Dirt Devil Ad or Exorcist Move Trailer?

If you're my age, you may have memories of the Exorcist or even Amityville Horror. You know the drill ... homes or children haunted by an unseen evil force. Heads spinning. Pea soup spewing. Priests praying chants. All of it leaving you with a somewhat unsettled feeling.

This commercial helps you feel the same sense of trepidation that a priest must feel as he confronts the devil he wishes to exorcise. It does the job so expertly that, at times, you actually feel like you are watching a horror flick rather than a TV commercial.

It isn't until the very end of the commercial when the brand being advertised is revealed. Instantly, you find yourself swinging from trepidation to hilarity in a few short seconds.

I don't want to spoil the plot ... watch it for yourself and tell me what you think of this ad!

Isenbeck Makes Men Want To Be Ballerinas

Every father dreams of his son becoming a ballerina, right?

Well, not exactly.

But, this commercial makes all hormone crazy teenage boys seriously think about becoming just that.

The spot opens with a group of guys having a beer together. One guy finishes off his brew and slams the empty Isenbeck stein down on the table, announcing, "Sorry, but I have ballet classes."

His friends look at him as if he's lost his mind, as he drapes the pink satin ballet pointe shoes around his neck and strides out of the bar. As he confidently walks towards class, man after man stares at his back as he passes by.

The scene flashes to ballet class. It is only then that one begins to understand exactly why he enjoys his ballet classes so much. Shot after shot of him perched beneath women in compromising positions paints a pretty clear picture of his "inside" look at women from all angles.

As the class files out, his friends all look at the young ladies with appreciation ... and at their friend with a whole new set of eyes.

He grabs a drink of his favorite beer and the super reads, "He who knows, knows. Isenbeck."

Definitely an entertaining ad guaranteed to raise a few chuckles. (Unless, of course, you happen to be a male ballerina.)

VW Piñata Hangs Tough

You're watching one of your favorite TV shows when a commercial comes on. Time to grab a snack or to make a restroom visit.

But, before you even have a chance to leave the room, a young blonde boy grabs your attention by smacking a piñata. Hard. And just like the Energizer bunny, he keeps hitting and hitting and hitting. As time wears on, he becomes more and more aggressive ... to no avail.

I think to myself, "Now this boy has a lot of rage inside of him."  Since I am often watching Criminal Minds when this ad comes on, the words "budding serial killer" wade unabated into the fringes of my brain, without permission from the kinder side of my brain.

Finally, this young lad gives up, mystified as to why his efforts have not opened up the treasure trove of goodies nestled deep inside the piñata truck.

Everybody stands by mute. What to do now?

Then, the gentle movement of the breeze turns the piñata truck and we see a VW insignia on its grill. A super comes up: "Built like a Volkswagen. The 2011 Tiguan." 

My husband and I laughed out loud the first time we saw this ad. Love it, love it, love it.

Unfortunately, VW vehicles are just not built for those of us who are over 6'0" tall (myself included).

But, thanks for the laugh anyway.

Jilted Lover Advertises Girlfriend's Abortion

In a rather shocking usage of the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution, a 35-year-old New Mexico man - Greg Fultz - lashed out at his ex-girlfriend who allegedly had an abortion against his wishes.

This public display of exercising freedom of speech has resulted in a legal debate of epic proportions. At what point does freedom of speech step over the boundary and invade someone's right to privacy? Or at the very least, when does it become unethical or immoral to speak your piece?

Not surprisingly, Fultz's ex-lover has taken him to court, claiming harassment and violation of her privacy. While Fultz's billboard cannot legally be removed, a court official has recommended that he remove it. But, Fultz's attorney, Todd Holmes, doesn't agree, stating: 

"As distasteful and offensive as the sign may be to some, 

for over 200 years in this country 

the First Amendment protects distasteful and offensive speech."   

Friends have lined up behind the defamed woman claiming she did not have an abortion, but rather that she had a natural miscarriage.

Whether you are anti-abortion or pro-abortion, this billboard brings the issue of privacy in this country front-and-center. While I am a staunch advocate of exercising the first amendment right, one has to question the morality of what Greg Fultz has done. In my mind, he has clearly walked over the line in publicly denouncing his ex-girlfriend's alleged abortion.

What do you think?

Activia Lies To Mexican Consumers

"Release yourself from constipation."

"Release yourself from constipation."

"Release yourself from constipation."

Mexico seems to be on a roll lately with advertising that breaks through the clutter ... or, in this case, breaks through, well, bowel blockage.

According to Dannon's website, the company that produces Activia yogurt and this ad campaign, the probiotics contained in Activia help regulate your digestive system.

Very interesting analogy of farm animals to constipation. What are they trying to tell us? That when you're constipated, you look like a pig? Or you feel like a cow? Or you smell like a sheep?

I get the visual image of a large animal trying to fit through a very tiny hole, but that's where my understanding of this ad begins to fade.

But, my fundamental issue with this ad goes much deeper.

Let's chat about the promise that is inferred within this campaign ... eating Activia yogurt will help relieve you of your nagging constipation problems.

Activia has been under attack for some time, both in the private sector where lawsuits are occurring and in the public sector where the Federal Trade Commission has taken Dannon to task over their claim that probiotics help improve digestive health. According to this referenced article, "The Federal Trade Commission ruled there's not enough evidence to back up those statements, and now the French-based company has to pay up - big time. That means $21 million in settlements with state and federal regulators."

According to Ads of the World, this campaign just broke in April 2011, suggesting that Dannon has opted for an unethical approach to advertising within the Mexican market. While the FTC will ensure that U.S. consumers are no longer subjected to misleading advertising claims by Activia, our Mexican neighbors do not have the same luxury.

Shame on you, Dannon.

Yoplait Oversells, Underdelivers

The latest Yoplait commercial opens with a woman hungrily eying up a delectable raspberry cheesecake in her refrigerator. She goes through an internal struggle that many of us can totally relate to...

What if I just had a small slice?
I was good today. I deserve it.
Or, I could have a medium slice and some celery sticks.
And they would cancel each other out, right?
Or ... OK, I could have one large slice ...
And jog in place as I eat it.

So far, so good, right?
We've all encountered internal struggles like this at some point, right?

But, here's where things head south ... and fast.

In steps woman #2, who reaches for the raspberry cheesecake to satisfy that craving she's had all day. But, instead of reaching for that tantalizing cheesecake, she plucks out a container of Yoplait Light Raspberry Cheesecake.

It's not that I don't agree that Yoplait Light tastes good; I happen to be a fan. But, come on ... let's get real here. Comparing a container of raspberry cheesecake flavored yogurt to a homemade delicious raspberry cheesecake is, well, it's just plain silly.

A classic case of overselling if I ever saw one.

Ford Edge Does A Turnaround

The 2011 Ford Edge is definitely a step up from its previous model, which was introduced to the market in 2007.  Ford touts that there are 10,000 commands at your fingertips. A few additional cool features include MyFord Touch and the Rear View Camera.

It was the Rear View Camera feature that Ford wanted to emphasize in the Mexican market with the above ad. The message is clear and poignant with an image of the Ford Edge actually turning back on itself.

Being a new owner of an Edge, I must say that the rear view camera feature is crazy-cool. No more scanning of the rear view and side mirrors, hoping that I won't drive off the driveway into the grass.

Great advertising and great vehicle (at least so far).