Portfolio Party

Listerine Part Duex

2008-02-24T12:02:00.001-08:00

Listerine

2008-02-24T11:55:00.001-08:00

Any thoughts?

The PBR Revival

2008-02-18T18:18:00.000-08:00

"By 2001, sales of the Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR) had fallen to less than 1 million barrels, about one-tenth its peak in 1975. In 2000-01, Pabst sales executives noticed that sales in Portland, Oregon of PBR were growing, without any marketing or explanation. Further research found a local Portland bar had changed its offering to Pabst after a local beer went off the market. It was found that the local community was made up of a large counterculture along with working class people and college students who had adopted Pabst as their brew. Soon other bars in the area started to offer Pabst as their less expensive beer (Portland being famous for its high-end microbrews)^[2].

From Portland PBR has become popular again, spreading throughout the country. For example, in Richmond, Virginia, PBR is sometimes referred to as the "People's Beer of Richmond", under the same counter-culture/working class mantle as Portland.As a sign of this remarkable revival, Pabst Blue Ribbon became available for the first time since the 70's in long neck bottles. A tremendous event in Panama City Beach, the bi-annual Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Rally has allowed PBR to endorse it, attracting thousands of the sorts which have now incorporated Pabst as much into their identity as the motorcycles they ride."

A modern day brand revival sparked by what? What's the most important thing a brand must have in order to have a chance with "the people."

TO SAVE THE BLOG

2008-02-17T13:19:00.000-08:00

Now anyone can post directly to the blog. Please limit posting to your original student work. Below is the log-in and password information.

LOGIN ID: portfolioplayer
PASSWORD: portfolioparty

Thank you. We look forward to your posting.

Never Aired...

2008-02-12T18:40:00.001-08:00

Crazy Street Art

2008-02-12T08:31:00.000-08:00

What's the brand here?

Blue Nile

2008-02-11T11:56:00.001-08:00

This Blue Nile print single was done by Kris Robertson (AD) and Brock Johnson of Brainco. An interesting approach to selling diamonds. Thoughts?

My Visit to Wexley

2008-01-27T23:26:00.000-08:00

I don't know where or how to start with my trip to Wexley, so like a teacher with a hangover on a monday: Here's a slide show.

VW from Ogilvy

2008-01-21T12:56:00.001-08:00

This guerilla was done by Ogilvy in South Africa.

WebMD

2008-01-14T18:47:00.000-08:00

This WebMD campaign was done by Chris Milne of The Creative Circus. Thoughts on these simple and elegant ads? Also, remember--the more you send, the more you see. If you want to share work, please send to: portfolioparty@gmail.com Thanks!

Ted Airlines

2008-01-02T23:51:00.001-08:00

This print campaign for Ted Airlines hit me immediatley with its art direction. It was done by Karen D'Souza (AD) of Chicago Portfolio School. Thoughts on the AD, and the fine line between making something that looks stunning and making the design integrate smoothly with the message.

What's the difference between great art direction, and just making something look really cool?

Hillarious or Hokey?

2008-01-01T20:09:00.001-08:00

2008 here we are. Is this alternative media piece by Mark Habke of The Creative Circus more puny or funny? Your thoughts.

FedEx

2007-12-23T21:12:00.000-08:00

This FedEx campaign was done by Leo Valadão (AD) and Luciana Elaiuy (CW) of Universidade Federal De Minas Gerais in São Paulo. It brings up the age old issue of play on words. Where and how does it fare here? Here's an example of a similar executional style done by Patrick Stewart (AD) and Heather Sullard (CW) of Brainco in Minneapolis.

Is one more sucessful than the other? If so why? What are your thoughts on wordplay in an industry where there are rules, and then there are none.

Mercades AMG

2007-12-20T19:22:00.001-08:00

Who said you can't put auto in your book? This headline for the Mercades AMG was done by Isaac Pagan (AD) of Miami Ad School and an whose name I will post when I find it out. Thoughts on the headline and its art direction?

Bayer Apsrin

2007-12-19T12:39:00.000-08:00

This Bayer Asprin :60 was done by Jonas Mayabb (AD) and Jeff Butcher (Cinemotagrapher) of the Art Center College of Design Pasedena. Impressive as student work, it took a bronze at the 2007 Clios.

HoneyShed

2007-12-13T15:16:00.000-08:00

Droga 5's, HoneyShed (beta)is here. Read here for more information. In a marketing age where more and more things are becoming interactive, real time and integrated, what does it mean to students trying to get into the "game?"

Will we start seeing the devaluing of classical creatives (including probably most all of us)--and more people in the bidness about transforming the possibilities of media? Your thoughts.

Brasillian Blues

2007-12-12T18:13:00.000-08:00

Long copy--important for writers and art directors, they say. Show you can write, show you can handle lots of type. These Bush Harmonica ads were done by Raquel Salaro (AD), and Bruce Stern (CW) of The Creative Circus. Thoughts on the art direction and writing.

TiVo, Again...Really?

2007-12-11T15:25:00.000-08:00

This TiVo outdoor was part of a campaign done by Derek Till (AD) and John Neerland (CW) of Brainco in 2001. It won Gold at the Minneapolis Show.

