Left brain v/s Right brain

Yes, we have all heard the same old stories about left brained v/s right brained people.

And we don't want to be told that the left brain stands for rational thinking and analytical ability.
We already know that the right brain is for creativity and expression.
Enough of all that!

Here's a great Mercedes Benz print campaign which will do all the talking:

http://www.fuelyourcreativity.com/left-brain-vs-right-brain-advertising/

You like it, don't you?

Mahindra Stallio

There were many ads which i liked and wanted to write about but, for some reason or the other, didn't.
One of those was the Mahindra Stallio campaign which had roped in Aamir Khan.

The ads were simple and stood out of the clutter.
Just in case you missed them, here are the links:
Ad 1
Ad 2

I like the one which ends with a memorable "Iss vigyapan me mere dwara kiye gaye har scene ko aap aasaani se kar sakte hain! Drive safely."
It sends out a message that for many, a bike is more of utility than thrills.

But somehow, the product didn't deliver - gearbox problems, other issues and reports of lean sales were out in the news.

This brings us back to the basics - the core is the product! And the CUSTOMER who uses it has certain expectations (unstated needs). These have to be met at any cost. Choosing to ignore these needs is going to get you nowhere no matter how much hype and hoopla you surround around the product (read marketing).

However, as recently reported in a prominent daily, the glitch has been fixed and soon production will be back to normal.
Let's hope for the best...

Blackberry boys

Here is one of my favorite ads. Repositions the brand in a simple yet effective communication.
Nice memorable jingle!

"We're the Blackberry boys..."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPZH4OysGZI

What a company really needs!

A meeting is an event at which the minutes are kept and the hours are lost.
How true!
Most of us have attended a meeting at some point in our life. And during the meeting, we were either wondering why it was being held or desperately waiting for it to end.
I came across a funny ad that takes a dig at corporate meetings - i am sure you'll relate to this.


A senior executive tries to explain what their company really needs:

One-on-one! Repositioning! Change!

To find out what happens next, click here: 


Enjoyed it, didn't you?
Just ensure that you are not on the receiving end :)

35 Years of the World’s Best Microscope Photography

You don't need a degree in biotechnology to appreciate these photographs:
Microscope Photography

Leaves of Grass

Although i don't usually read poems, i happened to read one worth sharing. This one's by the American philosopher poet Walt Whitman.


Whoever you are holding me now in hand,
Without one thing all will be useless,
I give you fair warning before you attempt me further,
I am not what you supposed, but far different.
Who is he that would become my follower?
Who would sign himself a candidate for my affections?
The way is suspicious, the result uncertain, perhaps destructive,
You would have to give up all else, I alone would
expect to be your sole & exclusive standard,
Your novitiate would even then be long & exhausting,
The whole past theory of your life & all conformity to the lives around you would have to be abandoned,
Therefore release me now before troubling yourself
any further, let go your hand from my shoulders,
Put me down and depart on your way.


From "Leaves of Grass" by Walt Whitman.

Change is happiness

Have u seen the new Videocon ads?

The new logo is amazing - the green 'V' looks young and refreshing.
The font looks great too.
Really liked the ad - Chow mouw, chow mouw...
(For those who have not seen the ad, take a look @ this.)

And yes, change IS happiness :)

New Vodafone ads?

Did you notice the new Vodafone ads featuring the pug?
After the great Zoozoo ads, i don't understand why almost every other TV channel shows the new ads featuring the little gal and the adorable dog.

Yes, the pug (originally featured for Hutch) is back and very happy to help...

Is Vodafone trying to project a customer-centric image?
Maybe.

I love the new ads but would still like to see the Zoozoo ads.

New year - Introspection?

The new year's just arrived. This reminds me of something I read about 9/11 a couple of months ago.


As each year fades into the last
As time keeps marching along
As the spotlight fades
and the memories begin
To not be as vivid - as strong
We all struggle in intensely private ways
With all that's happened that day, and since
I know how i struggle to find some peace
When so much never made any sense
But, i know i'm not alone in all these
Emotions that i feel
The pain that still burns in my broken heart
Each tear i still cry is still real
So - I still must pause - this day - every year
Each 26th of November - and look within
And look to the heavens - and pray -
Yes. I pray. And remember.


