#stuntvertising

[idleads]

An execution that could stop you in your tracks but one that seems to be sending a mixed message. When I read “Big Box” (and stopped snickering), I thought this was an anti-Amazon campaign - a campaign to encourage people to put the community & local economy over superficial savings. Thing is, it is and isn’t this. It’s about local stores but not about Amazon...which actually feels like a lost opportunity.

Many are questioning the fairness of the provincial government’s lockdown restrictions that seem to unnecessarily target and punish small businesses. While the lockdown prevents ‘non-essential’ small businesses from accepting foot traffic, large corporate chains can continue welcoming all customers and profit by selling thousands of nonessential items.

So the small businesses’ pain is the big box stores’ gain. And now, Toronto’s business owners are using creativity to get their message out with an installation of ‘out of work’ mannequins holding signs with cheeky messages including “Hungry for customers”, “Storeless and cold” and “Spare lunch? Big box is eating mine”. [December 2020]

[idleads]

A creative person traveled abroad and had some unpleasant racist experiences. Rather than respond in kind, he chose a more dignified way as to educate and challenge people about the wrongness of stereotypes. He brands a T-shirt that juxtaposes generalized perception of Africans with a “harmless” generalized perception of his host country, while still in the country. The shirt bears the hashtag: #IAmNotYourStereotype, which he wears around the country for the remainder of his stay. [December 2020]

Can a shirt and a hashtag change social attitudes re race/stereotypes? It’s a nice thought, no really it is. It would get earned media across multiple countries and platforms including from NewsCorp grade ones taking the piss, and would get a mix of genial and troll-grade social engagement. So, worth it? 

[idleads]

Just when you thought Snickers had thoroughly flogged the ailing horse that is the core tagline, they unleash this spot (and broader stunt). Will this garner the necessary buzz to ensure the brand is a top choice for choco-holics and sugar-fiends? Who knows. 

It’s fun to watch at least.

[idleads]

As far as gaming life tie ins, this is sort of smart. It's definitely far smarter than that Xbox fragrance, body wash etc. But, by the same token, does the tone and tactic infer this subculture is all male? Yeah. So...

[idleads]

Smart art blended with an evolved activation of a brand that really feels like too little too late. Seriously, there is so little value to the product or brand that all they can do is superficiallly pander to progressive logo they’ve long overlooked.

[idleads]

Thank you, IKEA. You and your agency have churned out just about the only royal wedding bandwagon-hopping advertising I can stand. None of this gaudy or crass; in fact, it’s as minimal and casual as you would expect from this brand.

[idleads]

This is something different - a quiet and cheeky viral campaign for a brand that is typically loud and proud. What is is it for?

Eminem and his new album, Revival. 

Blending his hyped self-affirmation themes with those of healthcare advertising really does work. Question is - how many of his standard fans would have bought into this campaign? Or was this truly more for the unconverted?

[idleads]

This effort which seeks to highlight the overwhelming similarities between two otherwise rival faiths isn’t getting all that much attention globally. This is the sort of work that deserves to get around, to challenge views and possibly drive attitude change.