The TiVo ad on the left, by Adolfo Alcala (CW/AD) and Ozan Aslan (AD) of the Academy of Art University, was part of a campaign that won silver at the 2007 International Andy's. The one on the right, by Moyeenul Alam(AD) and Lucas Napolitano(CW) of Miami Ad School in Miami Beach, also won silver at the 2006 International Andy Awards. These aren't the only ones we've seen.

I don't think there is anything wrong with any of these executions. They're quick, concise and highly functioning. But can we please stop doing TiVo ads? How do they keep winning awards?

Child's Play

2007-12-09T12:41:00.001-08:00

This L'Oreal Kids headline campaign was done by Barb Eztkorn (AD) and Theresa LaGuardia (CW) of Brainco. We don't see a whole lot of kids stuff--or good kids stuff. Is the key to create a message thats directed more at parents? And how successful are these headlines working in this difficult product category?

Logo Channel

2007-12-06T23:06:00.000-08:00

This Logo Channel ambient piece was done by Parivaz Alloo (AD) of the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. The tag reads: "Television for Gays and Lesbians."

Lessons from a Genius

2007-12-06T11:31:00.001-08:00

(Note, in using the term genius I am referring to a definition posted on Advertising for Peanuts a couple weeks ago.)

This isn't necessarily a post about advertising per se--but it is a post about great writing, particularly writing great dialogue. And that's worth significantly more than a dime a dozen (but probably less than their weight in gold). Here's an excerpt from David Milch, writer/creator of Deadwood and John from Cincinnati:

Dialog Step

Perhaps the most important aspect of writing truly great television (and naturally something I've always been good at) is coming up with dialog that just barely resembles what each character is trying to say. When people have to work to understand what the hell is going on, they presume (correctly!) that they must be watching fine art.

I could explain this, but I'm not that good of a writer so I'll just show you through an example. Casey does not want a drink that his friend Adam is offering, but he does want to use his phone.

Adam: Want a drink?
Casey: No thanks. Mind if I use your phone, though? It's a local call. I'll make it quick.

That's horrible. Now let's punch it up by making that exchange harder to follow.

Adam: As I would offer to others who were in my house if they were here and desired it, what say you to a serving of this not-air not-earth not-fire element?
Casey: If I were to answer you in the positive I would be the embodiment of the title of that Henry Rollins Band hit from the mid-90's, and half the embodiment of the title of that Jim Carrey lawyer movie. How much of a strain on our friendship would it be if instead I asked for a rendezvous with one of your appliances which I hold close to my head and stimulate with my mouth?

Better. Not quite there yet, but better. As I learned from Deadwood, cursing is the ultimate hot sauce. It goes great with everything. Let's revise the exchange accordingly.

Adam: As I'd fucking just as soon offer it to others, I'm telling you that a glass of that liquid pleasure can pass between your cocksucking lips if you indicate in the affirmatory.
Casey: Much as I appreciate your gesture of motherfucking kindness, I'd like to communicate with another cocksucker via your telephonic voice relay device.

Now we apply the lessons learned from John From Cincinnati. Anger, insanity, mystery.
Adam: (to a chair) I'd offer it to him, but I doubt he'd... no, no. You're right. (long shot of the chair, with the camera slowly zooming in) Hey, you shitbird! Why don't you partake in this once in a lifetime offer of what some who appreciate potables might accept gladly?
Casey: (pushes Adam onto the ground and pulls out a gun) This is the cocksucking end. I wanted to ask of you a question that would possibly lead me to using your receiver and dialing pad but the device communicated with me directly from across the room vis-a-vis my left and right hemisphere. It told me... (an old scar on his cheek vanishes) These things cannot be undone unless we have fucking started them. All is Babylon.

Asprin

2007-12-05T21:00:00.000-08:00

This billboard campaign for Asprin was done by Jan Lohse (AD) and Patrick Duver (CW) from Miami Ad School in Hamburg.

Norton

2007-12-05T15:58:00.000-08:00

These ads for Norton System Works were done by Stella Geurtsen and Kris Spape at the Junior Academy for Art Direction in Amsterdam. To me, its an example of a smart visual solution--not a exaggerated benefit (a favorite of the Brasillians).

Thoughts on the significance of the visual solution today, both in the industry and in student work. Is the increase in visually-driven work winning awards both domestically and internationally the effect of:

Globalism, as ideas today are so readily and instantly communicated without regard to physical distance?
A result of continually declining intellectual capital throughout culture?
A new age in marketing, where the success of creative endevors in marketing can not be measured inside the box of traditional media--but in its potential to become something far more than just "advertising"?
Something else?

All thoughts welcomed and appreciated. More consistent posting will likely ensue. And please, send us your work/thoughts/ideas: portfolioparty@gmail.com

Andersen Windows Alt Media

2007-11-28T13:36:00.000-08:00

This alternative media/ambient piece was done by Andrew Bernardi (AD), Sarah Brown (AD) and Gabriel Cendoma(CW) of The Creative Circus. Are creative directors more and more wanting executions outside the clutter of print--or when it boils down to it, do they really just want to see print? Thoughts?

Vespa

2007-11-28T13:31:00.001-08:00

Sorry it's been so long (busy finishing my last trimester of school). This print campaign was done for Vespa by Jeremy Claud (AD) of VCU Ad Center. Thoughts on the headline campaign? Are pure headline campaigns the hardest to art direct?

