For all the dudes with that Princess Leia fantasy

British actress Kate Beckinsale is the new face of Absolut Vodka, and while I can't claim to find the ads particularly compelling from a marketing standpoint, they are kinda funny from a 'I think they're ridiculous' standpoint. I suppose that Absolut is trying to establish itself as a drink for classy ladies*, but based on the fashion choices exhibited in the shot above, I think the vodka company is more likely to attract a target audience of  internet addicted Star Wars geeks.

If your interest is at all piqued, read more here.

*see this other print ad from the campaign

Come to think of it, eBay

There's a reason we haven't seen a commercial for eBay in a while. 18 months ago, the online auction giant shifted the vast majority of its marketing efforts to a coupon budget, and in the process cut its advertising budget in half. One can only assume that in today's economic struggle, this strategy hasn't been working for them because this holiday season a new ad campaign has been gracing the airwaves:




eBay is smartly tapping into the consumer psyche this holiday season. The catchy tag line makes the message from the (for lack of a better word) "retailer" clear. After the drama highlighted by the Louis Vuitton and Hermes conterfreiting lawsuits last year, they want to remind you shoppers not to forget that ebay is a viable Christmas shopping option. And with the economy making clear but slow steps toward recovery, my guess is that Americans are more inclined than they were this time last year to consider pricier gift options like designer duds and sporting good so convieniently available on eBay.

Apparently the reaction to the ads has been somewhat mixed, but honestly I don't get why. I think that both Jim Gaffigan and Kevin Hart are completely hillarious (yet appropriate) in their roles. Let me know if you feel the same or differently.

If you want to check out the rest of the spots, take a look at eBay's official YouTube page. Enjoy.

Happiness

Since I've been having fun with music videos lately, I thought I'd share the perfectly adorable video to the perfectly adorable song, Fireflies, by Adam Young's Owl City. Prepare for emotional/spiritual uplift. Yes.

To those with low tolerance for this type of music, I apologize. To all you people like me, you're welcome.

For an additional giggle, have a look at this really fun commercial for the upcoming West Side Story themed MTV video music award featuring the talents of Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, Cobra Starship (including a quick cameo by Gossip Girl's Leighton Meester*), some unreal dance moves by NeYo, and, of course, the ever entertaining Mr. Russell Brand.

VMA West Side Story: Full Version

* She did the female lead vocals in Cobra Starship's summer hit Good Girls Go Bad. Actually, she got into show business to be a singer and sort of fell into acting. Who knew? Anyway if you like that song, enjoy a little throwback and go back and listen to Cobra's Snakes on a Plane (Bring it) from a few years ago.

** I don't get a ton of traffic from New York City, but I get enough to point out that Russell Brand will be doing a rare live show tomorrow night in the city. I'm bummed I can't be there so for those of you who can make it, gogogogogo.

In case you were wondering...

Today was a raisin filled day. I had Raisin-Bran Crunch for breakfast. At lunchtime, I enjoyed a few Sun-Maid goldens. Shortly thereafter I snacked on some chocolate and yogurt covered raisins. Later still, I was offered some regular old, run of the mill raisins. Weird, I know, but do me a favor and stay with me for a second.

Amidst this onslaught of raisins, two facts came to my attention: 1) regular raisins are made from green grapes* and, 2) golden raisins are approximately 562% better than regular raisins**. As per usual, I set out to explore this knowledge.

Now, I may have been extremely naïve or uninformed, but before today, I'd always been under the impression that regular raisins were made from purple grapes, and golden raisins from green ones. This, of course, is far too simple and logical an explanation.

As it turns out, both traditional raisins and golden ones are made using the same variety of green grape, the Sultana. The difference of the dried fruit's color the lies within the method of dehydration. Traditional raisins are sun-dried, and thus owe their darkened color to sun exposure. Golden raisins are treated somewhat differently. In order to preserve the light color, the grapes are oven dried, and then treated with sulfur dioxide. This also makes for a meatier raisin***. Or so they say.

Other things I learned in my quest to know more about raisins:

• Zante currants are not made from currants but rather from black Corinth grapes. I want to know why they don't just call them Zante raisins. Stupid, is what it is.
• Grapes and raisins can be toxic to canines. I found this particularly upsetting because I often share grapes with my dog****.
• Between the 16th and 19th century, there existed a game called Snap-Dragon, in which raisins were extracted from a punch-bowl of flaming brandy. It's unclear what they did with the brandy once the raisins were removed, but it can't have been particularly responsible.
• The Sun-Maid girl does yoga.

* I discovered this on the back of the big bag of Raisenets.

** I estimated this by applying my deep knowledge and keen understanding of correct choices and percentages.

*** This makes sense. If you leave a person out in the sun for a while, he/she makes the same transition as a grape does to raisin; turns brown and dry and wrinkly. Furthermore, the apparent reason for which golden raisins are so exponentially superior to the traditional variety is that golden ones are treated with chemicals. Like McDonald's. And outdoor music festivals.

**** I'm not that worried about it, though. He once at 1 kg (2.2 lbs) of Swiss baking and semi-sweet chocolate, which is many times the lethal dose for a dog his size. Armed with this evidence, I'm fairly certain he's indestructible by any means of gastrointestinal sabotage.

Responsibility is key

Grolsch and Apple are trying to promote responsibility in people who live in a culture of unnecessary and excessive drinking. Good for them.

Here's the advertisement for the application, coming soon to an iPhone near you.

Hey, I'm just a concerned citizen.

Creativity is worth 500%

Welcome!

To me, that is. I am so happy to throw some things into this blog.

I found this video below and thought it was a great test of creativity. Sometimes we cloud ads with all of these flashing lights and big, expensive booms. Well, what happens when you remove all that? Does creativity at its essence still work?