Are there REAL standards in advertising?

Having a fascination with television ads lately (like when am  not), I came across this book; Advertising to the American Woman.Now I'm Canadian, North American and this book has received 5 stars so I think it's just fine. I am not a reader, but  am intrigued by this book. And so, it got me thinking about the shift in advertising.



Back in the 1900's, I believe advertising was used to sway the public, tell them what to do, who to vote for, etc. Correct me if I'm wrong, but this is how I believe it went. Ads using a lot of words to explain why it s so important that you buy/use the product or supplier - to sex - to all around creativity. But where is the limit? Who decides that ads like this one by PETA is ok?



It doesn't stop here either, countless products, company's and associations advertise this way. What kind of message is this? You or I may find it funny. But others may not, so how is this ok? What are the standards in advertising nowadays?  


I work for a company that makes ads on a daily basis. My job is to take things delivered from their corporate headquarters and use them on all of their stores through their website. We have dealt with heavy restrictions due to new products being launched. We couldn't alter images, we couldn't write new content (for specific products) and other times we could do all of the above. Restrictions and regulations have to constantly be checked with the advertising agency. 


So as much as I enjoy ads like this one: Schick Quatro trim style I can't help but think that these ads are wrong. They aren't cutesy at all, they are disgusting. 


What will kids think after viewing these types of ads? And not just the dirty ones. Have you seen some recent car ads, where the kids are labelling their parents as losers and the only way to justify the problem is to make them buy an awesome all-wheel drive, dvd player included w/ attached headphones, heated seats, etc? Now that's sick!




~Jenn


Photo credit http://winterhymnal.wordpress.com/

What this woman wants

I'm sitting here alone on a Sunday night watching a chick flick, What Women Want. It's one of my favourite movies and is the movie that has driven me into my career path. The movie was filmed in Chicago, what I like to call a mini version of New York City.

A few weeks ago, our class ended the year on a trip to Chicago. I had a great time. I spent a lot of time sightseeing and shopping. The city is extremely gorgeous and although I have always dreamed of living in a big city and working for an advertising agency, I never ever thought it possible.

I am currently working for a great company working on online advertising and marketing for car dealerships nation-wide. And although my position isn't as glamourous as working in a tall skyscraper in a city as vast as Chicago, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to grow and learn.

I understand that you can't expect to graduate and bam, your dream job appears on your lap. I know I have to work towards it. One day I will get there. Whether I move up or move on. I take pride in knowing that I've gotten this far and am curious to see how far I can go.

Chicago taken at the Pier

One regret I have, is not seeing more while in Chicago. I didn't visit nearly enough agencies, especially Sloane Curtis where What Women Want was filmed (the building has been mentioned in more then one movie).

2012 VW Jetta and Fender?

Hauntings of Manitoba

My trailer for my documentary is complete as is the DVD, including a Title menu and Scene Selection.

What I do

Finished my first week as the Digital Marketing Associate for DMT. Since the question keeps popping up, what I do is handle the online (digital) marketing and advertising for Volvo, Volkswagen and Mitsubishi. I am part of a four-person team in the Dealer Performance Division.

In DPD, we take direct calls with the dealers. The dealers are just like any client in the advertising world. Some are hard to work with, others wonderful; some have great ideas, others don't. So basically what my job entails is to advertise and market the dealer's websites, to make them rein over their competitors. It is a lot of fun and a great experience. I have been there a week and have learn't so much about how the digital side of marketing works; keywords, Google Analytics and meta descriptions.

So here are some examples of what I am working with, also known as some of the best Super Bowl ads from this year.




My son's favourite. Star Wars fanatic.

Tv Documentary Class

Sara and I created a mini-metal documentary on two crazy friends Steve St. Amand and Dallas Walker. The two have been friends forever and this movie documents one crazy trip that Dallas made to see his buddy Steve. The trip happens to fall during the week of Metalfest 2011.

Congratulations to my best friend

My best friend Dana, married a wonderful man named Daniel. For years, I have been calling her double dee ( for obvious reasons ).  Now she is a happily married true double dee. Dana and Daniel Dallmann, yes double dee indeed.

