Thursday, December 14, 2006

Man calls 911 to report stolen drugs

AP

(12/12/06 - WICHITA, KS) - A Wichita man called 911 to report he was the victim of an armed robbery. The theft? A pound of marijuana worth about $1,100 that he had been trying to sell at his home.
The victim told police Thursday that a buyer had pulled out a sawed-off shotgun and stole the drugs.

Police brought in a drug-sniffing dog to the house and located more marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

The victim was booked into Sedgwick County jail on several charges, including possession with the intent to sell drug.

The thief has not been found.

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

The greatest invention since sliced bread

How many times have you stood in line for half an hour to purchase an $8 beer at the hockey game only to finally hike the 100 steps to your seat and realize that you've finished your beer?

Say hello to the Beer Belly.



Sunday, December 03, 2006

Richard Simmons' Exploding Food Steamer

If you're a Late Show fan like myself, you've probably seen numerous interviews over the years where Letterman cruelly pokes fun at Richard Simmons. Some of the stuff is beyond mean. I've always wondered if Richard Simmons was told before hand what was going to happen of if he just agrees to be the patsy each time he's on. After watching this video, I'm still not sure... but it had me rolling on the floor laughing!

Friday, December 01, 2006

Sick of working in a traditional office?



Thinking out-of-the-box? Why not try working out-of-the-box? Check out iscapes' garden offices. They're currently sold in the UK at a cost of $5,000 GBP (about $11,500 Cdn)

Check out their website at www.i-scape.co.uk

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Check out the Audi R8 Microsite

Another blog item from Rick Sanderson, who's drawn attention to Audi's microsite for the new R8. The price of the car hasn't been released yet, but if the microsite is any indicator... it's going to have one helluva price tag... and it's going to be one helluva car. I'm not sure if this makes me want to buy a car... or play a video game. Click here to go to the Audi R8 microsite.

What do you think? Make sure the volume's turned up real loud :)

Saturday, November 25, 2006

Fast food and video games - who would've thunk it?



The marriage between Burger King and Crispin Porter + Bogusky has become even more adventerous. They've ccontinued to push the envelope and with video game maker, Blitz Games have created 3 game titles for Xbox that feature BK Characters such as "The King" and "Subservient Chicken".

The games, which only cost $3.99 more when you purchase a meal combo are available at BK stores from Nov 19 to Dec 24.

There's also rumours that BK and CPB plan to shoot a movie together... the plot of which revolves around an apartment above... you guessed it... a Burger King restaruant.

Check out this link for more info.

Friday, November 24, 2006

music machine

Rick Sanderson sent this one out - I'm not sure if it's real or computer animation:

97% of the machines' components came from John Deere Industries and Irrigation Equipment of Bancroft Iowa. It took the team a combined 13,029 hours of set-up, alignment, calibration and timing before filming this.

Thursday, November 23, 2006

so, so bad.....

Saw this video on dangermain.typepad.com - I have trouble just thinking about this....

Monday, November 20, 2006

Smash my PS3

The best part of this video isn't the dude in the pimp outfit and his friend smashing the PS3 with a sledge hammer, nor is it the reactions of the people waiting in line outside... it's definitely the guy at the end of the video, who calls them "douche bags".

Monday, November 13, 2006

A car commercial without a car

An urban myth? How can a car company make a TV spot without a car... who would be brave enough to do it? Well Cadillac was and they did it well.

Friday, November 10, 2006

Sick of the grind of public transit?

Check out this ad. Who said transit advertising couldn't be fun.

Monday, November 06, 2006

Xbox's latest efforts fall flat

San Francisco Agency McCann-Erickson worked in tandem with a ton of talent, including director Garth Davis of Anonymous Content and editor Angus Wall of Rock Paper Scissors, to release a playful ad for Xbox entitled "Cops & Robbers". But doesn't it seem a little familiar to you? Is the idea of portraying a video game in real life, really that novel? To me, the spot' s underwhelming... and given today's politically sensitive climate... it's surprising that they would use characters that resemble "terrorists". What do you think?

Thursday, November 02, 2006

Don't Waste My Time

Scoop of chocolate, scoop of vanilla. Don’t waste my time!!

As much as this is a good clip it was also my first foray into stealing content. My cousin and I always laughed about this clip so when the show came on the other night I sat with my remote and recorded it on my DVD recorder. Then I downloaded some ripping software to put it on my hard drive and then bammo… I uploaded it to You Tube.

Anyway… I think this clip is funny but it gets even more funny when someone is wasting your time and you throw out the “Scoop of chocolate, scoop of vanilla… don’t waste my time!!”

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Another simple idea taken to the next level



Why can't I think of these LOL? Ever use the communal messages boards at the top of Whistler Mountain to meet up with your friends? Ever try to sell anything by posting a notice on the communiy centre cork board? Ever want to talk to the pretty girl at the bar, but didn't have the guts too? Well, Wiffiti (wiffiti.com) has given you another option. They've created a service that allows people to send text messages to large flat panel displays in venues such as cafes, bars and clubs... and you can also check in from the web too. Right now they're in the 8 US Cities - Boston, Chicago, Denver, Seattle, Knoxville, Boulder and New York.

What will they think of next?

Monday, October 30, 2006

imagine the $s going into this launch...

