Category Archives: Commercials

My commercial for Nostalgicism: A man who is not Asian is not in front of his computer and is not crying and the song “Redneck Woman” is not playing in the background.

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Since I no longer have a TV, commercials have not really been a major part in my life like they used to be. Whenever I encounter ads, it’s mostly through either YouTube or podcasts. And, of course, it’s usually the same 15 ads. Lately, I’ve been coming across this commercial from Wells Fargo, and it leaves me in a state of confusion every time I see it.

I’m confused by everything in this commercial. If they’re rebuilding their image, a montage of random people with a Black Keys song isn’t the best way to go about it. The commercial just doesn’t match their intention. I’m not thinking, “Oh, great. They’re trying to rebuild their image! They’re making changes!” I’m thinking more along the lines of, “Oh, it’s nice that I recognize this song, but why are these people smiling?”

If they wanted to change their image to a more positive light, then I would have gone the Publix route. Something sentimental and heartfelt with subtle instrumental music that will fit in with a Hallmark commercial.

Of course, there are commercials that can pull you right with the right song and the appropriate visuals.

Some just need a light upbeat song and a cute story line.

Some don’t even need a story. They just need an upbeat song and a montage of random people.

While others have more complex stories.

Seriously who would know that this came from Windex? You go, Windex.

Having the right song in a commercial is crucial. It must fit with the story you’re trying to tell. Your intended customer must relate to it. And, most of all, it must appeal to Asians.

OK. This time every woman in the world will hate me…because of my ability to eat cereal.

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Commercials. We all hate them. We especially hate them when we’re watching videos on the Internet. OK, fine. If we want to sit on the couch and watch an emotionally exhausting episode of Grey’s Anatomy, we can deal with commercials. But if we want to watch a five minute video, then even a 30-second commercial seems excessive. Yes, there is sometimes an option to skip the commercial, but that isn’t guaranteed. It’s like a game of Russian Roulette. OK, fine.no one is dying from watching commercials, but we feel like we’re dying. Does that count?

Since I do not have a TV, the only commercials that I watch are online. honestly, it’s not that bad compared to TV advertising but, damn, it is annoying when you get a 30 second commercial you can’t skip. Now, with YouTube, if I’m able to click on a link to the commercial, browsing the comments is an added bonus. It’s amusing to me to see people freak out while I’m just sitting here thinking, “Eh, I liked the commercial,” and I continue eating my roast beef sandwich. Here are three such commercials.

The One That Applauds Women for Eating

When I first saw this commercial, I thought it was a simple commercial with a simple message: “Women can do anything.” I approved. A few seconds later, I was like, “Wait, did they just congratulate women for the ability to eat?” I am trying to imagine the dozens of meetings that would have taken place for this commercial to be aired, and I can’t even fathom who thought this was a good idea. Look at my picture. I can eat too, you know. And I’m a man. GASP. And I’m Asian. DOUBLE GASP.

The One That May or May Not Be Racist

I’m not a big fan of these Gorilla Glue commercials, but I find it quite silly that some people actually think that this particular commercial is racist just because the actors are Black. Of course, they don’t find it racist when there are Gorilla Glue commercials with the same concept, but with White actors. I also don’t understand what would make this commercial racist. Something involving her wanting clear glue and not white? Well, first. White glue is usually school glue, and you can’t, like, fix a screen door with White school glue. Stronger glues tend to be clear. I don’t know. I don’t see a problem with it. It’s not like she’s looking for a glue made out of White people.

The One That Makes You Lock Yourself in Your Room and Cry Until You Die

I am quite partial to commercials that make me want to cry. It reminds me that I’m human. Of course, a lot of people have the issue with companies exploiting our emotions to sell their product. Well, this particular commercial is from Zillow, which if you don’t know is a Real Estate Listing Web site and is actually free to use. It’s not like someone from Zillow is killing your husband in order to force you to sell a house and buy a new one; plus Zillow actually wouldn’t benefit from it. Just enjoy the story that’s being told and eat a sandwich. You’ll feel better.

Like a good blogger, I’m there… with a boatload of sarcasm and a sandwich

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Commercials. They can make you happy. They can make you cry. They can make you throw your cat at your television. State Farm commercials, however, amuse and entertain, me at least.

For those of you not in the know, which includes pretty much everyone not living in the US, heh, State Farm is simply an insurance completely here in the land of bald eagles and sarcastic slightly-off (but only slightly) Asian guys. Not really your first choice of a company that has humorous entertaining commercials, I know.

Now, of course, you could say some of the commercials are false advertising but, honestly, if a person actually thinks their insurance agent is going to pop into your life every time you sing a commercial jingle, then you need to be mentally institutionalized, or at least gain a sense of humor. Whatever is easier for you. They’re not supposed to be serious. They’re supposed to be fun and entertaining and somehow get you to get an insurance policy from them. Wait a minute…

But seriously. Watch them, and I guarantee that you’d at least wonder who the heck thought of these ideas and what they were smoking at the time.