Hale, Guinness

2007-11-14T21:56:00.000-08:00

The recent debut of "Tipping Point", the latest installment of Guinness' remarkable television commercials, inspired me to post 2 of my all-time favorite t.v. spots. Both directed by Jonathon Glazer, they are masterful in their conception and artful in execution. It begs the question: Why the hell can't we have this stuff on t.v. here in the States?

It borders on art if you ask me. Thoughts? What are you favorite commercials ever made? Please post links.

Un-Natural Defenses

2007-11-12T21:47:00.001-08:00

Yes, another NRDC campaign--but I thought it was a pretty interesting and unexpected approach, worthy of some discussion. This print campaign was done by Andrew Glafke (AD) and Gregg Hutson (CW) of the Creative Circus.

Thoughts on the strategy and its implementation. I dig the AD considerably.

Web 2.what is it now?

2007-11-11T18:32:00.001-08:00

This web ad for Ampad was done by Priyanka Guha (AD) and Amy Travis (CW) of VCU AdCenter.

It gives us an opportunity to talk about having web/interactive pieces in our student books. I think it's mostly clear that we should all have some web in our book. But what makes a good web ad? Should it play off the environment? Should it truly be interactive? Or is a banner that could work as a print, or outdoor equally as legitimate on the net as it is in print? Thoughts.

English, English!

2007-11-09T00:00:00.000-08:00

It's a great language. Here's a Friday/weekend challenge to all of you:

Every poster writes one sentence in the style of the above pictured writer (from left to right: Maya Angelou, Dr. Suess, Ernest Hemingway, Virginia Woolf, Salman Rushdie). I'll start it off with an actual line from an Angelou poem. Every sucessive post must be an original simulation of the author's voice and relate to the previous sentence. After Mr. Rushdie's sentence is written, we start again with Maya (from her poem Insomniac).

Good luck, here's the opening sentence:
"There are some nights when sleep plays coy, aloof and disdainful."
(Dr. Suess, you're up!)

Changing Tides

2007-11-08T08:51:00.001-08:00

This Tide print campaign was done by Lindsay Stevens (AD) while she was a student at the Creative Circus.

Thoughts on the po-mo, ad off another ad execution. Has the style become popularized to the point where it has to be absolutely brilliant? Or will it become a staple of more things to come and see?

Used CD's

2007-11-07T08:16:00.001-08:00

This piece for Sonic Boom was done by Marqus Bobesich (CW) of Humber College in Toronto. Thoughts on this interesting insight/execution--as well as doing smaller local clients in your book? Should you keep the brand a bigger one if you can?

Slim Fast

2007-11-06T17:18:00.000-08:00

This Slim Fast billboard was done by Kyle Grummun (AD) from Syracuse University. Simple, smart and fast. Thoughts?

Sure Lock

2007-11-04T21:19:00.000-08:00

I'm sorry, but I couldn't embed the video, but it's a great ad.

I don't know where to start.

2007-11-04T00:04:00.001-07:00

All I know is that I'm sure if it'd work people would have quite the demand.

Match Point

2007-11-02T12:54:00.001-07:00

Another lovely little Friday afternoon distraction: Layer Tennis. It's a little back-and-forth between designers. It starts with one image created by the first competitor. Then the opponent has fifteen minutes to use the original image to create something new. And so forth and so on. They each have five volleys.

Today's is Marian Bantjes (!) and Armin Vit. Upcoming matches are listed in the sidebar.

Now you know what I'll be doing for the rest of the day.

Headline This:

2007-11-02T06:55:00.000-07:00

Write the headline, and or come up with the brand. Have a good weekend!

Edward Jones

2007-10-31T21:11:00.001-07:00

This Edward Jones campaign was done by Brady Cotton (AD) and Nobuhisa Tanimoto (CW) of Brainco. Thoughts on the outdoor campaign?

Japanese Efficiency

2007-10-30T16:19:00.000-07:00

This Toyota Prius ad was done by Glen Scott (AD) and Matt Bowne (CW) while students at Chicago Portfolio School.

An instructor of mine consistently drives home the point of brutal, pure simplicity in strategy. Is this accomplished here in your opinion?

Farming for Alternatives

2007-10-29T21:58:00.000-07:00

These Factory Farm guerilla spots were done by Miranda Gerlock (AD) and Paul Korel(CW) while they were students at The Creative Circus. I think the first one hits home harder because the placement is more relevant.

Thoughts on these ads and the growing importance of having non-traditional media in your book.

Wrong Answers

2007-10-25T19:49:00.000-07:00

Hey, it's casual Friday again. So something not in Ad World.

A roomate of mine created this short animation that debuted at a Fearless Film Makers festival in Minneapolis last year. This is one installment of a collection of conversations he had recorded over the years with telemarketers and wrong number calls. Thought I would share it.

Viva la Olympia

2007-10-24T13:36:00.000-07:00

How did they get that idea?...

Well, I think...

Mission: Improbable?

2007-10-24T00:23:00.001-07:00

This guerilla peice was done by Grace Chon (AD) of the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. To me an example of pretty cool guerilla that would probably be pretty hard to do in real life.

What do you think about hard-to-actually do alt media pieces and putting them into a student book?

Integration is Paramount

2007-10-22T20:27:00.000-07:00

This integrated campaign for Trek II Relay was done by Alex Harvey (CW) of Chicago Portfolio School. It gives us the opportunity to talk about the importance of having an integrated campaign in your book. Alex's interests me particularly in that the only traditional media chosen was print (or poster?).

