Google Ad is Gold

Last night I watched the Super Bowl while participating in #Brandbowl on Twitter. Lots of good exchange about the ads as they appeared and discussion over what resonated with the audience and what fell short (talk about a lack of social media presence in the ads - but I digress).

I know there are going to be a TON of posts today recapping the ads and discussing "the best and the worst," but I wanted to focus on the ad that I thought was the best: Google's "Parisian Love:"

Quite simply, this is storytelling at its best. The use of the popular search engine to demonstrate the role and evolution that search plays in our everyday lives is outstanding. Google showed its passion for their product by telling a love story. The ad works on so many levels as the overall story resonates and connects with the many popular and important searches (study abroad; meals; airline travel; and the 'how-to' searches) that we all have done and will continue to do throughout our lives. Choosing to air "Parisian Love" during the Super Bowl only enhanced its effectiveness and resonance as Valentine's Day quickly approaches.

I loved this ad. Google who traditionally shies away from traditional advertising nailed its point through use of a creative and straightforward execution that reflects and tells a story of what individuals do with Google search everyday.

Google is apparently producing a series of these types of commercials/videos that can be found at Google Search Stories on YouTube. I look forward to seeing other stories similar to "Parisian Love."

Great job, Google!

Time for Another "Buy Me That" Food Edition

Yesterday, I noticed an article in MediaPost's Marketing Daily about the Federal Trade Commission's new Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection David Vladeck announcing that the FTC plans to launch a campaign to teach kids and tweens how to recognize and analyze advertising.

According the article:

The multimedia ad campaign, directed at kids ages 8 to 12, will include a Web site featuring a game that teaches core ad literacy concepts. The game will also be on mobile devices. In-school curricula developed with Scholastic magazine will deal with why, where, and how commercial messages are constructed and placed, per Vladeck.

Vladeck says the campaign will put a substantial focus on food marketing to children and adults as well as cover Internet selling techniques, endorsements and testimonials, green marketing and privacy matters. 

Vladeck says the reasons to address marketing to kids -- particularly around food -- are more compelling now because of the rising number of incidences of obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.'

"Progress has been made because of self-regulatory initiative from the Council for Better Business Bureaus (of which the NAD is part) but more needs to be done," he said. Two weeks ago, he said, the FTC served notice to get approval from the Office of Management and Budget to do a major food marketing study that will allow a direct comparison of marketing spend, profile data and market data between the new study and one done two years ago.

I applaud Vladeck and the FTC taking a strong look at how food advertisers are targeting kids. Reading this article reminded me of a series of HBO specials I saw as a kid called "Buy Me That!" which focused on how commercial producers got toys to fly, talk, or even made us want to eat certain products (does anyone else remember this?)

I was able to find part 1 of the "Buy Me That 3" video on YouTube that focused on marketing foods to kids and adults. Sounds like it's time for another HBO & Consumer Reports special!