Ah, the Superbowl, where the advertising inbetween the numerous stoppages is usually more captivating than the game itself (just seven minutes of actual movement in the average three-ish hour game, apparently). It's where big-time US advertisers still go to show-off and find millions of mainly male eyeballs. And, thankfully, the New York Times was nice enough to collect all of the rather expensive ads that were featured and pen some live blogommentary on such topics as men with no pants, controversial gay men who like Megan Fox, ironic Google searching, beer, abortion and male beauty products.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aLyqyd2CiQWho's it for: Health Promotion Agency by DraftFCB and Exit Films.
Why we like it: The last 'ease up on the drink' ads took a fairly serious approach to try and get Kiwis to confront friends about their drinking. The Say Yeah Nah campaign also focuses on the role of friends, but it takes the informal, colloquial and entertaining approach to try and drum home the fact that it's alright for people to say no to the booze. And they can still have a good night out without it, something those well-versed in liquid inhibition removal might find hard to believe.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OD5YMvzDVGk
Who's it for: Red Cross and Y&R, Flying Fish and Blacklist.
Why we like it: Almost like the charity version of String Theory and Buck's gonzo grand prix-winning Metamorphosis, this spot for the Red Cross annual appeal is mesmeric, beautifully made and shows that the organisation doesn't just do the big jobs, it also sweats the small stuff.
Sure to rise
The customer is always wrong
Tenacious showers in the western ranges
Those were the golden days
The Compendium: 17 May