Why do we love the Sonic guys?

Why are these two guys so much fun to watch?

I think there's a couple of reasons we like them.  First, they remind us of someone we know.  I mean, there's always that one guy who's kind of quirky that we've known for a few years. Maybe, he's a friend of a friend or he works in your office or he pumps gas at the local gas station.  Somehow he's familiar to us and watching this actor portray his personality makes us laugh.  It also brings a familiarity feeling to the brand. We know it's all about those emotional connections and this quirky guy reels us in.

The second reason we like these guys is because of what they are talking about. They babble. They have the conversation you have with your friend when you're talking about nothing.  They make conversation about what they're eating and then take it a little further to the ridiculous. We can't help but laugh at what they're saying, because its nonsense. They are true comedians.

So who cares if Sonic recycled an old Campaign. It's funny and it leaves me feeling good about Sonic. Sometimes it even makes me hungry for a burger and some tater tots. I love when advertising entertains me and makes me remember their brand with humor and good feelings. As opposed to repeating their name several times or flashing their colorful logo across the screen of my TV, computer, or phone. Entertain me, connect with me, and I'll remember you.

So, press on Pete Grosz and TJ Jagdowski, we love to watch your front seat antics.
For more on these two improve actors see www.those2guys.me or follow them on twitter @_those2guys

3 Ways To Make An Advertisment Funny.

We can all use a laugh now and then, and for me it's more "now," than "then."  Anyway, It comes down to three elements that almost always bring a chuckle out of me. If you can find a way to use them, you'll  put a smile on most any one's face, and leave them with a good feeling about your brand.

Numero uno.

Use "Shock," not the electric kind but the surprise kind. Go in one direction, then spin it around and go in a direction you would never think of. (until now, of course) Comedians use this all the time, and it works wonderfully.  Think, baby that speaks like an adult...(E-trade). Think, guy in a suit chewing on a big dog bone...(Allstate Insurance). Think, pint sized Darth Vader making a car start with his mental powers...(Volkswagen). They all shock us and make us laugh and we're left with a great feeling about the brand.  The Shock factor works and should be used more often to make a lasting impression on consumers.

Number two.

Attack Authority. This element makes us laugh because deep down inside we have this grade schooler in us who wants come out and get in trouble. We also have that one boss or supervisor that always seems to annoy us. We wanna see the big guy put down, it makes laugh because we know we can't do it in real life. Think, stickin' it to the man, when you are the man... (Sprint). Think, King(Elton John) gets dropped down through the floor by singing girl (Pepsi).  Attacking authority brings out that love we all have for the underdog, and it makes us laugh to see the big guy put down. It also creates a distance from the big bad corporation image that a consumer can hold onto.

Just three.

Exaggerate without limits. Take something out of it's normal context, inflate it beyond reality and laughs will come. Think, the most interesting man in the world...(Dos Equis). Think, Helicopter pilot that's not really a helicopter pilot but stayed at a... (Holiday Inn Express). Think, guy ending up in a roadside ditch because his cable company got him angry...(Direct TV). When we step way, way outside the box, people will laugh just for the shear silliness of it.

It's so much about getting people emotionally involved with our brands and laughter, something we could all use a little more of, is one easy way to make that connection.

Why Ads should make us laugh.

Okay, Life is stressful! We work, (well some of us do), we take care of kids (dogs), we run here, we run there and do all the stuff we have to do.  When it comes to getting our attention, humor is almost a sure thing. It lets us relax even if it's just for a moment. We relax and we laugh and we breath a small sigh of relief.  What humorus advertising gives us is that little moment. We make an emotional connection and we remember it.

Why do we love that e-trade baby? We just can't wait to hear what he's gonna say next. How about "Mr. Mayhem," we want to see what he's done next.  We love the little surprises that humor brings. We love the little break from reality when we read a funny line, or see a funny picture on the side of a bus, or a road sign, or in a magazine. Maybe, we skip most of the commercials when we're watching our favorite TV show, but not if it's a funny commercial. Most of the time we stop, we watch, we listen, we laugh, or at least smile. Do we run out and buy the product? Not always, but sometimes we do.