I had the honour of being her photographer. The wedding was a small, but a beautiful ceremony of only 20 guests that took place in their home with a dinner reception at The Keg. I am proud of how much work she put into it though, it was absolutely gorgeous. I am so grateful to have her as my maid of honour for my upcoming wedding, I know everything will be equally as beautiful.

I do regret however, being a full-time college student, the lack of help I had to offer her. At least I took beautiful photos with the use of the college's SLR camera rentals. My plan as a wedding gift to Mr. and Mrs. Dallmann, is to create a wedding album for them. Seeing as I took over 600 photos.

I enjoyed every minute of it and used the opportunity to design a little photo essay for my last assignment in CreComm of the year as well.  And I would like to share it here on my blog.

Graduating and thirsty for more

Graduation is a mere four and a half weeks away and I am ready to accept the challenge. In these last two weeks before our last internship in the Creative Communications program at Red River College, we still have many looming deadlines and heavy projects to complete. In the midst of completing a professional portfolio, a web portfolio, a series of photography assignments, a mini documentary and a sponsorship package for a non-profit organization, I had to design an ad for brand... me!

I had some fun with this assignment and turned it into something that shows a bit of my creativity. I have been told that I do in fact look like a lion. Yes!

Photos courtesy of Melissa Marlatt

And here is a little something extra to add to the fun, a sample of what we do in photography class.





















~Jenn

Knorr - Bring "Salty" back - the reason behind it

“Salty” has been the mascot of Knorr Sidekicks for over a year. The audience loves him. Since “Salty” left due to 25 per cent less sodium found in Sidekicks in 2009, Knorr has started a Facebook and Twitter for fans to communicate with the lonely character.

Although the commercials continue with the latest; “Pep” is on the search to bring back his friend “Salty”, Knorr has yet to bring him back. The audiences continue to have a connection with the little guy - but how long will it last? Does the audience really like the idea of Knorr having a sad mascot?

It’s time to bring “Salty” back. He has been gone for too long.

In the first commercial, when “Salty” left in 2009, the song was just as important as the story. Michal Bolton sang, How am I supposed to live Without You. The song was a great fit, influencing the mood that Knorr was attempting to pull off throughout the audiences.

The ‘Next’ ad, (an assignment in advertising class) "Bring "Salty" back features a song by Michael Bolton again. “Salty” left with Michael Bolton and so he should come back to Michal Bolton as well. It may have a beneficial impact. The song perfect for “Salty’s return is All for Love. It invokes that same feeling, but this time of joy and happiness for the little guy. He found his way home.

Oi there!

So I've been a busy bee! I am pleased to say that my documentary, Hauntings of Manitoba is complete and it was a whole lot of fun!

In addition to my regular course load, including finishing up the campaign for MALA that the advertising and PR majors are working on, I have been doing some social media work for my upcoming work placement (internship) in April.

To jump start it, Cocoon's innovative sofa line, Oi Furniture has presented their pitch on CBC's Dragons' Den and it will be airing next Wednesday, March 9th at 8:00 pm.

I have been excessively tweeting, more so than ever before about the upcoming televised pitch in an effort to bring attention and awareness to our local talent.

I feel privileged to be involved and have been communicating back and forth with the agency about upcoming ideas. I feel passionate about the agency and what they do. So as busy as I am, it doesn't feel like extra work at all.

Check them out at the WIRED Store in NYC 2010



Follow them on Twitter!
Oi Furniture
Cocoon Branding

Stuff from The Winnipeg Paranormal Group ... pretty cool

It is widely accepted that there are four main types of hauntings:

Check out their website Winnipeg Paranormal Group

Type 1: Residual Haunting

These types of hauntings are impressions in time that have been imprinted on the place that is haunted. Think of them as pieces of a movie that is stuck on repeat. They play through at the same time of the day over an over. They are not aware, nor can they interact with anyone or anything physically around them. Remember, they are nothing more than a scene in a movie, they cannot hurt you. They exist solely as a fraction of time, stuck on a loop.