Thoughts on the importance of showing a big idea and blowing it out through different media. How valuable is it? How many integrated campaigns do you want to show typically in a standard student book?

The Uptown Effect

2007-10-18T20:19:00.000-07:00

If you're in advertising, you shouldn't be all about advertising. That's my half-ass excuse for not posting anything today. So today, it's most definitely casual Friday. The question of the day:

How legitimate is it to hate a team based solely on the obnoxiousness of their fans?

They key word here is solely. I certainly think that obnoxious fans can add to hating a team based on other factors (the players, the city, rivalries etc.), but can you for example, hate the Boston Red Sox or the Chicago Cubs because of the teeny-bopping, bandwagon-jumping fan base they attract?

Also, can this be applied to ad agencies? Sometimes I sense people hate on CPB because of their relatively explosive growth and popularity. Thoughts on what I call the "Uptown Effect" please.

Radio Flyer

2007-10-15T20:35:00.001-07:00

This Radio Flyer campaign was done by Brainco graduates Paul Swiatek(CW) and Andy Westbrock(AD) as students.

Where do you go-to?

2007-10-13T12:30:00.000-07:00

I'm stuck at dafont.com right now, searching for the font that clearly exists only in my head. I can't be the only one this happens to. So...tell me: what are your go-to sites for stock photography, free font downloads, and other ad-geek needs?

We learned way back in kindergarten how to share. Pony up. Save me.

The Impact of Interactive Social Networks

2007-10-11T21:02:00.000-07:00

Internet social networking. Essentially, My Space and The Facebook. They are massive, with millions world wide. Reach, and involvement are incredibly high. People love branding themselves.

What is to come in terms of marketing for the present and future of this relatively new phenomenon--the possibilities seem vast. And how does that effect us as students of persuasion? Facebook executions in student books?

Air Inspiration

2007-10-11T03:53:00.001-07:00

We all experience it, those moments when we feel completely uninspired to work on anything. When we feel we can't create something cool and original. The above two commercials are in my opinion the best Jordan commercials ever made and (among others) are what I turn to, to get me inspired, and motivated to crank out good work. God bless You Tube. What do you guys do when your brain feels like being lazy?

U.S.S. Pampanito

2007-10-10T23:09:00.001-07:00

This one-shot for the U.S.S. Pampanito was done by Jac Madsen (AD) of The Creative Department in San Francisco. Demonstrates the 3-part headline. Fitting, or inefficient? Thoughts on the art direction.

SAS Airlines

2007-10-08T22:09:00.000-07:00

These billboards for SAS Airlines were done by Daniel Berenson(CW) of Adhouse NYC. It demonstrates the classic lingua franca juxtaposition line. Is the execution easy, or does its simplicity carry well and hit easy? Consider the medium.

Defining Greatness

2007-10-07T22:06:00.001-07:00

Considering the subjectivity involved in what it is we do, I've often wondered to myself what makes a great ad? Recently, I spoke with a couple writers at Martin-Williams who stressed the need for every campaign in a student book to be great.

When they know you've spent a couple years devoting your life to building a portfolio, you shouldn't just be doing good stuff. But what if some say your work is good, but others say its great? What if some don't even think its good?

I say a great ad is an ad everyone (or most everyone in the great creative schema of things) agrees is great. For example, the above headline issued in the 2000 CA Ad Annual by Carmichael Lynch--no creative in their right mind could honestly say that this isn't a great ad, or at least a great headline.

Thoughts? How do you define what a great ad is?

The Eye Bank

2007-10-03T22:57:00.000-07:00

This ad for The Eye Bank was done by Matthew Ogelby (CW) of 101 Ad School. Thoughts on the implementation of the braille execution? Does it work here--originally? Or has braille become so used that it becomes incredibly difficult to execute without being an advertising cliche.

Wolford Nylons

2007-10-02T21:33:00.001-07:00

These spreads for Wolford (nylons) were done by Kelly Riordan (AD), B. William Johnson(CW) and Nobuhisa Tanimoto (CW) of Brainco.

All thoughts are welcomed and encouraged as usual.

What's in YOUR book?

2007-10-02T13:46:00.000-07:00

Long-time reader, first-time poster.

I'm an art director (I'm clearly not a writer) and I'm interested in hearing your opinions on this:

I was proposing some spec work to one of my writers last night when I realized that I had no idea what's really missing from my book. I always hear things like "Oh, you should have some travel," or "There should be a parity product," or some other blanket statement. But no one's ever said "You know, these are the categories CDs are interested in seeing," and then laid out a list.

So, what I'm interested in hearing is what you think--or what you've heard--qualifies as an even mix of clients for a student book. What do you have? What do you wish you had?

The Power of Paranoia.

2007-09-30T22:20:00.000-07:00

My friend stumbled upon this wonderous little pic, though not a piece of work by a student, it does to me prove to be effective. Comments.

Boca Burgerama

2007-09-28T20:18:00.001-07:00

This campaign for Boca Burgers was done by Luke Behrends (CW) of VCU AdCenter. It's a highly subjective industry, and despite the fact that a campaign like this would likely get shot down at my own school (as a marker comp) I love them.

