Right Off The Press! (Spring 2022)

Insurance turns a new leaf in a darkly humorous twist
The downright boring insurance ads of this day-and-age drone on with legal disclaimers and dread. Yet, this 60-second ad, created by agency Fred & Farid Los Angeles, turns this stereotype on its head with a hilarious spin. The ad depicts family members trying to kill their father to cash in on his policy, accompanied by a humorous copy: “Life insurance so good, they’re gonna want you dead.” In the world of competitive clutter that characterizes the advertising world, these types of ads slice through the noise, offering fresh ingenuity and gusto. The unexpected nature of the ad, especially juxtaposed against the lackluster ones in this category, makes it memorable and appeals to a generation that often neglects to consider life insurance. To read more, click here.

The NBA celebrates its 75th anniversary in a powerfully emotional way
Nothing grabs attention more than a Hollywood A-lister. Star-studded commercials litter the ad space, adding credibility and memorability. Rather than haphazardly packing all these icons into a commercial with no creative edge, the new “NBA Lane” commercial (in celebration of the 75th year of the NBA) masterfully weaves snippets of nuance and nostalgia as it walks viewers through memorable moments in NBA history. One of the particularly emotionally poignant parts of the commercial is a scene remembering the legacy of Kobe Bryant. Coordinating this endeavor was no simple task and choosing the spokesman was no easy decision. Michael B. Jordan was ultimately chosen based on his love for the game, as this commercial wants to celebrate the players as much as the fans. Every fan can garner something special from the ad, finding prize “Easter eggs” that conjure up pleasant memories and feelings. That is what you call personalized advertising. To read more, click here.

The ultimate rivalry: PC v. Mac
Apple and traditional PC manufacturers have been in a long, heated, and cumbersome battle to capture consumers’ interest. To gain a competitive advantage, Apple has continually belittled the “profoundly uncool” PCs. However, Intel, a former supplier, gave Apple a taste of its own medicine in a new “social experiment” commercial. The ad depicts Apple users “learning” about novel features. Ironically, these features are already provided by conventional PCs, and the reactions by Apple customers are entertaining, to say the least. To read more, click here.