 So what really happens? Well, over time we fall in love with the brand. The brand becomes our friend. So, do you want us in a relationship with your brand? Do you want your brands to be our best friends? Then entertain us and make us laugh. Have mercy, have a heart, and... have something funny to say!

Mohair car floor mats...Yeah, Okay.

 The Range Rover EVOQUE  - Special Edition by Victoria Beckham



Okay.  Why can I just not buy this?  It just doesn't make sense to me.  Victoria Beckham and Range Rover just don't go together for me.  It's not that beautiful women don't drive Range Rovers, 'cause they do.  It's just do beautiful women want to drive a Range Rover with another woman's name on it. You can design my clothes, you can design my make-up, you can design my shoes and my hairstyle, but somehow I don't want you in my car.  A car can be like a husband, and who wants another woman designing their husband? Who wants to feel like another woman has been riding in my car? Not me.

It features rose gold accents, mohair floor mats, and a hand-sewn leather wallet to hold the owner's manual. We all like a little luxury, but mohair floor mats?  I could just imagine using those on a winter day in Buffalo. Anyway, I think Victoria needs to stick to designing perfume, and Lingerie and leave my husband, I mean car... alone.

On-line ads, do they really work?

On-line ads, do they really work? I'm talking about banner ads and side ads and those ads you're forced to watch before the video you want to see comes on. How many of us completely ignore them? Or maybe were so uninterested that we've never even noticed them.  Most likely they are tailored to us, based on past things we've searched or clicked on, but do we care?  Unless it's really entertaining, or there's something we're looking for, or something we need in the next day, hour, or minute we seem unlikely to notice these ads or even think of clicking on them.

Now, I'm not talking about the advertisers and companies we search out for a good deal or a discount, I'm talking about the ones that seek us out. They creep on us, always hanging out on the sidelines, flashing us. They just seem pretty useless to me. I don't think I've ever clicked on one. Well, I might have clicked by mistake and then got stuck waiting for it to be over.

So, what do we do, advertising and marketing people? We find a better way. How? Well, I'm kind of new at this so, I don't have all the answers...but, here's a suggestion...First, make them entertaining, or find a way to weave your brand and product into the entertainment.  Make me stop and look. Make something eye-catching, make something stellar. I don't want to see your logo spinning around in a circle unless it say's something short and cool. I don't want to see a pretty picture of your credit card or your spokes person. Give me something fun to look at, or strange or interesting. Better yet, just tweet it to me in the form of some useful information with how you/ your product or service can make my life better.  Social media has changed the way we get information. We need to change the way we advertise.

ideagirl's Ideas About Advertising: What Makes Insurance So Funny?

ideagirl's Ideas About Advertising: What Makes Insurance So Funny?: Okay, so when did insurance become so funny? First we have the gecko with the English accent; then the favorite "waitress like" girl "Flo,... Hi people check out my new blog post.

What Makes Insurance So Funny?

Okay, so when did insurance become so funny? First we have the gecko with the English accent; then the favorite "waitress like" girl "Flo," who has her own personal following; then of course there's "Mayhem" who gets into all kinds of predicaments; and we can't forget the magical "Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there" and the agent appears out of thin air; or the deep voice of the Allstate spokesmen.  So many insurance companies going after that millennial audience, and giving us a good laugh while they do it. I remember when insurance company advertisements were so serious. When there was some guy in a suit trying to reassure us and then basically scare us into buying insurance. It says a lot for where things are headed. We want to laugh about the future, not be afraid of it. We're smarter and not easily persuaded as in the past.  I'm glad insurance has become funny. Wouldn't it be great if some of the other too serious industries started becoming funny. Investments, is already going that way with the e-trade baby... How about the the health care industry and the pharmacutical companies...We could use a laugh from them. Why don't they show some people having fun with medicine, or how about they have someone take one of those anti-depression pills they're advertising and then the person gets up and starts dancing and singing, that would be funny... at least kind of funny. How about make-up, furniture and weight-loss industries... they could all benefit from being more funny, at least I think so. Real life is stressful, and can be full of worries and disappointments...I think advertising should be entertaining, and dammit! IT SHOULD BE FUNNY! ... at least most of the time.