They're funny, they're unexpected and they're very well written. Thoughts on "avant-garde" styles of execution. From your personal experiences, what is it like to present an idea like this in its early stages?

Alternative Transfers

2007-09-27T14:45:00.001-07:00

This alternative media piece was done by Eric Li (AD) of the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore. It's very smart, its quick and interactive. But will the scratch off execution soon be "I've seen it before" territory?

How to Resume

2007-09-27T00:26:00.001-07:00

How should you do a creative resume? This is Amr Assaid's (University of Texas at Austin) resume. Thoughts on what CD's, HR people and whoever will be looking for in a creative person's resume? Should art directors or designers have more of a beautifying touch than writers?

Orbit This

2007-09-25T18:08:00.000-07:00

Bored of yet another student ad? Here's some recommended reading. Gordon McKenzie's Orbiting the Giant Hairball is an excellent not really about advertising book, that deals with creativity and its role in a corporate setting.

Perhaps even our own "creative" schools become a bit hairballish. McKenzie's lessons will help keep you in orbit if you find that to be the case.

The South African Contingency

2007-09-25T00:43:00.001-07:00

This Nintendo DS print single was done by Alexi McCarthy nominee for Archive's student of the Year award out of AAA School of Advertising in Cape Town. The campaign won a silver at the 2007 Loerie Awards.

Duracell

2007-09-23T20:31:00.001-07:00

These Duracell ads were done by Jon Tate(AD), graduate of The Creative Circus. Not a headline, not a visual solution--all smart, simple and hard to beat. Thoughts on the campaign.

Wrap it up.

2007-09-23T13:53:00.000-07:00

This product was found on a packaging website, done by Taylor Kunh, a student from the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York. The stylization is simple and something that's an uncommon approach for hardware goods, which can certainly be an advantage. The best part is the fact that Taylor had not only worked on one item, but the whole product line, which is sometimes overlooked in classes.

Baseball Hall of Fame

2007-09-20T06:51:00.000-07:00

These digital roughs for the National Baseball Hall of Fame were done by Brady Cotton (AD) and Nobuhisa Tanimoto (CW) of Brainco. The art direction will be re-worked--thoughts on the concept? Clearly an insiders campaign.

Stranger than Candy

2007-09-19T00:00:00.000-07:00

Here's another candy ad, but from a very different place. This Butterfinger microsite ad for Follow the finger was done by Ewa Lonska (AD) now at JWT Chicago and Beth Kerin (CW) of Chicago Portfolio School.

The microsite was done by Threshold.

A writer and instructor of mine at Colle + McVoy in Minneapolis once gave me a bit of advice saying that sometimes people (CDs among others) get sick of headlines that sound like headlines, and sometimes there's a value is lines that are outrageous near the extent of (but not crossing) the WTF line. I'm curious what you think about these. And do you believe there is a value to these kinds of headlines?

An Argument for 3

2007-09-18T11:36:00.000-07:00

At Brainco, because of the lack of AD's at a senior student level we've increasingly been working in teams of 3 people (typically 2 writers and an art director).

I've started to think that there is a definate advantage in the 3-person team, and that perhaps overall its a better system than the classic one Writer, one AD model. Here's why I think this:

Weakside Action- While 2 people discuss/concept, the third person can do the sort of alone-time momentary thinking that can bear new fruit. She/he has the option of thinking deeper, or straying onto a tangent inside their own head while the momentum of the conversation between two other people doesn't stop. With only two people, a momentary divergence from the current flow of ideas brings the concepting to a halt, because of course it takes two to tango.
The Point Guard Effect- If and when concepting takes a drastic turn for the wild (not that that's a bad thing) a third party can steer the momentum of ideas back into a place more conducive towards executable ideas.
Organic Conversation- Sitting down with people and coming up with ideas doesn't have to be (and in my opinion shouldn't be) any different than sitting down with a group of friends and shooting the shit. When people are comfortable, and less forced to let the conversation go, you're bound to talk about more things, and in theory, more ideas. It's easy for a 2-person group to become a very contrived, forced session--rather than a natural, not-worrying about saying something stupid gathering of natural human interaction. This (generally speaking) is eaiser to do in a group of three I think. Think about first dates often being group excercises, there's a reason for it.
Checks and Balances- With three people, there's less of a chance of a dominant personality taking too much power and completely controling the creative agenda. Less single-tracked ideas, and a greater diversity (or a greater chance of diversity) of ideas makes it eaiser to explore the metaphorical room.

So this is my hypothesis. Please share your thoughts and experiences with us about the 3- person team over a 2-person one. Do you prefer one over the other, or does it completey rely on the people and the assignment?

Hostess

2007-09-18T07:36:00.001-07:00

This Hostess campaign was done by Lisa McDaniel (AD) and Josie Mitchell (CW) at SMU. Thoughts on the headline campaign: Is this an example of art direction helping the headlines sing?

Six Flags

2007-09-14T21:37:00.000-07:00

This outdoor twisted billboard ad was done by Raisa Ivannikova of SVA in New York. It took me a second, but when I got it, I had to check my pants. The whole campaign can be seen at I Have an Ideas Academia section. Thoughts?

All Clad Headlines

2007-09-13T22:03:00.001-07:00

This headline campaign for All-Clad Cookware was done by Jordan Smith (AD) and Brock Johnson (CW) of Brainco. Headlines (at least at one time) were the bread and butter of copywriters. How successful is the campaign? Thoughts on the lines and the art direction?

