really cool right now.  Let’s incorporate it into the ad so people perceive our company as really cool and cutting edge. What? Social media has nothing to do with the product and doesn’t tie into the visual at all? So what. People will think we’re cool.

And the copy is born:

“If all the season were into social networking, bet spring would have more “likes” on her updates.”

I love the visual and the packaging design. It’s bright, fun and different than the pastel shades and traditional flowery images that I associate with air fresheners. But the copy definitely leaves something to be desired.

My Top 5 Brands of 2010

As the end of 2010 quickly approaches, lots of magazines and websites have issued their “best of 2010” lists. Ad Age released their list of America’s Hottest Brands of 2010…which made me ask myself… “What were the brands that—for one reason or another—I loved during 2010?”

Here’s what made my list.

Apple. I’m going to be honest. The only Apple product I own is an iPod. But I seriously drool over all of their stuff. And I’m hoping 2011 is the year I become a Macbook owner.

Kindle. Over the summer, one of my girlfriends came to visit me from Kansas and brought along her Kindle. It’s one of those things that I really wanted, but I wouldn’t buy myself. This Christmas, my man friend got me my very own. Though I’ve only had it for about a week, I carry it around with me everywhere and love that I can download all those classics I’ve been meaning to read for free.

TRESemmé. I don’t know why I never used their products before. I saw a review for their heat protection spray in one of my magazines, and I’ve since tried several different products, all of which I love. Their stuff is affordable, yet pretty good quality.

Groupon. 2010 was the year that I signed up for Groupon. I’ve gotten deals on lots of cool stuff and discovered restaurants I wouldn’t have otherwise tried.

Droid. For two years, I was a devoted Blackberry user. But I felt like every time I turned around, something else was wrong with it. The trackball wouldn’t work. The keys wouldn’t register. So when my phone bit the dust (yet again) and it was time to renew my contract, I went with the Droid Incredible by HTC. The battery life sucks, but I’m still in love.

What’s on your list?

Why do tampon ads have to be annoying?

There are certain product categories that i wouldn’t want to write ads for. Adult diapers. Hemorrhoid cream. Feminine hygiene. Especially feminine hygiene.

Why? Because I feel like all ads for tampons and pads are exactly the same…and ridiculous to boot. They all feature pretty girls dancing around with not a care in the world…often wearing white pants…sometimes even wearing swimsuits. The message seems to be, “Buy our brand of pads or tampons and your period will be a party.”

I don’t know about you, but when that time of month rolls around for me, I don’t feel like twirling around in white pants. I feel like throwing a rock at the TV every time I see a tampon ad.

Which is why I loved this ad for U by Kotex, a new line of tampons, pads and liners. It mocks all the stereotypes of feminine hygiene advertising. Pretty girls. Carefree dancing. White pants.

I love this ad because it’s relatable. I’m not the only one that is fed up with tampon ads. Heck, a tampon company is even fed up with tampon ads.

This is an innovative approach for a 90-year-old feminine care brand. Mocking traditional feminine hygiene advertising–include some of Kotex’s very own advertising (check out the “Reality Check” spot that mocks clips from older Kotex ads)–was definitely a risk. But it was a good risk that yielded a great campaign.

Making fun of your own industry AND your own company to prove a point? Now that’s bold.

Show and Tell

Have you noticed that lately every other movie that comes to the theaters is in 3D? Toy Story. Avatar. Resident Evil. No genre is immune the 3D explosion.

And now, it seems advertising is jumping on the 3D bandwagon.

Case in point? A Wonderbra billboard currently hanging in London. The ad features Brazilian model Sabraine Banando displaying her assets with the headline “Experience the Full Effect.”

Does the image look blurry to you? Well, that’s because if you just happen to pass this billboard and have your 3D goggles handy (and who doesn’t?), the ad will appear in 3D. Yup, that’s right. Sabraine’s boobs will show you exactly how a Wonderbra can make your boobs pop.

It’s an interesting idea, and it plays off the growing trend of 3D movies. But some people seem to think it’s going to cause car accidents. Maybe so. Maybe a bigger concern is, who carries around 3D glasses with them at all times? And at the end of the day, a 3D billboard without 3D glasses is just a blurry image that’s guaranteed to give you a headache.

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Huh?!

I’ve seen a lot of really bad commercials. I’m sure you have too.

But have you seen any commercials lately that actually render you speechless because they are so terrible? Silence is then quickly followed by a loud proclamation of, “What the hell?!”

Watch the newest Snuggie commercial…where folks are doing all sorts of ridiculous things like hula hooping on the bed…all, of course, while wearing their Snuggies. And, in the background a jingle–that happens to go to the tune of the Macarena–plays talking about all the fabulous things you can do while sporting your Snuggie.

I seriously have no words. These Snuggie people cannot be serious.