I saw anothe rlaunch ad for the new PS3 at the cinema this weekend - totally different than this one though. This one's pretty creepy....

Thursday, October 26, 2006

TELUS enters the virutal world



TELUS is delivering on its future friendly promise by becoming the first major Canadian company and teleco to open a store in virtual realm of Second Life. For more info, check out:

www.springwise.com/telecom_mobile/because_avatars_need_phones_to/

Coming to a street team near you soon....

This will make a real impact the first time you see them - particularly if it's dark. I'm sure the cost will be pretty steep though....

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

youtube.com #1 Video of All-Time

With all the hype about youtube.com (if you didn't hear, google just bought it) it got me thinking... what's the #1 viewed video of all-time? The answer... "The Evolution of Dance" which has been viewed 34,679, 854 times... wait make that 34,679,855 times!

Looks how it feels...


Monday, October 23, 2006

Post-It... keeps it real.

Sex up the key product benefit and what you get is Post-It's latest ad. Simple. Brilliant.

Saturday, October 21, 2006

Want to engage your consumers? Look no further than the world of Gravanity.



GRAVANITY: an entire industry catering to the obsession of ordinary citizens wanting to leave ‘something’ behind in print, audio or imagery. Think reality TV shows, sponsored wings at the library or hospital, vanity license plates, myspace.com, blogs, etc.

Dutch airline Transavia recently took a page out of the gravanity book. They held a photo competition to celebrate its 40th anniversary and invited passengers to send in their holiday pictures from one of their 87 destinations around the world. 40 winning photos have been picked and will be printed on larger-than-life stickers, along with the photographer's name, and stuck onto several of Transavia's planes.

Friday, October 20, 2006

Unlucky bounce = windfall for Borat the Movie

Most of you have already seen the unlucky bounce that cost England an own goal in their 2-0 loss to Croatia. But did you notice the advertising for Borat the Movie that is playing on the stadium signage in the background? This clip has been played over and over on sports highlight shows, in addition to being emailed and posted all over the web. Talk about added-value... it's an advertiser's wet dream!

See for yourselves.



Check out Borat the movie at www.boratmovie.com

Thursday, October 19, 2006

The Power of Subliminal Advertising

Trying this again after reading instructions on how to post video (sorry, my A.A.D.D. kicked in while reading the posting directions)

A must see for advertisers…particularly those interested in how outdoor can plant little subliminal seeds in the minds of consumers.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyQjr1YL0zg

What's the saying? You'll never be able to out run your shadow?

This is from a Japanese talent show... it's pretty damn impressive.

art & advertising....

Interesting post on W&K London's blog this morning about advertising stealing from art and if that's a good or bad thing.

This Nike spot using Hurt by Johnny Cash was referenced - it's not bad but does it do the song justice?

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

An oldie, but a goodie.

Advertisers turn tables on music pirates.

Yarrrr, if ye can't beat 'em...

http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB116113611429796022-_5EZVscJYWWFqv1AmPvXCiOjJms_20071018.html?mod=blogs

These need more fake blood.



Red Cross advertising in Toronto...

http://blogger.xs4all.nl/marcg/archive/2006/09/15/122996.aspx



Check out this guy too...

http://users.skynet.be/J.Beever/pave.htm

I'm going back to my walkman...

http://www.apple.com/support/windowsvirus/

http://news.com.com/Apple+loads+Windows+virus+on+iPods/2100-7349_3-6126804.html?tag=nefd.top

This is even worse than the Sony DRM fiasco...

http://www.cnet.com/4520-6033_1-6376177.html

http://news.zdnet.co.uk/business/0,39020645,39244664,00.htm

At least Sony's virus distribution was intentional. Apple is just boneheaded.

One guy watching porn on the assembly line may have ruined years of "Apple is so secure" branding.

Anyone remember how to copy a CD to Tape?

Balls Vs Paint

The new Sony Bravia spot has been launched and as with last years balls it's quite an event. Nick likes Balls more - I'm leaning towards Paint. How about you?

Balls



Paint



Making of Paint



Rob N.

Ad from O&M in Toronto will win a Gold Lion this year

This is just killer.

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

What's the point of this blog?


It's a place for you to set your "inside voice" free. To say the things you want to say, but are afraid to. I'll start. Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back is my favourite movie of all time. Snoochy Boochies. Your turn.

What does your "inside voice" want to say?

Don't be shy. Post a reply. Simply click on the comment link at the bottom of each post.

Create a new post. C
lick here and sign in using your own gmail address. Don't have one? No worries, use the general login the.instigator.2006@gmail.com with the password instigate. Just make sure to include your name in the post if you wanna feel the love.

Please keep it clean :) Any questions, just email me at
johnny.advertising@gmail.com.

Popping - You've Gotta Check This Out!



By now, I'm sure you've all seen the Rogers Mobility TV campaign that used breakers. Well, if you thought that was crazy, check this video out. The video's 7 minutes long and make sure you watch at least until the 4 minute 35 second mark. You won't be disappointed. The dance style is called "popping"and it's CRAZY. Think of it as a new variation of the old skool.

Even our friends at DDB London have caught on... actually, I think they were a little ahead of the curve. Early in '05 they produced a TV Spot for their VW client, in which they digitally remastered Gene Kelly's "singing in the rain" using this type of free-style dance.