The Progressive

2007-09-12T18:59:00.001-07:00

This :30 was done by Jeff DeGeorgia (AD) of Loyola College in Maryland. The sound was edited by Rik Koletar.

I think this demonstrates how easily (of course Jeff and Rik worked very hard on this) students like us can put things like television--previously very difficult to--in our books, because of increasing accessibility of powerful, software and hardware readily available to the public.

Should the ad student of the future, or today's most progressive ad student put well-produced TV in their books? And if so, how does this change the limitations of what students can be doing from a big picture level?

Anytime Oreos

2007-09-11T20:34:00.001-07:00

Here's a very clean Oreo solution done by Jeseok Yi (AD) of School of Visual Arts. It executes the strategy instantly--do you buy it?

I have a feeling at my own school, the general consensus would give the ad a resounding "meh" (thats not to say I agree with it, because quite frankly I don't). They would say things like:

Its just a visual gimmick.
Being able to eat Oreos at anytime of the day isn't an interesting strategy--it doesn't do anything to really build the brand.

But personally, I counter with the fact that it works. And it works quickly and beautifully to articulate the strategy. This is the kind of work that wins in award shows, gets students recognized, and gets them into great agencies. As a guy who looks at a lot of student work, and a lot of resumes to go along with that work, I've come to this fairly sturdy realization.

Is it brilliant? I don't know. Of course, this is a tremendously subjective industry, but most people consider the safety pin Volvo ad brilliant-- and how different really is this from the safety pin? Just want to open this up to discuss some broader issues.

Gatorade

2007-09-10T20:00:00.000-07:00

This print campaign was done by Moyeenul Alam (AD) of Miami Ad School. Interesting visual style and solution for famed sports drink. Thoughts on the campaign?

All Aboard

2007-09-09T17:33:00.001-07:00

These long copy ads were done by Siow Wei Kay(AD) of the Art Academy for Amtrak. Thoughts on the art direction, using the book in the page technique, and the return to the classics strategy.

It works really well, apparently.

2007-09-07T06:46:00.000-07:00

Okay, Let me just fill you guys in:

Can you might appreciate the subtlety of this ad, done by a Brazilian agency, for a lubricating gel (K-Y equivalent) targeting the French market? It appears the Brazilians were trying to come up with an ad that was neither offensive nor tasteless.

The picture looks completely innocent...until the details sink in.

Apparently, this ad has created quite a buzz in Europe. The ad company has won several awards for it, including 18th Annual London International Advertising Awards and the LEAFyear2 Awards Ceremony announced at the Galveias Palace in Lisbon, Portugal. (See the ad agency Ansell for more details).

If you don't get it, take your time. All I can say (as a hint), apparently, the stuff really works.

Kid Robots

2007-09-05T15:17:00.000-07:00

These spreads for Kid Robot were done by Salina Cole (CW) of SVA in New York. It gives us an opportunity to talk about borrowed interest. In advertising there are rules, and there are none. Thoughts about these ads, and when borrowed interest can work, and when it doesn't.

WE WANT YOU!

2007-09-05T08:43:00.000-07:00

Actually, just your work. A great opportunity to get more eyes on your work from students across the country. Email me with your schooll, name (optional) and discipline along with jpegs.

portfolioparty@gmail.com

The Hampton's Outdoors

2007-09-02T14:35:00.001-07:00

Some clever outdoor work done by Creative Circus graduate, Heather Kingry (CW) for Hampton Inn. A nice example of the placement/execution integrating nicley with the strategy. Agree, disagree?

Interview with an Art-Director

2007-08-29T18:05:00.000-07:00

I caught up with DDB New York AD and School of Visual Arts graduate Jordan T. Farkas for a brief interview about his experiences in portfolio school, and his experience making the adjustment to the "real world."

PP: Generally speaking, what was the best part of your experience as a student at SVA?
JF: Tough question. besides graduating and being ranked as one of the top students in the country, the best part was being in new york.

PP:Looking back, what was the most important thing you learned in ad school?
JF: Don't piss off the chair of your department. it'll do more damage than good.
and "Art directors sign with a period. Designers sign with a dasiy." - something one of my teachers told me.

PP: Talk about your job hunting experience. Easy, hard? Unexpected twists and turns?
JF: At first their was no job hunt. before i graduated SVA an agency (Wunderman) hired 6 of us. so really i was hunting for a job while at my first job. Here's some advice when you're freelancing. Keep your mouth shut. little after a month Wunderman dropped me because word spread very quickly that i was leaving for DDB. unfortunately DDB didn't hire me until almost a month after Wunderman. now i'm still searching for a job. Until you're hired full-time never stop searching.

PP: What was it like going to school in New York City? How did that effect your work?
JF: It was great going to school in the city. new york city the advertising capitol of the world, the home of madison avenue. a lot of ideas came to me while walking down the street. i came up with a lot of my guerilla ads by taking random photos around the city. And the best part was all the Ad parties i would go to. I met a bunch of the top creatives, and you don't really get to know these guys until you get drunk with them. And after meeting some of these people i would get my book critiqued. that really helped my book.

