It’s a crazy week at work. No time to write this week’s blog. If only there was someone out there who could do it for me. Turns out there is.
Here’s an article from Adweek that pretty much sums up my thoughts on TV commercials recently.
A sincere thank you to the author.
(Click the pic to go to the article)
- TJ Bennett

I just saw “Exit Through the Gift Shop”, the fakementary produced by graffiti/punk/pop/multi-channel British artist Banksy.
Although it was released some months ago in the US and Europe, I patiently waited for its presentation at Sao Paulo’s Film Festival here in Brazil.
But, for my surprise, the tickets were sold out after a few hours of the box office opening. So, I did the most honest thing I could do with a Banksy piece: I stole it. Ok, I downloaded the movie for “free”.
“Exit Through the Gift Shop”, for those who didn’t …

Bret Michaels freakin’ won Celebrity Apprentice. Know what that means? He has better business skills than Goldberg, Cyndi Lauper and the girl who used to be on 21 Jump Street. Good news—now you can kick just as much business ass as Bret by following these 4 easy rules:

Perfect your people skills: Bret Michaels probably has a PhD in people skills. When he walks into a conference room, he acts like he’s walking on stage. “How you doing, …

Great ideas come out while I’m watching TV. I guess it’s because I see so many crappy commercials and say. “I can do better.” And, then I think to myself, “Hey, I’m in advertising. I should go ahead and do better.”
Then I apply whatever technique I would recommend to the crappy ad and apply it to my current project and voila (BTW, don’t buy the Voila! frozen dinner from Birdseye)— I’ve got brilliance.
A few agencies ago, I told my Creative Director about how I’m much more awesome when I’m watching …

(The record is 50, but actress Cameron Diaz briefly held the record with 48 bunnies)
Check out this great idea, friends of mine have started, a site where you can upload your own world record.
They are holding fun live shows in New York and have become a regular guest on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.
Universal Record Database (Click on the Pic to go to the site)

So, maybe people just want to laugh. That’s the lesson I take away from the latest round of super bowl spots.
They want to chuckle as a sassy child slaps a grown man.
They want to guffaw as an 80-year-old woman gets tackled by a 20-something dude.
And they want to bust a gut as they watch a talking baby deny the existence of his milk-addicted mistress.
Is that so bad?
I suppose not. But it makes me wonder if it’s time to throw in the towel on TV advertising. Because if all people want …

Click the Pic to find out how you can show your support for Conan.

- Tommy Troncoso

I keep reading that television advertising is dead.
But is it?
Try this little exercise:
At any random moment, without being aware of the specific time of day, walk into a room with a television and turn it on.
What’ll be showing?
A freaking commercial!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No news. No sitcom. No cop show.
It’ll be a bloody ad, I guarantee it.
And most likely a crappy one at that.
No, television advertising isn’t dead.
Undead, perhaps, but definitely not dead.
I wonder what’s on YouTube.

How may total gym pull up bars do you think they have sold? I know have seen that infomerical more times than I can count. Hell, on our honeymoon in Buenos Aires, turn on the tv in hotel room and there he is the same exact lame guy doing pull ups in his doorway, dubbed in Spanish.
I’m sure you have noticed lately how many strange products are being thrown in our faces… With the state of the economy / media air time and whatnot… but I was shocked to learn, …

Check out the Jon Dore show on IFC. I think I’m the only one in the world who watches it, or IFC for that matter, but it’s pretty hilarious. He’s a mixture of Sasha Baron Cohen and Dave Atell, but Canadian.
(Watch the video here)

- Tommy Troncoso