dewey media thoughts

Frequent Fliers: Confessions of the Point Obsessed

2010-03-08T23:30:37Z

Here's an interesting video about a small group of people obsessed with accruing frequent flier points. My opinion is that it goes WAY beyond obsession, these people are addicts. The long haired fellow running the meeting, Tom Kraetleur, used to be a regular guest of mine one of my CNN shows talking about discount flying. He's still at it.

The Mecca Diaries

2010-03-04T16:19:47Z

Here's a very cool first person doc piece that I found on vbs.tv called the Mecca Diaries. It documents VBS VICE Founder Suroosh Alvi's pilgrimage with his family to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. It's a hard to get insider's look at the once in a lifetime pilgrim all Muslim's are supposed to take (a Hajj) to Mecca. Video is forbidden in Mecca, so this is great stuff. It's FASCINATING stuff. The scale of the city and the central gathering places in Mecca are unfathomable. It makes me claustrophobic just imagining being there.

What are the Sounds that Sell?

2010-02-27T04:05:53Z

Here's an interesting interview with Martin Lindsrom, author of Buyology. In the interview which I found on the Time Video site, Lindsrom talks about the sounds that prompt buyers to buy.

Puma Hardcore HardChorus - Valentine's Day Done English Football Style

2010-02-25T17:25:55Z

Here's a fun, edgy albeit simple ad for Puma Sneakers - Puma Hardchorus. Lots of English roughneck soccer funs belting out a sweet little Valentine's Day song. Big in the UK, not so big in the states. Great casting, not so sure about the singing though. Nice simple message, although it takes some time to get to the subtle branding message at the end of this 'commerical'.

Anatomy of a Successful Commerical

2010-02-25T01:33:47Z

So what's the recipe for the 'dream commercial' for a brand or product manager?

The product is the hero.
The commercial is memorable.
You like the product.
You like the commercial.
It's simple.
It's funny.
It's sweet.

Maybe you have seen it, maybe you haven't, but watch it again with these goals in mind. This new commercial for Google does it all and it gets an A+.

Swedish TV - The Big Idea is YOU!

2010-02-18T19:51:23Z

Here's a clever online ad created by a Swedish agency to encourage Swedes to pay their fair share for Public Television. Alas, to truly understand the campaign it's going to take a little work on your part, but I promise you, it's worth the effort. Give it a go. Come on now - try it, you'll like it!

Swedish Public TV Campaign

Carlsberg Beer Penguin Campaign

2010-02-09T14:37:11Z

After a raucous and gratifying Super Bowl of great football and mediocre ads, I am moving on. Here's a fun ad campaign that I missed - the Carlsberg Penguin Campaign - which is a year old. There are tons of short takeoffs on the intitial spot shown below. I have included one other subsequent 10 second spot. They are meant to look homemade, but they are still amusing - animals have that effect. I had no idea that penguins were so good at ping pong.

Great Bud Light Ad: What will you do for a free Beer

2010-02-02T23:14:21Z

Here's a new winner from DDB and the team that brought us the Bug Light 'Swear Jar' Commercial. It's called Clothing Drive.

News Story Formula

2010-01-29T22:27:24Z

Here's a clever and amusing recipe for making a TV news story. As a former network news producer I can assure you that this characterization is not far from the truth. Warning, some objectionable language, but despite the language I think you'll enjoy it.

Good Sound Can Make B+ Work Great

2010-01-26T17:57:08Z

This review of the most expensive car in the world, the Bugatti Veyron, is impressive, but what makes it even better still is the great sound of the car. It wouldn't be as distinctive a piece without it.

Here's Conan during his last week on NBC with the Bugatti Veyron.