PP: SVA is not strictly an ad school--were you able to forge relationships with students in other disciplines? Did you work with them, did their work inspire you particularly?
JF: Many relationships actually. A number of photographers, illustrators, film, and computer art students as well as one or two majors that have their uses. i had a few friends with projects that would inspire my ads, but usually they would help with my work. i.e. getting shoots together for my ads. right now actually i'm working with a Computer art student to make a tv spot for my book.

PP: What's more important: Great networking or having a great book?
JF: Both are important but in the end it's the book that matters. networking will get you into agency but if your book sucks don't expect to stay for very long. but hey, if you can both... then more power to you. And don't every get too cocky about your book, no matter how good it is.

PP: Most important thing you've learned from working at one of the most famous agencies in the world.
JF: What have i learned at DDB New York? All i can really say is that the agency needs new blood, and until they get it they'll never be as good as they use to be.

PP: One piece of advice for aspiring creatives.
JF: Get a life. just do something outside of advertising. could be anything. just fucking do it. Because no matter what it is you do, eventually you'll be able to use it in advertising.

St. Croix Fishing

2007-08-28T09:13:00.000-07:00

Some spec work done by Brainco graduate and writer at Russell Herder, Casey Brewer (CW) and Chris Neil. The classic twist.

(Send me your work! portfolioparty@gmail.com)

The Great Debate

2007-08-26T15:47:00.001-07:00

The great Leo Burnett once warned us that advertising is not a science. Bernbach had been quoted as refering to advertising as art.

But is it? Is advertising art? Do remember, science is about solving problems (based upon agreement from the scientific community) wheras art doesn't nec. set out to solve a problem. Aren't we trying to solve problems?

I commonly reffer to advertising as business. A creative business that may employ artistic elements, but is not art. Your thoughts.

Rainbow Wars

2007-08-23T20:13:00.000-07:00

I'm sure by this time, we've all seen it. We mostly all love it. But--my question here has nothing to do with what you think of this spot.

Could a student get away with this?

I know, I know. It's television, and most of us don't really work on a whole lot of tv, but it raises a point that I myself have always struggled with. A wild execution, totally un-product benefit like this one is loved by most everyone in and outside of the industry. But a wild execution in student-land, is trying to hard, or just weirds CD's or instructors alike.

Thoughts?

Ivy League Integration

2007-08-23T14:05:00.001-07:00

Cross-media campaign for Harvard Business School's Burning Question Leadership Exchange Conference done by Brainco graduates Leena Hashim-Waris (AD) and Colin Corcoran(CW).

In the interactive piece, question marks in Economist articles burst into flames when the cursor moves over them and a payoff appears in the rollover bar.

Thoughts?

Speaking of Blueprints

2007-08-22T20:07:00.001-07:00

One of my favorite student print campaigns ever, done by Miami Ad School graduates Monica Escobar (AD) and Gaston Gorali (CW). The strategy is incredibly transparent in the execution. Simple, very smart and easy on the eyes.

Craftsman Tools

2007-08-21T19:51:00.001-07:00

This Craftsman Tool campaign was done by Merry Natalia Sukmato of the Academy of Art University. The illustrations are simple, clean and beautiful. Thoughts on the campaign?

Death Wishes?

2007-08-20T19:32:00.000-07:00

This M.A.D.D ad was done by Jordan T. Farkas of the School of Visual Arts. Thoughts on this simple and visually driven quick-hitter? Is this use of the grim reaper smart enough to pull off borrowed interest in a good way?

Film Study

2007-08-20T18:31:00.000-07:00

After a near melt-down following the news of the cancellation of HBO's John From Cincinnati I was turned onto AMC Television's, Mad Men--depicting agency life during the 1950's on Madison Avenue.

Two episodes later, I'm hooked. Required viewing for all those in, and aspiring to be in the ad biz.

Sexual Branding?

2007-08-17T17:44:00.000-07:00

This :90, entitled "We're going to be late" is part of a new and controversial campaign for Bluefly done by McCaffery Gottlieb & Lane in New York. I haven't seen it on the airwaves here in the States, and I don't think they ever would.

Thoughts on this provocative campaign (all involving sex and or naked women). Is it purely sex trying to sell, or is there a real high fashion/style truism being communicated here? And as students, what can we borrow and learn from it if anything?

From the Land of WTF

2007-08-16T20:04:00.001-07:00

This headline campaign for Aldi was done at Brainco. Is it WTF or TFF (thats f--ing funny)?

The 2-Parter

2007-08-15T10:18:00.000-07:00

We're usually told if you to avoid the two-part ad. Here is a Brillo campaign done by Natalia Fitzgerald (AD) and Andre Vriesman (CW) when from V CU Ad Center.

Do you think these are an exception?

My Foot Doesn't Taste as Good as it Looks

2007-08-13T22:00:00.001-07:00

Perhaps I'm completely wrong. This campaign done by Tim Bunker, (CW) graduate of VCU Ad Center. Not sure if this was done before or after his professional career, his site was passed onto me as a student book. Regardless, I think it demonstrates a brand transformation that works simply and cleanly with just one media (though I'm showing 3 here.) What do you guys think about how well these branding-type ads do what they need to do in defining the brand?

Car Ads

2007-08-13T10:17:00.001-07:00

This Volvo ad was done by Fred Ross (AD) and Mark Kunert (CW) of Chicago Portfolio School. My question to other portfolio students--do you have rules or recommendations on doing car ads at your school? At Brainco, I can't say we're discouraged from doing them, but they are rarley assigned.

