jtherkal: Now here’s a solid concept gone totally awry in execution. Jessica Simpson plus beer? Daddy likey. But wait, where is the bikini? Shouldn’t she be washing a horse or lathering up with oil? And is pairing her with that line a joke? Be smart, drink smart? It must be a joke. I’m sorry, but until you get her in panties dripping chocolate syrup onto her chest, I can’t endorse this ad. D.
sjbooher: Here is a more traditional ad, that is part of this campaign. Taken by itself, I think it is only average, but it is a nice piece of the viral puzzle.
sjbooher: Hilarious. I love this on every comedic level. My favorite part is when Kanye says, “That was awesome”. This viral campaign also has an accompanying website, where the shenanigans continue. I love the rollover trick with the bald white guy. Of course, though, I have to complain about the advertising portion of this. It’s for Absolut, but for what, exactly? And is that infomercial going to air on TV? Will anyone know about this? How far are they going to take it? Until some of those questions are answered, I’ll go with B-.
jtherkal: Part of me wants to not like it, but I can’t help it. Pretty great. I think even though the initial branding of Absolut isn’t clear, the after-effect is going to be strong. People will notice this, be a part of it, and it should create a buzz for Absolut. I love the part when he asks, “How many times have you told yourself, I feel famous and powerful on the inside, but nobody sees it that way on the outside” and the answer “300 TIMES!” flashes on the screen. Also, the Be Kanye quiz on the website–where you can’t even answer any questions–is good. There is part of me that wonders, what happened to the famous, iconic Absolut advertising? But most of me just likes it. A-.
jtherkal: I rarely pull a 180 on an ad, but maybe I was in a bad mood when rating this the first time. I’m not coming around to an A+, but the fact that I sing along with the song and that I look forward to seeing that lumberjack and his madcat laughter means this deserves better than a C+. I still don’t really like Heineken. Skunky-ass beer. B+.
sjbooher: Another victory for………….. LIQUID GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLLDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
jtherkal: It’s love. It’s love. It’s la la la la love. I don’t really like this commercial, but I like the song. To me, it sounds sort of like the South Park guys singing it. Here’s where this ad fails: It’s about giving someone a beer. That’s what a waitress does. The only part of sharing beer I care about is GETTING one. Save your altruistic sharing message for something un-beer-related, like pumpkin pie or something. Ad: D. Song: A. Overall: C+
sjbooher: Guess I just landed myself in CrazyTown! Are you crazy, jtherkal? This ad is awesome. You can horde your beer in the corner of your studio apartment all day and all night and drink it alone. I’ll be with my friends and non-friends alike, sharing the love. My favorite part, other than the song, is the maniacal laughter into which some of the beer recipients break, especially the old guy in the snow cabin. A+
P.S. — Can someone please put the Heineken “liquid gold” mini-keg ad on YouTube?
jtherkal: Since I don’t really care for Vincent Gallo(smarmy hipster fuck), I think this would probably have been a miss, or a non-notice for me, if the soundtrack wasn’t so dope. I watched it a few times and that song is addicting. Rza, you done did it again! Luckily, you can download it from the Belvedere website. Unluckily, because I’m on a worthless PC at work, my media player can’t play it. I like the idea of “luxury reborn,” though. And rumor has it there’s a version coming out starring Rza. But I’ve also read that it cost an assload of money to make these “ads,” which would be another case of–to quote my associate–ad exec masturbation. So I’m feeling very mixed emotions right now. Longing, anger, confusion, joy, jealousy… B+.
sjbooher: I love the RZA and I have no clude who Vincent Gallo is but I don’t like what I see. I don’t get this ad. I love the music, but it has nothing to do with vodka. Maybe it’s purely niche, and I’m not supposed to get it. Of luxury reborn is shitty like that apartment, they it can re-die. C-.