Adages

Tillman the Wonderdog Skates From YouTube to Real Ads

Armstrong Flooring Spot Boards Write Into Our Hearts

Posted by Ken Wheaton on 11.06.09 @ 03:23 PM

Michael Learmonth noted yesterday that American Apparel and ESPN are among those marketers who've had ads placed against the YouTube video of Tillman the skateboarding bulldog. Well, Armstrong Flooring wasn't just content to run some ads against the video. The marketer, along with agency BBDO, New York, decided to create its own spot with a skateboarding bulldog.

Advertising Age Embedded Player

The spot features said bulldog scrabbling across what appears to be Armstrong's Artesian Classics Color Wash in Birch Natural. (No, we're not flooring experts; the Armstrong website tells us this is what the spot features.) In the commercial, the dog is referred to as "Charlie," but we thought his body and skating style all indicate that he may indeed be Tillman.

Guess what? He totally is Tillman. A rep for BBDO, New York, confirmed this afternoon. Well, that's enough hard-hitting investigative journalism from me for one week.

By the way, if you want to book Tillman, here's his website.

How Would You Remake Mickey Mouse?

Disney Giving Corporate Icon a Makeover

Posted by Judann Pollack on 11.05.09 @ 06:24 PM

Mickey Mouse is getting a makeover.

The one-time "Steamboat Willie" star is coming up his 81st birthday Nov. 18 and it looks like his gift from Walt Disney Co. will be a much-needed overhaul. The small-world news was big enough that even the august New York Times put the story on its cover.

Will Ferrell Jumps to YouTube for 'No Financial Gain'

Meanwhile, That Bulldog on a Skateboard Gets Some Ads

Posted by Michael Learmonth on 11.05.09 @ 02:56 PM

YouTube is bending over backward to accommodate content creators, and it just landed one it probably should have had a long time ago: Will Ferrell's Funnyordie.com.

One of These Things Is a Lot Like the Other One

What Is Derek Jeter Selling This Time?

Posted by Jeremy Mullman on 11.04.09 @ 02:11 PM

The ad features a screen-filling "G" logo, and it features Derek Jeter leaping into the Yankee Stadium stands to make a remarkable catch.

Want More Dogs? You're Barking Up the Right Post

Another Installment in the Mutts of Marketing

Posted by Ken Wheaton on 11.02.09 @ 04:34 PM

The hard-working dogs of advertising took a week off while I traipsed around Ireland last week looking for Leprechauns in the bottom of pints of Guinness and Smithwick's. But they're back this week. The number of entries are trickling to a halt, but that's no reason not to have a gander at the last few adorable pooches that came over the transom. Enjoy the slide show.

Macy's Congratulates the Phillies on Winning the World Series

In the World of Jinxes This Can't Be Good

Posted by Ken Wheaton on 11.02.09 @ 04:05 PM

The Philadelphia Inquirer and Macy's will both be charged with an error for an ad that ran in today's edition of the Inquirer. Said ad congratulates the Phillies for winning back-to-back championships and depicts a kick-ass 2009 World Series champions t-shirt. I'm sure the horribly superstitious baseball players really appreciate the mistake. Then again, if the Phillies do end up winning, expect similar ad mistakes in the future.

Real London Fog Adman Not Happy About 'Mad Men'

Those Things Did Not Happen That Way

Posted by Ken Wheaton on 11.02.09 @ 10:23 AM

We received the following correspondence from Richard Gilbert, whose book "Marching Up Madison Avenue," was previously written about in this space. Richard's got a bone to pick with the creators of "Mad Men" and, instead of translating his frustrations, we figured we'd just run his commentary as is. Richard writes:

"I believe, quite strongly, that Advertising Age should always advance editorial opinion, particularly when others are attempting to tell the story of our industry. The current well-acclaimed series 'Mad Men' is a perfect example.

Is He Still a Nudist If He's Streaking for Zappos?

Naked Running Man Just Another Tool of Corporate America

Posted by Kunur Patel on 10.29.09 @ 05:42 PM

Hey New Yorkers, remember that naked guy in running shoes eating tacos in Williamsburg? In September, you may have spotted his YouTube videos on Gawker or Huffington Post, or seen his bare speedy booty -- he calls himself the World's Fastest Nudist -- firsthand in Union Square Park. Anderson Cooper even put that strategically placed fanny pack on CNN. Well, our fair city's other nude sensation the Naked Cowboy can rest easy. The WFN isn't a real New York wacko exhibitionist; he's a marketing stunt courtesy of Zappos, the online retailer.

GLAAD Honors Gay-Friendly Brands at Inaugural Media Awards in Advertising

Advertising Media Program Recognizes Progress in LGBT Representation

Posted by Matt Kinsey on 10.28.09 @ 03:23 PM

Recognizing advancements in the fair representation of the gay community in advertising, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation hosted its inaugural Media Awards in Advertising last night in New York. Host Alan Cumming and a slew of presenters, including AAAAs President Nancy Hill, gathered to recognize the work of 10 brands that have made strides to increase the size, diversity and accuracy of LGBT-related images in advertising.

The awards show is the work of GLAAD's Advertising Media Program, launched in May to carry on the watchdog duties of the now-defunct Commercial Closet Association. In his opening remarks, GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios explained the media program's mission to "give advertisers the resources and incentives to include the [gay] community in its advertising." He also praised CCA founder Michael Wilke for his efforts to hold agencies and marketers accountable for inclusion of the LGBT community in their campaigns. (Mr. Wilke's position as executive director of CCA was eliminated when GLAAD merged with that organization a year ago.)

Never Fear, Dextrose Is Here

I Bet the Corn-Syrup Lobby Misses the Old Days

Posted by Ken Wheaton on 10.26.09 @ 10:00 AM

James Lileks has a few webpages' worth of candy ads from old comic books. I'll give you a thumbnail of one, but you should check them out in full-color, full-size glory. It's not so much the illustrations that get you, though, it's the copy. "Baby Ruth is fuel for the body, rich in dextrose and other wholesome ingredients. ... Men in foxholes, cockpits or aboard ships call for more and more Baby Ruth, so civilians sometimes must wait until Uncle Sam is supplied." As Lileks says, "It's a standard ad for the time: Baby Ruths are great! And you can't have any. Later, maybe -- after Tojo's hung."