Risk or Reward?

2007-08-09T20:50:00.000-07:00

Piggybacking on the BMW discussion is this GE Lightbulb spread by Lee Hanson (CW), graduate of Brainco in Minneapolis and writer at Colle McVoy. Would GE ever run this? Probablly not. But does it make me laugh, is it smart, and does it work? I say yes.

Where do you draw that subjective line between something working, and something being too crass and or studenty?

The Illustration Boom?

2007-08-08T15:24:00.001-07:00

As a blogger on the student stuff, I want to bring to the forefront a trend (perhaps for lack of a better term)I have been seeing at my own school in Minneapolis, as well as across the country appearing in lots of student work.

Illustration.

It seems like we're seeing more and more of it, particularly in the student galaxies. Its eye-catching, gives work a chance to really stand out and really reflects the kind of integration we're starting to see in creative content across the board (not just in advertising).

I'm curious to see if we can agree on this. The trend during the early to mid 00's reflected the kind of "Brasillian" execution (very minimal, photographic and visually driven) that we've all become a custom to--but is illustration the new hot executional style? I would point towards society's craving for authenticity in content (whether it be our music, our movies, our athletes or even our politicians) perhaps driving this perceived boom.

What are your thoughts? Am I completely off, or is there something here to take home and write to mom about?

This keen looking illustrative campaign was done by Cerra Buckholz (AD) and Andrew McMurchie (CW) of Miami Ad School in San Francisco. An interesting strategy, and an even more interesting way to execute it.

Poo-Poo Delight

2007-08-05T22:27:00.000-07:00

This bourgeoisie Toto toilet print campaign was done by Jana Schmid (AD) and Kurt Warner (CW) of Brainco in Minneapolis. Thoughts?

Some TV inspiration from the Real World

2007-08-05T21:45:00.000-07:00

I'm sure we've all see this Dos Equis TV spot was done by Euro RSCG, New York. I love it. Curious to see what you all think.

One Show Gold Review

2007-08-02T20:34:00.000-07:00

I'm sure we've all seen it by now. The winner of the student competition for the 2007 One Show, as well as the 2007 Clios. Eric Deichl(AD), Ken Koren (CW) and Jeremy Diessner(AD) of Miami Ad School (Miami Beach), and their signature is powerful campaign for the NRDC.

Thoughts on the highly awarded, and acclaimed print campaign?

What I learned from Sally Hogshead

2007-07-31T21:54:00.000-07:00

800 headlines.

24 pages of handwritten 8.5 X 11 plain white paper, 3 different pens, one mechanical pencil, 2 hours spent just typing on a keyboard, a couple Jacks frozen pizza's and 8 days later, it was done. 800 headlines, written. Round 1...officially done.

Many of us have written headlines in the droves before. 100, 200...maybe even more. Cranking them out at 3 am. on a weekday night, knowing full well you had to be at some bill-paying job at 8 in the morning. Coffee, Red Bull, a fresh bag of crack-cocaine, pick your assistant. But you figure it out and, you write your 100. Or 200. Or 300.

But 800: How in the hell was I going to write 800 headlines in just over a week?

The answer: by learning. Fast. I once heard an analogy that writing headlines is like walking down a hall with doors down each side, and opening and exploring each door. Once you explore the door and whats behind it enough, you move on to the next door and explore the ideas behind that one.

What this experience taught me, is that I ought to be running down the hall and flinging these doors open. Take a quick peak around if need be--and then bolt to the next one. Speed = volume, and with more volume you explore more ideas, and more possible fruit for a killer headline. I once felt it was important to make everything you write, at least mildly crafted. And while I may sort have done that--I tried not to do it for very long. I simply couldn't afford to.

So that's my tiny molecule of wisdom I offer to anyone willing to listen. Run. Take your time when you feel you need to, but as Sally has said before: Mediocrity is relentless. Be the tortoise. But be the hare too. After all, this is just round 1.

Thanks for reading. As always, your thoughts are always appreciated.

Liz Lange

2007-07-30T17:11:00.001-07:00

This campaign for Liz Lange was done by Carly Conrad (AD) Nicole Dumouchel (CW), graduate of the Creative Circus.

The art direction is pretty stellar in my opinion. I'd love to have something that looks like this in my book. The headlines do the heavy lifting in terms of communicating strategy, but the elegant, finely detailed illustration--extravagant as it may be--doesn't get in the way of the writing. A classic example of not sacrificing and not compromising both by the AD and the CW, working to create an excellent solution.

Thoughts on Liz Lange?

Going Po-Mo

2007-07-29T22:51:00.001-07:00

This ad for partnership for a drug-free America was done by Janeen Ritson (AD) a recent graduate of the Creative Circus.

I've always thought about these post-modern ads--that are self-aware, usually ironic and most always very copy driven. Pretty smart, or too easy? Thoughts about this technique in general?

Blog 800

2007-07-27T06:33:00.001-07:00

Participants of the 800 project are encouraged to web log (as a reply here) about their experiences trying to write 800 headlines. As always, the more the merrier!

Bazooka

2007-07-26T12:52:00.000-07:00

Studenty or smart idea waiting to be crafted better? This Bazooka gum ad was done by Chaz King (AD) of 101 The Ad School in New York.