When hashtags and memes ruin anti-tobacco ad campaigns

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I am sure it’s to no one’s surprise when I say things have gotten progressively worse when it comes to television. Our society is drowning in crime procedurals. Cartoons of today are nowhere near as good as cartoons from over 10 years ago were. Worst of them are, HGTV is no longer showing home decorating shows. It’s really depressing. Now, things have gotten even worse. The Truth, an anti-tobacco ad campaign, has had a makeover to appear to a younger generation, and it’s not pretty.

Started in 1999, The Truth’s main objective is to educate the younger generation about the truths of the tobacco industry. Over the years, it’s gone through several different campaigns. They first started with commercials that were dark and sent a powerful message. The first commercial they released in 2000 showed a group of people dumping 1,200 empty body bags in front of a big tobacco company in order to symbolize the amount of people who die each day (at the time) from smoking. Toward the mid 2000s, they aired commercials that were lighter where group of people sang songs that mocked the tobacco industry. They then did a total 180 when they showed commercials featuring ex-smokers with various defects. They’re very similar to the Tobacco Free Florida commercials. I will do everyone a favor here and not link to these videos. They’re quite disturbing, and I do not want to scar anyone for life. Since 2014, they have decided to get away from being rebellious, serious and informative, and stated a campaign aimed toward teenagers and college students to stop teenage smoking. The aim is to end teenage smoking. Yeah, good luck with that. You need more than memes and hashtags to stop any demographic from smoking.

Not surprisingly, I like the older commercials better. Sigh. I’ve officially become one of those people who shouts “BRING BACK THE OLD STUFF.” Well, at least it fits with my blog.

No, I don’t find songs through TV shows. I find them through commercials.

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As a person without a TV, I don’t get exposed to as many commercials as I used to. Of course, I still use the Internet on a daily basis, so I do get bombarded with commercials and advertisements all over the place. I haven’t really seen many commercials that I’m fond of the past years though. I know. I know. Commercials are not supposed to be memorable or nostalgic. Still, when I had a TV, there were quite a few commercials that immediately grabbed my attention, and I have since missed them. So, I should be thankful that YouTube exists.

Although well-known songs are used in a lot of commercials, songs not familiar to the general public are used just as much. I did not know any of the songs in the commercials below beforehand and, now, I associate these songs exclusively with the commercials. As a result, I have nostalgia for these songs and commercials. Yes, there I said it. Commercials make me nostalgic. Sue me.

Coincidentally, all of the commercials are between 2009 and 2010. What amazes me is that the songs enhance the commercials. They don’t overpower them. Of course, I don’t know what song could overpower an Advil commercial but nevertheless, it works.

PSAs can be nostalgic. Interactive videos can be cheesy.

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PSAs are supposed to inform the general public of a social issue or other concern. They’re not supposed to be nostalgic. I don’t know why they make me think of my childhood, especially since I barely remember any PSAs I might have watched when I was a child. If I were another person, I’d be worried about my sanity.

I am sure everyone is familiar with the The Ad Council,the non-profit organization that produce and advertise ad campaigns for other non-profit organizations. I am going to make the very bold statement that if you are an adult living in the U.S. that you have seen at least one PSA from the Ad Council. If you haven’t seen those creepy PSAs from Tobacco Free Florida with the woman who has a hole in her neck, though, consider yourself lucky.

There is one particular Ad Council campaign that I was fond of. Nearly a decade ago, the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration started the National Mental Health Anti-Stigma Campaign in order to encourage young adults to provide help and support for friends who have a mental illness. The campaign has since ended.

The television ad that they ran consists of a subtle, and somewhat somber, underscore of piano music, a voice over and a group of young adults. The voice over starts by stating that everyone has friends. As he starts naming specific groups of friends a person might have (online friends, friends you hang out with on a Saturday night, etc.), the group gets smaller and smaller. Eventually, there is only one person left: the friend who supports you when you are dealing with a mental illness.

When I initially saw this PSA, I was captivated by it because it was simple, yet it sends a powerful message without being overwhelming. The interactive video that was on their Web site, however, was quite the opposite.

For a number of years, there was an interactive video involving three fictional friends: James, Sara and Angela. The premise is Angela was recently diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and had told James and Sara shortly after. James and Sara are at a coffee shop and are concerned about Angel’a well-being, but are not sure how to support her. They call Angela, and she meets them at the coffee shop. The three of them talk about her situation, and Andrea shares how she feels while James and Sara both listen to her and offer their kind words and support.

Throughout the video, you have the option of choosing from two options: one that you should do and one that you shouldn’t do. If you choose the right option, it automatically moves on to the next scene. If you choose the wrong scene, James or Sara appears, and they basically tell that you’re not a horrible person and why you’re wrong. Along the way, you also get tips about supporting someone with a mental illness and facts regarding mental health.

It sounds like a fun interactive activity, but I find it a little bit too unrealistic and cheesy for my tastes. The biggest thing that bothered me was I felt they kept repeating bipolar disorder repeatedly in a way that seemed as if they didn’t even know what bipolar disorder is. I know. I just criticized a non-profit mental health campaign. I’m a horrible person. Now, please excuse me. I have to run away from the mob coming after me with torches.