Type 2: Intelligent Haunting 

These types of hauntings are due to the spirit of a person or animal that has not, for some reason, crossed over after their death. These hauntings involve a spirit you can interact with. they are aware of you, and interact with you via, sounds, touch, smell and posibly sight. When you ask them a question, they are capable, though not always willing, to reply.

Type 3: Demonic Haunting

These types of hauntings are extremely rare. These spirits are non-human and very violent. Signs of demonic haunting include a strong sulfuric odour, growling noises and physical contact including pushing, hitting, shoving and scratching. The main goal of a demonic haunting is to emotionally break down a person.

Type 4: Poltergeist Haunting 

The term 'Poltergeist' is German for 'Noisy Ghost', which is an accurate definition of this type of haunting. This spirit or entity is usually much more destructive than a traditional haunting. Poltergeist is a series of events that appear to be that of ghosts, but are generated within the depths of the mind of, usually, a young woman. These events are created without the woman's awareness. Some common activities include thumping, moving objects, banging, or object-throwing. 

Social media does matter

It's mazing how something as small as social media can make a huge difference in the world we live in. It seems that nowadays everyone wants to amp up their use of social media, but many companies don't have the time. Social media to most seems more like a hobby than a communication tactic. I am sure many people take social media for granted, and I was one of them until today.

I had a scheduled meeting today/interview with Winnipeg innovative branding and advertising firm, Cocoon Branding Inc. At the interview, Kyle Romaniuk, owner of Cocoon and I discussed a possible internship within the company for a three week period in April, as part of my curriculum for the graduating year in Creative Communications at Red River College.

The interview was different than any other interviewing experience I have had before. I was asked to bring in samples and present them. The funny thing is that in our advertising class at Red River College, we were asked to bring in three portfolio samples on Monday. That being said, what I brought in to Cocoon wasn't exactly a portfolio. Still, I presented each sample and gave a few descriptions. I was surprised that the most well received piece was the mock-up of an ad I cut and glued for Lush in last year's magazine project. I was given some interesting insights to the concept during the meeting today and will continue to keep this "handmade" ad as a portfolio piece.

Lush ad - second image

We spent an hour discussing my work, Cocoon's work and my future goals. I showed him a top favourite Super Bowl ad, discussed the Knorr Sidekick's "Salty" capaign ( a favourite of mine) and discussed the MALA campaign I am currently working on. MALA, the Manitoba Association of Landscape Architects has asked the PR and advertising majors in Creative Communications to come up with an awareness campaign for their organization. I discussed our "big idea" with Kyle and he gave me positive feedback.  I appreciate all of the advice Kyle has given me and plan to implement what I can.

I am pleased to say that I will be interning at Cocoon in April, a goal of mine for quite some time. I appreciate the opportunity to learn at a higher level and experience new ways of advertising, marketing and branding. I think Cocoon and I are on the same page. I just wrote an electronic publication to be designed as a downloadable app for the iPad, and Cocoon just did a similar app-like campaign for Grant's scotch whiskey.

In addition to the internship, I may have something extra to offer them. As part of our curriculum in the Creative Communications program, we have to maintain a Twitter account, a LinkedIn and a blog. Funny, you wouldn't think that your school would want you to use social media in class. I never thought this skill would benefit me in my future career. However, I was asked today to come up with ideas to help drive a following on Cocoon's Twitter. I find this to be an interesting task and have already thought of other ways to drive people to connect with Cocoon.

Looking forward to April!

~Jenn

Favourite car Super Bowl ad of 2011

Nope, it's not the Volkswagen Darth Vader one ( although it did make me laugh). This year, the Chrysler ad is my pick of the year. Maybe my infatuation with Mad Men has gotten to me, but I have always enjoyed old Hollywood-style anything. This ad, reminds us of how driving a car used to be. It's classic.

Back at school

This is the beginning of week two of my last semester in Creative Communications. I have to say that I am super stoked to begin my career in something that I'm uber pumped, passionate and have wanted to do for a while. My career goal is advertising. And lately, I have been leading towards a Media Buyer/Coordinator position.