- From the cartoon strip NANCY by Guy and Brad Gilchrist

(The original strip had 11th of September instead of 26th of November.)

Beauty and self-esteem

One more ad that caught my attention was the Dove Self Esteem Fund ad.

This one shows a photo-shoot. There is a model facing the camera. Loads of make-up follow - foundation, mascara and the likes. Finally the photograph is loaded in to a computer for post processing. The image is then touched up using image editing software.

The facial features are enhanced - the chin and cheek bones are chiseled to perfection. The face is cleaned and not a single spot is seen. The eyebrows are enhanced.

And then goes on to ask –“How did our idea of beauty become so distorted?"
Watch the video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hibyAJOSW8U

Although they claim to be advocates of natural beauty, they are still selling their product. In the process, they are trying to create a positive brand image. Interesting!

This also brings to mind the recent movement against thin anorexic models, followed by fashion shows featuring fat (Oops! wrong choice of word...) - 'average/regular' models representing the general population.

I’m loving it!

Mumbai's Lifeline

Traveling in Mumbai's local trains is a rewarding experience in itself. Well if that is not an understatement, it definitely says a lot about the culture of Mumbai. If you have never been to Mumbai before or are planning to visit Mumbai, please make sure that you don't miss the local trains, dubbed 'The Lifeline of Mumbai'.
In fact I would recommend anyone who is new to Mumbai to go ahead and travel in the local trains. This is a sort of a training programme. Believe me, if you can survive the local trains, you will be equipped with all the skill-sets essential for surviving in Mumbai. Let us see how.

Let us consider the case of a guy who has just arrived in Mumbai from some remote unknown village if India. He dreams of making it big in the city. He alights at Dadar terminus with a twinkle in his eye. Ah! The sweet smell of Mumbai... (whatever that means!)
The next moment he sees a crowd running around in all directions. People like you and me, people from different walks of life; the rich, the poor, the sophisticated, the naive - everyone seems to be so short of time. This makes our newbie in Mumbai wonder why everyone's seems to be running. "Maybe they are too busy. They must be really important people. I'll be one of them someday!"

Yet another dream is born. Mumbai, 'the city of dreams' gets a new dreamer...

Ad watching

I have been an avid ad-watcher since childhood. Probably there is something in the creative process of ad-making that makes it such a rewarding experience for all involved in it - right from the conception, production, post-production and lastly the viewers.

I hate soaps as much as everyone else but I have no choice but watch it coz I never the TV remote control's never in my hand. But I make full use of this time. Most 30 minute TV programs actually run for around 21-23 min. The rest of the time is what they call "commercial break" (as if the soap were non-commercial!)

I enjoy the commercial breaks coz they are really a treat - that's when I get to see many advertisements. Ads of all kinds vying for attention, brands trying to sell something; trying to convince people about their ideas; desperately trying to project an elite image. It's all about creative marketing.

There was one ad that caught my attention. Don’t know how original it is but let me share something related to this ad.

Picture this. One of my friends had been to a suburban multiplex to watch the screening of John Abraham starrer Kabul Express. Just before the screening, they get an urge to answer nature’s call and they head towards the plush loo (nature calls pretty often during winter and besides, a Hindi movie typically lasts for 3 hours) Once they reach the restroom they are dumbstruck by what they see in front of them. They see 3 levels – Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3. They go blank for a second, unable to decide what to do next. They wonder what it is all about. Are they like levels in an Elevator? Or is it some difficulty level? As they ponder over it, another guy sheepishly smiles at them and leaves the restroom winking at them. Since they were getting late for the movie, they just ease themselves and head straight for the movie hall.

The movie begins and after about 90 minutes comes the interval. The screen shows a slide which says “Time for ZAPAK.COM”. That is when they realize what the levels in the loo were all about.

This is the advertisement I was referring to - you remember it now, don't you?
2 guys in a loo... It’s great fun to watch it and is high on recall value.
Wonderful ad guys!