Currently, the ad and pr majors are working on our last integrated marketing campaign for MALA, the Manitoba Association of Landscape Architects. I got assigned to be a Project Manager which is pretty neat. I feel like I have my chance to shine and take on the leadership role, something that I enjoy when it comes to advertising. I used to dream of being a Creative Director which I must say is pretty ambitious. Along with the assigned task of being a Project Manager, I am in charge of our media buy plan yet again. This is the third time that I have gotten to do a media buy plan in a group project and I'm learning to enjoy the role more and more. Like come on, you get to spend money! Fun! Of course, I understand it isn't all glamorous. You have to take a lot into consideration, like the budget and which mediums are most likely to succeed based on our goals and desired outcomes. Still, I really enjoy it.

Also in the full swing of things, my Independent Professional Project, a documentary on the paranormal is  in the midst of editing. Everything else is done, I am so thrilled. I know that I have done a lot of work on it, but still a part of me feels that I didn't. Maybe it was just that I enjoyed it too much? I really do enjoy media production. I had a hard time deciding on my major, which is why I thought that doing a video IPP and taking TV documentary would satisfy my hunger for videography.  So graduating with as an advertising major and two video docs, I think that suits me just fine.  Next up, maybe a career involving both passions? A girl could only hope!

~Jenn

Advertising in a whole new light

Today, I got the luxury of going to an Advertising Association of Winnipeg luncheon on the topic of copyright laws. I call this a luxury because I have always wanted to join AAW since my first month in CreComm last year. It costs like $100 something to join. For that reason I never did.

I found out during my first week of work placement as a copywriter at CHUM Radio Winnipeg that I would be going. So today was the day. One of the main topics was, if you write or produce something for a future client in spec (as in a pitch to get their business) what rights do you, the creator have and what rights do they have since they haven't purchased your idea. Is your idea safe? We were told today in a seminar that using an idea doesn't count as infringement, but using expressions of that idea does.

Does this mean that our ideas aren't protected? Can anyone steal them? I have now learned the importance of having a written agreement/contract even for work that isn't purchased. Before we present anything under the possibility of any kind of transaction for that creation, we should always protect ourselves and our work. Good faith doesn't go far in this business, without written agreement nothing is safe.

I also learned that taking the work you did say while on an internship at a local radio station for a client and presenting that in a portfolio to take to another company in hopes of a job can also get you in trouble, unless you have a license to that work or a written agreement from the company.

I had no idea of any of this. At least I know now. And I thank CHUM Radio for allowing me this professional experience. I have learned so much in my week and a half with them. I feel like my copywriting has completely changed or at least the idea of it has.

I am learning how to write for clients by the top copywriters in the city. And although they critique everything I write over and over, they are challenging me to succeed and write something that will not only sell, but create emotion in our audience.

To create a memorable ad is the most challenging thing and I thank them for helping me create ads that have been approved not only by the client, but by the best in the industry.

I think of the world of advertising in a whole new way. A good ad takes time. What is it they say "Rome wasn't built in a day." Ha ha, what a cliche.

~Jenn

Miracles do happen

I'm not sure if I've ever believed in miracles, whether they existed or not. But this Christmas I do believe that we got one. This year we had the worst struggle to date. We could barely afford groceries let alone pay our bills and our rent. Due to one major unfortunate unexpected circumstance we were at a standstill financially. With neither of us working, we had no idea how we would pull through. As soon as the break hit, my boss even forgot to schedule me. Here I was, the only one working a legit job and I was supposed to be using my Christmas break to catch up on sleep, work on my IPP and spend time with my family.

I was fortunate to get almost full-time work during this week that my boss had carelessly forgotten to schedule me. My co-working all started handing over their shifts. I think of myself to be extremely lucky. I managed to throw my first ever Christmas dinner and invited my parents over. We even managed to have a whack load of gifts for our son, mind you their were small, but still I am very grateful for that.

The reason I consider our Christmas to be some sort of miracle this year is because everything that was worrying us just started to fall place and just in time. I think we were extremely fortunate this holiday season and if it wasn't for our loved ones we might be out on
the street right now. But I can't help but think that this year we got our Christmas miracle. And I will never think of Christmas the same way again.

Jenn